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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

Admission requirements
a)  The common regulations for all Master of Science degrees in the University shall apply.
b)  The general regulations for all Master of Science degrees in the Department of Biological Sciences shall apply.
c)   The following shall be eligible for registration for the Master of Science degree in Applied Microbiology in the Department of Biological sciences:
i.  A holder of at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Biological Sciences having studied Biological sciences as a major or regular subject from University of Embu or its equivalent from a University recognised by the Senate.
ii.  Under exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Department, a holder of a Second Class Honours (Lower Division) degree in Biological Sciences having studied Biological sciences as a major or regular subject may be admitted. Such a candidate shall produce evidence of having conducted research or having worked in a relevant area from an institution recognised by the University for a period of at least two years.
iii.  At the discretion of the Department, any other qualifications considered equivalent to i and ii may be considered.

Duration of Study
Two academic years

Expected learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program students will be:
1.    Capable of pursuing doctoral degrees in microbiology or related areas.
2.    Equipped with knowledge and skills that will enable them to work as researchers, academicians in the field of applied microbiology.
3.    Able to exploit microorganisms for the benefit of mankind.

Career prospects
Postgraduates in the applied microbiology can pursue doctoral studies or work in industry, research institutions and universities, at the national and international level.  

Coursework requirements.
A student is required to attend at least two thirds of class attendance to be allowed to sit the final examination.

Duration and Pattern of the Course
i)  The minimum duration of the Master of Science course shall be at least TWO academic years (18 months) from the date of registration.
ii)  No candidate for the degree of Master of Science shall be registered as a full-time student for more than four (4) academic years or as a part-time student for more than five (5) academic years without submitting his thesis, except by permission of the University.
iii)  Master of Science course in Applied Microbiology shall be by course work, examination and thesis.
iv)  In the first year students shall take 10 units which shall be assessed by course-work and examination. A student may take up to two additional units during the first year.
v)  A candidate may opt do composite microbiology where s/he becomes conversant with all aspects of microbiology by taking the prescribed units or may choose to specialize in one of the options as prescribed.
vi)  Each unit shall comprise lectures which shall include tutorials, discussions and practicals.  In addition the students will be required to attend/present Departmental seminars.
vii)  In the second year students will undertake research, seminar presentation and thesis writing.
viii)  The departmental regulations for thesis shall apply.

Requirements for graduation
To be considered for the Award of a Master of Science degree in Applied Microbiology
a)  A candidate must have been admitted into the program and taken ten (10) required units. After fulfilling the required 10 units, a student can opt to take two (2) additional units at the discretion of the Department.
b)  A candidate must undertake a research project, submit a written thesis and pass all respective examinations.

Courses/Unit Distribution Table for Master of Science in Applied Microbiology

Composite Option: Core Units

Unit

Unit Title

Contact

Status/ Remarks

Code

 

Hours

 

SZL 515

Research Methodology

45

Senate approved

SBZ 545

Biostatistical Methods

45

Senate approved

SBT 532

Microbial Physiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 621

Fundamentals of applied molecular biology

45

Senate approved

JPM 622

General Bacteriology

45

Senate approved

JPM 644

Microbiological laboratory techniques

45

Senate approved

 

Composite Option: Elective Units

UNIT

UNIT TITLE

CONTACT

STATUS/ REMARKS

CODE

 

HOURS

 

JPM 627

General Virology

45

Senate approved

JPM 632

General Mycology

45

Senate approved

JPM 642

Microbial ecology

45

Senate approved

JPM 639

Food microbiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 640

Industrial microbiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 626

Molecular biology in bacteriology

45

Senate approved

JPM 641

Molecular biology in industrial and environmental microbiology

45

Senate approved

*Departmental units

Bacteriology Option:  Core Units

UNIT

UNIT TITLE

CONTACT

STATUS/ REMARKS

CODE

 

HOURS

 

SZL 515

Research Methodology

45

Senate approved

SBZ 545

Biostatistical Methods

45

Senate approved

SBT 532

Microbial Physiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 621

Fundamentals of applied molecular biology

45

Senate approved

JPM 622

General Bacteriology

45

Senate approved

JPM 644

Microbiological laboratory techniques

45

Senate approved

 

