m.sc. ph.d - biological sciences

The NMIMS (Deemed to be University) introduced M.Sc.-Ph.D. programmes in Biological Sciences and Chemical Sciences in July 2007. The salient feature of these programmes is the emphasis being laid on the overall development of laboratory skills of a research student coupled with an expansion of his/her knowledge base through an interdisciplinary course work comprising lectures and practicals in the first year of the course and subsequently fine tuning these skills in a particular area of specialization. While the research student will have ample opportunity to acquire hands-on training on modern, sophisticated instruments/equipment wherever necessary, he/she will also be able to benefit from the expertise of one or more supervisors, wherever needed.

Duration

The M.Sc. course work in the first two years extends over 4 semesters. After the M.Sc. course work the students will commence the Ph.D. program subject to passing of a qualifying test. The qualifying test involves assessment of the research aptitude of the students by the Research and Recognition Committee (RRC). Each student then undertakes research in a specialized area on a topic to be decided by the student in consultation with the Research Supervisor(s) following approval from the Research and Recognition Committee (RRC). The duration of the research project would be minimum 3 years.

Intake

A total of 5 seats are available for the Integrated M.Sc.- Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences

Members of Board of Studies

• Dr. Aparna Khanna, Chairperson; Dean, Sunandan Divatia School of Science
• Dr. Dhananjaya Saranath, Emeritus Professor, Biological Sciences, Sunandan Divatia School of Science
• Dr. K. Krishnamurthy Rao, Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT-Bombay, Powai
• Dr. Vandana Patravale, Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, ICT
• Dr. S. V. Gadre, Adjunct Professor, GNIRDi, Khalsa College, Mumbai
• Dr. Kafil Ahmed, Senior Research Scientist, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Navi Mumbai
• Dr. Krutika Desai, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Mithibai College, Mumbai
• Dr. Deepak Modi, Scientist E, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai
• Dr. Brijesh S., Assistant Professor, Sunandan Divatia School of Science
• Dr. Prasad Pethe, Assistant Professor, Sunandan Divatia School of Science
• Dr. Purvi Bhatt, Member Secretary; Associate Professor, Sunandan Divatia School of Science

Value Proposition

• Unique program, with a provision of completing M.Sc. and Ph.D. in minimum 5 years after B.Sc.
• Extensive course work in line with the requirements of Industry, thus adding value to the degree
• Hands on training on sophisticated analytical instruments
• Development of skills to use statistical and computational techniques as research/data analysis tools
• In built opportunity to improve soft skills as well as scientific writing
• Flexibility in project selection on interdisciplinary topics to complete thesis requirement.
• Grading system at par with international standards
• Each student will be supervised by an individual expert committee constituted according to the interdisciplinary nature of the research project
• A system of continuous evaluation through seminars, quizzes and practicals
• Guest faculty drawn from a pool of experts from Industry
• Innovative teaching methods involving continuous interaction amongst faculty and students

Programme Objectives

• Modern facilities to provide ambience and support for curricular and extra-curricular activities for the overall development of students.
• Dedicated, qualified faculty to ensure high standard of teaching, learning and evaluation processes.
• Periodic review and revision of curricula based on feedback from the industry with quick response to ensure the relevance of the programmes to the changing needs of industry.
• Semester system with proper planning to utilize the resources effectively and efficiently.
• Industry based project work as part of the curricula to get recognition and reward to the students in the form of job offer or support for further studies and research.
• The “Industry Interface Program” has been initiated to keep the students abreast of the latest trends in the industry/research organizations through industrial visits and guest lectures.
• The program is a full time program which is offered from Monday to Saturday.

Pedagogy

The course lays emphasis on the overall development of laboratory skills of a research student coupled with an expansion of his/her knowledge base through an interdisciplinary course work. The course work comprises of lectures and practicals in the first year and subsequently fine tuning these skills in a particular area of specialization.

The course is reviewed regularly in consultation with our Board of Studies, which comprises of experts from academia, research institutions and industry from all over India. Thus, the course is tailor made to fulfill the requirements needed to keep pace with the current developments in scientific research.

While the research student will have ample opportunity to acquire hands-on training on modern, sophisticated instruments/equipment wherever necessary, he/she will also be able to benefit from the expertise of one or more supervisors, wherever needed.

In the first year, along with the permanent faculties, the regular lectures are also conducted by visiting faculties who are experts in their respective fields. Apart from the course work, the Faculty also conducts Guest lectures by eminent academicians and scientists, paper presentations (Journal Club), Doctoral Committee Meetings to ensure learner centric environment.

A Research and Recognition Committee (RRC), under the Chairmanship of the Honorable Pro-VC, has recently been established to oversee the quality of research being carried at the School, and to advise the School on measures to improve courses of studies at the post-graduate level and Doctoral level. In addition, methods like quiz, discussions, tutorials, Industry visits etc. are also used by the faculty to benefit the students.

Eligibility

Bachelor of Science in Biology (Microbiology, Biochemistry, Applied Biology, Life Science, Biotechnology, Botany, Zoology) or Chemistry, Physics (2 years of Biology at Graduate level), or B. Pharm., B. E./B. Tech. (Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering) from a recognized University with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent grade.

Admission Criteria Process

Students who satisfy the requirements of the two stage selection process will be considered for admission to the integrated courses.

• Stage 1 - All eligible candidates will be required to appear for a Written Test to be conducted at the NMIMS campus in Mumbai. The venue will be announced sufficiently in advance of the test date.
• Stage 2 - Based on the performance in the written test, candidates will be short listed and called for a personal interview at the NMIMS Campus, Mumbai.
  

Based on the performance in Stages 1 and 2, a composite merit list will be prepared as per criteria laid down by the University.

Curriculum

First Year

Paper I: Genes and Genomics;
Paper II: Proteins and Proteomics;
Paper III: Cell Biology;
Paper; IV: Biostatistics and Bioinformatics

Paper I: Metabolism and Metabolomics;
Paper II: Recombinant DNA Technology;  
Paper III: Methods in Applied Sciences;  
Paper IV: Research Methodology and IPR

Semester III

Research project

Semester IV

Paper I: Molecular Oncology and Molecular Medicine;  
Paper II: Clinical Immunology;  
Paper III: Recent Advances in Biology;  
Paper IV: Introduction to Pharmacology

Evaluation Criteria

During the course work the students will be required to have a minimum attendance of 80% for lectures, practicals and seminars, separately. The students will be evaluated through trimester end exams and through continuous internal assessment.

Internal assessment will be on the basis of fortnightly tests based on Theory. Practical work will be evaluated each week during the course of the regular practicals. Seminars will be evaluated weekly. The grade will be awarded at the end of the year on the basis of Cumulative Grade Point Average.

During the research project, the progress of the work will be evaluated by a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC). The progress of the work will be evaluated on the basis of the presentation made by the student in a TAC meeting every six months. The students will be allowed to start writing their thesis only after getting the permission from the TAC following their last DC meeting (generally 5th or 6th).

Thesis can be submitted to the University only after two articles have been published/accepted for publication in National/International peer reviewed Journals.