M.Sc Microbiology

M.Sc Microbiology- Microbiology is a study of single-celled or unicellular, cell colony or multicellular, and
even those microorganisms that deficit any kind of proper cell body. It is a huge subject that contains abundant sub-disciplines like parasitology, virology, bacteriology, and mycology. Simply, microbiology is the study of all living creatures that are so tiny that they can’t be seen with our naked eyes. These infinitesimal organisms are known as microbes which play vital roles in biodegradation/biodeterioration, nutrient cycling, climate change, food decay, the reason and control of disease, and biotechnology. Microbes are also beneficial in making manufacturing biofuels, cleaning up pollution, life-saving drugs, and processing /producing food and drink.

About the course

M.Sc In Microbiology or Master of Science in Microbiology is a two-year postgraduate program that focuses on rudimentary level features in the area of Microbiology. It is separated into four semesters which deals with the mutual study of biology and chemistry to examine living methods and their basic connection with the atmosphere.

M. Sc. Microbiology program gives suitable exposure in the areas such as aquatic microbiology, microbial diversity, terrestrial, Food, and industrial microbiology, microbial genetics, nano microbiology, agricultural microbiology, etc. as a result of both the practical and theoretical information they can support in scheming and developing advanced methods and techniques for the microbiology industry.

The prospectus involves the study of microorganisms and the consequence that they have on the environment together with human society. Throughout this program, students get wide-ranging insight into many characteristics applications, and controlling of Microbes and their parts in the field of industry, agriculture, and environment. This program embraces interdisciplinary subjects and core microbiology and together with
laboratory programs and a research project leading to a dissertation.

Admission Process

The foremost institutions in India conduct entrance exams for admission in M.Sc Microbiology. It can either be a university-level entrance test or a national-level entrance test. Candidates can fill out the application form and fulfill the admission procedure for admission in M.Sc Microbiology at the particular institute. Candidates should make sure that they meet the minimum eligibility criteria and all the required information to appear in the entrance examination, for admission in the M.Sc Microbiology course in several institutes.

Entrance Exam Preparation Tips

To get admission into decent M.Sc Microbiology universities, the candidate must concentrate on the given opinions-

• You need to obtain decent marks in your bachelor’s.
• To cover the maximum syllabus proficiently, start planning for the entrance exam as soon as possible.
• To understand the exam pattern clearly, solve lots of question papers possible.
• One should also resolve as a minimum of 20-30 mock test papers beforehand sitting for the exam.
• Stay up to date concerning the current affairs of your field as this can help in clearing interview rounds and interview rounds.

Entrance Exams For M.Sc Microbiology

1. CSIR NET Exam:

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) NET (also recognized as CSIR UGC NET) is a national-level examination led by the National Testing Agency. It is the topmost Entrance Exam For M.Sc Microbiology students. The exam is conducted twice a year, one in June and the other in December. If you succeed in the exam, you will be presented with Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and/ or with Lectureship (LS). This depends upon the percent scores that you get in the exam.

2. GATE

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an entrance examination that examines one’s subject familiarity and a comprehensive understanding of several undergraduate subjects in engineering and science. It is organized once every year (mostly in February) and the leading institutes are the 7 IITs and the Indian Institute of Science. The score is valid for the following 3 years.

3. DUET(Delhi University Entrance Test)

Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET) is directed by Delhi University to offer admission  candidates in UG, PG, MPhil, and Ph.D. programs. The DU entrance exam is organized on behalf of the National Testing Agency (NTA). DUET is conducted once a year. Candidates who clear the entrance exam will be acknowledged to one of the many engineering, commerce, management, or law programs available.

4. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Exam

The BSI leads an entrance exam once a year. The exam design is simple and queries are related to technical knowledge, reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and English literature. This exam gives one of the best chances to start a career as a scientist after M.Sc Microbiology. Although, one of the significant phases is that one needs to have a good amount of research practice before starting your occupation as a scientist to be in a long effective race.