Bacteriology Option: Elective Units

Unit

Unit Title

Contact

Status/ Remarks

Code

 

Hours

 

JPM 623

Bacteria of veterinary and medical importance

45

Senate approved

JPM 624

Control of bacterial infections

45

Senate approved

JPM 625

Epidemiology of bacterial infections

45

Senate approved

JPM 626

Molecular biology in bacteriology

45

Senate approved

JPM 638

Aquatic microbiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 645

Microbe-microbe interactions

45

Senate approved

*Departmental units

Virology Option: Core Units

Unit

Unit Title

Contact

STATUS/ REMARKS

Code

 

Hours

 

SZL 515

Research Methodology

45

Senate approved

SBZ 545

Biostatistical Methods

45

Senate approved

SBT 532

Microbial Physiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 621

Fundamentals of applied molecular biology

45

Senate approved

JPM 627

General Virology

45

Senate approved

JPM 644

Microbiological laboratory techniques

45

Senate approved

 

Virology Option: Elective Units

Unit

Unit Title

Contact

Status/ Remarks

Code

 

Hours

 

JPM 630

Epidemiology of viral infections

45

Senate approved

JPM 631

Molecular biology in Virology

45

Senate approved

JPM 628

Viruses of veterinary and medical Importance

45

Senate approved

JPM 629

Control of viral infections

45

Senate approved

JPM 643

Vaccinology

45

Senate approved

VPH 605

Applied immunology

45

Senate approved

*Departmental units

Mycology Option: Core Units

Unit

Unit Title

Contact

Status/ Remarks

Code

 

Hours

 

SZL 515

Research Methodology

45

Senate approved

SBZ 545

Biostatistical Methods

45

Senate approved

SBT 532

Microbial Physiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 621

Fundamentals of applied molecular biology

45

Senate approved

JPM 632

General Mycology

45

Senate approved

JPM 644

Microbiological laboratory techniques

45

Senate approved

 

Mycology Option: Elective Units

Unit

Unit Title

Contact

Status/ Remarks

Code

 

Hours

 

JPM 633

Fungi of veterinary and medical importance

45

Senate approved

JPM 634

Control of fungal infections

45

Senate approved

JPM 635

Epidemiology of fungal infections

45

Senate approved

JPM 636

Molecular biology in mycology

45

Senate approved

JPM 646

Microbe-animal interactions

45

Senate approved

JPM 647

Microbe-plant interactions

45

Senate approved

*Departmental units

Environmental And Industrial Microbiology Option: Core Units

Unit

Unit Title

Contact

Status/ Remarks

Code

 

Hours

 

SZL 515

Research Methodology

45

Senate approved

SBZ 545

Biostatistical Methods

45

Senate approved

SBT 532

Microbial Physiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 621

Fundamentals of applied molecular biology

45

Senate approved

JPM 622

General Bacteriology

45

Senate approved

JPM 644

Microbiological laboratory techniques

45

Senate approved

Environmental And Industrial Microbiology Option: Elective Units

Unit

Unit Title

Contact

Status/ Remarks

Code

 

Hours

 

JPM 637

Soil microbiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 638

Aquatic microbiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 639

Food microbiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 640

Industrial microbiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 641

Molecular biology in industrial and environmental microbiology

45

Senate approved

JPM 642

Microbial ecology

45

Senate approved

*Departmental units

Second year
Core

Unit

Unit Title

Contact

Status/ Remarks

Code

 

Hours

 

SBE 600

 Thesis

540

Senate approved

 

Award of Degree
(a) A Master of Science in Applied Microbiology degree shall be awarded shall be awarded to candidates who takes the composite option.
(b) Candidates who specialises shall be awarded a Master of Science showing the specialization as follows
(i)   Master of Science in Applied Microbiology (Bacteriology Option)
(ii)   Master of Science in Applied Microbiology (Virology Option)
(iii)   Master of Science in Applied Microbiology (Mycology Option)
(iv)   Master of Science in Applied Microbiology (Environmental and Industrial Option)