Presidency University, Kolkata- A Kolkata Heritage which provides exceptional education

The program curriculum encompasses Biological Sciences as well as it could have been. It is very elaborate comprising every branches from Instrumemtation and Methodologies to Cell Biology, Genetics or Molecular Biology for that matter. You are ought to have three theory papers and two practical and Grand VIVA papers each semester with a total of 4 semesters over two years. In the last semester, you need to prepare your dissertation. The papers include all the basic concepts and their applications and demands hard hours. I believe the syllabus can be relaxed a bit and the number of papers per term expanded and compartmentalised so as to reduce the load of individual papers. All the faculties are very supportive and Friendly and appreciate doubts and queries always.

The faculty, past PU students and seniors often share internships from other institutions like Ramkrishna Mission Vivekanada Centenary College, Rahara, IISERs and IITs among others. Various internships and workshops are held by reputed biotech and bioanalytical companies in the field of Biological Sciences like BioRad, ThermoFischer, etc wherein students and scholars can participate along with the faculty. Unpaid projects are provided to the students in the final semester under their desired professor on which they are to prepare their Master's dissertation thesis.

The tuition fees is about INR 10,000 for the entire duration of the program i.e, two years including all examination and admisison fees. You need to pay a non-refundable INR 500 to appear for the PUMDET exam. Theese fees don't change as such and have been the same since the last few years. There will be an excursion during semester II as a part of the Ecology paper. It's uausally compulsory and carries weight age. One needs to pay the excurisik fees at that time if he/she/they choose(s) to go. During my time they have asked for INR 10,000 all inclusive. Hostel accommodation is Available for students who live far enough at a nominal rate of around INR 200/month. I, myself applied for the SVMCM scholarship. Anyone whose family income is below INR 2,50,000 is eligible to do so and is entitled to a scholarship of INR 30,000 annually for two years. The miminal academic requirements can be checked from the SVMCM portal. Girls can apply for the K3 Kanyashree scholarship by the WB Government.

The campus life is very vivid. There are three tests held throughout the year where not only PU but all college and university students (must possess their respective ID cards) are allowed. Various conferences and seminars are held by the department from time to time. The departmental library is a large plethora of reference books and journals. One can issue upto three books for a period of four weeks (fine is levied for late return/re-issue) and can read any book whenever the library is open. You can check the diversity of books, the opening hours are related stuff about the library on the OPAC website. Annual Sports and departmental DLS Cricket and Football Cup are held during the months of February-March. Various societies like the PU Film Society (PUFS),etc are run by the students. Even bookfairs and other cultural festivals are held by the authorities from time to time.

To be eligible to apply for the said course one must have obtained a minimum of 70%/7.4 CGPA during their entire Bachelor's program in any field of Life Sciences/ Biotechnology. Further one needs to appear for the PUMDET examination and meet the cut-off score. Students who are past students of Presidency University (PU) Life Sciences department need not take the exam and are ranked seperately and selected beforehand. Usually the number of seats for non-PU students varies from 15-25. On can find more information on tentative dates of examination and application submition on the official PUMDET website maintained by the WBJEEB board. The exam occurs once annually and is moderately difficult. Being a student if Biochemistry attempting the questions from Zoology (a major fraction) and Ecology questions seemed tough. Do go through the BSc Life Sciences syllabus amd prepare yourself accordingly. As far as improvements are concerned, the WBJEEB can try to hasten up the admission a bit.