BSc Animal Health Management Program Offered at Egerton University

The B.Sc. degree in Animal Health management is a unique programme, tailored to train and equip a Livestock Manager in the tropics with adequate theoretical and practical knowledge in preventive veterinary medicine, herd health and wildlife diseases.

The early part of the programme covers anatomy, physiology, environmental science, biostatistics, computer skills, microbiology and pathology. The final part of the course covers the delivery and management of animal health services. The course aims to provide new skills in epidemiology and economics with knowledge in: Arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) livestock health management; Business skills for livestock services; Management of community based Animal Health programmes
Policy analysis for the livestock sector and Biotechnology in Veterinary Medicine. Kenya‘s economy depends largely on agriculture. The rapid annual population growth of 3.1% requires a 4.0% growth in food production. The country‘s average Gross domestic product (GDP) from agriculture is 29%. The contribution from the livestock sector to the total G.D.P. however, is only 5%. This puts a high demand on livestock production, which has resulted to major changes in animal production systems, tending towards intensification. These changes are posing new challenges in animal disease management requiring a good knowledge in epidemiology and new approaches in disease control. In the last three decades the effectiveness of animal health delivery services has seriously declined in developing countries, especially in Africa. This is because governments cannot afford to meet the changing demands in disease control and the increasing costs of these programs. The general trend in Animal Health delivery services in Kenya is towards privatization. Most these services are now being offered by Non governmental Organizations (NGO) or by the private sector. Hence the need to train managers who are equipped to meet these challenges.

The objective of this BSc. Animal Health Management programme at Egerton University is:-

1. Develop appropriate skills and knowledge in veterinary epidemiology, biotechnology, and economics of disease control and ethnoveterinary (Traditional Veterinary Medicine) for increased food production under different livestock management systems.
2. Provide a training opportunity for diploma graduates in animal health/livestock officers, dairy science, range management, animal production, farm management, to up-grade their knowledge in animal health management.

All candidates admitted to the degree programme in Animal Health Management must satisfy the Minimum Egerton University entry requirement of C+ that are stipulated in the common university entrance regulations.

Applicants must satisfy the minimum cluster requirements of C+ in Mathematics, Biology or Biological Sciences and Chemistry or Physical Sciences, Physics or Physical Sciences at K.C.S.E. or equivalent examination and,
Diploma holders who have passed with a minimum of a credit or its equivalents in Animal Health, Dairy Science, Range or Wildlife Management, Farm Management and related disciplines from recognized institutions subject to Faculty/Senate approval.
Holders of degree or its equivalent from recognized universities in biological subject to senate approval.

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.

The teaching for the BSc. Animal Health Management degree at Egerton University shall extend for a period of four academic years, each year consisting of two semesters. Field Attachment is at the end of second semester of the third year.
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. One credit factor is equivalent to 15 lecture hours or 30 practical (laboratory or tutorial or seminar) hours.
Full time students are required to take 4 Academic years with total Credit Factors (C.Fs) of at least 157. Diploma holders or equivalent candidates may transfer up to 30% of credit factors to the degree curriculum from their diploma programme under guidelines specified by the Senate. Which means they will be required to take 109.9 C.Fs to complete the program.

Some of the subject areas include:

• Disease courses
• Principles of disease control/Epidemiology/Preventive Medicine
• Law & Vet. Practice
• Public Health, Animal Industry/Environmental Hygiene
• Seminars, students projects
• Field attachment / training

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