PH.D. - BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

The NMIMS (Deemed to be University) introduced Ph.D. programme in Biological Sciences in July 2007. The salient feature of this programme 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 course work in the first year extends over 2 semesters. From the second year onwards, each student 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 3-4 years.

Intake

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

Board Of Studies

• Dr. Neetin Desai (Chairman, BOS), Dean, SDSOS, NMIMS, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai
• Dr. Pravin Potdar, Former Head & Chief of Department of Molecular Medicine & Biology at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai
• Dr. Penna Suprassana, Former Head of Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai & Professor, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Department of Atomic Energy, Mumbai
• Dr. Prabhakar Dongre, Professor, Biophysics, University of Mumbai, Mumbai
• Dr. Krutika Desai, Principal, SVKM’s Mithibai College, Mumbai
• Dr. Vikrant Bhor, Scientist D, Department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, NIRRCH, Mumbai
• Dr. Purvi Bhatt, Associate Professor and Head, SDSOS, NMIMS, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai
• Dr. Ekta Khattar, Associate Professor, SDSOS, NMIMS, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai
• Dr. Pamela Jha, Assistant Professor, SDSOS, NMIMS, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai
• Dr. Brijesh S., Assistant Professor, SDSOS, NMIMS, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai
• Dr. Bajarang Kumbhar, Assistant Professor, SDSOS, NMIMS, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai
• Dr. Harinder Singh, (Member Secretary, BOS), Assistant Professor, SDSOS, NMIMS, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai

Value Proposition

• Unique program with a provision of completing Ph.D. in minimum 3-4 years after M.Sc.
• Extensive course work in line with the requirements of Industry, thus adding value to the degree.
• Focuses on gaining advance understanding, knowledge and exclusive skills in the specialized area.
• Enables in depth clinical reasoning, update students with recent advances in professional practice and ability to carry out a comprehensive, logical, safe, subjective and physical examination.
• Provides opportunities to work as a consultant, expert clinician in any tertiary set up and as a teaching faculty in physiotherapy colleges in India and Abroad.
• In built opportunity to improve soft skills as well as scientific writing
• Grading system at par with international standards
• 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 initiatives are taken 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 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, 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

• Candidates for admission to the programme shall have a Master's degree M. Sc. in Biology (Minimum 2 yrs Program). Master’s degree can be in any one of these subjects: Microbiology, Biochemistry, Life Science, Biotechnology, Botany, Zoology, Applied Biology, Bioinformatics, Biodiversity, Environmental Science.
• OR A degree in allied fields such as M. B. B. S., M. Pharm., M. E. /M. Tech. (Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering). OR A professional degree related to Biological Sciences, which is declared equivalent to the Master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body,
• OR an equivalent degree from a foreign educational Institution accredited by an Assessment and Accreditation Agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country for the purpose of assessing, accrediting or assuring quality and standards of educational institutions.
• The Master’s degree should be passed with at least 55% marks in aggregate OR its equivalent grade ‘B’ in the UGC 7 – point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is allowed)

Admission Criteria Process

Students who satisfy the requirements of the 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 - Candidates will 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

Course Work for the First Year of the Ph. D. Program in Biological Sciences:

Semester I

Paper I: Foundation Course in Biological Sciences
Paper II: Research Methods and Publication Ethics
Paper III: Biostatistics

Semester II

Paper I: Research Paper presentation
Paper II: Recent Advances in Biological Sciences

Electives:

Paper I: Recombinant DNA Technology
Paper II: Omics

Paper III: Bioinformatics

Program outcome

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 semester end exams and through continuous internal assessment.

Internal assessment will be on the basis of internal tests/quizzes/assignments/presentations based on Theory. Practical work will be evaluated on a continuous basis and a test/viva at the end of the semester. 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 RRC 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.