Syllabus of M.Sc Microbiology

The MSc Microbiology program is separated into 4 semesters. This focuses on aspects of virology, biostatistics, enzymology, agricultural microbiology, dairy microbiology, fermentation techniques, cell morphology, eukaryotic genome, fermentation balances, pharmaceutical microbiology, etc. The M.Scn Microbiology course is a very varied and a detailed study on the subject. The semester wise microbiology subjects in M.Sc Microbiology is mentioned below:

Semester-1

• Introduction to Microbes and Prokaryotes
• Morphological Characteristics of Bacteria
• Different Cell Morphology
• Distribution, Morphology, and Classification
• Nutrition and Cultivation
• Intracytoplasmic Inclusions

Semester-2

• Classification and Structure of Unsaturated Fatty Acids
• General Aspects of Amino Acid Classification
• Isolation Techniques of Microorganisms
• Classification and Structure of Amino Acids
• Structure and Properties of Mono
• Homo and Heterolactic Fermentation

Semester-3

• Soil Microbiology
• Aquatic Microbiology
• Plasmids and Bacteriophages
• Eukaryotic Genome
• Elective-Ⅰ
• Elective-Ⅱ
• Isolation Techniques of Microorganisms

Semester-4

• Fermentation Technology
• Immune System and Immunity
• Elective III
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology
• Proteomics, Bioinformatics and Microbial Genomics
• Elective IV
• Recombinant DNA Technology

M.Sc Microbiology Subjects

The M.Sc Microbiology course covers a widespread range of subjects in its program to inform learners with a progressive level sympathetic of this arena. Some of the main topics covered in the M.Sc Microbiology syllabus consist of:

• Environment Microbiology
• Bioanalytical techniques
• Bioinformatics
• Food Microbiology
• Microbial and Molecular Genetics
• Immunology
• Bacteriology
• Immunochemistry
• Mycology
• Virology
• Parasitology
• Biochemistry
• Medical Microbiology
• Industrial microbiology
• Metabolic Engineering

M.Sc Microbiology Projects

The M.Sc Microbiology project matters are given to students to get a real-time practice of the working situation. Areas of interest and specialization of the applicants are often stated in the project submissions. Various recruiters often look at the topics and investigation to evaluate the candidates better for the character. Some of the popular microbiology project topics for M.Sc Microbiology students are given below:

• Yogurt and microbial contamination
• High blood pressure patients and their weight
•  Soymilk as a beverage and microbiological quality control
•  Public water tanks and their microbiological examination
•  Prevention and Control of intestinal schistosomiasis

Who Can Apply?

MSc in Microbiology is the course that is the discipline of science. This postgraduate program has a time duration of 2 years. It is the study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses archaea, fungi, and protozoa. Microbiology is hugely relevant today in the search for new drugs and in understanding disease outbreaks such as ebola. All those organisms which can not be seen with the human naked eye are known as
microorganisms.

MSc microbiology trains the next generation of scientists for academic research, for working in hospital laboratories, and for working in the industry including the oil and gas microbiology labs. They are really small in size. Hence, we use a microscope to see them.

This program of microbiology covers vast areas of Chemistry and Biology. The main focus of this course is not only covering the theoretical part but covering the original part

as well so students can meet the industrial demands. A candidate who has completed their BSc with 50% marks from a recognized institute can join this course.

Eligibility Criteria for MSc in Microbiology

Microbiology has gained huge importance due to COVID-19. In this situation, everyone has an eye toward someone who could control this deadly virus from the world population.

Although it took us more than a year, thankfully a scientist better known as a microbiologist could find some solution and now we are in the process to team up this virus that has affected millions in the entire world. One thing that our world has learned is that we need one such course that can help to produce this profession.

Candidates who wish to pursue their education in India in MSc in Microbiology course must fulfill the following conditions and eligibility criteria.

•  Aspiring candidates must pass their bachelor's degree or equivalent in any of the two subjects combination among respective subjects like Agriculture & horticulture, Botany, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Dairy Sciences, Fisheries, Home Sciences, Human Genetics, Plant Protection, Zoology with 50-55% marks.

