Overview
The revised Master of Science in Soil Science programme offers comprehensive exposure to the discipline of soil science as currently practiced. It offers definitive concepts, descriptions, fundamental principles and practices, appropriate methodologies and core knowledge from all fields encompassed within the discipline of soil science. These include pedology, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil biology and biochemistry; and their applications in soil survey and classification, soil fertility and plant nutrition, and soil conservation and water management. The curriculum provides a rigorous, complete and up-to-date presentation of the subject to meet the needs for training and research in soil science for enhancing productivity and sustainability of the soil resources. The revised programme has updated and expanded the content to provide essential new coverage of topics critically important to meet current and emerging challenges in soil science such as intensification of resource use, carbon sequestration in agroecosystems, global warming and climate change.
The revisions also take cognizance of the development of specialized MSc programmes in the Department. These are Land & Water Management, Sustainable Soil Resource Management, and Management of Agroecosystems & Environment. It is expected that the students undertaking the revised curriculum will acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to address the emerging challenges surrounding the productivity and sustainability of the soil resource base.
Structure
The programme will be offered as full time, part time and through Open and Distance and Learning (ODL) for students who cannot attend regular University programmes.
- Full-Time
- The degree program shall consist of coursework, examinations and thesis.
- The course shall cover a minimum of 4 semesters and a maximum of 8 semesters and each semester will be 15 weeks.
- Each candidate will be required to take and pass all units.
- Each candidate will be required to undertake a research project leading to an examinable thesis. The choice of the thesis research topic shall be made in consultation with the department and the academic supervisor.
- Each course unit shall have 45 hours covered in one semester.
Part time
As in 4.1 above in addition to the following:
- The course shall cover a minimum of 4 semesters and a maximum of 10 semesters and each semester will be 15 weeks.
- A student shall be required to take a minimum of two and a maximum of four courses in one semester.
4.3. Open and Distance Learning
The Open, Distance and e-Learning programme will run for a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 semesters of 15 weeks each. The minimum calendar years for completion of the programme shall be 2 years and a maximum of 4 years. The minimum course load per semester will be 2 units.
The mode of delivery will be through open and distance learning modes involving largely home and/ or office-based media
Admission Requirements
The common regulations governing Master’s degrees of the University of Nairobi and Faculty of Agriculture shall apply.
- Holders of a Bachelor of Science degree with at least an Upper Second Class Honours in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Range Management, Wildlife Management, Forestry, Environmental Science, Biological and Natural Sciences or an equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by Senate.
- Holders of a Bachelor of Science degree with Lower Second Class Honours in any of the areas specified in above with at least two years relevant work experience or a postgraduate diploma in any of the areas listed above or equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by Senate.
- Holders of a pass degree in the disciplines specified in above plus a post-graduate diploma in any field related to soil science or at least five years’ work experience.
Careers
The objective of this programme is to equip students with knowledge and skills that will enable them to undertake the following:
- Manage soil resources for agricultural production at farm and watershed levels.
- Carry out research on soil management technologies and innovations.
- Participate in environmental rehabilitation and protection initiatives.
- Contribute to the planning, development, implementation and enforcement of relevant policies relating to soil science and natural resources management.
