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M-SC in Molecular Biology at University of Mysore
Mysuru, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is Molecular Biology at University of Mysore Mysuru?
This Molecular Biology program at University of Mysore focuses on the intricate mechanisms of life at a molecular level. It delves into the structure, function, and interactions of biological macromolecules, genes, and proteins. With India''''s burgeoning biotechnology sector, this specialization is highly relevant, preparing students for cutting-edge research and development in various life science industries. The program''''s strength lies in its comprehensive coverage of both theoretical foundations and practical applications.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for science graduates, particularly those with a B.Sc in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, or related life science disciplines, who possess a strong curiosity for molecular mechanisms. It is also suitable for aspiring researchers, academicians, and professionals seeking to enter the pharmaceutical, diagnostic, or agricultural biotechnology industries in India or pursue higher studies like PhD.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including roles as research scientists, biotechnologists, molecular diagnostics specialists, or quality control analysts. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3.5 to 6 LPA, with experienced professionals earning upwards of INR 10-15 LPA. The program aligns with national goals of innovation in healthcare and agriculture, offering strong growth trajectories in both public and private sectors.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Concepts and Lab Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to thoroughly understand fundamental concepts in cell biology, biochemistry, and microbiology. Simultaneously, focus on perfecting basic molecular biology laboratory techniques such as microscopy, centrifugation, and sterile practices. Utilize departmental labs and online resources like NPTEL courses for conceptual clarity and hands-on practice simulations.
Tools & Resources
NPTEL courses on Biochemistry/Cell Biology, Departmental Labs, Key textbooks by Lehninger, Alberts, Prescott
Career Connection
A strong foundation ensures academic success and provides the bedrock for advanced studies and entry-level research positions, making you proficient in basic lab operations highly valued in diagnostic and research roles.
Engage in Peer Learning and Discussion Groups- (Semester 1-2)
Form study groups with classmates to discuss complex topics, solve problems, and prepare for exams. Actively participate in departmental seminars and invited talks by experts. This collaborative approach enhances understanding, exposes you to different perspectives, and builds crucial communication skills.
Tools & Resources
Study groups, Departmental seminars, Online forums like ResearchGate for discussions
Career Connection
Developing strong communication and teamwork skills through peer interaction is vital for collaborative research environments and project management roles in industry.
Build Scientific Reading and Writing Habits- (Semester 1-2)
Start reading scientific articles and review papers related to your subjects early on. Practice summarizing findings and critically evaluating research. Begin honing your scientific writing skills by preparing concise lab reports and short essays, paying attention to structure and clarity.
Tools & Resources
PubMed, Google Scholar, Grammarly, University writing center resources
Career Connection
Proficiency in scientific literature review and clear communication is indispensable for research positions, grant writing, and publishing, significantly boosting your profile for R&D roles.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize through Electives and Mini-Projects- (Semester 3)
Choose elective courses carefully, aligning them with your interests, whether it be bioinformatics, genetic engineering, or immunology. Seek opportunities for short-term mini-projects or internships within the department or other research labs during breaks to apply theoretical knowledge and gain initial research experience.
Tools & Resources
Departmental faculty mentors, University''''s internship cell, Online platforms for short courses in specialized areas
Career Connection
Specialized knowledge and early project experience make you a more attractive candidate for internships and entry-level positions in specific biotechnology domains like diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, or plant biotechnology.
Develop Bioinformatics and Statistical Skills- (Semester 3)
Beyond coursework, gain practical experience with bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis, phylogenetics, and data visualization. Learn statistical software for data interpretation. Consider certifications in R, Python for data analysis, or advanced bioinformatics platforms like Galaxy.
Tools & Resources
NCBI, EMBL-EBI databases, RStudio, Python (Anaconda), Coursera/edX courses on Bioinformatics/Biostatistics
Career Connection
These analytical skills are highly sought after in modern molecular biology, opening doors to computational biology, data science, and bioinformatics specialist roles in both academia and industry.
Network with Professionals and Attend Conferences- (Semester 3)
Actively participate in workshops, seminars, and local/national conferences. Network with faculty, guest speakers, and industry professionals. This helps in understanding current research trends, identifying potential mentors, and exploring career opportunities beyond campus placements.