Along with fulfilling these eligibility conditions, you must have a certain set of required skills to be able to do an MSc Microbiology course:

• Ability to take challenges to resolve issues.
• Great communication skills to work in a team.
• Ability to think clearly and logically.
• Have good leadership skills.
• Be able to work with statistics and relevant computer packages.
• Good observation skills and a high level of accuracy.
• The capability of performing activities such as performing shake-flask studies strain improvement, fermentation process development, media optimization, etc.
• Grip in Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and verbal skills.
•  Besides the ability to identify, select, organize and communicate information, and work as part of a small team, recognizing the opinions and views of all members of the team. 
• Managing their time in an effective and efficient manner.
•  Having rational and creative thinking to make critical decisions under peer pressure.
• Having good communication skills so that working as a group can be achieved.

The list of top colleges for MSc in Microbiology are:

• Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
• Amity University, Noida
• Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar
• Delhi University, Delhi
• Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi
• Punjab University, Chandigarh

Merit-based and entrance-based admissions are done by some of the top colleges and Universities for MSc in Microbiology in Indian colleges. Some of the entrance exams are JNU CEEB, GATE, Central University MSc entrance exam, and Manipal University Online Entrance Test. The counseling process is conducted based on the rank or entrance exam score.

In addition, this postgraduate course is also taught in top foreign nations. The eligibility criteria vary from nation to nation, below are the eligibility criteria mentioned:

• Should have passed 10+2 from science stream and also 50% marks in BSc degree from a recognized institute.
• Cover letter, letter of recommendations( two letters in some cases), resumes are needed for admission.
•  It is important to secure good marks in English proficiency exams like TOEFL/IELTS (which one is applicable).

The list of top Universities for MSc in Microbiology in Abroad is:

• Auckland University of Technology.
• Arizona State University.
• The University of Saskatchewan.
• Eastern New Mexico University.
• University of Canterbury

Jobs after Completing MSc Degree

Like any other promising field, Msc in microbiology also provides us with numerous job opportunities. One can get jobs in both public as well as private sectors. However, since the rise of COVID, the demand for staff with a degree in microbiology has increased.

This disease is very adaptive and several variants have been seen till today. It was long back that a new variant was discovered in Europe. Hence skilled microbiologists are required who can diagnose, treat and prevent it from harming society by developing counter drugs. Microbiology is one of the prominent fields in the field of medical sciences because there is always a chance of newer and better breakthroughs. There is a famous saying that “ Learning is a never-ending process”. Hence, its far from over to completely study and understand the functionality of living organisms.

A wide variety of jobs are available in the pool, once you are completed with post- graduation in microbiology. Pharmaceutical industries, agriculture research, etc are some of the areas where microbiologists are hired for studying, conducting research. With the degree of MSc in Microbiology, you get an opportunity to get employed in the following job profiles.

• Microbiologist
• Nutritionist
• Project Assistant
• Research analyst
• Clinical Research Associate
• Medical writing
• Medical officer
• Virologist
• Hygienist

Government job seekers who want a public job infield in the field of microbiology can apply for the following :

 Food safety officer-

The food safety officer keep a check over food product for the safety of the consumer. Duties performed by the food safety officers are testing the samples of food products, beverage products for the pathogen, analytical communication, time management. They help the company to meet the standard for product safety and quality. The salary of food safety officers in India ranges from 3 lakhs to 12 lakhs.

Lab assistant-

The lab assistants responsibility is to perform laboratory duties. They have to perform clerical functions in the lab. They also have deep knowledge of lab procedures. They maintain a clean workplace by following lab regulations for health and safety. In addition to this, they need to possess strong communication skills.

Assistant professor-

They have to assist various departmental duties, monitor junior staff, represent the university at conferences when necessary, attending departmental meetings. The salary of an Assistant professor in India ranges between 1.5 Lakhs to 11.0 lakhs with an average annual salary of 4.0 Lakhs.

Virologists-

They study viruses that affect humans, animals, insects, bacteria, fungi, and plants in the community, agriculture, and natural environment. They develop vaccines for diseases. The salary of a virologist ranges from 11 Lakhs per year to 41 Lakhs per year.

