SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE & FOOD SCIENCE
- Dr. John Thuita (PhD,MVPH,BVM), Ag.Dean SAFS
The School of Agriculture and Food Sciences (SAFs) is made up of three (3) departments including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Food Sciences and the Department of Animal Sciences. SAFs envisions itself as a centre of excellence in which highly skilled and technologically equipped graduates are produced and released to the market to help actualization of the Kenya Government’s food security objective as outlined in the big four agenda policy initiative and vision 2030 (www.vision2030.go.ke).
The guiding philosophy of SAFs and the entire University is self-reliance and self-actualization for all. In order to develop these values, students are taken through experiential learning which involves complementing class lectures with provision of a favorable environment for exploration and expression of individual talents. In SAFs, experiential learning is supported by modern laboratory facilities shared by all programmes that need them, a large demonstration farm for various types of crops, provision of a variety of on-farm livestock species including dairy and beef cattle and facilities for aquaculture (fishponds) and apiculture (beehives). Experiential learning is further enhanced using farm visits and academic field trips to various farms with which the University has memorandum of understanding (MOUs) as well as agricultural and food oriented industries and research institutions all over the ountry.
SAFS boasts of a vibrant academic culture designed to convert the fresh, energetic and knowledge-hungry young people who enroll in our school every year to the final highly skilled young men and women graduates who are released to the market at the end of their postgraduate, undergraduate, diploma and certificate programmes. The school has a full-time academic staff complement consisting of six (6) academic staff members who are at the level of professor or senior lecturer, 8 who are at the level of lecturer and 7 who are at assistant lecturer level.
Ph.D. in Agriculture
Master of Science in Agriculture/Horticulture/Crop Science/Plant Biotechnology/ Botany/Forestry/related Sciences from a University recognized by MUST Senate.
Duration: 3 years Mode of Study: Fulltime/Part-time/Weekend Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees per semester: Ksh. 105,000
Ph.D. in Food Science
Master of Science in Food Science/Chemistry/Biotechnology/Nutrition from a University recognized by MUST Senate.
Duration: 3 years Mode of Study: Fulltime/Part-time/Weekend Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees per semester: Ksh. 105,000
Master of Science in Horticulture
Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in a relevant Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture/Agriculture/Crop Science/Biotechnology/Botany/Forestry
OR;
Second Class Honours (Lower Division) in a relevant Bachelor’s Degree with two (2) years relevant experience.
Duration: 4 semesters Mode of Study: Fulltime/Part-time/Weekend Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees in Ksh. Per semester: Ksh. 60,000
Master of Science in Food Science and Technology
Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in a relevant Bachelor’s Degree Food Science/Chemistry/Biotechnology/Nutrition or related disciplines
OR;
Second Class Honours (Lower Division) in relevant Bachelor’s Degree with two (2) years relevant experience.
Duration: 4 semesters Mode of Study: Fulltime/Part-time/Weekend Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees in Ksh. Per semester: Ksh. 60,000
K.C.S.E minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) with at least a C+ (plus) in Biology or Biological Sciences and any one of the following: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics or Physical Sciences.
OR
Two principals and one subsidiary Pass at KACE level or equivalent, one of which must be in Biology and in any other Science Subject
OR
A minimum of C (plain) in K.C.S.E. and at least a Credit Pass in Diploma in Animal Health/Agriculture/Medical Laboratory Technology/ Animal Science/Animal Production/Dairy Science/Biology from an institution approved by MUST Senate.