Tools & Resources
Professional societies (e.g., Indian Society for Cell Biology), Conference websites, LinkedIn for professional networking
Career Connection
Building a strong professional network can lead to invaluable mentorship, internship leads, and job opportunities, providing a competitive edge in a niche field.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Comprehensive Research Project- (Semester 4)
Invest significant effort into your final semester project/dissertation. Choose a research problem that genuinely interests you and aligns with faculty expertise. Aim for quality research, rigorous data analysis, and a well-written thesis. Seek opportunities to present your work at conferences or publish in peer-reviewed journals.
Tools & Resources
Research labs, faculty guidance, Statistical software (SPSS, R), Reference management tools (Mendeley, Zotero)
Career Connection
A strong research project is a powerful resume builder for PhD admissions, research associate roles, and R&D positions, demonstrating independent scientific thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Prepare for Placements and Higher Studies- (Semester 4)
Actively participate in campus placement drives. Prepare for technical interviews by revisiting core concepts and practicing problem-solving. For higher studies (PhD/postdocs), identify suitable universities and professors, prepare your Statement of Purpose (SOP), and practice for entrance exams/interviews.
Tools & Resources
University career services, alumni network, Mock interview sessions, GRE/GATE study materials
Career Connection
Focused preparation ensures successful transition into desired career paths, whether it''''s securing a job in the biotech industry or getting admitted to top PhD programs in India or abroad.
Develop Soft Skills and Ethical Practices- (Semester 4)
Alongside technical expertise, cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and ethical reasoning. Participate in workshops on scientific ethics and intellectual property rights. These soft skills are crucial for leadership roles and navigating complex professional environments in molecular biology.
Tools & Resources
Workshops on professional ethics, Case studies on scientific misconduct, Communication skill development programs
Career Connection
Strong soft skills are essential for career advancement, enabling effective collaboration, ethical decision-making, and leadership in research teams and industrial settings.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.Sc. Degree with Biotechnology / Biochemistry / Microbiology / Genetics / Zoology / Chemistry / Botany / Life Sciences / Sericulture / Environmental Science or any other equivalent life science subject from the University of Mysore or any other recognized University. Candidates must have studied Biology/Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Microbiology/Genetics/Zoology/Botany as a major/optional subject.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 78 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20%, External: 80%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB 401 | Cell Biology | Core | 4 | Membrane Biology and Transport, Cellular Organelles and their Functions, Cell Signalling and Communication, Cytoskeleton, Cell Motility and Adhesion, Cell Cycle Regulation and Apoptosis |
| MB 402 | Biomolecules | Core | 4 | Carbohydrates: Structure and Metabolism, Proteins: Amino Acids, Structure, and Function, Lipids: Structure, Classification, and Biological Role, Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA Structure, Enzymology: Kinetics, Mechanism, and Regulation |
| MB 403 | Microbiology | Core | 4 | Microbial Diversity and Taxonomy, Bacterial Growth and Nutrition, Virology: Structure, Replication, and Classification, Mycology: Fungi Structure and Reproduction, Control of Microorganisms: Sterilization and Disinfection |
| MB 404P | Molecular Biology Techniques (P) | Practical | 2 | Microscopy and Staining Techniques, Centrifugation Methods and Applications, Chromatography Principles and Types, Electrophoresis Techniques for Biomolecules, Spectrophotometry and pH Metry |
| MB 405P | Cell Biology & Biomolecules (P) | Practical | 2 | Cell Observation and Enumeration, Estimation of Carbohydrates, Protein Quantification Methods, Enzyme Activity Determination, Isolation and Estimation of DNA/RNA |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB 501 | Immunology | Core | 4 | Components of the Immune System, Antigen-Antibody Interactions, Cell-Mediated Immunity, Hypersensitivity and Autoimmunity, Vaccines and Immunodiagnostics |