Along with the government jobs, there are some famous private jobs available for microbiologists. Below are some job profiles

Dietician & nutritionist –

A job role of a dietician holds a great responsibility in designing a diet specific to an individuals health profile. A dietician you could work independently, be hired by television channels, be contacted by newspaper magazines, or be part of a corporate or a list of companies that care about employees health. As a dietician, you can also work with saloons and spas which offer weight reduction and slimming services. The salary of a dietician in India is 2.4 Lakhs per year.

Medical coder –

Medical coder has to review all the sections of medical recodes like pathology, doctors diagnosis, prescription, etc. They should be good in the terms of medical terminology like information on anatomy, physiology. They should know about the government regulation and private prayer policies so that they can do coding and billing properly. The salary of the medical coder in India ranges between 1.4 Lakhs to 5.0 Lakhs.

Quality control microbiologist-

Quality control microbiologist covers the part of quality assurance which primarily concerns the control of the errors in theperformance of the best and verification of the test result. Salary of quality control officer rangers between 1.6 Lakhs to 6.0 Lakhs.

Cosmetic scientists and technologists-

They are responsible for the safety of products like shampoo, baby products. They test products for disease-causingmicroorganisms. The national average Salary of cosmetic scientists in India is Rs.41,860 per month.

Top hiring companies for microbiology postgraduates are:

•  Accenture
•  Cipla Inc.
•  Mascot International
•  Siron Technology Private Limited
•  Lakshmi Life Sciences Limited
•  Panacea Biotech Limited
•  Serum Institute Limited
• Glaxo

Fee Structure

The fee for an MSc microbiology course may vary depending on the genre and reputation of the Institute you are willing to join. The average course fee in India may vary between 34,000INR per year to 3.5 Lakhs INR per year. Whereas the admission in MSc microbiology Abroad ranges from between 6.0 Lakhs INR per year to a maximum of 61.0 Lakhs per annum.

What are the Advantages of Studying M.Sc Microbiology?

It is the study of organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. A microscope is the only way to see these living organisms. These organisms are called microorganisms or microbes. Microbiology research includes Biochemistry, Physiology, and Molecular Biology.
These microbes are the foundation for many studies such as nutrient cycling, biodegradation, climate change, spoilage of food, disease causation and control, as well as for biotechnology. We will see in the following paragraphs how Microbiology plays an important role in a variety of fields.

1. Advantages of Microbiology in Medical Science

Microorganisms that are both helpful and harmful to humans and animals are the focus of Medical Microbiology. Medical Microbiology has several important characteristics:

• Medical Microbiology has several advantages, including the ability to assist in identifying and isolating pathogens and the capacity to produce beneficial microbes like antibiotic-producing yeasts.
• Many branches of life and physical science, including biology, are used in biomedical research. Microbiology is used by biologists to discover new ways to prevent disease. For example, microbiology provides information that can be used to develop vaccines and treatments for various diseases.
• Businesses frequently collaborate with microbiologists to develop viruses and bacteria-killing products. Meningitis and tuberculosis can be diagnosed and prevented by these scientists, who identify, contain, and treat diseases in the human body.
• Every day new bacteria and infections are discovered and categorized by medical microbiologists. Microbiology helps biologists better understand the immune system.

2. Advantages of Microbiology in Environment

The field of environmental microbiology focuses on the diversity and functioning of microorganisms in their natural habitats. There are a variety of ways to think about the environment, which includes everything from the soil and water to the air and sediment. For example, Environmental Microbiology includes the study of microorganisms found in bioreactors. Research in this field often focuses on the interaction between microorganisms, plants, and animals. It also focuses on other environmental factors such as pollution and seasonal shifts. A few examples of how Microbiology is being used in the environment are as follows:

• It is used to degrade the oil. We all know that oil pollution is a major problem for the environment because of how toxic it is. Oil spills in coastal areas and the open sea are difficult to contain and mitigate, but microbial communities hydrocarbon-degrading activities, in particular those of the Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, can remove a significant amount of the oil (HCB). Ecological damage caused by oil pollution in marine habitats can be mitigated by the use of these organisms. Bioplastics and biocatalysis could also benefit from HCBs biotechnological potential.
• Another application is the degradation of aromatic compounds. A wide range of aromatic compounds can be degraded by Acinetobacter strains isolated from the environment.
• It is also useful for waste bio-treatment analysis. The term "bio-treatment" refers to the practice of treating waste with living organisms in place of more conventional methods.