OR
A minimum of C- (minus) in K.C.S.E. with at least a Credit Pass in both Certificate and Diploma in Animal Health/ Agriculture/Medical Laboratory Technology/Animal Science/Animal Production/Dairy Science/Biology from an institution recognized by MUST Senate
OR
A degree in Biological Sciences from institutions approved by MUST Senate
Duration: 8 semesters Mode of Study: Full-time /Weekend/part-time Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees per semester: Ksh. 45,000
Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management
K.C.S.E minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) and minimum grade of C (plain) in Biology/Biological Sciences, Chemistry/Physical Sciences, Mathematics/Geography, English/Kiswahili/ any Group II, III, IV or V subject
OR;
A minimum of C (plain) in K.C.S.E. and at least a Credit Pass in Diploma in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Production, Animal Health, Biological Sciences or equivalent and related disciplines by an institution recognized by MUST Senate
Duration: 8 semesters Mode of Study: Full-time /Weekend/part-time Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees per semester: Ksh. 45,000
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
K.C.S.E minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) and minimum grade of C (plain) in Biology/Biological Sciences, Chemistry/Physical Sciences, Mathematics/Geography, English/Kiswahili/ any Group II, III, IV or V subject
OR;
A minimum of C (plain) in K.C.S.E. and at least a Credit Pass in Diploma in Animal Health/Agriculture/Medical Laboratory Technology/ Animal Science/Animal Production/Dairy Science/Biology from an institution approved by MUST Senate
OR;
A minimum of C- (minus) in K.C.S.E. with at least a Credit Pass in both Certificate and Diploma in Animal Health/ Agriculture/Medical Laboratory Technology/Animal Science/Animal Production/Dairy Science/Biology from an institution recognized by MUST Senate
OR;
A Diploma in Science from KNEC or its equivalent.
Duration: 8 semesters Mode of Study: Full-time/Weekend Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees per semester: Ksh. 45,000
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension
K.C.S.E minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) with a minimum grade of C+ (plus) in Agriculture and Biology/Biological Sciences. In addition, the applicant should have minimum grade of C (plain) in Chemistry/Physical Sciences, Mathematics/Geography, English/Kiswahili/ any Group II, III, IV or V subject.
OR;
Have a Diploma in Agricultural Education and Extension, Agriculture or the equivalent having obtained a minimum of C+ (plain) at K.C.S.E and C+ (plain) in Agriculture and Biology/Biological Science from KNEC.
Bachelor of Science in Horticulture
K.C.S.E minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) and minimum grade of C (plain) in Biology/Biological Sciences, Chemistry/Physical Sciences, Mathematics/Geography, English/Kiswahili/ any Group II, III, IV or V subject.
OR;
A minimum of C- (plain) in K.C.S.E. and at least a Credit Pass in Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agribusiness Biological Sciences or equivalent and related disciplines by an institution recognized by MUST Senate.
OR;
Mature Students with a pass in Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture and Agribusiness and with at least two (2) years ‘work experience in the related field.
Duration: 8 semesters Mode of Study: Full-time /Weekend/part-time Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees per semester: Ksh. 45,000
Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology
Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Management
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K.C.S.E minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) with a minimum grade of C (plain) in Chemistry/Physical Sciences, Biology/Biological Sciences, Mathematics/Physics/Geography, English/Kiswahili/ any II, III, IV, or V subjects.
OR;
Diploma in Food Science and Technology, Nutrition or related field from an institution recognized by MUST Senate.
Duration: 8 semesters Mode of Study: Full-time /Weekend/part-time mode Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees per semester: Ksh. 45,000
Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Nutrition
K.C.S.E minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) with a minimum grade of C (plain) in Chemistry/Physical Sciences, Biology/Biological Sciences, Mathematics/Physics/Geography, English/Kiswahili/ any II, III, IV, or V subjects.
OR;
Diploma in Food Science and Technology, Nutrition or related field from an institution recognized by MUST Senate.
Duration: 8 semesters Mode of Study: Full-time /Weekend/part-time Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees per semester: Ksh. 45,000
Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics
K.C.S.E minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) with a minimum grade of C+ (plus) in Chemistry/Physical Sciences and English/Kiswahili and C (plain) in Mathematics/ Physics and Biology/Biological Sciences
OR;
Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics or Nutrition and Food Sciences from K.N.E.C or its equivalent.
