BACHELOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE - (J30)

Overview

The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine degree programme is designed to train personnel with the requisite knowledge and skills to work as “Veterinary Surgeons, Animal Scientists and Nutritionists, Veterinary Pharmacists, Public Health Officers, Epidemiologists and other related professionals.

OBJECTIVES

  1. To develop human resource with the technical expertise in veterinary medicine.
  2. To contribute to capacity building for food security and safety, disease control and welfare in the animal resource sub-sector.

SCHEDULE OF INTAKES

Intakes are  in September every calendar year. Registration and admission for qualified applicants commences in August. For more  Information on Registration & Admission please  click here

MODE OF DELIVERY

Face-to-Face Mode

Lectures, tutorials, practical and post mortem demonstrations, clinical and surgical rotations handling surgical animal patients, assignments on topical subjects for class discussions in presence of the lecturer and self-study as well as scheduled or take-away continuous assessment tests.

Open, Distance and E-Learning Mode

Home and/or office-based media using a variety of self-instructional electronic and online self-study materials, such as; written self-instructional study modules, online interactive devices and self-tests, cloud-based content, videos of lectures mediated technical learning materials e.g. audiovisual and e-learning materials.

Blended Learning Mode

A combination of face-to-face and online learning approaches.

 

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of training a veterinary surgeon is to create, develop, distribute and apply knowledge at both local and international levels on animal health care, the welfare of farm, exotic and working animals, and those that need a healthy environment in which to thrive, whether that environment is a rain forest, a desert or even the ocean; research, food safety and inspection testing of animals and animal products for major diseases; develop vaccines and enforce government safety regulations; design and administer animal and public health programs for the prevention and control of diseases transmissible among animals and between animals and people.

RATIONALE

The programme is designed to train personnel with the requisite knowledge and skills to work as Veterinary Surgeons, Diagnosticians, Animal Scientists and Nutritionists, Veterinary Pharmacists, Public Health Officers, Epidemiologists and other related professionals for local, regional and international markets. It aims at producing well rounded and competent personnel required to offer high quality veterinary and related services in research, academia, and policy amongst other relevant fields in both the public and private sectors of our economy.

Veterinary medicine as science plays a major role in planning and sustainable development worldwide. This, therefore, demands adequate capacity building in both personnel and technology.  In recognition of this demand, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine together with other stakeholders provides a curriculum aimed at producing graduates who understand the complex and dynamic socio-ecological concepts and principles that support cooperative actions aimed at achieving the country’s, regional and international food security agenda. It provides for market-focused, hands-on, practical oriented training.

 

NOTABLE ALUMNI

  • Prof. Stephen Kiama Gitahi, Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi
  • Prof Njenga Munene, Vice Chancellor, Zetech University
  • Prof. Henry Mutembei, Vice Chancellor,  Chuka University
  • Dr. Paul Otuoma, County government of Busia Governor
  • Prof. Samuel Kariuki, Director Drugs for Neglected Disease    Initiative –Africa
  • Dr. Obadiah N Njagi, PhD, OGW, Director Veterinary Services

Contacts of support persons

Prof. John D. Mande
Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Postal Address:  The Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

                                P. O. Box 29053 - 00625
                                KANGEMI.

Telephone:      020 - 2181370 or 020 - 4916009

Email:              dean-vet@uonbi.ac.ke

Physical Location: Off Kapenguria Road, 14 kms. to the Northwest of Nairobi

Report Corruption to:   0704 655262,
                                              0704 655263,
                                              0704 655276

SCHEDULE OF INTAKES

Intakes are  in September every calendar year. Registration and admission for qualified applicants commences in August

COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION

  1. The degree course shall consist of 130 course units; consisting of lectures, practicals, tutorials, demonstrations, seminars, case presentations, field  and industrial attachment, research project report and examinations.
  2. A course unit shall be defined as 45 contact hours comprising of lectures and practicals. 
  3. The course shall take a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years. Each academic year shall comprise of two semesters of 15 weeks duration. In addition, there shall be a third semester lasting a minimum of 8 weeks (equivalent to 6 course units) after the first, second, third and fourth year of study.
  4. A candidate shall be required to take a relevant field and industrial attachment during the third semester at the end of the first, second, third and fourth year of study. The institutions for attachment shall be identified by the candidate, in consultation with the course coordinator and the chairman of the faculty projects and attachment committee.
  5. During the first and second semester of the fifth year of study, each candidate shall be required to develop a research project proposal relevant in any of the fields of his/her interest in Veterinary Medicine; that shall be executed and written as a technical report and submitted for examination at least six weeks before the end of the second semester. Each candidate shall be expected to consult their supervisor while developing and executing the research project proposal and preparing the report.

