MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TROPICAL & INFECTIOUS DISEASES (MSC. TID)

Overview

Philosophy

MSc Tropical and Infectious Diseases program offered by the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Nairobi is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand the biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and control of tropical and infectious diseases. The program emphasises a holistic approach to health and disease, acknowledging the interplay between biological, social, cultural, and environmental factors contributing to infectious disease occurrence and spread.

Rationale

There is an urgent need to address the burden of tropical and infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. These diseases pose significant health and economic challenges, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates, especially among vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.

Objective

To produce graduates with a broad and in-depth understanding of tropical and infectious diseases, including their pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Graduates will be equipped to apply this knowledge in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs to reduce the burden of these diseases in local and global contexts. The program also aims to develop student's research skills, enabling them to conduct independent research in tropical and infectious diseases and contribute to advancing knowledge in the field.

FIRST YEAR                                                                            

Semester 1

WID 601 – Medical Parasitology                                               

WID 603 – Medical Entomology                                                

WID 605 – Medical Microbiology                                               

WID 607 – Virology and Prion Infections                                   

WID 609 – Immunology                                                             

 

Semester 2

WID 602 – Molecular Biology                                                    

WID 604 –Pharmacology and Therapeutics                             

WID 606 – Clinical Microbiology                                                

WID 608 – Non-Infectious Tropical Conditions                         

WID 610 - Research Methods                                                  

 

SECOND YEAR

Semester 1

WID 701 – Tropical Paediatrics and Maternal Health                 

WID 703 – Social Science and Health                                        

WID 705 - Epidemiology and Biostatistics                                 

WID 707 – Health Systems Management                                    

WID 709 – Tropical and Travel Medicine                                     

Semester 2

WID 750 – Research Project  

Mode of Delivery

The programme is delivered through face-to-face mode that includes:

  1. Didactic lectures
  2. Presentations/seminars
  3. Case studies/presentations
  4. Practical demonstrations in specialized laboratories
  5. Journal articles review

Research Project

Students, under a supervisor's guidance, carry out a research project on a selected topic in Tropical and Infectious Diseases. Research proposals shall be presented to the Departmental Postgraduate Committee and appropriate ethics committees as may be required by the Faculty.

                                                    

  1. Holders of Bachelors degree in Medicine & Surgery, Dental Surgery, Pharmacy, Nursing Sciences and Veterinary Medicine;
  1. Holders of upper second class honours degree in biomedical sciences with at least three years working experience in medical research or in disease control programmes.
  1. Holders of lower second class honours degree in biomedical sciences with at least ve years working experience in medical research or in disease control programmes.
  1. Any other equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by the Senate.

Schedule of Intake

Intake for this postgraduate degree programme is done in September of every year. Application is done online through the Online Application System. Click here to apply

Contact Details

For any assistance contact the Secretary, Office of the Chair, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology

Telephone: +254 737 348 848

E-mail: dept-medmicrobiology@uonbi.ac.ke

or pay us a visit at Kenyatta National Hospital Campus, University of Nairobi, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology. Click here to see the physical location

Award of Degree

A Candidate who passes in both the coursework and dissertation examinations shall be awarded the Degree of Masters in Tropical and Infectious Diseases

Career opportunities include:

  • Teaching careers in academia
  • Job opportunities in research
  • Institutions and industries
  • Post-doctoral fellowship/training
  • Scientist in research and development
  • Infectious Diseases in hospital

Attachment opportunities

Students have the opportunity to train and work as interns in well equiped laboratories such as Molecular Laboratory at University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Disease (UNITID), KAVI -Institute of Clinical Research, Kenyatta National Hospital, National Public Health (NPHL) laboratories, Aga Khan University Hospital among others.

Notable Alumni

1. Linda M. Guantai, Research Associate, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

2. Dr. Adut M.Chan, Pediatrician, Mater Hospital

3. Dr. Irum Beg Mizra, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital

4. Dr. Simon Mukora, Kitui Referral Hospital

5. Isabella M. Mwangi, Project Officer, CREAW Kenya

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2  
TUITION      192,000.00      192,000.00              384,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)           3,000.00                        -                      3,000.00
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)           2,250.00           2,250.00                   4,500.00
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)           1,000.00                        -                      1,000.00
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)           5,000.00                        -                      5,000.00
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)           2,000.00                        -                      2,000.00
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)           6,500.00                        -                      6,500.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)           7,000.00                        -                      7,000.00
CAUTION - (ONCE)           5,000.00                        -                      5,000.00
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)           1,000.00                        -                      1,000.00
Totals   224,750.00   194,250.00        419,000.00
       
       TOTALS 
YEAR 2  SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2  
TUITION      192,000.00      192,000.00              384,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)           6,000.00           6,000.00                12,000.00
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)           2,250.00           2,250.00                   4,500.00
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)           1,000.00                        -                      1,000.00
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)           5,000.00                        -                      5,000.00
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)           2,000.00                        -                      2,000.00
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)           6,500.00                        -                      6,500.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)           7,000.00                        -                      7,000.00
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)           1,000.00                        -                      1,000.00
THESIS EXAMINATION                        -            30,000.00                30,000.00
YEAR 2 TOTALS   222,750.00   230,250.00        453,000.00
                                     -   
GRAND TOTALS       872,000.00