Duration: 8 semesters Mode of Study: Full-time/Weekend Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)
Tuition fees per semester: Ksh. 45,000
KCSE subjects: Group II: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences: Group III: History and Government, Geography, Christian Religious Education, Islamic Religious Eduction, Hindu Religious Education; Group IV: Home Science, Art and Design, Agriculture, Computer Studies, Aviation; Group V: French, German, Arabic, Music, Business Studies.
More about the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences
The Department of Agriculture has four (4) BSc programmes including BSc in Agricultural Education and Extension (AGED), BSc in Agriculture, BSc in Horticulture and BSc in Agribusiness Management. The Department runs a demo farm with greenhouse facilities to provide learners with facilities for conducting experiments. The Department of Agriculture came into existence on 1st May 2010. The department is committed in ensuring the attainment of the University objective of playing a leading role in the development and expansion of opportunities for higher education and research in Agriculture, Forestry,Water, Environmental Science and Arid and Semi-arid lands.
The BSc in Animal Health and Production is housed within the Department of Animal Sciences which was formed in 2018, having previously been a section in the Department of Agriculture. Meru University is one of the 18 institutions accredited by the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) to offer this programme in Kenya. The programme is designed to produce skilled frontline personnel who are equipped to provide animal health, welfare and production services
Under the Department of Food Science, there are four (4) degree programs, including Food Science and Technology, Food Science and Nutrition, Food Science and Management and Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HND). Value addition to food commodities and improved nutrition for better health are key to the achievement of Vision 2030. This is the domain of training in the department. The objective of the department is to produce world class graduates in the area of Food and Health.
Research
The staff members in the school are actively involved in research with over five research projects running. These research projects are funded internally by Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) and externally by the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) as well as other funding agents. The key research projects include:
Our Milestones
- SAFS admitted her first PhD students in Agricultural sciences in September 2016.
- The BSc. Animal Health and Production degree programme offered in the school was accredited by the Kenya Veterinary Board in 2018.
- The University has constructed a modern dairy unit at a cost of Ksh 5 million. When fully operational, the facility will have a capacity of 20 high yielding exotic dairy cattle to facilitate training in animal health and Production and related programmes
- Marimba Learning Centre has been approved by the Technical and Vocational Education Training Authority (TVETA) to offer diploma programmes in Agriculture, Agripreneurship, Horticulture Production and Agricultural extension. The first batch of Government sponsored students reporting are expected to report in the first semester of the 2020/2021 academic year. These programmes are in addition to the already established certificate and diploma programmes offered at the Marimba Learning Centre.
| S/No | Program | Course Code | Course Title |
| 1 | BSc. Food Sc.&Tech. Y1S1 | CIT 3100 | Introduction to computer technology |
| AFT 3100 | Introduction to Food & Nutritional Sciences | ||
| SCS 3111 | Physical Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| SMF 3111 | Mathematics I | ||
| SZV 3100 | Principles of biology | ||
| UCU 3101 | Development Studies and Ethics | ||
| UCU 3102 | Communication Skills | ||
| 2 | BSc. Human Nutri& Dietetics Y1S1 | CIT 3100 | Introduction to computer technology |