| MB 502 | Metabolism | Core | 4 | Carbohydrate Metabolism: Glycolysis and TCA Cycle, Lipid Metabolism: Beta-oxidation and Biosynthesis, Amino Acid Metabolism and Urea Cycle, Nucleotide Metabolism Pathways, Oxidative Phosphorylation and Bioenergetics |
| MB 503 | Molecular Genetics | Core | 4 | DNA Replication Mechanisms, Transcription: RNA Synthesis and Processing, Translation: Protein Synthesis, Regulation of Gene Expression, Mutations and DNA Repair Mechanisms |
| MB 504P | Immunology & Metabolism (P) | Practical | 2 | ELISA and Radial Immunodiffusion, Agglutination and Precipitation Reactions, Estimation of Glucose and Cholesterol, Enzyme Assays in Metabolic Pathways, Separation of Serum Proteins by Electrophoresis |
| MB 505P | Molecular Genetics (P) | Practical | 2 | Isolation of Genomic DNA from Bacteria/Tissue, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of DNA, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Restriction Digestion of DNA, Bacterial Transformation |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB 551 | Recombinant DNA Technology | Core | 4 | Cloning Vectors: Plasmids, Phages, Cosmids, Restriction Enzymes and DNA Ligase, Gene Cloning Strategies and Applications, Construction and Screening of Gene Libraries, Genome Editing Technologies (CRISPR-Cas) |
| MB 552 | Human Genetics and Genetic Engineering | Core | 4 | Patterns of Inheritance in Humans, Chromosomal Abnormalities and Syndromes, Genetic Counselling and Ethical Issues, Gene Therapy Approaches, Molecular Diagnostics for Genetic Disorders |
| MB 553 | Bioinformatics | Core | 4 | Biological Databases (NCBI, EBI, PDB), Sequence Alignment Algorithms (BLAST, FASTA), Phylogenetic Analysis and Tree Construction, Protein Structure Prediction and Visualization, Genomics and Proteomics Data Analysis |
| MB 554P | rDNA Technology & Human Genetics (P) | Practical | 2 | Plasmid DNA Isolation and Purification, Restriction Mapping of Plasmids, Ligation and Bacterial Transformation, Blue-White Screening for Recombinants, Karyotyping from Human Blood Smear |
| MB 555P | Bioinformatics (P) | Practical | 2 | Database Searching and Data Retrieval, Sequence Alignment using Online Tools, Phylogenetic Tree Construction and Interpretation, Primer Design for PCR, Protein Structure Analysis using Viewers |
| GE 556 | Biostatistics & Research Methodology | Elective | 4 | Data Collection, Presentation, and Types, Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion, Probability and Probability Distributions, Hypothesis Testing: t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, Experimental Design and Scientific Report Writing |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB 601 | Animal Cell Culture and Virology | Core | 4 | Principles of Animal Cell Culture, Primary and Established Cell Lines, Aseptic Techniques and Media Preparation, Viral Structure, Replication, and Pathogenesis, Antiviral Agents and Vaccines |
| MB 602 | Cancer Biology and Stem Cells | Core | 4 | Characteristics of Cancer Cells, Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes, Metastasis, Angiogenesis, and Apoptosis, Types of Stem Cells and their Applications, Regenerative Medicine and Gene Therapy |
| MB 603 | Plant Molecular Biology | Core | 4 | Plant Genome Organization and Gene Expression, Plant Hormones and Signal Transduction, Genetic Transformation of Plants, Stress Responses in Plants, Molecular Breeding and Crop Improvement |
| MB 604P | Project Work / Dissertation | Project | 8 | Literature Review and Problem Identification, Experimental Design and Methodology, Data Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation, Scientific Report Writing and Thesis Preparation, Oral Presentation and Viva Voce |
| MB 605P | Animal Cell Culture & Plant Molecular Biology (P) | Practical | 2 | Cell Viability Assays and Cell Counting, Culturing of Animal Cells, Agrobacterium-mediated Plant Transformation, Plant Tissue Culture Techniques, PCR for Gene Expression in Plants |
| GE 606 | Industrial & Environmental Molecular Biology | Elective | 4 | Bioremediation and Biodegradation, Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioenergy Production, Biosensors and Molecular Diagnostics, Industrial Enzyme Applications, Waste Water Treatment using Microbes |
