Course of the Week; M.Sc. Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology

March 20, 2018 The Editor

Biotechnology is the application of biotechnological techniques in various fields including; agriculture, environment, medical and food industry. For a developing country like Kenya, the importance of biotechnology is paramount in research and innovation for development, which is in line with JKUAT vision and mission. This program is aimed at imparting the most current molecular skills and technologies in the areas of agriculture and environment. The program is offered in the College of Health Sciences, in the school of Biomedical sciences.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The students will be expected to demonstrate;

Knowledge in Agricultural Biotechnology and be able to tackle food security issues.
Knowledge in Environmental Biotechnology and skills in use and developing

environmentally friendly techniques to resolve environmental pollution

Ability to develop marker systems for assay of genetically modified organisms and

monitor environmental pollutants.

Good understanding of environmental Policies and Acts and applying them appropriately

in their areas of operations.

Skills in usage of public bio data to enhance research and innovation.

Entry Requirements

1 .1 The common regulations for all Masters degrees in the University shall apply.

1.2 The general regulations for all Masters’ degrees in the College of Health Sciences shall

apply.

1.3 The following shall be eligible for registration for the Master of Science degree in agricultural and environmental biotechnology;

1.3.1 A holder of at least a Second Class Honors (Upper Division) degree having studied Biochemistry as a major or regular subject. The candidate must have an average of credit (B) in Biochemistry courses.

1.3.2 A holder of a Second Class Honors (Lower Division) Degree in Biochemistry combined with another science subject but with a credit B in Biochemistry course may, under exceptional circumstances, be considered provided he/she produces evidence of having worked for at least three years in Biochemistry or a closely related field with at least one publication in a refereed journal.

1.3.3 A holder of Bachelor of Science degree agricultural, animal and other biological sciences, with at least Second Class Honors (Upper Division) and with an average of credit (B) in Biochemistry courses.

1.3.4 A holder of a degree accepted as equivalent to one of the degrees mentioned in

1.3.1 to 1.3.4 above from another University recognized by Senate.

2.0 Duration and Pattern of the Course

2.1 The duration of the Master of Science course in Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology shall be at least two academic years (18 months) from the date of registration.

2.2 Students taking a Master of Science course in Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology shall follow any of the following programme;

2.2.1 Course work, examination and thesis,

2.3 In the first year, students shall take ten required units (five units in semester one and five in semester two) and may take two additional units (one in each semester).

The unit courses shall be assessed by course-work and examination. Each unit shall comprise lectures which shall include tutorials and discussions. In addition, students will be required to attend/present Departmental seminars.

2.4 In the second year students will undertake research, seminar presentation (at least two seminars on their research work) and thesis writing.

COURSE DISTRIBUTION

YEAR I SEMESTER I

UNIT CODE UNIT TITLE STATUS

HBB 3100 Research Methodology senate approved

HBB 3102 Bioinformatics

HBB 3203 Methods in Molecular Biology senate approved

HBB 3240 Microbial Biotechnology

HBB 3241 Genetic Engineering and Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms

ADDITIONAL UNIT (OPTIONAL)

HBB 3242 Biotechnology in Crop Improvement New

YEAR I SEMESTER 2