 

COURSE OUTLINE

CODE

UNIT TITLE

LECTURES

PRACTICALS

TOTAL

UNITS

YEAR 1

SEMESTER I

HRS

HRS

HRS

 

JVA 101

Gross Anatomy I

90

45

135

3

JVA 102

Histology and Embryology I

45

45

90

2

JVP 101

Physiology I

45

45

90

2

JVB 111

Biochemistry  I

45

45

90

2

JVP103

Laboratory Techniques and Practice

15

30

45

1

 

 

 

 

450

10

 

SEMESTER II

 

 

 

 

JVA 103

Gross Anatomy II

90

45

135

3

JVA 104

Histology and Embryology II

45

45

90

2

JVP 102

Physiology II

45

45

90

2

JVB 112

Biochemistry II

30

15

45

1

JVB 113

Molecular Biology

45

45

90

2

CCS 010

HIV/AIDS

45

-

45

1

 

 

 

 

495

11

 

SEMESTER III

 

 

 

 

JVM 261

Farm Practice Attachment

0

270

270

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR 2

SEMESTER I

 

 

 

 

JAP 221

Animal Genetics

30

15

45

1

JAP 223

Animal Nutrition

30

15

45

1

JAP 225

Principles of Animal Production

30

15

45

1

JAP 226

Production of Ruminant Animals

30

15

45

1

JPH 241

Biostatistics

30

15

45

1

JPM 251

Veterinary Entomology and Protozoology

60

30

90

2

JPM 253

Veterinary Bacteriology

60

30

90

2

JPM 254

Immunology and Vaccinology

30

15

45

1

 

 

 

 

450

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEMESTER II 

 

 

 

 

JAP 222

Animal Breeding and Conservation

30

15

45

1

JAP 224

Animal Feed Resources and Feeding

30

15

45

1

JAP 227

Production of Non-Ruminant Animals

30

15

45

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

JAP 228

Production of Emerging Livestock

30

15

45

1

JPM 252

General Pathology

60

30

90

2

JPM 255

Veterinary Mycology and Virology

60

30

90

2

JPM 256

Veterinary Helminthology

60

30

90

2

 

 

 

 

450

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEMESTER III 

 

 

 

 

JVM 361

Field and Laboratory Diagnostics Attachment

0

270

270

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR 3

SEMESTER I

 

 

 

 

JCL 331

General Medicine

30

15

45

1

JCL 332

Food animal medicine I

30

15

45

1

JCL 334

Principles of Veterinary Surgery

30

15

45

1

JCL 335

Veterinary Gynaecology and Andrology

30

15

45

1

JPT 341

Pharmacology I

45

45

90

2

JPM 351

Systemic Pathology I

60

30

90

2

JPM 352

Clinical Pathology

30

15

45

1

JPM 354

Avian and Fish Health

30

15

45

1

 

 

 

 

450

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 SEMESTER II

 

 

 

 

JPT 342

Pharmacology II

30

15

45

1

JPT 343

Toxicology

30

15

45

1

JPH 342

Epidemiology

30

15

45

1

JCL 333

Food Animal Medicine II

30

15

45

1

JCL 336

Small Animal Medicine            

30

15

45

1

JCL 337

Veterinary Anaesthesiology

30

15

45

1

JCL 338

Veterinary Obstetrics and Neonatology

30

15

45

1

JPM 353

Systemic Pathology II

60

30

90

2

JPM 355

Wildlife, Laboratory  and Emerging Food Animal Diseases   

30

15

45

1

 

 

 

 

450

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEMESTER III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JVM 461

Introduction to Clinics and Hygiene Attachment

0

270

270

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR 4

SEMESTER I

 

 

 

 

JPH 441

Veterinary Public Health I

90

0

90

2

JPH 443

Veterinary Economics, Business and Project Management

30

15

45

1

JCL 431

Equine and Camelide Medicine

30

15

45

1

JCL 432

Clinical and Preventive Veterinary Medicine

30

15

45

1

JCL 433

Diagnostic Imaging and Veterinary Orthopedics I

30

15

45

1

JCL 435

Soft Tissue Surgery

30

15

45

1

JCL 436

Reproductive Diseases and Infertility

30

15

45

1

JVM 462

Case Presentation

0

45

45

1

JPM 451

Postmortem  Demonstrations and Laboratory Diagnosis

0

45

45

1

 

 

 

 

450

10

 

 SEMESTER II

 

 

 

 

