Course Overview

Minimum Entry Requirements

Qualification for admission to Nairobi University for Master of Science degree in Plant Breeding :

1 Holders of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours from the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification from another institution recognized by the Senate.

2 Holders of a Bachelor’s degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours in Environmental Science, Botany and Zoology, Forestry and Education with Botany option from the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification from another institution recognized by the Senate.

3 Holders of a degree with at least Lower Second Class Honours in any of the degrees specified in 1 and 2 with at least three years’ relevant experience as evidenced by research publications, or relevant postgraduate diploma or an equivalent qualification from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognised by the Senate may be considered for admission.

2.2.4 Holders of a pass Bachelor’s degree in disciplines specified in 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 and a postgraduate diploma in the relevant areas.

Course Objectives

The objectives of the University of Nairobi in offering this programme are

i) To produce graduates with ability to identify research imperatives in plant breeding, design and execute plant breeding research projects aimed at solving the problems within a changing agricultural environment. At the same time, the training is to update the plant breeders with the latest developments in the field of crop improvement and genomic studies.

ii) To train highly skilled plant breeders who will help optimise the country’s ability to attain food security and better nutrition while improving agriculture-based incomes from improved product(s).

Course Program

Compulsory Courses

Biometry and Computing

Molecular Genetics

Population Genetics

Advanced Plant Breeding

Quantitative Genetics

Breeding East Africa Crops

Breeding for Disease & Pest Resistance

Cytogenetics

Breeding for Disease & Pest Resistance

Research Methods & Graduate Seminars

Specialization Courses

Speciality A: Crop Improvement

Biodiversity and Agro forestry Resources in Agric. Prod.

 Seed Science and Technology

Disease and Pest Management

Mutation Breeding

Speciality B: Functional Genomic Studies

Advanced Plant Physiology

Biotechnology

Plant Biochemistry

Crop Quality

Project

Research Project