Course Structure Overview
The Biotechnology program at BHABHA ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE is structured over eight semesters, with a balanced mix of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing students for diverse career paths in the biotech industry.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credits (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO101 | Introduction to Biology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | CHEM101 | General Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | MATH101 | Calculus I | 4-0-0-4 | - |
| 1 | PHYS101 | Physics for Engineers | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | ENG101 | English Communication Skills | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 1 | BIO102 | Biology Laboratory | 0-0-3-1.5 | - |
| 2 | BIO201 | Biochemistry I | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101, CHEM101 |
| 2 | MATH201 | Calculus II | 4-0-0-4 | MATH101 |
| 2 | CHEM201 | Organic Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | CHEM101 |
| 2 | BIO202 | Molecular Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101 |
| 2 | GENE201 | Genetics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101, MATH101 |
| 2 | CHEM202 | Physical Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | CHEM101, MATH101 |
| 2 | BIO203 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 0-0-3-1.5 | BIO101 |
| 2 | CHEM203 | Chemistry Laboratory | 0-0-3-1.5 | CHEM101 |
| 3 | BIO301 | Cell Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, BIO202 |
| 3 | BIO302 | Microbiology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101 |
| 3 | BIOP301 | Bioprocess Engineering I | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, MATH201 |
| 3 | BIO303 | Immunology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, BIO202 |
| 3 | BIO304 | Virology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO202 |
| 3 | BIO305 | Biotechnology Workshop | 0-0-6-2 | BIO101, BIO201, CHEM101 |
| 4 | BIO401 | Genomics and Proteomics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, BIO202, GENE201 |
| 4 | BIO402 | Bioinformatics | 3-0-0-3 | MATH201, GENE201 |
| 4 | BIO403 | Biophysics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, PHYS101 |
| 4 | BIO404 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO302 |
| 4 | BIO405 | Industrial Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301, BIOP301 |
| 4 | BIO406 | Agricultural Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO302 |
| 5 | BIO501 | Pharmaceutical Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO401, BIO402 |
| 5 | BIO502 | Regenerative Medicine | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301, BIO403 |
| 5 | BIO503 | Bioprocess Engineering II | 3-0-0-3 | BIOP301 |
| 5 | BIO504 | Computational Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO402, MATH201 |
| 5 | BIO505 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, CHEM201 |
| 5 | BIO506 | Research Methodology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, BIO401 |
| 6 | BIO601 | Capstone Project I | 0-0-9-4 | All previous courses |
| 7 | BIO701 | Capstone Project II | 0-0-9-4 | BIO601 |
| 8 | BIO801 | Final Year Thesis | 0-0-12-6 | All previous courses |
Detailed Course Descriptions
Here are detailed descriptions of advanced departmental elective courses:
Bioinformatics
This course introduces students to the computational tools and algorithms used in analyzing biological data. It covers sequence alignment, database searching, gene prediction, protein structure prediction, and phylogenetic analysis. Students will learn programming languages such as Python and R and apply them to real-world datasets.
Genomics and Proteomics
This course explores the techniques and applications of genomics and proteomics in modern biotechnology. Topics include genome sequencing, functional genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and protein expression profiling. Students will gain hands-on experience with high-throughput data analysis tools.
Biophysics
Biophysics integrates physics principles with biological systems to understand molecular interactions and cellular processes. This course covers topics such as enzyme kinetics, membrane dynamics, protein folding, and biophysical methods like NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.
Environmental Biotechnology
This course focuses on the application of biotechnological principles to environmental problems. It includes bioremediation techniques, waste management strategies, sustainable agriculture practices, and pollution control using biological systems.
Industrial Biotechnology
This elective covers industrial applications of biotechnology, including fermentation technology, bioreactor design, product recovery, and scale-up processes. Students will learn about the economic and regulatory aspects of industrial bioprocessing and gain practical experience through laboratory experiments.
Agricultural Biotechnology
This course explores genetic modification techniques in agriculture, crop improvement, plant pathology, and sustainable farming practices. Students will study topics such as transgenic crops, marker-assisted selection, and biotechnological solutions to food security challenges.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
This course provides an overview of drug discovery, development, and regulatory affairs in the pharmaceutical industry. It includes medicinal chemistry, clinical trial design, pharmacokinetics, and quality control in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Regenerative Medicine
This elective focuses on stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, and personalized medicine. Students will study the latest advances in regenerative therapies and their potential applications in treating chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Computational Biology
This course combines mathematical modeling with biological data analysis to predict outcomes and understand complex biological networks. Students will learn algorithms for sequence analysis, structural biology, and systems biology using computational tools.
Bioprocess Engineering II
This advanced course builds upon fundamental bioprocessing concepts and explores complex process design and optimization strategies. It includes topics such as continuous fermentation, membrane separation techniques, and bioreactor modeling.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department strongly believes in project-based learning to enhance student engagement and practical skills. The program includes mandatory mini-projects in the third and fourth semesters, followed by a final-year thesis or capstone project.
Mini-projects are designed to allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Each project is supervised by a faculty member and typically lasts for two semesters. Students work in small teams to address specific research questions or industrial challenges.
The final-year thesis or capstone project is the culmination of the program. Students select a topic related to their specialization under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The project involves extensive literature review, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and presentation of findings in both written and oral formats.
Project selection criteria include academic performance, interest alignment, availability of resources, and relevance to current industry trends. Faculty mentors are assigned based on expertise and research interests, ensuring optimal support for each student’s project journey.