Syllabus for
Master of Science (Biotechnology)
Academic Year  (2023)

Biotechnology is a fundamental area of applied science that utilizes living cells and cellular materials to create pharmaceutical, diagnostic, agricultural, environmental, and other products to benefit society. The Master of Science in Biotechnology is designed to provide specialized scientific learning along with skills training to help students explore various career paths in agriculture, health care, forensics, industrial processing, and environmental management. Students will be provided hands on learning into the functioning of the biotechnology industry. Students will have to undertake an Industry Project in their second year of the programme.

Programme Outcome/Programme Learning Goals/Programme Learning Outcome:

PO2: Apply state of the art techniques in advanced Biotechnology research.

PO3: Understand and critically appraise new data arising from the use of techniques and to interpret the implications of data for the welfare of the society.

PO4: Evaluate the commercial, ethical and regulatory aspects of Biotechnology sector.

PO5: Develop competency for employment and entrepreneurship.

The evaluation scheme for each course shall contain two parts; (a) internal evaluation and (b) external evaluation. 50% weightage shall be given to internal evaluation and the remaining 50% to external evaluation and the ratio and weightage between internal and external is 1:1.  (a) Internal evaluation: The internal evaluation shall be based on predetermined transparent system involving periodic written tests, assignments, seminars and attendance in respect of theory courses and based on written tests, lab skill/records/viva and attendance in respect of practical courses.

Microbes play a very significant role in the lives of higher organisms. The paper surveys the features of microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and protozoa in order to make the students understand their biology so as to manipulate them. This course fulfils the basic knowledge in microbiology for those students who wish to pursue career in allied health fields and other technical programs.

The paper is intended to develop understanding and provide scientific basis of the inanimate molecules that constitute living organisms. It also gives a thorough knowledge about the structure and function of biological macromolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids), and the metabolic and bioenergetic pathways within the cell. Students learn to interpret and solve clinical problems.

This paper has been designed in a standard manner to impart knowledge of the cell and its various attributes among the post graduate students. The topics included in this paper gives not only the basic idea about the subject but also provides in-depth knowledge. Students get an idea about the cellular structures, as well as how these structures are helpful for the cell to communicate with its environment and transduction of various signals, whether intracellular or extra-cellular. Furthermore, students also learn the mechanism of mitotic and meiotic cell division as well as how the cell cycle is regulated. The course structure also fulfils the important criteria regarding the preparation of students for the competitive examinations, for e.g. National Eligibility Test (NET), conducted by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), as well as various other entrance examinations for pursuing doctoral research.

• The chapters on genetics make them appreciate the flow of inherited characters from one generation to the other and study about the interaction of different genes in different organisms.
• The students will also gain knowledge related to quantitative, population and evolutionary genetics, in addition to microbial genetics.

To understand what is meant by concentration, by volume, and by amount, and their interrelationships

Make the students able to convert multiples of one unit to another

To make the students understand that there is a physical limit to the volume of a solution you can pipette, determined by your equipment

1.      To understand the theoretical basis of conducting research

2.      To design a research

3.      Understanding the importance of the research paper

4.      To impart knowledge regarding the ethics in research

• Microbes play a very significant role in the lives of higher organisms.
• The paper surveys the features of microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and protozoa in order to make the students understand their biology so as to manipulate them.
• This course fulfils the basic knowledge in microbiology for those students who wish to pursue career in allied health fields and other technical programs. 

The paper imparts practical knowledge on the biology of cells and also on the basic experiments in biochemistry. It deals with detailed microscopic studies of basic cell multiplication processes like mitosis and meiosis. Microscopy techniques are given utmost importance.   Furthermore, knowledge of Genetics will help them to solve various complicated genetic problems.

The objective of the course is to impart in depth knowledge about the concepts in genetic engineering-enzymes, biology of cloning vehicles, vector and host considerations, gene libraries, analysis and

expression of the cloned gene in host cell and understand ethical issues and biosafety regulations. It gives emphasis to practical applications of genetic engineering tools in academic and industrial

research. At the end of the course the student will have detailed knowledge of recombinant DNA technology essential for taking up projects in the field of Biotechnology.

