MSc Microbiology is a 2 year advanced postgraduate course that combines the disciplines of chemistry and biology. MSc Microbiology can be studied after completing graduation in the fields of Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physiology and Microbiology. MSc Microbiology studies the relationship of biology and chemistry with the environment and it’s ecosystem.
A minimum MSc Microbiology eligibility is to have a BSc degree with a minimum of 50% or more from a recognized university to apply for the MSc Microbiology course. Admission to MSc Microbiology colleges Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, etc are offered generally on the basis of marks obtained in the entrances. Some of the popular entrances are IPU CET, CUET, etc.
The course is divided into 4 semesters which cover different aspects of the programs including biostatistics, immunology, virology etc. Every student getting enrolled for the programme needs to go through several research works and laboratory sessions as well.
2.1 MSc Microbiology Eligibility
2.2 Msc Microbiology Entrance Exams
MSc Microbiology Course Details
| MSc Microbiology Full form | Master of Science in Microbiology |
| MSc Microbiology Admission Process | Entrance Exam |
| Entrance Exam for MSc Microbiology | BITSAT, DUET PG, TISS NET |
| MSc Microbiology Colleges | St Xaviers Kolkata, Fergusson College etc |
| MSc Microbiology Syllabus | Biostatistics and Computer Applications, Microbial Physiology etc |
| Jobs after MSc Microbiology | Microbiologist, Nutritionist, etc |
| MSc Microbiology Scope | PhD, Jobs in Pharmaceutical or academic fields |
What is the MSc Microbiology Admission Process?
Admission to MSc Microbiology in India is offered on the basis of the Common Entrance Test (CET) mechanism like IPU CET, OUCET, BITSAT, etc. These tests measure the aptitude of students for MSc Microbiology.
Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, etc are some of the popular universities conducting their own entrance for MSc Microbiology admission.
The admission process is further followed by a round of counseling and personal interview.
Given below are the steps for MSc Microbiology admission 2024:
- Step 1: Check the eligibility for the respective entrances and apply for the required exams
- Step 2: Crack the respective exam of a college/university in order to secure admission to the course.
- Step 3: After the entrances are over successfully, the college announces the result and releases a list of shortlisted students
- Step 4: Shortlisted candidates then need to go through the college wise admission process.
- Step 5: Seats are finally allotted to the students in the last step of admission. Candidates are then required to deposit the fee for the course and get registered under the respective colleges for that academic session.
What are the MSc Microbiology Eligibility Criteria?
Following are the MSc Microbiology eligibility criteria to be followed by the candidates:
- Marksheets of classes X and XII are required with a minimum percentage of 50% or more.
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology from a recognized university or an equivalent with a minimum mark of 55% or more.
-
For institutes which hold an entrance exam, students must clear the entrance exam and make it to the cut off or merit list
MSc Microbiology Entrance Exam
| Entrance Exams | Registration | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| CUET PG | February 2024 | 11 – 28 March, 2024 |
| BITSAT | February 2024 | May 2024 |
| February 2024 | June 2024 |
MSc Microbiology Admission Preparation Tips
To get admission into good MSc Microbiology colleges, the student must focus on the following points-
- Obtaining a decent score in the bachelor's is very important to gain admission in a good MSc Microbiology college.
-
As cracking the entrances are essential for admission, so apply to the entrance exams. Start preparing for the entrance exam as soon as possible so that the maximum syllabus is covered efficiently.
Note that the sections of the entrances are usually of bachelors level. Check some of the basic topics for MSc Microbiology entrances below:
| Bacteria | Fungi |
| Viruses | Immune System |
| Enzyme Technology | DNA Technology |
- Start preparing notes and maintain a separate notebook for all the valuable topics. This will be a great help in revising all the concepts easily before the exam.
- Solve as many as question papers possible as it is mandatory to understand the exam pattern clearly. One should also solve at least 20-30 mock test papers before sitting for the exam.
- Stay up to date regarding the current affairs of your discipline as this can help in clearing entrance exams and interview rounds.
Note down important dates such as exam dates, cut off list dates, admission, etc so that no opportunity is missed
Important Links:
MSc Microbiology Syllabus
Starting from Biostatistics and Computer Applications, Recent Trends in Virology to Microbial Genetics, Pharmaceutical Microbiology and more, there are various MSc Microbiology subjects included in the 2 years of the curriculum.
Apart from gaining theoretical knowledge, MSc Microbiology Syllabus also includes various laboratory and research works throughout the course duration.
The MSc Microbiology Syllabus may vary from college to colleges, but the basic course syllabus is as mentioned below-
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Biostatistics and Computer Applications | Recent Trends in Virology |
| Bioenergetics and Molecular Enzymology | Molecular Immunology |
| Bioinstrumentation | Microbial Physiology |
| Food and Dairy Microbiology | Microbial Diversities and Extremophiles |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Enzyme Technology | Recombinant DNA Technology |
| Bioprocess Engineering and Technology | Fermentation Technology |
| Microbial Genetics | Bioinformatics, Microbial Genomics and Proteomics |
| Environmental Microbial Technology | Pharmaceutical Microbiology |
MSc Microbiology Colleges
| College Name | Average Annual Fees in (INR) |
|---|---|
| St. Xavier’s College | 102,000 |
| Fergusson College | 63,060 |
| St. Xavier’s College | 15,674 |
| St. Joseph’s College | 105,000 |
| Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College | 35,095 |
| Chandigarh University | 1,06,000 |
| The Oxford College of Science | 50,000 |
| Amity University | 80,000 |
| Presidency College | 925 |
| St Francis College For Women | 35,580 |
| Kristu Jayanti College | 87,000 |
MSc Microbiology Top College Comparison
| Parameters | St. Xavier’s College | Fergusson College |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | The institute was established in 1860 and is affiliated to the University of Calcutta, Kolkata. The college offers undergraduate, postgraduate, Ph.D, diploma and certificate courses to students. | Deccan Education Society established the college in 1885 and is affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University. The college offers UG and PG degrees in Arts and Sciences. |
| Location | Kolkata | Pune |
| Eligibility | Graduation in Microbiology or equivalent | B.Sc. with 50% from a recognized university. |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam | Entrance Exam |
| Average Fee | INR 102,000 | INR 63,060 |
| Average Placement Package | INR 8-9 LPA | INR 6-10LPA |
| Top Companies | Aditya Birla Group, Axis Bank, Citi Bank, HDFC, Reliance | Accenture, Infosys, Deloitte, Amazon, Google |
Source: University Websites and Payscale
What is the Difference: MSc Microbiology vs MSc Biotechnology?
