MSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Introduction to the Programme
The Department of Biological Sciences aims in empowering students interested in advanced and thrust areas of modern biology. To this end, the department of biology is offering a two-year MSc programme on Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Students participating in the programme will be taught the fundamentals of biology and modern laboratory techniques. The MSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology programme has been carefully designed to meet the needs of the next generation of biologists to prepare them to be a resourceful and much-appreciated workforce in their chosen field.
Objectives of the Programme
- Provide a better understanding of the fundamentals of biology focusing on thrust areas of modern biology
- Develop core competencies on critical thinking skills, hypothesising, and solving problems
- Provide intensive laboratory training in designing and executing biological experiments and critical analysis of the results
- Develop skills in reading, writing, and communicating original scientific research articles
- Improve the employability of the students and enable them to venture into new areas of biology
Curriculum Highlights
Subjects Common for all students
- Molecular Biology
- Genetic Engineering
- Plant and Animal Biotechnology
- Programming in R and Python
- RNA Biology
- Microbial Biotechnology
- Bioinformatics
Subjects offered in Research and Industry tracks
Research Track (R)
- Molecular Mechanisms of Diseases
- Molecular Virology
- Microbiolgy
- Immunology
Industry Track (I)
- Immunotherapeutics
- Bio-Nanotechnology
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Subjects offered in Research and Industry tracks
- Biosafety and IPR
- Genomics and Proteomics
- Computational Biology
- Bioinformatics analysis pipelines
Programme Educational Objectives (PEO)
Develop a profound understanding of the fundamental principles and advanced concepts in molecular biology and biotechnology, enabling the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world biological challenges.
To update, extend and deepen students’ knowledge through a flexible, research-intensive programme akin to academia and industry requirements.
Cultivate critical thinking skills to analyse complex biological problems, formulate hypothesis and develop innovative solutions.
Enhance written and oral communication skills to effectively convey scientific concepts, research findings, and ideas to both scientific and non-scientific audiences, promoting the dissemination of knowledge.
Encourage students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and allow graduates to identify and pursue opportunities for innovation and the application of knowledge in industry and beyond.
Programme Specific Outcomes (PSO)
Demonstrate proficiency in key molecular biology techniques, enabling effective contributions to genetic research and biotechnological applications.
Demonstrate communication skills, scientific writing and data analysing abilities in the fields of molecular biology and biotechnology.
Demonstrate competence in molecular biology and biotechnology domains to succeed in entrepreneurial endeavours.
Programme Outcomes (PO)
Scientific and Disciplinary Knowledge
Capable of demonstrating comprehensive knowledge and understanding of one or more disciplines that form a part of an undergraduate programme of study.
Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving
Ability to evaluate the reliability and relevance of evidence; Capacity to extrapolate from what one has learned and apply their competencies to solve different kinds of non-familiar problems, rather than replicate curriculum content knowledge; and apply one’s learning to real-life situations.
Critical and Reflective Thinking
Capability to apply analytic thought to a body of knowledge; analyse and evaluate evidence, arguments, claims, and beliefs based on empirical evidence; identify relevant assumptions or implications; formulate coherent arguments; critically evaluate practices, policies and theories by following a scientific approach to knowledge development. Critical sensibility to lived experiences, with self-awareness and reflexivity of both self and society.
Scientific Reasoning and Design Thinking
Ability to analyse, interpret and draw conclusions from quantitative/qualitative data and evaluate ideas, evidence and experiences from an open-minded and reasoned perspective pertaining to incorporating in a system.
Research Related Skills
A sense of inquiry and capability for asking relevant/appropriate questions, problematising, synthesising, and articulating; Ability to recognise cause-and-effect relationships, define problems, formulate hypotheses, test hypotheses, analyse, interpret and draw conclusions from data, establish hypotheses, predict cause-and-effect relationships; ability to plan, execute and report the results of an experiment or investigation.
Modern Tools and ICT Usage
Capability to use ICT in a variety of learning situations; demonstrate the ability to access, evaluate, and use a variety of relevant information sources; and use appropriate software for analysis of data.
Environment and Sustainability
Understand the impact of scientific solutions in societal and environmental contexts and demonstrate the knowledge of and the need for sustainable development.
Moral, Multicultural and Ethical Awareness
Possess knowledge of the values and beliefs of multiple cultures and a global perspective; and capability to effectively engage in a multicultural society and interact respectfully with diverse groups; Ability to embrace moral/ethical values in conducting one’s life, formulate a position/argument about an ethical issue from multiple perspectives, and use ethical practices in all work. Capable of demonstrating the ability to identify ethical issues related to one’s work. Avoid unethical behaviour such as fabrication, falsification or misrepresentation of data or committing plagiarism, not adhering to intellectual property rights, appreciating environmental and sustainability issues, and adopting objective, unbiased and truthful actions in all aspects of work.
Individual and Teamwork Skills
Ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams; facilitate cooperative or coordinated effort on the part of a group and act together as a group or a team in the interests of a common cause; and work efficiently as a member of a team.
Communication Skills
Ability to express thoughts and ideas effectively in writing and orally; Communicate with others using appropriate media to confidently share one’s views and express herself/himself; demonstrate the ability to listen carefully, read and write analytically, and present complex information clearly and concisely to different groups.
Leadership Readiness Skills
Capability for mapping out the tasks of a team or an organisation, setting direction, formulating an inspiring vision, building a team that can help achieve the vision, motivating and inspiring team members to engage with that vision, and using management skills to guide people to the right destination, in a smooth and efficient way.
Self-Directed and Life Long Learning
Ability to work independently, identify appropriate resources required for a project, and manage a project through to completion; Ability to acquire knowledge and skills, including “learning how to learn”, that is necessary for participating in learning activities throughout life, through self-paced and self-directed learning aimed at personal development, meeting economic, social and cultural objectives, and adapting to changing trades and demands of the workplace through knowledge/skill development.
