Structure
Applications of biotechnology in agriculture: bioremediation, crop stress tolerance to biotic and abiotic factors, crop quality and nutrition; gene revolution and crop production; industrial and pharmaceutical products. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structure and function, gene expression, translation, transcription. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) structure, synthesis and processing; Recombinant DNA technology; Molecular techniques for gene cloning, enzymes used in gene cloning and characterization; cell and tissue culture; genetic engineering, transformation overview; Social and ethical issues in biotechnology, biotechnology policies. Mating systems and breeding methods of field and horticultural crops; male sterility; incompatibility, clones; marker assisted breeding and genetic modification; breeding for disease and pest resistance; tissue culture and polyploidization; breeding major field and horticultural crops; multi-location testing and variety release; breeding rights and their regulations in breeding major field and horticultural crops.
SCHEDULE OF INTAKE
Students are admitted once every year usually in September with exception of variation that may be caused by unforeseen circumstances. Applications are, however, received all year round and are processed for yearly admission.
Admission Requirements
The common regulations for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the University of Nairobi shall apply.
- Holders of a Master’s degree in Horticulture, Agronomy Crop Protection, Plant Pathology, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, and related plant sciences from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by Senate
- The applicant must be able to produce evidence of adequate academic background in the discipline and capacity to carry out original research by submitting a research concept note on the proposed topic of study.
- The concept note shall include a title, name of the candidate, introduction, and brief statement of the problem, research objectives, and research hypothesis, brief literature review, summary of proposed methodology, expected outputs, work plan, budget and key references.
Careers
Horticultural flower and vegetable production chains,
exports companies/limited
Researcher
Quality control manager
Quality standards control agencies
Ministry of Agriculture
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Landscaping services
Ornamentals and arboreta
Fruit production
Garden and lawns management
Greenhouse and Lathe house management
Teacher/Lecturer
National and international research organizations
Fees and Funding
Item |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
TOTAL |
|
1 |
Registration |
4,500 |
4,500 |
4,500 |
9,000 |
2 |
Tuition (KES 25,000/ unit) |
200,000 |
225,000 |
175,000 |
600,000 |
3 |
Examination |
6,000 |
- |
|
6,000 |
4 |
Thesis Supervision |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
300,000 |
5 |
Thesis Examination |
- |
- |
50,000 |
50,000 |
6 |
Laboratory and field fee |
132,000 |
132,000 |
132,000 |
396,000 |
7 |
ICT services |
7,000 |
7,000 |
7,000 |
21,000 |
8 |
Library |
5,000 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
15,000 |
9 |
ID Card |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
3,000 |
10 |
Caution money (Refundable) |
5,000 |
- |
- |
5,000 |
11 |
Medical fee |
6,500 |
6,500 |
6,500 |
19,500 |
12 |
Activity Fee |
2,000 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
6,000 |
13 |
Student organization |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
3,000 |
Total |
470,000 |
484,000 |
484,000 |
1,438,000 |
The PhD degree programme in Horticulture is delivered through face-to-face, blended learning and Open, Distance and Electronic Learning (ODeL) modes of delivery. The ODeL mode of delivery shall only apply for the taught course units, except the Graduate seminars. The main modes of instruction will be via face-to-face and electronic interactions as lectures, seminars and guided research. The blended learning mode of delivery combines face-to-face and online learning approaches.
Prof. Jane Ambuko
Contacts: +254 20 4916020, e-mail: dept-pscp@uonbi.ac.ke
James Muthomi
Contacts: +254 20 4916020, e-mail: dept-pscp@uonbi.ac.ke