MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PLANT BREEDING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Admission requirements
The common regulations for the Master’s degree of the University of Embu and Faculty of Agriculture shall apply.
1. A holder of a degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours in Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Horticulture, Botany and Zoology, Environmental Sciences, Forestry, or related plant science degree or Bachelor of Education in Science with Botany and Zoology option and
any other relevant subject from the University of Embu or any other institution recognized by Senate.
2. Holders of a degree with at least Lower Second Class Honours in any of the degrees specified in 1 above with two years of relevant experience or a postgraduate diploma in 1 above or equivalent qualification from the University of Embu or any other institution recognised by Senate.
3 Holders of a pass Bachelor’s degree in disciplines specified in 1 above and a postgraduate diploma or its equivalent from the University of Embu or any other institution recognized by the senate.
4 Holders of a pass degree in the disciplines specified in 1 above with at least five years relevant work experience
Duration of Study
Two academic years
Expected learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program students will:
(i) Be able to identify research imperatives in plant breeding and biotechnology, design and execute plant breeding research projects aimed at solving the problems within a changing agricultural environment
(ii) Be highly skilled plant breeders and plant biotechnologists who will help optimise the country’s ability to attain food security and better nutrition while improving agriculture-based incomes from improved products and maintaining the natural resource base.
Career prospects
Postgraduates in the field of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology 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 in Plant breeding and Biotechnology 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 Plant breeding and Biotechnology shall be by course work, examination and thesis.
iv) Each unit shall comprise lectures which shall include tutorials, discussions and practicals. In addition, the students will be required to attend/present Departmental seminars.
v) In the second-year students will undertake research, seminar presentation (at least two seminars on their research work) and thesis writing.
vi) That the departmental regulations for thesis shall apply.
Courses/Unit Distribution for MSc in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
Year I: Semester I
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Contact Hours |
| ACS 600 | Biometrics for Agricultural Sciences | 45 |
| ACS 601 | Advanced Plant Physiology and Metabolism | 45 |
| ACS 604 | Seed Science and Technology | 45 |
| ACP 612 | Research Methods and Scientific communication | 45 |
| ACB 602 | Biotechnology, Cytogenetics and Mutation Breeding | 45 |
| ACB 604 | Advanced Plant Breeding | 45 |
Year I : Semester II
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Contact Hours |
| ACS 603 | Crop Pest management | 45 |
| ACP 610 | Entrepreneurship in Agriculture | 45 |
| ACB 601 | Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics | 45 |
| ACB 603 | Biometrical Genetics | 45 |
| ACB 605 | Breeding East African Crops | 45 |
| ACB 606 | Breeding for Biotic and Abiotic Stresses | 45 |
Second Year
Thesis
Requirements for graduation
To be considered for the award of a Master of Science degree in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
a) A candidate must have been admitted into the program and taken all required units.
b) A candidate must undertake a research project, submit a written thesis and pass all respective examinations.
Award of Degree
Candidates who satisfy the examiners in all written and thesis examinations shall be awarded a Master of Science degree in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology.