Overview
Soil is a key resource in agricultural production, engineering and landscape development, and environmental conservation and management. Accelerated land degradation and desertification through soil erosion, depletion of soil fertility, overstocking, deforestation, poor management of land resources, and climate change are all issues of great concern that are directly or indirectly linked with soil resource exploitation..
The revised Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science programme offers comprehensive exposure to the discipline of soil science as currently practiced. It offers definitive concepts, descriptions, fundamental principles and practices, appropriate methodologies and core knowledge from all fields encompassed within the discipline of soil science. These include pedology, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil biology and biochemistry; and their applications in soil survey and classification, soil fertility and plant nutrition, and soil conservation and water management. The curriculum provides a rigorous, complete and up-to-date presentation of the subject to meet the needs for training and research in soil science for enhancing productivity and sustainability of the soil resources. The revised programme has updated and expanded the content to provide essential new coverage of topics critically important to meet current and emerging challenges in soil science such as intensification of resource use, carbon sequestration in agroecosystems, global warming and climate change.
Structure
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The degree programme shall consist of research by thesis.
- The common regulations governing Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in the University of Nairobi shall apply. Accordingly the following rules will apply.
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The programme shall take a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years.
Admission Requirements
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Holders of a Master of Science degree in agricultural related disciplines, Soil science, biological sciences, environmental sciences or in natural resource management or an equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by senate.
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Holders of Masters degree in relevant social sciences recommended by the faculty board and approved by senate.
Careers
The objective of this programme is to equip students with knowledge and skills that will enable them to undertake the following:
- Manage soil resources for agricultural production at farm and watershed levels.
- Carry out research on soil management technologies and innovations.
- Participate in environmental rehabilitation and protection initiatives.
- Contribute to the planning, development, implementation and enforcement of relevant policies relating to soil science and natural resources management.
Fees and Funding
| DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SOIL SCIENCE (A809), | ||||
| Year I | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total | |
| TUITION | 432,000.00 | 432,000.00 | 432,000.00 | 1,296,000.00 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | 21,000.00 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | - | - | 50,000.00 | 50,000.00 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 4,500.00 | 4,500.00 | 4,500.00 | 13,500.00 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 3,000.00 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000.00 | - | - | 5,000.00 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | 19,500.00 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | 6,000.00 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 15,000.00 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 3,000.00 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | - | - | - | - |
| Grand totals | 464,000.00 | 459,000.00 | 509,000.00 | 1,432,000.00 |
Research by thesis
Prof. Nancy Karanja