3. Advantages of Microbiology in the Food Industry

Keeping our food free of harmful microorganisms is another job that Microbiology performs. Microbiology aids in the identification of food-borne microorganisms. Help the biologists discover ways to keep food safe and prevent it from spoiling by learning more about these microorganisms. To prevent food contamination, scientists use good bacteria to fight off pathogenic bacteria. In the food and agriculture industry, Microbiology has many advantages as:

• The Food and Drug Administration can use the expertise of food-based bacteria Microbiologists identify food products that may be harmful to human health. It is their goal to find out what causes foodborne illness outbreaks so that they can be avoided in the future.
• Microbiology also helps in the treatment of unclean water as well. Through sewage treatment, these living bacteria help to keep the water clean. Sewage bacteria break down organic matter, cleaning the water before it is returned to nature.
• Microbiologists study the importance of soil microbes. Plant pests and diseases are of particular interest to some, who work to develop control methods or even use microbes to combat insects and weeds. Others study farm animal disease- causing microbes. Farmers can also benefit from microbiology, which helps them control nitrate levels and increase yields.
• Agricultural Microbiology aids in the decomposition of waste products. Pesticide residue and other harmful materials in agricultural soil are broken down by microbes that prevent the accumulation of toxins in the soil.

4. Advantages of Microbiology in Daily Life

In our daily lives, Microbiology plays an important role. Here are some of the most important aspects of Microbiology that we use every day:

• Food production, biodegradation, biotechnology, and genetic engineering are all examples of Microbiology being used in everyday life.
•  Microorganisms are required in a variety of dishes. Microorganisms are required, for example, in the production of curd and cheese. As the lactose sugar in milk is converted to lactic acid, the milk is transformed into curd by Lactobacillus bacteria.
• Aside from producing hydroxybutyric acid, which is used in the production of disposable diapers and plastics, bacteria are also used in the production of other commercially valuable products. Ethanol, a biofuel, is another option. They also produce amino acids, which are commonly used as a supplement in the diet.

By studying how microorganisms look, how they function, how they reproduce, and how they are genetically distinct, microbiology seeks to gain and expand our fundamental understanding of microorganisms. All of these examples show how Microbiology has an impact on a wide range of fields.

What is the Scope of M.Sc Microbiology?

A Master’s degree in Microbiology opens many doors in the fields of education, health care, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, to name just a few. There are numerous opportunities for students in Microbiology because of its interdisciplinary approach like:

• An M.Sc Microbiology graduate can expect to earn an average salary of INR 4.4 LPA in the job market after graduating from the course.
• Graduates can find work in both the private and public sectors after graduation.
• Research in Microbiology on topics like rhizosphere, nitrogen fixation, and biogas production is also needed in the agricultural sector. Forensic science laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, food and drug manufacturers, and other businesses are among the top employers of M.Sc. Microbiology graduates.
• Graduates of the Microbiology Master’s program have a wide range of career options at their disposal. Higher education is an option for students who aren’t ready to enter the workforce right away. In this way, they can improve their research skills and gain a deeper understanding of the topic. After earning an M.Sc. in Microbiology, you may pursue several different academic paths such as:

1. A doctorate in scientific research
2. M.Phil
3. PhD
4. MBA

Microbiology has a wide range of applications, including medicine, dairy, agriculture, clinical research, water treatment, chemical technology, and nanotechnology. So if you want to pursue something in the field of microbes, you can opt for this course.

See Also: NEET Form Date 2022-Check the Details Now!

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