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MSc Biotechnology Admissions Open at TERI SAS
Are you planning to build a strong career in biotechnology and life sciences? MSc in Biotechnology Admissions at TERI SAS offer students an excellent opportunity to gain interdisciplinary knowledge, hands-on laboratory training, and exposure to real-world sustainability challenges. The programme combines biotechnology, environmental science, and cutting-edge research methodologies to prepare students for careers in research, industry, and academia.
About TERI School of Advanced Studies
TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS) is renowned for its commitment to sustainability studies and biotechnology. With a strong focus on inter-disciplinary capacity building, TERI SAS aligns with national missions of both critical sectoral and inter-sectoral importance. Our dedication to sustainability and biotechnology makes us a leader in the integration of education, research, and policy to contribute to national and global objectives.
Academic programmes at the TERI SAS are focused around the challenges of providing the advanced studies rising global population with a limited and degraded natural resource base. In moving towards sustainability, the implicit understanding is that there is no panacea or straight road, with recognized and established methodologies, tools or specializations leading to such development.
TERI SAS has established excellent partnerships and collaborative arrangements with a number of institutions overseas, including Yale University, USA; The Free University of Germany; Utrecht University, The Netherlands; North Carolina State University, USA; and the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
Department of Biotechnology
The Department of Biotechnology at TERI SAS offers both master’s and doctoral programmes. The Department is committed to the furtherance of scientific enterprise through the establishment of a vigorous research programme and to contribute to postgraduate-level academic programmes to cater to national requirements in basic science as well as agricultural and environmental applications. The first M.Sc. programme in Plant Biotechnology by the Department was initiated in 2008 with funding from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, which was restructured in 2021 in the form of an M.Sc. Programme in Biotechnology with two specialisations, namely, Plant Biotechnology and Microbial Biotechnology. Students opting for master’s or doctoral programmes can expect an academically rigorous and interdisciplinary environment and significant emphasis on laboratory work, emphasizing original, creative thinking, and research.
Doctoral students may also choose to carry out their research in the laboratories of our parent organization TERI (www.teriin.org), in fields as varied as microbial biotechnology, mycorrhizal technology, environmental bioremediation, plant tissue culture, and biofuels, to name a few.
Background
Biotechnology is an exciting field of modern science. The socio-economic impact of biotechnology in diverse contexts, such as energy, health care, sustainable agriculture, conservation of biological diversity, and abatement of environmental problems, is evident. A biotechnologist must have a multidisciplinary vision, possess relevant skills to generate and interpret data objectively, and be informed by a sound knowledge base. A biotechnologist has an obligation to communicate scientific outcomes to the public in a responsible, free, and transparent manner. With multitudes of organizations (Academia and Industry) dedicated to discoveries and scientific innovations, management of Intellectual Property forms a key aspect of Biotechnology. Furthermore, biosafety and ethics constitute the key foundation of biotechnological applications. Therefore, knowledge of the regulatory framework and risk analysis is essential.
MSc (Biotechnology)
MSc in Biotechnology (BT) is aimed at exploring sustainable solutions for agriculture, energy, environment, and health sectors. The programme is compliant with the choice-based credit system (CBCS) of UGC, Govt. of India, and is aligned to the proposed New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The programme further aims to contribute to the National missions, viz. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, and National Water Mission. The end objective of the programme is to meet the sustainable developmental goals, such as zero hunger, good health and well-being, and imparting quality education.
Specializations offered:
• MSc in Biotechnology (specialization in Plant Biotechnology)
• MSc in Biotechnology (specialization in Microbial Biotechnology)
Programme Highlights
- Research-led teaching
- Two full days of practical classes every week with hands-on training
- Exposure to real-world problems during the Major Project
- Options for specialization
- Additional focus on Intellectual Property Rights and Bioethics
Programme Structure
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The MSc Biotechnology programme is a two-year programme divided into four semesters. A student is required to complete 78 credits for the completion of the programme and the award of a degree.
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The MSc Biotechnology programme provides options for specialization by completing a set of specialization-specific courses. Currently, two specialisations are being offered under the Programme: i) Plant Biotechnology and ii) Microbial Biotechnology.
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The entire MSc Biotechnology Programme is comprised of core courses (52 credits), elective courses (audit only but equivalent to a minimum of 4 credits), Specialisation-specific courses (8 credits), and a Major Project (16 credits). In addition, two courses, i) Communication Skills and Technical Writing, and ii) Applied Mathematics, have been added as compulsory audit courses.
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The specialisation-specific courses will be offered during the second and third semesters. A student can opt for specialisation-specific courses related to only one of the available specialisations.
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The elective courses are to be taken only as audit courses, and the grades in those courses will not be considered while calculating the CGPA. A minimum of 4 credits equivalent of elective courses need to be completed during the Programme. There is no upper limit for the number and credit equivalent for Elective courses. The Elective courses may be taken in any semester when offered by the concerned Department and provided it doesn’t conflict with any other course taken by the student.
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At the start of Semester 2, the students will be required to choose any one of the two specialisations. Maximum of 60% of the total number of students can be allotted a particular specialisation. Allotment of specialisation will be done based on a combination of merit (as per the Semester 1 grades) and preference.
