School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

The Student Experience

The USIU-Africa Pharmacy program is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in different pharmacy practice settings, management and research. In particular, both the industrial and hospital arms of our program have been so enhanced as to bring out the best of knowledge, skills, ethics, values, style and success in our graduates. The program focuses on the development, application and effective management of Pharmaceutical technology as a fundamental tool of modern healthcare. This is why USIU-Africa has invested heavily in the best equipped laboratories and library of any pharmacy program in the region.. The Bachelor of Pharmacy Program is designed as per the requirements of the two accrediting bodies, the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The USIU – Africa Bachelor of Pharmacy is also accredited and regulated by the Kenya Pharmacy & Poisons Board.

Resources

The B Pharm programme at USIU – Africa is delivered through face to face learning and applying multimedia teaching strategies. This enables to model holistic professional pharmacists currently desired who measure up across the entire spectra of the Pharmacy profession from Pharmacy education, Clinical Pharmacy, Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmaco-economics. This is achieved by the expansive state of the art laboratories for different specialties well equipped for analytical work in areas of Chemistry – Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Flame photometry, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography, Elemental Analyzers, Poentiostat and Thermo-Gravimetry Analyser; Pharmaceutical Analysis – Polarimeter, digital tablet hardness tester, Disintegration/dissolution apparatus, HPLC: Physiology / Pathology/Anatomy – Kymographs, Opthamoscope, Power lab teaching system, electrocardiograms and the Langedorf among others. Additional teaching infrastructure like no other in the region entails a Pharmacy Skills Laboratory for students’ skills development in handling patients alongside a Research & Development Unit that mimics the pharmaceutical manufacturing set up.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have met the minimum entry requirements for the pharmacy degree course in Kenya.

a. KCSE System of Education

Applicants must have obtained an average weight of B- provided that no subject in this cluster shall have a grade below C+.

b. A-Level

A minimum of two principal passes in Biology and Chemistry and a subsidiary pass or credit pass at “O” level in Physics or Mathematics.

c. Diploma in Biological Sciences

A minimum “O” level Division II KCE with credit in the following:

OR

A mean grade of C in KCSE with a minimum score of C plain in each of the cluster subjects above and a credit pass in the following qualifications from training institution recognised by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

Diploma holders in

• Pharmaceutical Technology.
• Laboratory Technology.
• Clinical Medicine.
• Radiology.
• Nursing.
• Public/Environment Health.
• Dental Sciences.

d. Holders of degree in Biological Sciences or equivalent from a recognised University.

e. The provisions of the PPB Credit Waiver Policy Guidelines shall apply.

This curriculum shall be administered in English. This means applicants from non-English speaking countries must sit and pass English assessment examination set and administered by institutions recognised by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

Program Overview

Applied Biochemistry focuses on knowledge and techniques in biochemistry that can be applied to solve challenges relating to improving health and nutrition, forensics, increasing agricultural and manufacturing productivity and sustaining the environment.

The program focuses on three main areas: Industrial Biochemistry which focuses on application of biological molecules for medical, industrial, environmental, agricultural for analytical purposes; Medical Biochemistry which equips students with knowledge, skills, attitude and understanding of the fundamental importance of biochemistry, with particular reference to the ways in which this relates to health issues, molecular basis of disease, biochemical basis of drug based therapy and an understanding in development of new medical treatments, and Forensic Biochemistry which equips students with knowledge and skills of how to obtain evidence from biological materials for use in law enforcement, criminal justice, homeland security and related fields.

The program is thus aligned to the University’s philosophy as articulated in the mission outcomes of higher order thinking; literacy; global understanding and multicultural perspective; preparedness for career; community service; and leadership and ethics.

The goal of the program is to develop a critical mass of graduates with biochemical knowledge, the state-of-the-art skills, and professional attitude that can match the needs of industries, health care facilities, learning and research institutions.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Applied Biochemistry program, students will be able to:

• Analyze the cellular processes that govern life;
• Use integrated knowledge in biological chemistry to solve biochemical problems;
• Conduct biomedical research and communicate scientific information using set standards for reporting and citation;
• Apply biochemical knowledge and techniques in criminal justice, agriculture, manufacturing and business processes;
• Design innovative biochemical products and services using ethically-sound practices.

Admission Requirements

To obtain admission into the program, an applicant must satisfy one of the following requirements:

• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or its equivalent with mean grade C+ and attained the minimum grade of C+ in the cluster subjects;

Option A - Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/Physics, English
Option B - Biological Sciences /Chemistry Physical Sciences /Mathematics, English

• Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) with two principal passes in Biology or Chemistry and Mathematics and a subsidiary. or
• Holders of BSc. General from accredited institutions shall undertake selected courses of the program subject to the allowable credit transfer. They must also have taken Chemistry and Biological Science courses.

Career Options

Graduates will venture into careers in research institutions, medical laboratory technicians, food and beverages and quality assurance industries, academia, pharmaceutical companies, nutritional counseling, forensic laboratory technicians and self-employment in a biochemical/ biotechnological entrepreneurship.

Program Overview

This program is anchored in the belief that graduates who are well equipped with appropriate knowledge, skills and values deliver excellent professional services. The program is thus designed to instill the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes for designing, conducting and analyzing samples using analytical instrumentation, write reports and manage a laboratory.

The program objectives contribute to the University mission outcomes which are higher order thinking; literacy; global understanding and multicultural perspective; preparedness for career; community service; and leadership and ethics.