| Parameters | MSc Microbiology | MSc Biotechnology |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | A 2 year program in the field of biology and chemistry, with main focus on understanding living systems and their impact on the environment. | MSc in Biotechnology is a course that allows you to refine the skills and knowledge in subjects like cell biology, Immunology, and alike. |
| Course Duration | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Eligibility | Graduation in Microbiology or equivalent | B.Sc. in Biological Sciences, B.Pharm, BAMS, MBBS, BHMS, BPT,etc from a recognized university. |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam | Entrance Exam |
| Course Fee | Up to INR 1 Lakh per annum | Up to INR 2 Lakhs per annum |
| Average Salary | Up to INR 7 Lakhs per annum | Up to INR 9 Lakhs per annum |
What After MSc Microbiology: Jobs and Scope
There are a vast variety of MSc Microbiology jobs available in various industries. Some of the fields in which microbiologists are required are pharmacy, water industry, chemical technology, nanotechnology, etc.
With various MSc Microbiology jobs and an average salary offered to these graduates ranging from INR 3.5 to 10 LPA, some of the top recruiters of this field are as follows:
- Mascot International
- Siron Technology Pvt. Ltd.
- Lakshmi Life Sciences Ltd
- Panacea Biotec Limited
- Serum Institute of India.
- GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited
Tabulated below are some of the popular MSc Microbiology Jobs, along with the job description and packages offered
| Job Profile | Job description | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Microbiologist | They study the biology of microorganisms such as fungi, viruses, bacteria, and algae. Some of the positions they hold include bacteriologists, and virologists. | 9.5 LPA |
| Nutritionist | The main aim of these professionals is to provide diets to individuals or institutes. They ensure that the individual’s meal meets the required health needs. | 7 LPA |
| Project Assistant | The aim is to help the project manager and guide the team to complete a service. They review, process and manage the data and documents of projects related to the domain of microbiology. | 5 LPA |
| Research Analyst | Research Analysts collect and organize data gathered during studies and surveys conducted in microbiology and pharmaceutical fields. | 9 LPA |
| Clinical Research Associate | Assisting in clinical research and providing advanced advice in handling supplies, ordering tests and organizing results. | 8 LPA |
Source: Payscale
There is plenty of MSc Microbiology scope available, as students with this degree can easily get a good job in both the government and private sectors.
At present, the skills developed by microbiology graduates like scientific, analytical and problem-solving are high in demand by employers, which shows a good MSc Microbiology Scope.
However, one can study further MSc Microbiology and some of the options in that case are:
- M.Phil in Microbiology: A 1-year postgraduate course, M.Phil in Microbiology deals with research projects in the subjects of bacterial polysaccharides, attachment of pathogens and biofilm formation.
- Ph.D in Microbiology: A 2-year doctorate degree, Ph.D in Microbiology revolves around the advanced study of microorganisms, like microscopic, unicellular, and cell-cluster organisms, etc. Students pursuing this course need to submit a detailed thesis as well.
Pursuing an M.Phil or a Ph.D in Microbiology are the best options to study further for these courses will not only bring more research opportunities for an individual but will also offer them higher job positions in the field with high recognition.
Read More: MSc Microbiology Jobs and Scope
MSc Microbiology: FAQs
Ques. Which are the best MSc Microbiology colleges in India?
Ans. Some of the best institutes to pursue MSc. Microbiology are:
- St. Xavier’s College, University of Mumbai
- Osmania University
- Delhi University
- St. Joseph’s College
- Fergusson College
Ques. What is the MSc Microbiology scope?
Ans. After the completion of the degree the student can choose to continue further studies and pursue a PhD or M.Phil. Microbiology or applying for jobs can be another option.
There are various fields in which jobs can be found such as agriculture, dairy, fishery, chemical technology etc. On the other hand a student can also apply to become a lecture, research fellow or project assistant in any institute.
Ques. Is an entrance exam required to apply to MSc Microbiology?
Ans. Yes, one needs to clear entrances in order to pursue a master degree in Microbiology.
Ques. What is the average cost to study MSc Microbiology?
Ans. The average cost to study this programme from a top MSc Microbiology college in India ranges from INR 50,000 to INR 1,00,000.
Ques. Which is better: MSc chemistry or MSC Microbiology?
Ans. Both the courses are good and have plenty of jobs available in their respective domains. After completing Masters in Chemistry you can get jobs in different chemical/agro-chemical, pharmaceutical industries, etc. Whereas an MSC Microbiology will get you jobs in research labs, hospitals, etc. Teaching is the other option in both the fields.
Ques. What are the basic job roles offered to MSc Microbiology graduates?
Ans. MSc Microbiology graduates are offered various jobs like Microbiologist, Research Assistant, Pharmacologist, Nutritionist, Research Analyst, etc
Ques. What is the average salary offered to the candidates with an MSc Microbiology degree?
Ans. The average salary of these professionals ranges from INR 3.5 to 10 LPA.
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