M.Sc. in Microbiology

Syllabus for the Courses:

  MMB 101: Microbial Diversity

The aim of the course is to provide a deeper understanding of the genetic and functional diversity of microorganisms. This course paves way for developing the concept and     understanding of the students  towards   origin and evolution morphological metabolic and molecular characteristics   genetic and physiological diversity of microbes. It will also emphasize the  role of microbes in elemental cycling and environment.

MMB 103: Microbial Metabolism

This course will try to develop the concepts and improve skills of the students required to understand the physiology and biochemistry of microbes. It will cover the basic metabolic pathways and modifications. This course will teach the students how to apply the theories of bacterial cell physiology and metabolism to current problems such as engineering microorganisms to produce biofuels and other products.

MMB 102: Molecular Biology

The course covers the gene organization in prokaryotic cells. Course will familiarize students with the process of replication transcription post-transcriptional modifications and translation in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

MMB 104: Enzymology

The course provides a thorough understanding of Enzymology principles fundamental properties of enzymes catalytic mechanisms and enzyme kinetics. The course also provides an overview of enzyme purification localization of enzymes enzyme immobilization and applications of enzymes in various industries. This course covers  fundamentals to applications necessary for the useful exploitation of enzymes both as tools for the enzymatic analyses and as biocatalysts.

MST111: Biostatistics

Biostatistics is essential to understand the interpretation and analysis of scientific data. This course covers the basic tools that can be used for the collection analysis and presentation of data specifically in research experiments. The course enables the students to understand the importance of setting up experiments in triplicates in repeat and how to process research data to reach significant conclusions.

  MMB 153 : Microbial Diversity Lab

This lab course is designed to make students learn the various techniques to explore and identify various classes of microbes. It will teach the specific methods required for culturing and isolation of microbes.

  MMB 154 : Microbial Metabolism lab

This lab course is designed to make students learn the estimation of carbohydrates lipids and microbial metabolic product. The students also learn various techniques such as various types of chromatography used for separation of amino acids and metabolites etc.

MMB 157 : Molecular Biology Lab

Molecular Biology Lab makes student familiar with DNA and RNA extraction from plant and animal cells. Further the course encompasses learning of molecular biology techniques such as estimation of DNA and RNA Agarose Gel Electrophresis and DNA fragmentation and Polymerase Chain Reaction.

MMB 106: Mycology and Phycology

The course will introduce the students to the morphological and anatomical diversity of fungi and algae. It will provide a comprehensive knowledge of the cell types their level of organization reproduction types and cladistic taxonomy of fungi and algae. It will also emphasize on   various   representatives of systematic groups of theoretical and economic importance.

MMB 107: Bacteriology

The course will provide basic knowledge of bacteria and their features. It will examine the bacteria  with special consideration to their importance within food industry medicine environment.

MMB 108: Recombinant DNA Technology

The ‘Genetic Engineering course outlines the description procedure and study of molecular tools in genetic engineering. This course encompasses the detailed procedure of genetic engineering and various techniques used so that students can become familiar with the Recombinant DNA Technology and its applications.

MMB 109        Virology

Viruses are an important pathogens as well as very versatile molecular tools. The course will cover  viruses that are economically important  as well as those that are important for research. Topics will include lifecycle replication strategies pathogenicity and transmission of viruses. Antiviral immunity and viral evasion will also be covered. The main focus of the course and emphasis will be put on virus-host interactions and  the molecular mechanism of their control.

MSB120: Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics has now become an indispensable tool in biological research. This course provides a comprehensive knowledge of bioinformatics tools and their wide applications in various fields of biotechnology. The course is designed to develop desired skill set in bioinformatics which is beneficial for both future research and employment of students.

MMB 155        Virology Lab

This lab course is designed to make students learn the basic techniques of viral multiplication and diagnosis. It will teach student to perform ELISA DOT Blot and PCR for diagnosis.

MMB 156        Recombinant DNA Technology Lab

The course introduces the core techniques used in biotechnology for manipulation of DNA. The lab course provides hands-on training on isolation of genomic DNA restriction digestion of genomic DNA selection of vector molecules performance of DNA-vector ligation introduction of recombinant DNA into host cells study of transformation/ transfection and selection of positive clones for library construction.

MMB 158        Mycology and Phycology Lab

The course will help students to acquire knowledge and skills for  working with fungi and algae. They will be working with  freshwater and soil algae   and study the features of these. They will examine the structure of thallus and fruiting body of various groups of saprophytic and parasitic fungi.  

MMB201: Environmental Microbiology and Waste Management

The ‘Environmental Microbiology and Waste Management is a course designed to give students knowledge about basic concepts of environment/ ecosystem and the role microorganisms play in maintaining the ecosystem balance. This course throws light on various unconventional uses of microorganisms in various industries and environmental benefits of use of the microorganisms. This course also outlines various biological methods of waste management and application of microbes in bioremediation.

MMB 202 : Infection Immunity and Diagnostics

The objectives for the course are to acquire a fundamental working knowledge of the basic principles of immunology to begin to understand how these principles apply to the process of immune function and to develop the ability to solve problems in clinical immunology by making use of existing tools and techniques

MMB 206 :            Microbial Genomics

This course provides a window to the methods and applications of  genomics in the study of  microbial genomics. It gives a glimpse of the amazing world microbes that are so diverse at genome level and consequently express unique characters. It will explore how the techniques and genomic data in general have been used to understand biology. It will also indicate how this diversity can be exploited for various industries.

MSB203 : Intellectual Property Rights and Ethical Issues

To enable students to learn various intellectual property rights and their uses. Students will gain knowledge about the different processes being used to prepare various applications to file various IPRs

MMB 255                Immunology Lab

Immunotechnology Lab course is aimed to teach various immunological assays to students. The practicals range from blood isotyping serum separation ELISA and its various subtypes along with various techniques to study antigen-antibody interactions.

MMB 256 :Environmental Microbiology Lab   

It will help the students to acquire traditional and modern laboratory methods in soil microbiology and microbial ecology. It will make the  students familiar with  methods of  studying microbial ecosystems and result analysis and report writing.

Total Credits: 90

Minimum Credits essential for the Programme:   90

MMB 208            Host Pathogen Interaction

Here the students will learn about Microbial pathogenesis and survival strategies of bacterial viral or parasitic pathogens in the host. They will learn the various methods to identify the intricacies of different host systems affected by pathogens the host defense and how the pathogens overcome host defense systems.

MMB204: Food Microbiology

The course is designed to prepare students with a basic understanding of the microbes involved in biological processes such as fermentation and spoilage. The course provides a foundation for careers in microbiology food microbiology or research in all branches of food sciences.

MMB 205: Fermentation Technology

This course will provide a description of theoretical and practical concepts in fermentation technology. The course entails in detail designing of bioreactors the operation parameters and their standardization and industrial production of some important substances.

MMB 252 & MMB 253: Dissertation I & and II

A two semester dissertation course is designed to acquaint students with research environment. Students are encouraged to study literature and identify a research problem with help of assigned supervisors. The students are exposed to cutting edge technologies to achieve a solution and learn to process scientific data using biostatistics.