Overview
This program is designed to provide a sound knowledge of various aspects of Bioinformatics as relevant to teaching, research development and entrepreneurship in Bioinformatics. The program aims at training scholars who can conduct basic and applied multi-disciplinary research activities to address human and animal health, agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry.
With advances in genomic technologies, vast amount of biological data continue to be generated.
To get meaningful information from this data, scientists need to equip themselves with knowledge on molecular biology, sequencing, and skills necessary for designing tools to analyze massive amounts of data.
Structure
Philosophy of the Programme
The Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Nairobi is guided by the institution's philosophy which is to provide quality education and training through creation, preservation, integration, transmission, and utilization of knowledge and. need to unite Kenyans, The center endeavors to provide excellent training and research leadership and does so passionately with a sense of moral responsibility.
The Rationale of the Programme
The Master of Science in Bioinformatics degree programme responds to the question of relevance and of the degree to market, societal, economic, and environmental demands. The rationale arises from the need for integration of new technology and digital developments, the need to respond to market demands and address social, cultural, economic changes and to contribute towards national development and goals of vision 2030, and to conform to University education curriculum guidelines set by the commission of higher education.
The Objectives/Expected Learning Outcomes of the Programme
At the end of this programme, the learner should be able to:
- Recognize and describe the fundamentals of disciplines that form bioinformatics such as biology, computer science, and mathematics, and research methods.
- Apply bioinformatics tools and techniques in solving real-world biological problems.
- Demonstrate ability to conduct basic and applied research using bioinformatics tools.
- Design bioinformatics tools that can be used in mining and analyzing biological and life science data.
- Critique existing bioinformatics tools and related research
The Programme Structure and Duration
- The MSc. in Bioinformatics shall consist of a total of at least 20 course units each of at least 60 hours.
- Of the 20 units required to complete the degree program, the candidate shall take ten (10 core) and two (2) elective units in the first year. In the second year, the student will undertake a compulsory research project equivalent to 8 course units, which must be within the area of specialty.
- The course shall be covered in a minimum of 4 semesters of 15 weeks each and a maximum of 10 semesters of 15 weeks each.
Admission Requirements
- Common regulations for the Master’s degree in the University of Nairobi.
- Holders of a degree of the University of Nairobi of at least Upper Second Class in Science, Engineering, Agriculture or equivalent qualification from a University recognized by Senate.
- Holders of the degree of the University of Nairobi in Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Dentistry or equivalent qualification from a University recognized by the Senate.
- Holders of Lower Second Class degree in areas specified in (ii) plus at least two years relevant research/work experience may be considered for admission.
- Holders of Lower Second Class degree in areas specified in (ii) plus a Postgraduate Diploma in the relevant disciplines.
- Holders of a Pass degree in areas specified in (ii) plus a Postgraduate Diploma in the relevant disciplines or at least three years relevant research/work experience may be considered for admission.
Schedule of Intakes
The Centre admits once a year during the September intake. Admissions for subsequent September intake are processed on a rolling basis - throughout the academic year.
Application Information
To apply for the programme's upcoming September intake, please register and submit your application via the link; https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/
Mode of Delivery of the Programme
- Face-to-face Method
The student and lecturers will physically be present in classes at the Centre. This mode will ensure close interaction between the lecturer and the learners as well as among the learners. The method of instructions shall consist of lectures, class presentations, seminars, practicals and group discussions or any combination of these.
- Blended Learning
Students will be exposed to Blended Learning mode via electronic and online media as well as traditional face-to-face mode. For this mode, face-to-face tuition will be conducted during residential training. Additionally, the learner support services including academic and teaching will be conducted using multi-media approaches and during limited face-to-face learning.
-
Open, Distance Learning and e-Learning (ODeL)
The programme will be partly completed at the Centre through e-learning and the use of multi-media approaches. The research project can be undertaken at the collaborating institutions.
Careers
Career Prospects/Opportunities
- Academic Institutions
- Research Institutions
- Industry
- Public and private sector
- International organisations
- Entrepreneurship
Attachment Opportunities
CEBIB has well-equipped state-of-the-art research laboratories that support cutting-edge research activities. The labs have the capacity to accommodate the postgraduate students' research projects leading to thesis submission and research publications. CEBIB students may also be attached to collaborating institutions for funded research projects. The Centre offers three(3) attachment/internship for students with biotechnology or related backgrounds for a period of 3 months
Contacts of Support person:
Dr. George O. Obiero
Director, Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
University of Nairobi
P.O.BOX 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Email: george.obiero@uonbi.ac.ke/ cebib@uonbi.ac.ke
Tel: +254-(0)-20-4914107
Fees and Funding
| MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOINFORMATICS(I583) | YEAR 1 | ||
| YEAR 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS |
| TUITION | 174,000 | 174,000 | 348,000 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 5,000 | 0 | 5,000 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250 | 2,250 | 4,500 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000 | 0 | 5,000 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000 | 0 | 5,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 0 | 6,500 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | 0 | 7,000 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| Total | 208,750 | 176,250 | 385,000 |
| YEAR 2 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS |
| TUITION | 174,000 | 174,000 | 348,000 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 5,000 | 0 | 5,000 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250 | 2,250 | 4,500 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000 | 0 | 5,000 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 0 | 6,500 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | 0 | 7,000 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | 0 | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| Total | 203,750 | 206,250 | 410,000 |
| Grand Total | 795,000 |
Exam Regulations
Written Examinations
- Each taught course unit shall be examined by a three-hour written examination at the end of the semester.
- The complete assessment of a taught course unit shall consist of continuous assessment test, practical assignments and a written examination.
- A candidate who fails to obtain a pass mark (50%) in any course unit may, on the recommendation of the Board of CEBIB and approval by Senate, be allowed to sit supplementary examinations for up to a third of the total course units. The candidate will be allowed to sit supplementary examinations for failed units once.
- A candidate who fails to obtain a pass mark (50%) in any course unit in the supplementary examinations may, on the recommendation of the Board of CEBIB and approval by Senate, be allowed to re-sit or re-take a third of the total course units. The candidate will be allowed to sit supplementary examinations for failed units once.
- A candidate who fails more than a third of the courses or fails in the re-sit or re-take or fails to complete the course in the prescribed time shall on the recommendation of the Board of CEBIB and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
- A pass obtained by supplementary examination, re-sitting or re-taking a course unit shall be recorded as 50%.
Thesis Assessment
All Common regulations of the University of Nairobi regarding examination of research projects/ Thesis/Dissertation Assessment shall apply.
Moderation of Examinations
All examinations shall be moderated through an internal and external examiner as provided by the University of Nairobi’s guidelines.
