Biotechnology Curriculum Overview
The Biotechnology program at Dr P A Inamdar University Pune is structured to provide a comprehensive education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. The curriculum spans four years and is divided into eight semesters, with each semester containing core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions.
Course Structure by Semester
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO101 | Introduction to Biology | 3-0-2-4 | - |
| 1 | BIO102 | Chemistry for Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | - |
| 1 | BIO103 | Mathematics for Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | - |
| 1 | BIO104 | Physics for Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | - |
| 1 | BIO105 | Basic Laboratory Techniques | 0-0-6-3 | - |
| 2 | BIO201 | Molecular Biology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO101 |
| 2 | BIO202 | Genetics | 3-0-2-4 | BIO101 |
| 2 | BIO203 | Cell Biology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO101 |
| 2 | BIO204 | Organic Chemistry | 3-0-2-4 | BIO102 |
| 2 | BIO205 | Biochemistry | 3-0-2-4 | BIO102 |
| 2 | BIO206 | Laboratory Practice I | 0-0-6-3 | BIO105 |
| 3 | BIO301 | Biophysics | 3-0-2-4 | BIO104 |
| 3 | BIO302 | Microbiology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO101 |
| 3 | BIO303 | Biotechnology Principles | 3-0-2-4 | BIO101, BIO205 |
| 3 | BIO304 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3-0-2-4 | BIO104, BIO205 |
| 3 | BIO305 | Immunology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO201 |
| 3 | BIO306 | Laboratory Practice II | 0-0-6-3 | BIO206 |
| 4 | BIO401 | Genomics and Proteomics | 3-0-2-4 | BIO201, BIO205 |
| 4 | BIO402 | Drug Discovery and Development | 3-0-2-4 | BIO205, BIO303 |
| 4 | BIO403 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO202, BIO302 |
| 4 | BIO404 | Biostatistics and Data Analysis | 3-0-2-4 | BIO103 |
| 4 | BIO405 | Research Methodology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO101, BIO205 |
| 4 | BIO406 | Laboratory Practice III | 0-0-6-3 | BIO306 |
| 5 | BIO501 | Bioinformatics and Computational Biology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO401, BIO404 |
| 5 | BIO502 | Advanced Bioprocessing | 3-0-2-4 | BIO304, BIO403 |
| 5 | BIO503 | Plant Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO202, BIO303 |
| 5 | BIO504 | Industrial Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO303, BIO403 |
| 5 | BIO505 | Medical Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO305, BIO402 |
| 5 | BIO506 | Laboratory Practice IV | 0-0-6-3 | BIO406 |
| 6 | BIO601 | Advanced Topics in Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO501, BIO502 |
| 6 | BIO602 | Entrepreneurship in Biotech | 3-0-2-4 | BIO504, BIO505 |
| 6 | BIO603 | Capstone Project | 0-0-12-6 | All previous semesters |
| 6 | BIO604 | Internship | 0-0-12-6 | All previous semesters |
Advanced Departmental Elective Courses
Advanced departmental electives offer students the opportunity to explore specialized areas within biotechnology, tailored to their interests and career goals.
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: This course introduces students to computational tools used in analyzing biological data, including sequence alignment algorithms, protein structure prediction, and genome assembly techniques. It equips students with the skills necessary for interpreting large-scale datasets generated in modern biotechnology research.
- Advanced Bioprocessing: Focused on the design and optimization of industrial-scale bioprocesses, this course covers topics such as bioreactor modeling, fermentation control, product recovery, and process economics. Students gain hands-on experience with bioreactors and downstream processing equipment.
- Plant Biotechnology: This elective explores genetic modification techniques in plants, including gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9, transgenic crop development, and marker-assisted breeding. Students engage in lab sessions involving tissue culture and molecular diagnostics.
- Industrial Biotechnology: Designed for students interested in applying biotechnology to industrial processes, this course covers biofuel production, waste treatment using microorganisms, and sustainable manufacturing practices. Emphasis is placed on scaling up laboratory experiments to commercial applications.
- Medical Biotechnology: This course delves into the application of biotechnology in healthcare, covering drug discovery mechanisms, diagnostic technologies, and therapeutic developments. Students learn about regulatory frameworks governing pharmaceutical products and how to navigate clinical trials.
- Environmental Biotechnology: Focuses on using biological systems to address environmental challenges such as pollution remediation, waste management, and carbon sequestration. Students study microbial degradation pathways and bioremediation strategies.
- Therapeutic Proteins and Biopharmaceuticals: This course explores the production and characterization of therapeutic proteins, including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant enzymes, and growth factors. Students learn about purification techniques, formulation challenges, and regulatory requirements for biologics.
- Microbial Genomics: Students study microbial genomes to understand evolutionary relationships, functional genomics, and the role of microorganisms in biotechnology. The course includes hands-on experience with genome sequencing platforms and bioinformatics tools.
- Protein Engineering: This elective focuses on modifying proteins for enhanced functionality or stability, including directed evolution techniques and rational design approaches. Students engage in laboratory experiments involving protein expression and characterization.
- Bioethics and Regulatory Affairs: Examines ethical considerations in biotechnology research and development, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property rights. The course includes case studies from industry and academic settings.
Project-Based Learning Approach
The department strongly emphasizes project-based learning as a core component of the educational experience. Students begin working on mini-projects in their second year, culminating in a comprehensive final-year thesis or capstone project.
Mini-Projects
Mini-projects are undertaken during the third and fourth years, providing students with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. These projects are supervised by faculty members and typically last for one semester. Students work in teams of 3-5 individuals and must present their findings at the end of the semester.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project
The final-year project is a significant undertaking that requires students to conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The project spans two semesters and includes literature review, experimental design, data collection, analysis, and report writing. Students are expected to present their work at an annual symposium and submit a formal thesis document.
Project Selection Process
Students select projects based on their interests and the availability of faculty mentors. The department maintains a database of ongoing research projects that students can choose from or propose their own ideas. Faculty members evaluate project proposals based on feasibility, relevance, and alignment with current research trends.
Evaluation Criteria
Projects are evaluated based on multiple criteria including innovation, scientific rigor, presentation quality, and impact potential. Peer reviews and faculty assessments contribute to the final grade, ensuring that students receive comprehensive feedback throughout their project journey.