Overview
OBJECTIVES
The goal of the programme is to produce personnel with expert-level knowledge and skills to innovate, perform specialized Animal Genetics and Breeding tasks, conduct research and train future Animal Genetics and Breeding specialists.
At the end of the programme, the learner should be able to:
- Apply knowledge, tools and databases, in the current animal genetics and breeding era, to solve complex problems of genetic improvement and predict their long-term results
- Design sustainable breeding programmes, maintain variation in breeding populations and create a positive impact on genetic improvement and conservation
- Conduct innovative research in animal genetics and breeding.
Admission Requirements
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum admission requirements
The common regulations for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in all faculties of the University of Nairobi shall apply. To qualify for admission into the Doctoral programme, a candidate shall be:
- holders of Master of Science degree in animal genetics and breeding
- Holders of a Master of Science degree in biochemistry, bioinformatics, or biotechnology, or related biological sciences or an equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by the Senate.
- Holders of any other Master’s degree recommended by the faculty board and approved by Senate.
- Credit transfer and exemptions
The common regulations for the transfer of credit of the University of Nairobi shall apply.
- Applicants may be exempted from some courses and credits transferred from institutions recognized by the University of Nairobi senate. The candidate must have passed similar course units at the Doctoral level or equivalent.
- Applicants seeking transfer of credit shall send a formal application to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, through the Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, giving justification for the request, and attaching officially endorsed supporting credentials
- Application for transfer of credit shall be processed after payment of the prescribed non-refundable fees.
- The credit transfer shall be valid for only theory courses that shall have been attended and passed within the last five years.
SCHEDULE OF INTAKES
Intakes are in September every calendar year. Registration and admission for qualified applicants commences in August. For more Information on Registration & Admission please click here
Careers
Careers Prospects/Opportunities
-Research institutes like KARLO,ILRI,ICIPE as researchers
-In the Universities as Lecturers in Animal Genetics and Breeding
-In the middle colleges as tutors
-In research institutions as researchers
-In Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO)
-In the national museums of Kenya as researchers
-In the Kenya Wildlife Service as researchers
Attachment Opportunities
-Research institutes like KARLO,ILRI,ICIPE
In Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO)
-In the national museums of Kenya
Fees and Funding
| Year I | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total | |
| TUITION | 396,000.00 | 396,000.00 | 396,000.00 | 1,188,000.00 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | 21,000.00 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | - | - | 50,000.00 | 50,000.00 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 4,500.00 | 4,500.00 | 4,500.00 | 13,500.00 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 3,000.00 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000.00 | - | - | 5,000.00 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | 19,500.00 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | 6,000.00 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 15,000.00 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 3,000.00 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | - | - | - | - |
| Grand totals | 428,000.00 | 423,000.00 | 473,000.00 | 1,324,000.00 |
The philosophy of the programme is aligned with that of the mission of University of Nairobi, which is to connect and inspire the Kenyan community, to provide leadership and stewardship and to give hope and faith to Kenyan society. The programme provides high-quality training in the area of animal genetics and breeding through guidance on creation, preservation, integration, transmission and utilization of knowledge and skills in the field. It is intended that the knowledge gained through the training will enhance livestock productivity thus improving food security.
There is a growing demand for foods of animal origin as a result of improved standards of living due to rising incomes, population increases and urbanization. This demand will have to be met either from local production or through importation. The capability of increased production of animal products is faced with myriad problems. Some of the constraints include competition for land with crops and urban development, competition for the same ingredients used as human food for animal feed, competition for space, global warming and the need to provide environmental control for animal growth and production and ever-changing animal disease patterns. In the developing world, feed is the biggest constraint to animal production both in terms of availability (quantity) and quality.
To adequately address these challenges, there is a need for personnel who can apply the principles of animal genetics and breeding to maximize animal’s productivity. In addition, high-calibre researchers are needed to develop new technology to improve the efficiency of the use of current genetic resources taking into consideration the current climate change and search for alternative nutrient sources to reduce competition with humans. This programme aims at training and equipping professionals in animal genetics and breeding of national, regional and international repute with appropriate scientific knowledge and skills required to implement sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies and practices aimed at securing livelihoods.
A PhD in Animal Genetics and Breeding curriculum with coursework enables the learner to conduct suitable thesis projects that address practical production challenges. The coursework will incorporate core research methods in animal science and specialized animal genetics and breeding content focusing on animal science-related problem identification and solving. The expected result will be a more appropriate and attractive programme that will be completed within the stipulated period.