The goal of the Bachelor of Technology in Analytical Chemistry is to provide students with hands-on practical experiences in the laboratory in the core areas of analytical chemistry such as instrumentation, quality control and quality assurance of laboratory practices.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, identify and collect relevant chemical data and present findings in a scientific context.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the BTech. in Analytical Chemistry program, students will be able to:

• Apply chemical concepts and theories in addressing current scientific problems;
• Design and carry out experiments using appropriate analytical methods and protocols;
• Evaluate experimental data with the appropriate statistical methods and communicate scientific reports with a high level of professionalism to chemists and non-chemists;
• Conduct research to solve chemical problems and explore new areas of research;
• Use proper procedures and regulations for safe handling, storage, and use of chemicals;
• Undertake quality control in industrial, private, institutional or research laboratories.

Admission Requirements

To obtain admission into the program, an applicant must satisfy one of the following requirements:

• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or its equivalent with a minimum aggregate of C+ and attained the following minimum grades in the specified subjects: C+ in Chemistry, C+ in Physics or Biology or Biological Science, C+ in Mathematics and C+ in English.

or

• Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) with two principal passes in Chemistry and Mathematics and a subsidiary.

or

• Five (5) upper level passes at IGCSE/IB.

or

• Five (5) credits in any 5 subjects at ‘O’ Level, and/or ‘A’ Level passes of C at GCE.

or

• Holders of Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) Diploma in Analytical Chemistry or its equivalent earned from accredited institutions with a credit in Analytical Chemistry courses.

Career Options

Graduates should be able to launch a successful career in both public and private sectors within a broad range of scientific spectrum such as laboratory assistants, laboratory technologists and managers or pursuing various chemistry research opportunities.

The Student Experience

The USIU-A BSc. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics is designed to teach the fundamentals of both Epidemiology and Biostatistics at undergraduate level, and the pursuit of epidemiological research knowledge in areas like population-based clinical or interventional research and analysis. The program is aimed at creating a “set to go 3-in-1” professional with dual knowledge and ability to support health research from data collection all the way to analysis and presentation.

The BSc. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics is a four-year program comprised of 58 courses with 16 practical sessions, including a practical sessions in Pharmaco-epidemiology and Drug Safety, the cornerstone of treatment of diseases. In addition, students will undertake eight (8) mini-surveys and industry attachment as a requirement to graduate. Upon graduation, they will be able to: use epidemiologic knowledge and skills to respond to a variety of practical situations that impact on public health; employ biostatistical methods to respond to public health issues; apply appropriate laws and ethics in assuring population public health; interpret research results of statistical analyses in public health; use relevant statistical software to organize, analyze, and report on life science research data; and develop plans for data management and analysis using appropriate statistical techniques.

Graduates from this dual program will have a wide range of career options: they are in high demand in Universities to research and teach health and health-related professions; in Government, especially National Health Services, to lead and/or support in all health-related areas, including the practice of public health and preventive medicine; in Non-Governmental Organizations to refine methods of measuring and evaluating disease occurrence, development and recommend public health policy; in Health Management Organizations to inform on diagnostic-related groups and management policies; and in International Healthcare Agencies and Industry for contract research related to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medicine, health care, clinical trials, health education, software development and other specialized sciences and medical fields. One unique feature of this program is in the courses such as Biostatistical Consultancy, Strategic management and Entrepreneurial Behavior and Ethics, which will prepare graduates for leadership positions and self-employment.

Unlike the common perception, USIU-Africa programs are very affordable. Visit our website, www.usiu.ac.ke, for the latest information on fee structure and application procedures as well as the admission requirements. Like all other USIU-Africa academic programs, BSc. Epidemiology & Biostatistics has dual accreditation in Kenya and the United States of America by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and WASC Senior College and University Commission, respectively.

Resources

The BSc. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at USIU-Africa is delivered through face to face learning and applying multimedia teaching strategies in classrooms with LCD projectors, whiteboard, marker pens, and audio visual equipment. Students use well-equipped computer laboratories with the following statistical computing software: Microsoft Excel, SPSS, EpiInfo, R-programming and NVivo (for qualitative data analysis). In addition, student are encouraged to have laptops with SPSS and other statistical/computing packages installed. Students have access to e-learning platform through the Library for peer-reviewed journals. Teaching of epidemiology and biostatistics involves data collection and analysis as well as review of articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Admissions Requirements

To obtain admission into the programme, an applicant must satisfy one of the following requirements:

• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or its equivalent with a minimum aggregate of C+ and attained the following minimum grades in the specified subjects: Biology C+; Mathematics B-; and English B-; or

• Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (K.A.C.E) certificate with two principal passes in Biology and Mathematics and a subsidiary; or
• Be a holder of a KNEC Diploma or its equivalent in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Applying

Admissions overview

Application forms for admission may be obtained from the USIU-Africa website or by contacting:

Admissions Office,

United States International University-Africa,

P.O. Box 14634-00800,

Nairobi, Kenya.

Telephone: 254-20-3606000/3606300

Fax: 254-20-3606100

E-mail: admit@usiu.ac.ke

All applicants are expected to satisfy procedures and criteria for admission to USIU-Africa and to submit acceptable certified documents that verify that they have satisfactorily completed all admission requirements. Students who meet all requirements will be considered for acceptance to the University. Conditionally admitted students must present the required documents within their first semester of study. Failure to do so will prohibit further registration. The admissions office processes applications for admission on a continuous basis year-round. However, application deadlines are as follows:

All applicants must complete the application for admission and submit it to the admissions office. A non-refundable processing fee must accompany the application.

Students from abroad are advised to purchase an international money order drawn on a US bank for USD 50 to pay the non-refundable processing fee. Students may also wire the non-refundable processing fee the University bank account.