M.Sc. Biochemistry:

 

This is a four-semester program based on choice-based credits system. In addition to crediting several theoretical and laboratory-based core courses, a student needs to choose from a wide variety of foundation courses and elective courses. The students also undertake an in-house research project in the final year.

 

Integrated MSc-Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology:

 

This is a 5-year program extendable up to a maximum of 8 years. During the initial 2 years, students will be involved in an extensive course work, which needs to be completed before continuing to the Ph.D. stream. The course structure is similar but not identical to that of M. Sc. Biochemistry consisting of core courses, foundation courses, and elective courses. Students who are unable to secure a minimum of 7.5 CGPA, but are able to pass the minimum prescribed course work, cannot continue for Ph.D. but are offered a path of exiting the course with a degree in M.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The students with an overall CGPA of 7.5 or higher during their 4 semesters of coursework and project may be promoted to Ph.D. stream. They will carry out their work under the supervision of a faculty member and are advised by a doctoral committee. They are required to complete a program of Ph.D. coursework in the first semester of Ph.D. They are also required to actively participate in journal club seminars, research work presentation, etc. Publishing research articles in highly reputed journals is a requirement before submission of the thesis work.

 

Ph.D. Biochemistry:

 

This is a 5-year program extendable up to a maximum of 6 years according to UGC regulations. They will carry out their work under the supervision of a faculty member and are advised by a doctoral committee. During the first semester, students will be involved in course work for a total of 12 credits. The students also need to actively participate in journal club seminars, research work presentation etc. Publishing research articles in highly reputed journals is a requirement before submission of the thesis work.

1. M.Sc. Plant Biology and Biotechnology: The course is a four semester programme that is evaluated based on credit system. A total of 11 core courses, four elective courses, three practical courses and a project have to be completed successfully by the students in the four semesters. The core courses offered during the four semesters are: Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Macromolecules Structure and Function, Microbiology (I Semester); Plant Physiology, Environmental Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Plant Biochemistry (II Semester); Genomics and Proteomics, Plant Developmental Biology, Plant Biotechnology (III Semester). 2. M.Sc. Molecular Microbiology: The course is a four semester programme that is evaluated based on credit system. A total of 11 core courses, four elective courses, three practical courses and a project have to be completed successfully by the students in the four semesters. The core courses offered during the four semesters are: Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Macromolecules Structure and Function, Microbiology (I Semester); Microbial Physiology & Biochemistry, Immunology, Molecular Biology and Genetics Engineering (II Semester); Genomics and Proteomics, Bioprocess Engineering & Technology Processing, Microbial Metabolomics (III Semester). The students of the Masters programmes would have a lab in the first three semesters and in the four semester they undertake a project work under the supervision of a faculty member. 3. Ph.D. Plant Sciences: The Ph.D. programme requires a minimum of 2 years of residence from the date of confirmation of admission. The requirement for the award of Ph.D. includes the submission of a thesis on an approved topic of research under the guidance of a faculty member. The scholar presents the research work in a comprehensive seminar before the submission of the thesis and faces an oral examination in defense of the thesis. The average time required for Ph.D. is about 4 years. Candidates can also work for Ph.D. under the guidance of recognized research supervisors at the external centres recognized for this purpose. The candidates have to go through the same selection process, like the regular candidates, for this purpose.