JPH 442

Veterinary Public Health II

0

180

180

4

JPH 444

One Health

30

15

45

1

JCL 434

Diagnostic Imaging and Veterinary Orthopedics II

30

15

45

1

JCL 437

Wildlife Medicine

30

15

45

1

JCL 438

Udder Health, Reproductive Biotechnology and Fertility Management

30

15

45

1

JCL 439

Animal Welfare and Disaster Management

30

15

45

1

JVM 462

Case Presentation

0

45

45

1

JPM 451

Postmortem  Demonstrations and Laboratory diagnosis

0

45

45

1

 

 

 

 

495

11

 

 SEMESTER III

 

 

 

 

JVM 561

Clinical Attachment

 

270

270

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR 5

SEMESTER I

 

 

 

 

JCL 531

Clinical Medicine

0

90

90

2

JCL 532

Clinical Surgery

0

90

90

2

JCL 533

Clinical Theriogenology

0

90

90

2

JCL 534

Forensic Science, Jurisprudence and Policy

30

15

45

1

JCL 535

Research Methodology and Communication

30

15

45

1

JPM 555

Diagnostic Pathology

0

90

90

2

JVM 562

Research project

0

90

90

2

JVM 563

Case Presentation

0

30

30

1

 

JVM 564

Pathology Case Presentations

0

15

15

 

 

 

 

585

13

 

SEMESTER II

 

 

 

 

JCL 531

Clinical Medicine

0

90

90

2

JCL 532

Clinical Surgery

0

90

90

2

JCL 533

Clinical Theriogenology

0

90

90

2

JPM 555

Diagnostic Pathology

0

90

90

2

JVM 562

Research project

0

90

90

2

JVM 563

Case Presentation

0

30

30

1

JVM 564

Pathology Case Presentations

0

15

15

 

 

 

 

495

11

EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

There shall be University Examinations held at the end of each semester except in the fifth year when they shall be held at the end of the year.

No candidate shall be admitted to an examination unless he/she has attended two thirds of the prescribed course unity.  

No candidate shall be permitted to proceed to the next year of study until he/she has satisfied the examiners in all the prescribed courses taught in that year.

No candidate shall be allowed to graduate unless the candidate has passed in all the prescribed courses.

There shall be special examination(s) for those candidates who miss the University examinations provided that such candidate(s) shall to the satisfaction of the Senate, prove that they were genuinely unable to take the examination(s).

The pass mark for each course shall be 50%.

Continuous assessment tests shall contribute 30% and the final examination 70 % towards the University Examination marks for each course in the year of study.

As the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine degree is a non-classified, performance in each course shall be graded as follows:

 

i)          75%-100%                  -           Distinction

ii)         65% - 74%                  -           Credit

iii)        50% - 64%                  -           Pass

iv)        Below  50%                 -           Fail

 

Compensation shall be allowed for one subject only within a semester for marks between   46 - 49 % for a candidate who has failed in only one subject.  For fifth year only one subject would be compensated.  For every 1 compensation mark, 2 marks shall be taken from the compensating subject.

In any University Examination, a candidate who presents for examination for the first time; and who fails half or less of the courses per year, subject to rule (6.8) above shall, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be permitted to sit supplementary examination(s) to be held after second semester examination results at a time to be determined by the Faculty Board of Examiners.

A candidate who fails the supplementary examination(s) shall, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, repeat the failed course unit(s) of the year provided that the candidate pays the prescribed fees for the respective course unit(s) and examination(s).

A pass obtained by a candidate after sitting for supplementary examination(s) shall constitute only a pass of 50% in that particular course.

A candidate, who presents for University examinations and fails in more than a half of the subjects will on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Examiners, be permitted to repeat the failed course unit(s), provided that the candidate shall pay all prescribed fees for the respective course unit(s) and examination(s).

A candidate who is permitted to repeat part of the work of any year under clause (3.10 and 3.12) above and who in the examination for that part fails to attain a pass, subject to clause (3.9) above, shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued.

No candidate shall be allowed to register for a course unit(s) on academic grounds more than twice.

 

 

The common admission requirements for the Bachelors Degrees in the University of Nairobi shall apply. In addition, candidates eligible for admission to the above degree programme will be required to be holders of the following qualifications:-

  1. A minimum of a C+ in KCSE with at least C+ in Biology or Biological Science and Chemistry and in any one of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Physical Sciences or Agriculture.
  1. Two principal passes and one subsidiary pass at KACE level or equivalent, one of which must be in Biology and the other in any science subject.
  1. A minimum of a C (plain) in KCSE with an ordinary diploma in Animal /Human Health/Agriculture/Medical Laboratory Technology from a recognized institution. Minimum credit pass.
  1. Bachelor of Science degree in a Biological Science from a recognized institution.
  1. Any other qualification equivalent to any of the above, subject to approval by the Senate.

