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)