BSc. Animal Science Bachelor

Kenya‘s economy, like most other developing nations, is entirely based on agriculture. The fast population growth in most regions of the country puts a high demand for increased productivity in agriculture. At the advent of industrialisation, the need to increase agricultural production in order to avail adequate food for the fast growing population as well as providing raw materials for industrial processing is even more. Within the agricultural sector, animal production contributes substantially in providing food, shelter, employment and cash income. As food, animal protein is essential, especially for proper physical as well as mental development of the youth. The bulk of Kenya‘s agriculture is based on smallholder farming units. It is now quite evident that crop-livestock farming systems are the most appropriate production systems for sustainable farming within the smallholder-farming sub-sector in the country. The Department of Animal Sciences is expanding on its previous curricula both vertically and horizontally in order to adequately equip its graduates with skills to face the above challenges.
The B.Sc. degree in Animal Science is broad based, taking foundations in Basic science courses such as anatomy, animal physiology, genetics, organic chemistry and biochemistry and Agricultural Sciences with professional skills in Animal Production. This is necessary in view of the fact that as the country continues to develop, specialist manpower is required in the extension service, public agricultural institutions, private sector and non-governmental organisations. The graduates of this course are also well equipped for self-employment both as a livestock farmer and livestock unit manager. Further, the course provides a sound base for those graduates aspiring for advanced training in specialised areas of Animal Science. The Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science is therefore designed to provide students with fundamental knowledge and skills in the fields of Physiology, Nutrition, Breeding, Animal Health, Ecology and Management of various species of domestic animals. Supporting courses in Crop Production (e.g. Pastures and Fodders crops), Agricultural Economics and Extension are also offered.