| AFN 3100 | Introduction to Nutrition and Dietetics | ||
| SCS 3111 | Physical Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| SMF 3111 | Mathematics 1 | ||
| SZV 3100 | Principles of biology | ||
| UCU 3101 | Development Studies and Ethics | ||
| UCU 3102 | Communication Skills | ||
| 3 | BSc. Food Science& Management Y1S1 | CIT 3100 | Introduction to computer technology |
| AFT 3100 | Introduction to Food & Nutritional Sciences | ||
| SCS 3111 | Physical Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| SMF 3111 | Mathematics I | ||
| SZV 3100 | Principles of biology | ||
| UCU 3101 | Development Studies and Ethics | ||
| UCU 3102 | Communication Skills | ||
| 4 | BSc. Food Sc.&Tech. Y2S1 | AAA 3200 | Principles of Crop Production |
| SMF 3261 | Statistics | ||
| AFT 3200 | Food Engineering I | ||
| SBA 3250 | General Microbiology | ||
| AFT 3201 | Food Chemistry 1 | ||
| AAP 3210 | Introduction to Animal Production | ||
| AFN3202 | Principles of Human Nutrition | ||
| 5 | BSc. Human Nutri& Dietetics Y2S1 | AAA 3200 | Principles of Crop Production |
| SMF 3261 | Statistics | ||
| AFN 3200 | Macronutrients | ||
| SBA 3250 | General Microbiology | ||
| AFT 3203 | Fundamentals of Food Chemistry | ||
| AAP 3210 | Introduction to Animal Production | ||
| AFN 3201 | Micronutrients | ||
| 6 | BSc. Food Science& Management Y2S1 | BFC 3200 | Principles of Accounting |
| SMF 3261 | Statistics | ||
| BFB 3103 | Principles of Management | ||
| SBA 3250 | General Microbiology | ||
| AFT 3201 | Food Chemistry 1 | ||
| BEC 3150 | Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| AFN 3202 | Principles of Human Nutrition | ||
| 7 | BSc.Food Sc.&Tech. Y3S1 | AFT 3300 | New Food Product Development |
| AFT 3301 | Food Microbiology II | ||
| AFT 3302 | Instrumental Methods in Food Analysis | ||
| AFT 3303 | Meat Science | ||
| AFT 3304 | Post-Harvest Technology of Perishables and Root crops | ||
| AFT 3305 | Dairy Science | ||
| AFT 3306 | Cereal Science | ||
| 8 | BSc. Food Sc.&Nutri.Y3S1 | AFN 3300 | Nutrition Epidemiology |
| AFT 3301 | Food Microbiology II | ||
| AFT 3302 | Instrumental Methods in Food Analysis | ||
| AFT 3303 | Meat Science | ||
| AFN 3303 | Nutrition in Diseases Management | ||
| AFT 3305 | Dairy Science | ||
| AFT 3306 | Cereal Science | ||
| 9 | BSc. Human Nutri& Dietetics Y3S1 | AFN 3300 | Nutrition Epidemiology |
| AFT 3307 | Food Hygiene and Safety | ||
| AFN 3301 | Meal Planning Management and Service | ||
| AFN 3302 | Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition | ||
| AFN 3303 | Nutrition in Diseases Management | ||
| AFN 3304 | Nutritional Disorders | ||
| AFN 3305 | General Pathology | ||
| 10 | BSc. Food Science& Management Y3S1 | AFT 3300 | New Food Product Development |
| AFT 3307 | Food Hygiene and Safety | ||
| BFB 3304 | Financial Management in Agriculture | ||
| AFM 3300 | Food Industry Consultancy | ||
| AFT 3308 | Post-Harvest Technology | ||
| BEC 3305 | Taxation Theory and Practice | ||
| BFB 3305 | Principles of marketing | ||
| 11 | BSc. Food Sc.&Tech. Y4S1 | AAE 3425 | Agricultural Marketing |
| AAA 3425 | Sociology, Rural development and Extension Studies | ||
| AFT 3425 | Research Project I | ||
| AFT 3426 | Food Packaging Technology | ||
| AFT 3427 | Dairy Technology I | ||
| AFT 3428 | Food Toxicology and Legislation | ||
| AFT 3429 | Industrial Transformation of Cereals | ||
| 12 | BSc. Food Sc.&Nutri.Y4S1 | AAA 3425 | Sociology, Rural development and Extension Studies |
| AFT 3425 | Research Project I | ||
| AFT 3426 | Food Packaging Technology | ||
| AFT 3428 | Food Toxicology and Legislation | ||
| AFT 3430 | Food Quality Assurance& Sensory Evaluation | ||
| AFN 3425 | Community Nutrition and Health | ||
| AFN 3426 | Food and Nutrition Security | ||
| AFN 3427 | Nutrition in Emergencies |
To be a university school of excellence in agriculture, food and veterinary sciences
To provide quality training and research in agricultural technology, food science, and veterinary innovations in order to produce a Nationally and globally competitive work force.