The broad objective of the present core paper is to define the purview of plant biotechnology with respect to crop improvement and metabolic engineering along with knowing the regulatory issues. In this respect, students will be acquainted with application of principles and techniques of plant tissue culture, transgenic technology and metabolic engineering. While in tissue culture, the focus shall be on media composition and preparation, methods of in vitro regeneration, applications and limitations, with respect to genetic transformation, aspects of cloning, DNA delivery, detection, characterization and expression of transformants and gene silencing etc would be covered. Global status of GMOs, various case studies illustrating the application of biotechnology in developing crop varieties that are resistant to various biotic and abiotic stresses, enhancing nutritional quality, improved post-harvest qualities, and in the metabolic engineering of plants, aspects related to engineering of secondary metabolites, male sterility, environmental remediation, and biofarming will be discussed. Finally, in the regulatory issues aspect, Introduction to legal system, principles of regulation and regulatory systems in India and also IPR.

Analytical tools are becoming very important tools in different fields of Biology. The paper deals with the principle, instrumentation and uses of such tools. This course fulfils the basic knowledge in

analytical techniques for those students who wish to pursue career in allied health fields and other technical programs.

To understand the principle behind various techniques in molecular biology, bioinformatics and plant biotechnology

This module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the basic concepts of molecular biology. The structural and functional aspects of basic biomolecules such as DNA, RNA and protein and mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription, translation and gene regulation will be dealt with. The course facilitates the students to have a strong understanding of the molecular basis of life and the underlying gen principles

Students will also gain knowledge about the involvement of statistics in research.

The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to recombinant DNA technology. It helps the students to understand how the principles of molecular biology have been used to develop techniques in recombinant DNA technology. The objective of the course is to familiarize the student with the basic concepts in genetic engineering - enzymes, cloning vehicles, gene libraries, analysis and expression of the cloned gene in host cell and understand ethical issues and biosafety regulations. It gives emphasis to practical applications of genetic engineering tools in the field of health care. At the end of the course the student will have enough background of recombinant DNA technology essential for taking up projects in the field of Biotechnology.

This paper covers important topics in the development, production, recovery, and analysis of products produced by biotechnology. The course traces the path of a biological product from the cell through

the production facility, the final processing, and formulation. It discusses the growth characteristics of the organisms used to produce biological compounds, the techniques used in product recovery and

purification analysis. The course emphasizes the use of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in these analyses.

Animals and animal products are used to support research by providing products that help technicians to grow cells, viruses, and microbes in culture. Biotechnologists also use animals to produce

antibodies, interferons, vaccines etc. Cultured cells are finding innumerable applications in recent days. The paper describes the concepts of cell culture in animal systems. Methods of IVF and its

significance in animals and human beings also forms part of this paper. The potential of embryonic stem cells and pluripotent stem cells in creating tissues for transplant and the ethical issues will be

discussed. Animal biotechnology focuses on the manipulation of genes in animals – introduction and knockout of genes and their effects, different systems available for the production of sustainable

industrial products and important therapeutic and diagnostic drugs and vaccines for medical and veterinary use.

This course deals with different infectious and non-infectious diseases in humans and it aims to give in depth knowledge about the same. The syllabus also gives the idea of epidemiology and the different

terms and terminologies related to public health and disease biology

Environmental Biotechnology utilizes microorganisms to improve environmental quality. These improvements include treatment of contaminated waters and wastewaters, clean-up of industrial waste

streams, and remediation of soils contaminated with hazardous and toxic chemicals. Environmental biotechnology is essential to society and truly important as a technical discipline. Microbiological

treatment technologies developed at the beginning of the twentieth century, such as trickling, filtration, activated sludge and anaerobic digestions remain the mainstays today. In recent years, new

technologies are constantly introduced that address very contemporary problems such as detoxification of hazardous chemicals, shortage of fuel environmental biomonitoring, and microbial

genetic engineering for bioremediation of air, water, and soil.

Students are imparted with the practical knowledge of various immunotechniques as well as using a living cell for production of industrially important products. This paper deals with production of wine,

citric acid, and Enzymes from microbial sources.

Students are imparted with the practical knowledge of using a living cell for production of industrially important products. This paper deals with production of wine, citric acid, and Enzymes from

microbial source. The paper also deals with requirements of animal cell culture lab, different types of media preparation, initiation of cell culture and maintenance of cells. Cell viability assays are also

included to get better acquainted with microscopy techniques which are of great significance in cell culture studies. The aims of this practical sessions are to give practice to the students about different

theoretical knowledge that they have gained in the theory and also to get hands on training on PCR detection of diseases, study of different vectors that leads to diseases, understanding different stages

of cancer, screening of anti-cancer agents etc. Environmental Biotechnology utilizes microorganisms to improve environmental quality. These improvements include treatment of contaminated waters and

wastewaters, clean-up of industrial waste streams, and remediation of soils contaminated with hazardous and toxic chemicals.

