- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
