Diploma in Agricultural Biotechnology
Admission Requirements for the Diploma in Agricultural Biotechnology
Candidates must have obtained the minimum University and School admission requirements.
The following shall be eligible for registration for the Diploma in Agricultural Biotechnology in the Department of Water and Agricultural Resource Management:
1. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Applicants: A minimum of Grade C- (C minus). In addition, applicants must meet specific School/Department Requirements or;
2. Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE): A minimum of one Principal level pass and one subsidiary pass. In addition, applicants must meet specific School/Department Requirements or;
3. Holder of equivalent qualifications approved by the University Senate.
These minimum requirements shall be reviewed from time to time to reflect new developments in the Education sector in the country.
Duration of Study
There will be three semesters per academic year; therefore the minimum academic years for completion of the diploma programme would be 2 years and a maximum of 4 years. The average course load per semester will be 7 course units. However, students may be allowed to take a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 units per semester. Each course unit in the programme has a loading of 45 hours. The field/industrial attachment shall each be an equivalent of 7 course units.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of the diploma programme, the student should be able to:
i) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of biotechnology in Agriculture.
ii) Use biotechnology to create new products.
iii) Apply biotechnology tools in agriculture and other related fields.
Career prospects
The University of Embu aims to train Agricultural Biotechnologists who will work in industry and academia
Diploma in Agricultural Biotechnology Courses/Unit Distribution Table
First Year
| Year I: Semester I | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | CCS 001 | Communication Skills | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 2. | ACS 001 | Introduction to Agriculture | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 3. | ACS 002 | Agricultural Botany | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 4. | ACS 004 | Principles of Genetics | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 5. | AAS 002 | Animal Anatomy | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 6. | AAS | Animal Physiology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 7. | AAS 006 | Principles of Plant Physiology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 8. | SCH 001 | Applied Chemistry in Agriculture | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 270 | 90 | 360 | |||
| Year I: Semester II | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | CCS 002 | Fundamentals of Development | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 2. | SMA 001 | Basic Mathematics | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 3. | AEB 001 | Introduction to ICT and Computers | 30 | 30 | 60 |
| 4. | ABT 001 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 5. | ABT 002 | Cell Biology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 6. | ABT 004 | Introductory Biochemistry | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 7. | ACS 010 | Principles of Plant Breeding | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 8. | AAS 012 | Principles of Animal Breeding | 30 | 15 | 45 |
Second Year
| Year II: Semester I | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | AEC 007 | Production Economics | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 2. | ABT 003 | Parasitology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 3. | ABT 006 | Principles of Immunology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 4. | ABT 007 | Animal Biotechnology and Cell Culture | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 5. | ABT 008 | Plant Biotechnology and Tissue Culture | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 6. | ABT 009 | Laboratory Practices and Management | 15 | 60 | 75 |
| 7. | ABT 010 | Molecular Biology Techniques | 30 | 30 | 60 |
| Year II: Semester II | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | ABT 005 | Microbiology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 2. | ABT 011 | Histology | 30 | 30 | 60 |
| 3. | ABT 013 | Bacteriology and Virology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 4. | ABT 014 |
Mycology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 5. | AEC 002 |
Agricultural Extension and Rural Development | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 6. | ACS 015 |
Introduction to Biostatistics | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 7. | ACS 016A | Research Methods and Seminars | 45 | 0 | 45 |
Third Year
| Year III: Semester I | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | ACP 003 | Weed Science and Management | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 2. | AAS 005 | Animal Breeding and Biotechnology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 3. | AEC 003 | Farm Management and Accounts | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 4. | AEC 004 | Agricultural Marketing | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 5. | AEC 006 | Agricultural Policy and Law | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 6. | AEC 007 | Entrepreneurship in Agriculture | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 7 | ACS 016A | Research Methods and Seminars | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| Year III: Semester II | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | ACS 016 | Field/Industrial Attachment | 0 | 320 | 320 |
Award of Diploma
a) The diploma award and classification shall be based on the average score of all the units taken in the programme.
b) The diploma award shall be Diploma in Agricultural Biotechnology.
Classification of Diploma
The classification of the Diploma awarded shall be based on the average marks obtained in all course units and shall be graded as follows:
Score Grade Classification
70% and above A Distinction
60% - 69% B Credit I
50% - 59% C Credit II
40% - 49% D Pass
0% - 39% F Fail