Bachelor of Science in Animal Science Program Offered at Egerton University

Bachelors Degree 4 years Fulltime Fee: on application Intake: Ongoing

Bachelors Degree (Accredited by: Egerton University)

About Bachelor of Science in Animal Science Bachelors Degree program.

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 at egerton University 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 at Egerton University 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 offered at Egerton University 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.

Objectives of Bachelor of Science in Animal Science

At the end of the BSc. in Animal Science degree programme at Egerton University, the student should be able to:

  1. Understand the role of Animal Production in the national economy particularly the importance of animal products in human nutrition.
  2. Apply acquired knowledge in the fields of Nutrition, Breeding, Physiology and Management to various animal production systems in order to increase their productivity.
  3. Communicate acquired knowledge and skills to various individuals or groups interested in improving animal production.
  4. Use acquired knowledge to innovate new technologies and management techniques that would further improve productivity of various species of domestic livestock.
  5. Make an analysis of critical factors that affect efficiency of various Animal Production systems.
  6. Utilise the acquired knowledge and skills in gainful self-employment.

Entry requirements for Bachelor of Science in Animal Science

All candidates admitted to the degree programme of Animal Science at Egerton University must satisfy the minimum entry requirements stipulated in the common Egerton University entrance regulation.

  1. Applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements in Biology or Biological Sciences and Chemistry or Physical Science at K.C.S.E. or equivalent examination.
  2. In addition to 4.2 above, applicants must have passes with at least C+ in Mathematics, Physics (where Physical Science was not offered), Geography and English at K.C.S.E. or equivalent examinations. An added advantage will be given to applicants who have passed with grade C and above in Agriculture or Economics.
  3. Alternatively, admission may be granted to diploma holders who have passed with distinction and credit or their equivalents, in Animal Husbandry, Animal Health, Agriculture, Range, Wildlife Management and related disciplines from recognised Universities and colleges. Such cases will be treated on individual merits.

Mininum Entry Requirements for Bachelor's Degree
The entry requirements set out below are only minimum, and they in no way entitle an applicant to a place in the University. Applicants must:

  • Have the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with an average grade C+ (C plus)passed at one sitting from at least seven subjects drawn from subject groupings as specified by the Kenya National Examinations Council or its equivalent.

OR

  • Have one of the following combinations of passes in the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education examination:
  • Two (2) Principal passes obtained at the same sitting.

OR

  • Egerton University Statutes 2008 43
  • Two (2) Principal passes obtained at different sittings provided the passes are of Grade C or higher.

OR

  • Hold a Diploma of Egerton University with a 'Credit' pass or higher or an equivalent
  • Qualification from a recognized institution in the relevant field of specialization acceptable to Senate. Those with a 'Pass' Diploma will be considered if they have at least two years relevant experience after graduation.

AND
Meet additional entry requirements as may be specified by the respective Department, Faculty, School or Institute.

To be admitted for a PRE-SERVICE DEGREE PROGRAM, a prospective candidate must have all the requirements set up by the joint Admission Board (JAB), with a prospective IN-SERVICE student must have completed a diplomaprogram in the relevant field and graduated with at least a CREDIT.

Bachelor of Science in Animal Science Course Subjects

The teaching for the BSc in Animal Science degree at Egerton University shall extend for a period of not less than four years, each year consisting of two semesters.

The period following the end of the second semester of the third year shall be devoted to field practical work (Field Attachment).

Each semester will consist of 17 weeks, with 15 weeks teaching and 2 weeks examinations.

The weighting of courses is in terms of credit factors with one credit factor being equivalent to15 lecture hours or 30 practical (laboratory or tutorial or seminar) hours.

A student may be given a credit transfer on courses done at Diploma level and passed with grade B but the total CF transferred should not exceed 30 CFs.
The courses to be studied at Egerton University include:

  • General introductory and principle courses
  • Basic sciences e.g. physiology
  • Nutrition, feeds and feeding
  • Genetics and breeding
  • Production from ruminant animals
  • Production from non-ruminant and other animal species
  • Experimentation, projects, seminars and visits etc.

About Egerton University

Egerton University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya. It was founded as a Farm School in 1939 by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, a British national who settled in Kenya in the 1920s.

Egerton University has three (3) Campuses and one Campus College.

The main Campus is based at ... read more