Gujarat Biotechnology University- Syllabus Design Approach

M.Sc. Biotechnology, with a second year research dissertation of nine months

From day one, students will focus on product or process development. The course will consist of 4 terms of about 6 months each. The innovative curriculum and distinctive pedagogy will put a strong emphasis on practical training, developing analytical skills, and critical thinking abilities to be prepared for the industry workplace, academia or entrepreneurship. Students will spend 50%, 75% and 100% of their time in the laboratories in the second, third, and fourth terms respectively. This research-based training is combined with a solid foundation in IT and quantitative skills, independent learning and study habits, communication, critical thinking, leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship as well as ethics. This collective teaching approach will equip graduates with the skills to deliver solutions that have a tangible societal impact. Students will graduate with the entrepreneurial initiative to make a difference in local communities. The five choice-based M.Sc. Biotechnology specializations are available from the second semester.

The five specializations are

1. Plant Biotechnology
2. Animal Biotechnology
3. Medical Biotechnology
4. Industrial Biotechnology
5. Environmental Biotechnology

The M.Sc. programme structure

Year 1, Term1 (Y1T1) - the foundation:

Self-belief and robust knowledge are crucial attributes of innovators. Confidence and insight stem from the ability to think independently and critically, enabled by conceptual Y1S1 courses including Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering, Biochemistry, Genetics, Bioinformatics and Genomics etc., and more specialist courses including introduction to all five specializations of Biotechnology mentioned above. The essential skills for innovators in leadership and business entrepreneurship will be taught. The foundation for developing essential skills for innovators in leadership and business will be laid in this semester. Course material is designed in complementary formats, e.g. lectures, practical exercises, case studies, and journal clubs, together aimed at promoting the student’s ability for independent thinking and critical learning. Students will spend 60-70% of their time in Semester 1 on fundamental biotechnology courses. These will be complemented by ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ lab courses, aimed at developing confidence in the use of practical techniques, including General laboratory skills, Molecular Biology, Genetics and Microbiology, software use and coding, Cell Biology and Microscopy, etc.

While getting impressed upon the importance of all 5 subjects of Biotechnology in the present-day world, they will get an opportunity to choose any specialization after the first semester, based on the marks obtained in the first semester. During subsequent semesters, there will be a choice for electives, where they can opt for 2 or 3 subjects in an interdisciplinary manner (amongst the 5 specializations).

The Degree will be awarded in M.Sc Biotechnology, with an additional endorsement/certificate of subject specialization which the students can use as per their requirement, in future.

Year 1, Term 2 (Y1T2) - the beginning of specialisation:

Successful innovators need advanced knowledge of cutting-edge technologies. In Y1T2 the student will spend 50% on gaining conceptual knowledge and an equal time on course-specific practicals on advanced technologies such as Fermentation, downstream processing and protein engineering; Molecular and Synthetic Biology; Microbiology; Drug discovery, Bio-business, and Bioinformatics. The courses will be delivered in a similar format as Y1T1. Students having completed this advanced practical training will be proficient in technologies like fermentation; genetic engineering; Next Generation Sequencing etc. Advanced knowledge in Bio-business will equip the student with the ability to identify niche opportunities through market analysis. At the end of the Y1T2, students will have acquired advanced abilities in independent and critical thinking, teamwork, generating and testing a hypothesis, efficient experimental design, problem-solving, interpreting results and presentation to scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Year 1, Summer Term (Y1ST) -independent project:

In preparation for taking ownership of the conceptual design of their final year dissertation and independent lab work, students will design small projects (typically 8 weeks) and work on them either at Gujarat Biotechnology University, Industry or other research institutes. Students may also apply for competitive fellowships from external funding sources for these projects. Students who will have completed these projects will have gained experience and confidence in independent experimental design, technical skills, critical thinking, problem solving and writing research proposals.

Year 2, Term 3 (Y2T3) - subject specific proficiency:

Advanced and specialist subject-specific knowledge is vital for employability and for developing successful entrepreneurial ventures. In this semester students will spend 15-20% of their time gaining factual and specialist practical knowledge through choice from a palette of elective courses such as nanobiotechnology, technology transfer, biomanufacturing, 3D printing, automation, and enhancing their future employability through online workshop and tutorials. Some of the practical knowledge for these courses will be acquired through field trips, industry visits and partnerships. By the end of T3 Students will have developed advanced knowledge in these cutting-edge technologies as well as skills in successful CV writing, interviewing for jobs and networking with peers and professionals. The remainder of the time (80-85%) will be used to prepare and initiate their final practical dissertation project.

Year 2, Term 4 (Y2T4); dissertation project (minimum 9 months):

The main focus will be on the student’s dissertation project, either in collaboration with an industry or research institute, including the University of Edinburgh where 25 students will be sponsored every year (5 students from each subject specialization having a strength of 20 students each). During this period, they will also participate in Journal Clubs to continuously enhance their discipline-specific knowledge and participate in regular meetings with their academic mentor.

Courses are designed in such a way that the students will have ample opportunities to develop skills in specialist biotechnology product areas.

The expectation is that on completion of the M. Sc. Biotechnology programme, each student will develop interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills in all five disciplines of Biotechnology with specific expertise in their chosen specialization.

PhD Programmes

PhD programmes will start from July onwards, enrolled students will pursue translational research problems in their field of interest.

Subject/ Object based learning

An interdisciplinary hybrid learning approach where students will learn how to apply object or tools from biotechnology domain such as biochips, gene editing, synthetic biology, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, cell and molecular biotechnology to solve problems for living subjects -humans, microbes, animals and plants.

Student Developmental Paths

One size doesn’t fit all, so there are a variety of paths for Gujarat Biotechnology University’s MSc graduates.

• Students may progress to a PhD which may be followed by a post-doctoral programme.
• Students may join the R&D sector in industry.
• Students may commence a start-up with the process or product they have developed.

Project Basket

A range of projects will be created and there will be changes in ideas and ambition of the students during the progress of the programme/project and this will be factored in. Business development may not be a part of the syllabus; however, interested students will be encouraged to seek mentorship from business development unit to further their ambitions.