BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN LEATHER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Overview

COURSE DURATION: Four (4) years

PHILOSOPHY

The programme philosophy is geared towards identifying the critical role that science and technology play in our Nation’s development which is in line with Kenya’s blueprint, vision 2030, Agenda 2063 as well sustainable development goals like to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture among others. The programme is a specialized course that trains undergraduates in the processing of hides and skins into leather and the production of various leather products. The programme 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.

RATIONALE

To achieve some of the Millennium Development Goals, human resource training is an important part of the capacity building strategy for the leather subsector. Members of this profession are considered to be important catalysts for industrialization. They are responsible for the provision of valid and reliable leather information on which important decisions are made that affect the livestock industry and the leather subsector. The leather industry is recognized as an important economic activity and as one of the most promising sectors in Kenya. The course leading to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Leather Science and Technology provides a scientific avenue for training skilled personnel in various aspects of the leather subsector.

The programme will contribute to the development of human resources required to offer extension, research, and training, technical and business development services in the leather industry which plays a critical role in our Nation’s development which is in line with Kenya’s blueprint, vision 2030 as well as the current government’s big four agenda. Advances in Science and Technology have increased the demand for qualified or specialized personnel who have wide and sound knowledge in their areas of specialization with some knowledge of basic business skills. The programme will also assist in the creation of small and medium scale leather cottage industries (SMEs) in line with” Vision 2030.”

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the programme, the students are expected to:

  1. Apply skills and techniques in processing raw hides and skins into finished leather and leather products;
  2. Design and formulate leather products that meet desired needs;
  3. Identify industrial problems and initiate research to make informed and professional decisions;
  4. Apply quality control measures to mitigate environmental pollution through monitoring, quality research, consultancies, and extension service;
  5. Apply relevant laws and policies, local and international in marketing, management and train others.
  6. Provide sound guidance in the field of Leather Science and Technology and be a resourceful team leader

The general examination regulations of the University of Nairobi and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine shall apply.

6.2     The course shall be examined by continuous assessment tests and a final examination. The continuous assessment tests shall constitute 20% of the final marks and the final examination shall constitute 30% of the mark.

6.3     The final examination shall comprise a 2-hour written examination and a 3-hour practical examination. The practical examination shall constitute 50% of the marks.

6.4     The pass mark shall be 50%.

6.5     A candidate who fails in the final examination may re-sit the failed course(s) when next offered upto 2 times subject to payment of the prescribed examination fees.

6.6     A candidate who fails in the second re-sit shall be discontinued.

6.7     The examination shall be moderated by an External Examiner with qualifications acceptable to the Board.

6.8     The cumulative performance in the programme shall be summarized in the average score over100 and a grade give as follows

Minimum Admission Requirements

The following shall be eligible for admission -

  1. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a 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. KCSE mean grade C – or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant field from an institution recognized by the Senate.
  3. ‘O’ level Division II or equivalent with the subjects indicated in 3.1 above; plus, a Diploma in a relevant field from an institution recognized by the Senate.
  4. ‘O’ level Division III or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant field from institutions recognized by the Senate.
  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.
  6. ‘A’ level with two principal passes or equivalent in Chemistry, and Biology, or Physics or Mathematics, or Geography.
  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.
  8. Bachelor of Science degree from an institution recognized by the Senate.
  9. Equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by the Senate.

Credit Transfers 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 Science in Leather Science and Technology.
  5. The relevant academic body approved by the Senate shall make an official evaluation and transfer of credits to the University of Nairobi.
  6. A credit transfer shall not be allowed for Field and Industrial Attachments, Research Project and courses in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of study.

Exemptions

  1. A candidate may be exempted from some courses on the recommendation of the Faculty Academic Committee 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, showing the contents of what was studied.
  4. Courses specified are to satisfy the requirements for the first year of study only. A candidate who requires an 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 apply to the Field and Industrial Attachment or Research Project and 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.
Contacts of support persons

Contacts of support persons

PROF. SAMUEL MAINA GITHIGIA

Chairman, Dept. of Vet.Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology

EMAIL: vetpath@uonbi.ac.ke

TELEPHONE: 020 4916016

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