2.Justification o f the need for the programme
The capability of production of animal products is faced with myriad problems compounded by the need to feed an ever-growing human population. Some of the problems include competition for land with crops and urban development, competition for feed with the human population, competition for space, global warming and the need to provide environmental control for animal growth and production and ever-changing animal disease patterns. To adequately address these challenges, specialized knowledge, encompassing an appreciation of animal genetics and advanced breeding technologies are necessary to enable correct decision-making for satisfactory and profitable livestock production. The decisions made must facilitate the efficient and sustainable production of different livestock genotypes and species in different ecological and management environments. They must also consider and utilize the latest knowledge and research, and through study contribute to livestock breeding and conservation knowledge and skills. Expert-level human resource persons need to be trained in this field hence the need for this programme.
This programme is consistent with current government strategies including Vision 2030 and its Medium Term Plans (MTPs), the Big Four Agenda and the sector-wide agricultural sector development strategies that have been developed to enable the achievement of national development objectives.
3. Stakeholders involvement
The development of this curriculum has been necessitated by the need to have market and industry-responsive content. A stakeholder workshop was held to receive and incorporate input from the industry, academia, regulators and wider stakeholders. The categories of stakeholders invited to give input included the Kenya Veterinary Association, Animal Production Society of Kenya, National Agricultural Research Systems, Consultants, field practitioners, animal health product suppliers, prominent livestock farmers, representatives from international organisations, and alumni of the department of Animal Production. The programme is in line with the regulatory and statutory frameworks. The key stakeholder observation was that to reduce the burden of importing foods of animal origin, there was the need to improve research capacity; education and production of the needed products, there was need universities need respond to this challenge. The emphasis was laid on the importance of a curriculum that addresses statutory, regulatory and market needs. The programme focuses on increasing land and animal productivity, addressing the interaction between genotype and environment, and contributing to environmental sustainability under the stresses of climate change. Graduates are expected to possess the capacity to offer innovative solutions to these challenges and respond to global industry and market variations. Finally, the research should yield a higher-value thesis that improves our understanding and offer innovative solutions to problems pertinent to society. Therefore, the programme demands public participation to incorporate elements of solving real issues and commercialization of research.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Online student Application Manual
How to apply
Before continuing please read the University of Nairobi admission requirements
Please ensure that you meet the admission requirements before applying.
- It is in your best interest to complete your own application. The University of Nairobi does not make use of representatives, agents or agencies during the application process. If you choose to make use of representatives, agents or agencies, you do so at own risk.
- The closing dates are non-negotiable. It is your responsibility to ensure you apply before the applicable deadline!
- It is of utmost importance that you provide your correct personal email, Mobile Number, postal addresses and Next of Kin contacts to enable the University of Nairobi to contact with you directly.
You will only be able to submit your online application once you have:
- Completed the full online application form, AND
- Uploaded all the necessary scanned supporting documents in .pdf format, AND
- Either paid the application fee by any of the provided means.
- If you have not successfully paid by either means, your form has not been submitted.
Once your application has been successfully submitted after you have clicked VERIFY and APPLY:
- You will no longer be able to do any further editing of your application via the Online Application system.
- You will be informed by SMS and Email what your allocated reference number is.
- You will also be sent other important procedures describing how to check your progress and application results on your Email.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:
The online application system provides the facility for an applicant to disclose his/her disability status. Applicants are encouraged to make use of this facility to disclose their disability status at this point in the application process. Such a disclosure will in no way prejudice an application. Disclosing your disability status enables the University of Nairobi to better anticipate the needs arising from these disabilities.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR ONLINE APPLICATION
Step 1: Access from your computer www.application.uonbi.ac.ke
Step 2: Profile Registration – For first time applicants, create a personal profile by clicking on “Click Here to Register Button” to proceed to fill the all the required information
Note: All details marked with a red asterisk are mandatory and you will be required to provide them before you proceed and you must read and accept the terms and conditions before submitting yourdetails.
Upon completion, an email will be sent to you (email provided during registration) requiring you to log in into your email account and activate your account together with your username and password.
This will allow you to log into your account to manage your profile and track the progress of your application. To create your account please click on the Register button otherwise enter your username and password to log in to your account.
