M.Sc.

Biotechnology 2009-2010
Structure, Rules and Regulations of M.Sc. Biotechnology Course. Objectives Objectives of this course (M.Sc Biotechnology) essentially focus on the development of skills of students for a successful career in industry or research. The course structure emphasizes enough effort on theory as well as laboratory practical work so as to have fundamentals clear and strengthened through practicals. It is essential for the students to read research papers and deliver seminars that would help them to know the recent advances in the subject and also develop the communication skills. The course includes project work that would develop the scientific approach and research attitude to plan and implement experiments, record observations, interpret them on the basis of existing knowledge and communicate through clear and concise English. Genetic engineering, bioinformatics, agricultural and animal biotechnology, microbial biotechnology, analytical techniques in biotechnology, computers, statistical, nano-technology are necessary interdisciplinary subjects, which are hoped to seek solutions to the problems of society. Eligibility for M.Sc Biotechnology: A student who has obtained Bachelors degree with minimum 50% in Biotechnology/ Microbiology/ Biochemistry /Zoology/ Botany/ Chemistry/Agriculture will be considered eligible for admission to M.Sc Biotechnology course. The overall structure of the course to be implemented from the academic year 2009-2010 is as follows: 1. The entire course will be conducted in 4 semesters and the students will have to study three theory and two practical courses per semester. 2. The entire M.Sc. Biotechnology course shall be covered in 12 theory papers, 7 practical courses and one research project. The total marks for each theory and each practical course will be of 100 marks, and the research project too will be of 100 marks. 3. Each theory paper will be covered in 4 lectures of one clock hour per week. Each practical course will be covered in 4 practicals of 4 clock hours per week. There will be 3 lectures per day on 4 days of the week and on remaining 2 days of the week, the students will be given 3 hrs each for library work in the college or other libraries in other institutes. 4. Practical course MBT- 302: The student will have to undertake a small project so as to learn research methodologies and presentation of work. The project carries 100 marks, which will be allotted as follows- 60 marks for the 1

project work, 20 marks for dissertation, presentation and viva by external examiner and 20 marks by internal examiner (based on day-to-day work). 5. The student will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria for 60 marks(i) Aims and objectives of the project (ii) Updated literature survey (iii) Materials and Methodology used (iv) Novel and other applications of the project (v) Outcome and achievements of the project (vi) Conclusions 6. The students will work for their projects in the 3rd semester- complete the experimental work during the 3rd semester and winter break. During the 4th semester the students will complete the writing part of the project and at the end of 4th semester, there will be presentation of the project. Minimum number of students participating in the project would be 2 and maximum be 4. The arrangement for the demonstration practical for the advanced experimental techniques will be made during the visits to the respective institutes; the students will observe the techniques at the institutes. The students are supposed to submit a visit report on the basis of the observations carried out during the visit. Attendance: A student must have minimum 70 % attendance to fulfill the term. A student who does not have the required attendance may not be allowed to appear for the university exam. Rules for Examinations: Examination for the theory courses will be conducted at the end of each respective semester. Examination for practical course will be conducted at the end of the respective year, i.e. MBT-101, MBT-102, MBTt-201 and MBT-202 will be conducted at the end of Semester II. Examination for practical course MBT-301, MBT-302, MBT-401 and MBT402 will be conducted at the end of Semester IV. The theory exam will be of 100 marks for each course, out of which, 20 marks will be allotted for internal assessment - which will be conducted throughout the semester in the form of tests, tutorials, seminars, oral presentations etc., and the University exam will be of 80 marks. The practical course will be assessed for 80 marks each at the time of Annual Practical Exam, and 20 marks will be for continuous internal assessment, which includes tests, orals, journal writing, tour report etc. The duration for theory exam will be three hours and for practical course it will be of at least six hours for a period of three days. Thus, at the end of every semester there will be 240 marks theory exam and a 320 marks practical exam at the end of the year. Thus the total exams conducted during two years will assess the student for 2000 marks. 2

Before attending the practical exam, the students should get their journal certified from the respective teacher, Head of the Department and Principal of the college. No student, under any circumstances, will be allowed to attend the practical exam without a certified journal. Passing marks for Theory as well as Practical will be 32 out of 80 in the university exam. Passing marks for the internal exam will be 8 out of 20. However the candidate will be declared pass in each course only if he/she scores 32 marks out of 80 in each university exam. Candidate will not be admitted to Sem III if he/she has failed in more than 4 course headings of first year M.Sc. (Sem I & Sem II together). Candidate can appear for any course, not more than three times, if he/she has failed in that course. The University shall conduct the Supplementary Annual Examination in October/November for the repeater students. Grant of class for M.Sc will be as follows: Distinction 70 % and above First Class 60% - 69% Higher Second Class 55% - 59% Second Class 50% - 54% Pass Class 40%- 49% Fail 39% and below *****************************************