BSC. LEATHER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - (J36)

Overview

MODE OF DELIVERY

Face-to-Face Mode

Lectures, tutorials, practical, 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 Bachelor of Science degree programme in Leather Science and Technology is designed and developed so as to be consistent with the global leather industry and environmental protection. The programme consists of a core, which provides basic skills applied sciences, elements of economics, fundamentals of engineering, instrumentation and control, leather goods and footwear design and manufacture as well as specialized courses in leather science and technology. It also places considerable emphasis on the development of broad professional skills (such as communication skills and Information Systems and Applications). The aim of the curriculum is to impart on the student, comprehensive knowledge and skills in leather manufacturing with some knowledge in basic entrepreneurship and business management.

RATIONALE 

The University of Nairobi, being a world class university committed to scholarly excellence has identified the critical role that science and technology plays in our Nation’s development which is in line with vision 2030 and also, the current government’s big four agenda. Advances in Science and Technology have increased demand for qualified or specialized personnel who have a wide and sound knowledge in their areas of specialization with some knowledge of basic business skills. The BSc Leather Science and Technology programme is a specialized course that deals with the processing of hides and skins into leather and the production of various leather products.

Due to the shortage of leather scientists and technologists in Kenya, pure chemists are often employed in the leather industry. Feedback from these industries has shown that these chemists who have no specialization are handicapped in core skills and hence require further training. The BSc Leather Science and Technology will therefore, produce graduates who will help initiate and manage leather factories, offer consultancy and contracting services to the leather industries and raw stock production units, and monitor, on behalf of the public, the responsible operation of the leather industry. The programme will also assist in the creation of small and medium scale leather cottage industries (SMEs) in line with” Vision
2030.”

 

Contacts for support: 

Department of Public Health Pharmacology & Toxicology

Tel:      +254-020-4916015

Email: dept-publichealth@uonbi.ac.ke 

SCHEDULE OF INTAKES

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

 

The degree course shall consist of 70 course units; consisting of lectures, practicals, demonstrations, Seminars, Field and Industrial Attachment, Research Project Reports and Examinations.

A course unit shall be defined as 45 contact hours comprising of lectures and practicals.

The course shall take a minimum of four years and a maximum of 12 years. Each academic year shall comprise of two semesters of 15 weeks duration each. In addition, there shall be a third semester lasting a minimum of 8 weeks (equivalent to 7 course units) after the second and third year of study.

A candidate shall be required to take a relevant Field and Industrial Attachment during the third semester at the end of the second and third 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.

During the second semester of the fourth 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 Leather Science and Technology; 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.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The common admission requirements for the Bachelor of Science degrees the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universityof Nairobi shall apply. In addition, applicants with the following minimum qualifications shall be admissible:-

2.1 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with mean grade C+ or equivalent with at least a C in Chemistry, and either one of the following subjects; Biology, or Biological Science, or Physics, or Physical Science or Agriculture or Mathematics.

2.2 KCSE mean grade C – or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant field from an institution recognized by the Senate. 2.3 ‘O’ level Division II or equivalent with the subjects indicated in 2.1 above; plus a Diploma in a relevant field from an institution recognized by the Senate.

2.4 ‘O’ level Division III or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant field from institutions recognized by the Senate.

2.5 Diploma in Leather Technology or relevant field from the University of Nairobi or institutions recognized by the Senate and a mean grade of C in KCSE or equivalent.

2.6 ‘A’ level with two principal passes or equivalent in Chemistry, and Biology, or Physics or Mathematics, or Geography.

2.7 Higher National Diploma in Leather Technology, Laboratory Technology or relevant field from institutions
recognized by the Senate and should have attained a mean grade C in KCSE or equivalent.

2.8 Bachelor of Science degree from an institution recognized by the Senate.


2.9 Equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by the Senate.

.

PROGRAMMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the programme, the graduate in Bachelor of Science in Leather Science and Technology is expected to acquire the following knowledge, skills and attitudes:
Knowledge
(i) The graduate has obtained knowledge about the following broad areas; processing raw hides and skins into finished leather and leather products, environmental issues, product formulation and marketing.

(ii) Graduate who is able to design and formulate leather products that meet desired needs.

(iii) Able to effectively identify industrial problems and initiate research to solve them using the chemistry knowledge acquired during the training.

(iv) Able to make key decisions in the field of leather science and technology.

(v) Has obtained knowledge on professional and ethical responsibility and impact of industrial solutions in a global and societal context. Skills

(i) The graduate is able to identify relevant problems of the leather industry.

(ii) The graduate is able to report in a professional manner, make formal and informal presentations and transfer knowledge to others.

(iii) The graduate is able to formulate adequate and prudent solutions for the leather industry problems.

(iv) The graduate is capable of monitoring and evaluating implemented solutions.
Attitude

(i) The graduate is capable of taking initiatives, to take the lead in a team and should be capable of functioning in multi-disciplinary team.

(ii) Provide sound guidance in the field of leather science and technology.

(iii) Effectively disseminate the leather science and technology knowledge, while training and inducting other people.

(iv) Be engaged in life-long learning and application of leather science and technology.

TARGET GROUPS
The programme builds on KCSE education. Individuals with relevant diplomas or graduates in other disciplines and approved by the University of Nairobi Senate may also be considered.
 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Students graduating from Bachelor of Science degree in Leather Science and Technology at undergraduate level will find rewarding careers in industries, consultancies, national and county governments, utilities and research organizations among others as:
(i) Industrial process development
(ii) Industrial analysts
(iii) Product formulation and development
(iv) Researchers
(v) Marketers
(vi) Quality control and assurance officers
(vii) Environmentalists
(viii) Leather scientists
(ix) Fashion designers
(x) Leather development officers

Notable Alumni

Joseph ondari , senior research scientist , University of Cincinnati, USA

Stephen kakuri, Training manager, KLDC

YEAR 1 -14UNITS  Semester 1   Semester 2   TOTALS 
TUITION         162,000.00          162,000.00                   324,000.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)             7,000.00                           -                         7,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)             7,000.00              7,000.00                     14,000.00
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.-Leather science and technology-Y1         197,750.00          171,250.00                   369,000.00
       
       
YEAR 2 -14UNITS  Semester 1   Semester 2   TOTALS 
TUITION         162,000.00          162,000.00                   324,000.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)             7,000.00                           -                         7,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)             7,000.00              7,000.00                     14,000.00
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
Bsc.-Leather science and technology-Y2         192,750.00          171,250.00                   364,000.00
       
       
YEAR 3 -14UNITS  Semester 1   Semester 2   TOTALS 
TUITION         162,000.00          162,000.00                   324,000.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)             7,000.00                           -                         7,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)             7,000.00              7,000.00                     14,000.00
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
Bsc.-Leather science and technology-Y3         192,750.00          171,250.00                   364,000.00
       
       
YEAR 4 -14UNITS  Semester 1   Semester 2   TOTALS 
TUITION         162,000.00          162,000.00                   324,000.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)             7,000.00                           -                         7,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)             7,000.00              7,000.00                     14,000.00
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
Bsc.-Leather science and technology - yr 4         192,750.00          171,250.00                   364,000.00
       
Grand Total       1,461,000.00