CREDIT TRANSFER AND EXEMPTIONS

CREDIT TRANSFER

  1. The credit transfer shall be applicable for candidates from Universities or institutions recognized by the Senate of the University of Nairobi.
  2. The number of hours, content and grading of course(s) for which credit transfer is sought shall be similar to the degree courses offered at the University of Nairobi.
  3. Only grades of C and above shall be transferred.
  4. Transfer of credits shall not be more than a third of the total prescribed courses required for the award of the degree in Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine.
  5. The relevant academic body approved by the Senate shall make official evaluation and transfer of credits to the University of Nairobi.
  6. Credit transfer shall not be allowed for Field and Industrial Attachments, Research Project and courses in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th year of study.

EXEMPTION

  1. A candidate may be exempted from some courses on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by the Senate of the University of Nairobi.
  2. A candidate shall have attended those courses in a University or an institution recognized by the Senate of the University of Nairobi and had a pass grade.
  3. A candidate seeking such exemptions shall submit a duly completed form approved by the Senate; specifying the course(s) for which exemption is desired and attach evidence of 3.2.1 above, showing the contents of what was studied.
  4. Courses specified in 3.2.3 are to satisfy the requirements for the first year of study only. A candidate who requires exemption from courses in the second, third and fourth year of study shall in the absence of credit transfer, be required to sit University examination(s) and attain at least a pass grade, which will then be used in the classification of the degree.
  5. Exemptions shall not be applicable to Field and Industrial Attachment, Clinics and Research Project Report.
  6. Exemptions shall not be allowed for more than one third of the prescribed courses in the degree programme.
  7. A candidate admitted into the 2nd year of study shall be deemed to have already been exempted from 25 % of the total prescribed courses in the degree programme.

Careers Prospects

Veterinary Medicine Practitioners (Domestic and Wild Animals and Poultry)

Lecturers/Teachers in institutions of higher learning (Public and Private)

Technical experts in Laboratory Diagnoses (Public and Private Institutions)

Researchers/Scientists in Pharmaceutical industry

Veterinary Public health officers

Researchers in Public and Private Institutions e.g. KALRO, ILRI, IPR

Scientists in Animal feed Industry 

Attachment Opportunities

  • Research

  • Veterinary practice - horses, lions, cheetahs, elephants,

  • dogs, cattle, poultry among others

  • Teaching at University and other tertiary institutions

  • Public health

  • Forensic laboratories

  • Rural development, especially with government and NGOs

  • Pharmaceutical companies

Bachelor of Science-Veterinary Medicine -year 1 -25UNITS      
   Semester 1   Semester 2   TOTALS 
TUITION         234,000.00          234,000.00                   468,000.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)             7,000.00                           -                         7,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)           12,500.00            12,500.00                     25,000.00
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)             2,250.00              2,250.00                       4,500.00
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)             1,000.00                           -                         1,000.00
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)             1,000.00                           -                         1,000.00
CAUTION - (ONCE)             5,000.00                           -                         5,000.00
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)             6,500.00                           -                         6,500.00
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)             2,000.00                           -                         2,000.00
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)             4,000.00                         4,000.00
Bsc.-Veterinary Medicine-Y1         275,250.00          248,750.00                   524,000.00
       
       
Bachelor of Science-Veterinary Medicine -year 2,Same for 3&4 - 26UNITS      
   Semester 1   Semester 2   TOTALS 
TUITION         234,000.00          234,000.00                   468,000.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)             7,000.00                           -                         7,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)           13,000.00            13,000.00                     26,000.00
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)             2,250.00              2,250.00                       4,500.00
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)             1,000.00                           -                         1,000.00
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)             6,500.00                           -                         6,500.00
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)             1,000.00                           -                         1,000.00
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)             2,000.00                           -                         2,000.00
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)             4,000.00                           -                         4,000.00
TOTALS         270,750.00          249,250.00                   520,000.00
       
Bachelor of Science-Veterinary Medicine -year 5 - 24UNITS      
   Semester 1   Semester 2   TOTALS 
TUITION         234,000.00          234,000.00                   468,000.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)             7,000.00                           -                         7,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)           12,000.00            12,000.00                     24,000.00
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)             2,250.00              2,250.00                       4,500.00
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)             1,000.00                           -                         1,000.00
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)             6,500.00                           -                         6,500.00
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)             1,000.00                           -                         1,000.00
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)             2,000.00                           -                         2,000.00
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)             4,000.00                           -                         4,000.00
TOTALS         269,750.00          248,250.00                   518,000.00
Grand Total       2,602,000.00