SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE & FOOD SCIENCE

Dr John Thuita

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.

Two principals and one subsidiary Pass at KACE level or equivalent, one of which must be in Biology and in any other Science Subject

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.

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

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

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

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

1object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″]

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

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.