This paper focuses on the fundamental science of immunology and explores the clinical and therapeutic aspects of immunology.  Topics include immunogenetics and molecular structure of immunoglobulins, T cell & B cell development, MHC antigens, modern vaccines, functions and dysfunctions of the components of the immune system; applications of immunological technologies in modern scientific research and development. These topics will help the students to absorb most of the fundamentals in immunology and this can benefit in understanding the advanced topics in this area.

The course describes in detail the salient features of the useful and harmful microbes in the food, agriculture and environment. Further the application of microbiology techniques in food, agriculture and environment remediation is described in detail.

The paper is intended to provide have coherent knowledge and understanding of chemistry of food components like proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Paper also provides information on beneficial and harmful association of microbes with food and how microbes can be effectively used for production of food. Students get an idea on food laws, standards and regulations in food processing, production, marketing and safety.

This course is to familiarize the students with fundamentals of food, nutrients and their relationship to health. Also to create awareness with respect to deriving maximum benefit from available food resources.

BioPharmaceutical Quality Assurance describes various aspects of biopharmaceutical industry including quality and covers different allied information of the industry.

Nanobiotechnology is an upcoming field in the recent era having multitude applications in Medicine, Environmental technology and Biotechnology. Recent researchers have discovered nano sized particles used for drug delivery, gene delivery, cancer immunotherapy, and enzyme delivery to target sites, industrial and environmental applications. This paper will emphasize the introductory knowledge on nano science and their applications in biological field.

This course covers the basic science and technology of algae cultivation. This paper provides students with the skills required to work in the algae cultivation (algal culture) industry or create their own algaculture business. Students will learn the controlled environment requirements for the successful cultivation of various algae species. The program emphasizes training in algal cultivation technologies, including algaculture extension training. Knowledge acquired will prepare students for jobs as Greenhouse/Agricultural Workers, Plant Technicians, Plant Managers, Laboratory Technicians, Sales Managers, Public Relations and Outreach, Process Coordinators, Extension Service and/or Business Owners/Managers.

Students shall be able to understand the sustainability and impact of biodiversity.

The theory and entrepreneurial spirit in this subject, as well as research prospects, are what the sericulture and seri technology course aims to instill.

The Forensic Biology course will attract those with an interest in the application of basic sciences and common sense to the investigation of crime and analysis of crucial evidence. The program provides an intellectually challenging study of the full range of forensic applications, mainly Forensic Biology, various biological fluids, their forensic examination, morphology and anatomy of fibres, forensic entomology and wildlife forensic.

In-depth practical knowledge of marine sciences, pond management, and marketing will all be covered in this course.

To learn the different methods of isolation and characterization of microbes involved in food, agriculture and environmental microbiology.

The paper imparts practical knowledge on chemical analysis of food constituents and estimation of food nutrients. Students also gain skills on analyzing the quality of food.

The paper focuses on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of different nutritions and their health advantages in human.

This course shall train students on quality assurance workflow and audit procedure in the industry.

This paper will provide ample introductory knowledge to the students under going this course and make them familiarize with the past, present and latest technologies involved in the synthesis and designing of nano particles for specific applications.

To learn the culturing technique of algae and estimation of the various biochemicals present in the different samples of the algae

This paper shall provide sufficient information and knowledge about environment and the factors affecting the environmental changes.

This course shall offer hands-on experience on silk and related technologies.

To understand field ethics and field observation skills.

• Impart the basic knowledge about the fundamentals of Marine Sciences including biological, chemical and physical oceanography.
• The biology of aquatic organisms will be fully understood by the students and capable of distinguishing the biology of each group of organisms and the statistical approach of fishery science will be applied.
• The basic principles of nutritional biology in finfish and shellfish will be gained by the students and the biochemical aspects of essential proximate composition will also be imparted.
• The efficacy and proper use of advanced technologies in applied aquaculture practices.

The main objective of this course is the awareness and understanding of students in the field of research, by learning the latest technologies in solving a research problem

•          design an experiment that is innovative and productive.
•          write a good research proposal, that will help them in their future career.
•          Gain patience and perseverance to conduct quality research.
•          apply good manufacturing practices during industrial work
•          design experiments from pilot to large scales
•      synthesize products of industrial importance

The main objective of this course is the awareness and understanding of students in the field of research, by learning the latest technologies in solving a research problem.

•        design an experiment that is innovative and productive.
•          write a good research proposal, that will help them in their future career.
•          Gain patience and perseverance to conduct quality research.
•        apply good manufacturing practices during industrial work
•         design experiments from pilot to large scales
•     synthesize products of industrial importance