1. MSc Animal Biology and Biotechnology: The curriculum of the course has a mix of basic and modern aspects of Biology and Biotechnology. The four-semester program is comprised of core courses in the first two semesters followed by elective courses during the third and fourth semesters. The core courses offer an in-depth knowledge in Evolutionary Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Mammalian Physiology, Developmental Biology, Enzymology and Intermediary Metabolism, Genetics, Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology, Immunology, Stem Cell Biology and Transgenic Technology. The elective courses offered during third and fourth semesters include: Epigenetics & Nuclear Dynamics, Vaccinology, Infection Biology, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Health and Disease, Aquaculture: Nutraceutical & Pharmaceutical Applications, Neurobiology, Cancer and Cancer Stem Cell Biology, Chronobiology, Signal Transduction, Gene Regulatory Networks, and Heterologous Gene Expression and Downstream Processing. The students are required to take a total of four elective courses with the freedom to opt for electives offered by the other departments. The Department of Animal Biology provides comprehensive practical courses that provides hands-on-experience in Molecular Biology, Microbial and Mammalian culture, and protein purification. During third and fourth semesters, the students pursue problem-oriented research work in individual faculty laboratories allotted to them at the end of 2nd Semester as part of early hand holding and providing them an opportunity to develop experimental skills. Thus, the MSc program provides the students not only broad range of areas of research, but also provides an opportunity to develop mastery skills on the frontiers of biological sciences.
2. Ph.D. in Animal Biology: The faculty members of the Department of Animal Biology play the active role of mentor by ensuring innovative research and training of Ph.D. students. Students are selected into the PhD program, based on their performance in the entrance examination followed by the interview. Admitted students are offered their choice of mentor to pursue their research interest. Only one written entrance examination will be conducted for intake of Ph.D. Students in July session. For remaining seats to be filled in Dec-Jan session, written entrance examination will not be conducted and only JRF Fellowships holders can apply for selection through interview only.
3. Integrated M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Animal Biology and Biotechnology: The Department of Animal Biology offers students the opportunity to earn, in a continuous plan of study, both the M.Sc. and the Ph.D. through its accelerated programs. Following successful completion of the Master’s program, the combined degree program enables qualified students join Ph.D program. This combined degree program allows students to initiate the research project towards their Ph.D. thesis while studying as a Master’s student thus reducing the full-time study needed for the Ph.D. degree. The academic program leading to the Ph.D. degree involves completion of specified course work, which provides exposure to broad-range of research areas and techniques of traditional as well as modern biology and completion of a research project. The thesis shall be the report of original research work carried out during the tenure of the program.
The maximum duration of the program is 8 years (2 years M.Sc and 6 years Ph.D.) if a student continues to Ph.D. being eligible otherwise. During the initial 2 years, students will be involved in an extensive course work, which needs to be completed before continuation to the PhD stream. The course structure is same as that of M.Sc. Animal Biology and Biotechnology consisting of core courses, foundation courses and elective courses. Students who obtains <7.5 CGPA, but passed the minimum prescribed course work, should exit the course with a degree in M.Sc. Animal Biology and Biotechnology. The students with an overall CGPA 7.5 or higher obtained during their 4 semesters of the coursework and project may be promoted to PhD stream to carry out their work under the supervision of a faculty member and are advised by a doctoral committee. They have to go through a PhD coursework like other regular PhD students. They also need to actively participate in journal club seminars, research work presentation etc.

Programmes of Study:

1. M.Sc. Biotechnology: (Sponsored by DBT, Govt. of India)

This flagship course was introduced in the year 1990 under the nationwide post graduate program by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. The program comprises of four-semesters with credit system of evaluation and latest curriculum recommended by DBT. Students can choose elective courses offered at Department/School level and the Foundation courses offered at University level. In addition to rigorous academic training, students interact with Biotech industries to avail opportunities for learning translational aspects of product development and commercialization. After successful completion of 2 semesters of coursework, students shall be assigned to the available project supervisors based on the criteria in practice or as decided by the admission committee/Department/School. Short-term industrial training and internships are encouraged during summer and winter breaks as per the guidelines of DBT, Govt. of India. 