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A strong component of Bioinformatics in the form of hands-on practical equivalent to 3 credits has been included in Semesters 2 and 3. This is in addition to the theoretical orientation on Bioinformatics of 2 credits that will be provided in Semester 1.
Eligibility Criteria:
A Bachelor’s degree in Sciences/Engineering/Technology.
Selection Procedure
Applications are invited from candidates through advertisements published on the TERI SAS website (www.terisas.ac.in) and also in leading national newspapers and social media platforms. Admission to the MSc Biotechnology Programme is made on the basis of a combined entrance examination followed by an interview conducted by a faculty panel from the Department of Biotechnology, TERI SAS.
Pedagogical Tools
The classroom/online lectures are complemented with extensive laboratory practical, case studies, classroom discussions, and guest lectures by experts. During the fourth semester, students are involved in full-time research for their major project.
Programme Outline*
| Year | Courses | Credits | Duration |
| First Year | |||
| 1st Semester | 7 core courses of 2-7 credits each, and 2 core audit courses | 21 | 15 weeks |
| 2nd Semester | 7 core courses of 2-7 credits and 1 course of 2 credits in the area of specialisation** | 23 | 15 weeks |
| Second Year | |||
| 3rd Semester | 4 core courses of 2-7 credits and 1 course of 2 credits in the area of specialisation** | 18 | 15 weeks |
| 4th Semester | Major project | 16 | 15 weeks |
*In addition to above, a minimum 4 credits equivalent of elective courses (audit only) listed below need to be completed during the Programme which may be taken in any semester when offered by the concerned Department and provided it doesn’t conflict with any other course taken by the student. There is no upper limit for the number and credit equivalent for Elective courses.
**Specialisation specific practical component equivalent to 2 credits will carried out under Biotechnology Laboratory- Part 2 (2nd Semester) and Biotechnology Laboratory- Part 3 (3rd Semester) each.
MSc (Biotechnology)
SEMESTER 1
| Course title | Type |
| Biotechnology Laboratory – Part 1 | Core |
| Communication Skills and Technical Writing | Audit |
| Principles of Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology | Core |
| Applied Mathematics | Audit and bridge course |
| Conceptual Foundations of Molecular Biology | Core |
| Principles of Biochemistry and Biophysics | Core |
| Bioanalytical Techniques | Core |
| Plant and Animal Biotechnology | Core |
| Bioinformatics and Computational Biology – Part 1 | Core |
SEMESTER 2
| Course title | Type |
| Conservation Genetics and Genomics | Core |
| Biotechnology Laboratory – Part 2 | Core* |
| Introduction to Nanobiotechnology | Core |
| Molecular Microbiology and Immunology | Core |
| Statistics for The Life Sciences | Core |
| Molecular Cell Biology – From Genes to Communities | Core |
| Genome Structure and Diversity: Concepts and Methodologies | Core |
| Molecular Plant Physiology and Metabolism | Specialisation (Plant Biotechnology) |
| Microbial Pathogenesis | Specialisation (Microbial Biotechnology) |
*Specialisation-specific practical component equivalent to 2 credits will be carried out under the Biotechnology Laboratory – Part 2
SEMESTER 3
| Course title | Type |
| Biotechnology Laboratory – Part 3 | Core* |
| Bioethics, IPR and Regulations in Biotechnology | Core |
| Gene Expression Analysis and Transcriptomics | Core |
| Proteomics and Protein Engineering | Core |
| Functional Genomics in Plants | Specialisation (Plant Biotechnology) |
| Bioprocess Engineering and Environmental Biotechnology | Specialisation (Microbial Biotechnology) |
*Specialisation-specific practical component equivalent to 2 credits will carried out under Biotechnology Laboratory – Part 3
Semester 4
Major Project
During the fourth semester, students work on a research problem/innovative concept broadly related to the programme using an appropriate methodology that may involve interdisciplinary approaches. This is to allow students the greatest scope to explore a wide range of career options. Students may undertake projects in collaboration with industrial, research, government, or non-governmental organizations. The project is guided by a TERI SAS faculty member(s) as well as external researchers from TERI or other organizations. Study tours are undertaken to demonstrate the link between biotechnology and sustainable development.
Elective Courses (Audit Only)
| Course Title | Type |
|---|---|
| Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology | Elective |
| Introduction to Sustainable Development | Elective |
| Nanomaterials: Introduction and Applications | Elective |
| Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation | Elective |
| Food Security and Agriculture | Elective |
| Multivariate Data Analysis | Elective |
| Wildlife Conservation and Management | Elective |
Placement
A placement cell has been formed for exploring placement opportunities for students. The University facilitates placement of students in industry and suitable organizations, both for major projects and final placements.
For placement details, click here.
For further information, please contact TERI School of Advanced Studies, 10, Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi – 110 070, India
APPLY ONLINE HERE
Contact Details:
- Tel. +91 11 71800222
- WhatsApp: +91 11 71800222
- E-mail [email protected]
- Web www.terisas.ac.in
Document Reference: Feb 2023 (50)
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