STEP 3: PROFILE MANAGEMENT
To apply for a University programme you will be required to complete your profile. These include your Personal details, Contact information, Education background, Work experience and Referees. You will also be required to upload scanned copies of your certificates, transcripts and passport photo.
NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT MANAGE TO COMPLETE YOUR PROFILE IN ONE SESSION YOUR DATA WILL BE SAVED AND YOU CAN STILL COME BACK AND COMPLETE IT AT A LATER TIME
STEP 4 PROGRAMME SELECTION
Only when your profile is complete can you apply for the programme you wish to undertake. Go to “Click here to apply” menu option on the Dashboard where you will select your programme from the intakes that are open at the time of making the application. Then click on “Apply for intake” Button
Once you click you will be lead to the form below where you select the preferred type of degree
You will also be able to view the entry requirements for the programme to see if you meet the requirements before making the application.
On selection of the degree programme types e.g Certificate & Diploma, Undergraduate/Bachelors,
Masters/Postgraduate Diplomas or PhD you intent to apply for, you will get a list of all the preferred programme as shown below
available programmes in that category. Click on ‘Apply for this Programme’ Button alongside the
Payment of Application Fees
If satisfied and wish to proceed you will be directed to the payment section where you pay the application fees. The system supports online payment using Master and Visa cards, Mpesa and payment through the bank. In each case the system will issue an applicant reference number which should be used as the account no when making the payment.
APPLICATION FEE PAYMENT VIA M-PESA
Pay the required amount through your mobile phone by M-PESA following the instructions below:
- Go to M-PESA on your phone.
- Select Lipa na M-PESA option
- Select Pay Bill option.
- Enter Business no.
- Enter your Reference number as sent to your mobilephone
- Enter the Amount you intend to pay.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN and Send
N/B. Only make the payment if you have been allocated an application reference number sent to your phone or email
APPLICATION FEE PAYMENT USING VISA CARD
You can also pay using a VISA debit or credit card by choosing the VISA option as shown
Select VISA option
Enter the card number, Expiry date and the security code, then click on the ‘Pay’ Button
NOTE: You will be notified on successful payment process. You can print the payment report generated after the process.
PAYMENT BY DIRECT BANKING
- Visit any Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) branch
- Obtain a cash deposit slip
- Enter the branch as University Way
- Enter Account number 1177475707
- Enter Account Name University of Nairobi (CESSP)
- Quote the application reference number as sent to your mobile phone
- Enter amount being paid eg. (KES3,000.00)
- Deposit your money
- Log in to your online application account to confirm that the payment has been processed
APPLICATION PROGRESS TRACKING
The Online application system provides a mechanism for applicants to track the progress of admission process at any given time, and also download the admission letter and joining instructions.
All this can be done from the applicant’s portal account by click of a button.
CHANGE OF APPLIED COURSE
The applicant may request for a change course in the following instances:-
- They did not meet the admission criteria for the programme applied and therefore have not been shortlisted.
- They wish to change the course applied for.
- The applicant is not eligible for the course they have applied for.
To apply for the change of course the applicant may write a letter to the Academic Registrar, requesting for “Change of Applied Course” Quoting their Application Reference Number and indicating clearly the new course they wish to change to. This letter may be emailed to reg- academic@uonbi.ac.ke or admissions@uonbi.ac.ke
There is no additional cost to a request for Change of Course.
Contacts of support persons
Prof.J.G. Maina
EMAIL:aniprod@uonbi.ac.ke or joyce.maina@uonbi.ac.ke
TELEPHONE: 020 4916024
1 Face-to-face mode
This shall be through a variety of course delivery techniques such as lectures, tutorials, lecture discussions, class presentations, case studies, demonstrations, fieldwork, videos, student lecturer consultations, supervised independent research, group projects, or any combination of these.
2 Open, distance and e-learning mode
The programme will be offered using a multi-media approach that includes self-instructional print and electronic study materials. The ODeL mode of delivery shall apply to the taught course units, except the Graduate Seminars.
3 Blended learning mode
This shall involve the combination of traditional, e-learning and online digital learning, asynchronous lectures, use of tutorials and practicals.
The Chairman
Department of Animal Production
Prof.J.G. Maina
EMAIL:aniprod@uonbi.ac.ke or joyce.maina@uonbi.ac.ke
TELEPHONE: 020 4916024