Application Process : Selection is based on "Graduate Aptitude Test for Biotechnology (GAT-B)-2020" conducted by Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad. A separate call for admissions to this program will be announced by University of Hyderabad soon after GAT-B scores are announced. All students admitted to this program will receive a montly stipend of Rs. 5000/-

2. M.Tech Bioinformatics: (Sponsored by the UGC under Innovative program and approved by AICTE):

M.Tech. Bioinformatics is a state-of-art course approved by AICTE. The course is designed to train students in theory and computational techniques including hands-on practice using state of the art servers and computer labs equipped with different software packages. The program is truly interdisciplinary and is offered with the help of different collaborating entities/scientists and computer experts within and outside the University. Each year, some of the students obtain attractive placement opportunities from reputed software and bioinformatics companies. The courses spread over first two semesters include computer programming, proteomics, basic mathematics and statistics molecular modelling, genomics, bioinformatics, molecular dynamics, drug design, machine learning and data analytics, mathematical modelling of biological systems and metagenomics etc. Students are encouraged to choose one elective course in the first and in the second semesters either within the department or from the other Schools of the University. The students will carry out a full-time project work during their 3^rd & 4^th semesters under the guidance of a faculty member, either at the Department or elsewhere in a collaborative mode. After successful completion of 2 semesters of coursework, the students shall be assigned to the available project supervisors, based on the criteria in practice or as decided by the admission committee/Department/School.

3. Integrated M.Sc./Ph.D Biotechnology:

This is a 5 year program extendable up to a maximum of 8 years.  During the initial 2 years, students will be involved in an extensive course work, which needs to be completed before continuation to the PhD stream. The course structure is similar to that of M.Sc. Biotechnology consisting of core courses, foundation courses and elective courses.  At the end of 2^nd semester, students shall be assigned to the available research supervisors based on the criteria in practice or as decided/suggested by the admission committee/ Department/School. After completion of fourth semester, students have the choice to exit with a M.Sc. Degree or continue for their Ph.D. program. Students are expected to exercise this option by the end of February during their fourth semester. Students who could not secure at least 7.5 CGPA, and could not secure at least B grade in each course, should exit the program compulsorily with a degree in M.Sc. Biotechnology. The students with an overall CGPA 7.5 or higher obtained during their 4 semesters of the coursework and project will be allowed to continue to their PhD stream. They are also advised by a doctoral committee as described for regular PhD Biotechnology students. They also need to complete PhD course work in the first year of their PhD tenure as per UGC regulations and actively participate in journal club seminars, research work presentation etc. UGC regulations for awarding PhD will be followed after promoting the student from M.Sc to PhD program. (Relaxation for women candidates are as indicated in the UGC guidelines).

4. Ph.D Biotechnology:

This is generally a 3 to 6 years course (Relaxation for women candidates are as indicated in the UGC guidelines) and in the first year there will be a minimal but essential Ph.D. course work component to assess for interdisciplinary skills and impart training in research methodology and ethics etc. Soon after admissions, the students are expected to begin their work under the supervision of a faculty member and are advised by the doctoral committee from time to time. They have to actively participate in Journal club seminars and research work presentation at the end of the semester. As per UGC guidelines PhD student have to publish at least one paper in peer reviewed journal and present their work in two conferences. The research students have to present their work in a comprehensive seminar before submission of their thesis. The students shall be assigned to the available research supervisors at the time of selection based on the criteria in practice or as decided/suggested by the admission committee/Department/ School. 

• Biological networks Spatio-temporal dynamics of protein-protein interaction networks in human health and disease conditions.
• Disease Informatics & Biomarker discovery
• Prediction and modelling of disease causing mutations in human proteins.
• Identification of potential prognostic signature for predicting survival in cancers.
• Protein evolution, structure and interactions Evolution, Conformational landscape and functions of intrinsically disordered regions in proteins.
• Non-coding RNA biology Identification and characterization of novel long non-coding RNAs.
• Metagenomics Metagenome analysis of gut and root microbiota in healthy and disease conditions and also of soil bacteria found near industrial effluent treatment plants.
• Integration of high-throughput data Integration of various omics data for gene knowledge mining and improvement of genome annotation.