Degree Structure:
(a) The programme is offered by course work and examinations, and a supervised research project and thesis.
(b) The programme provides both core (mandatory) and elective (optional) courses. The core courses are designed to give the student a broad and deep grounding in concepts and practice of Soil Science. All candidates shall take core courses. The elective courses are to provide the learners with deeper insights into specialized (option) areas of study. There are four options in the programme: Soil Biology, Soil Chemistry, Soil Physics, Soil Fertility, and Plant Nutrition. The thesis work is taken on a research subject emphasizing the chosen (option) area of specialization
(c) Courses are offered in units. A course unit is defined as a two-hour lecture and a three-hour practical session per week per semester. Thus, a course unit is comprised of 60 hrs per semester.
(d) The courses and research/thesis are distributed over the two-year period for full-time students as follows:
Duration of Programme:
The duration of MSc in Soil Science for full-time and part-time students shall normally be two and four academic years, respectively
Admission requirements:
(a) Applicant must satisfy the minimum requirements as per the Maseno University common regulations for Master Degrees.
(b) Applicant should normally have a B.Sc. Second Class,
Upper-division degree or it's equivalent in Soil Science, Geology, Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy or related disciplines from Maseno University or a recognized university.
(c) Applicant with Second class, Lower division degree in any of the above disciplines but with relevant post-graduate research experience and/or achievement will be considered.
(d) Applicant with a Pass degree and a Postgraduate Diploma with at least a credit pass in the relevant discipline will also be considered.
MSc Soil Science Courses
Course Units Titles
Year 1 Semester I CATEGORY
Soil Physics |
Soil Chemistry |
Soil Biology |
Soil Fertility |
Soil Survey, Classification and Land Evaluation |
Research Methodology |
Year 1 Semester II
Soil and Plant Analysis |
Quantitative Methods |
Special Topics |
Any three (3) elective courses |
Year II
Research and Thesis |
Elective (specialization) courses
Soil Biology Option
Waste Management on Soils |
Forest soils |
Soil Biochemistry |
Soil Chemistry Option
Waste Management on Soils |
Soil Biochemistry |
Soil mineralogy |
Soil Physics Option
Land and Soil Degradation Control |
Irrigation and Drainage Technology |
Soil and Water Conservation |
Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Option
Plant Nutrition |
Soil-less Growth Media |
Soil-Plant relations |