Curriculum
The Biotechnology program at Ims Unison University Dehradun is meticulously structured to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of biotechnology. The curriculum spans four years and includes core subjects, departmental electives, science electives, and extensive laboratory training designed to prepare graduates for diverse career paths.
Course Structure Across All Semesters
The following table outlines the complete course structure for the Biotechnology program across all eight semesters:
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO101 | Introduction to Biology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | CHE101 | Organic Chemistry I | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | MAT101 | Calculus I | 4-0-0-4 | - |
| 1 | PHY101 | Physics I | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | BIO102 | Cell Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101 |
| 1 | CHE102 | Physical Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | CHE101 |
| 1 | MAT102 | Calculus II | 4-0-0-4 | MAT101 |
| 1 | PHY102 | Physics II | 3-0-0-3 | PHY101 |
| 1 | BIO103 | Genetics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO102 |
| 1 | CHE103 | Chemistry Lab I | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 1 | MAT103 | Statistics | 3-0-0-3 | MAT102 |
| 2 | BIO201 | Microbiology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO103 |
| 2 | CHE201 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | CHE102 |
| 2 | MAT201 | Linear Algebra | 4-0-0-4 | MAT102 |
| 2 | PHY201 | Electromagnetism | 3-0-0-3 | PHY102 |
| 2 | BIO202 | Biochemistry I | 3-0-0-3 | BIO102 |
| 2 | CHE202 | Biochemistry Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 2 | MAT202 | Differential Equations | 4-0-0-4 | MAT103 |
| 2 | BIO203 | Cellular Metabolism | 3-0-0-3 | BIO202 |
| 3 | BIO301 | Molecular Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO203 |
| 3 | CHE301 | Chemical Engineering Principles | 3-0-0-3 | CHE201 |
| 3 | MAT301 | Probability & Stochastic Processes | 4-0-0-4 | MAT201 |
| 3 | BIO302 | Recombinant DNA Technology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 3 | CHE302 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3-0-0-3 | CHE301 |
| 3 | BIO303 | Bioinformatics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO302 |
| 3 | MAT302 | Numerical Methods | 4-0-0-4 | MAT202 |
| 3 | BIO304 | Biotechnology Lab I | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 4 | BIO401 | Genetic Engineering | 3-0-0-3 | BIO302 |
| 4 | CHE401 | Advanced Bioprocessing | 3-0-0-3 | CHE302 |
| 4 | MAT401 | Mathematical Modeling | 4-0-0-4 | MAT301 |
| 4 | BIO402 | Immunology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 4 | CHE402 | Industrial Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | CHE401 |
| 4 | BIO403 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO402 |
| 4 | BIO404 | Biotechnology Lab II | 0-0-3-1 | BIO304 |
| 5 | BIO501 | Plant Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO403 |
| 5 | CHE501 | Nanobiotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | CHE402 |
| 5 | MAT501 | Computational Biology | 4-0-0-4 | MAT401 |
| 5 | BIO502 | Synthetic Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO401 |
| 5 | BIO503 | Drug Design & Development | 3-0-0-3 | BIO402 |
| 5 | BIO504 | Mini Project I | 0-0-6-2 | - |
| 6 | BIO601 | Marine Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO501 |
| 6 | CHE601 | Biotechnology Ethics & Regulation | 3-0-0-3 | BIO502 |
| 6 | MAT601 | Machine Learning in Biology | 4-0-0-4 | MAT501 |
| 6 | BIO602 | Bioprocessing for Biopharmaceuticals | 3-0-0-3 | BIO503 |
| 6 | BIO603 | Advanced Bioinformatics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO502 |
| 6 | BIO604 | Mini Project II | 0-0-6-2 | - |
| 7 | BIO701 | Capstone Project I | 0-0-12-6 | - |
| 7 | BIO702 | Research Methodology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 7 | BIO703 | Entrepreneurship in Biotech | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 8 | BIO801 | Capstone Project II | 0-0-12-6 | - |
| 8 | BIO802 | Industry Internship | 0-0-0-6 | - |
Detailed Descriptions of Advanced Departmental Electives
Here are detailed descriptions of advanced departmental elective courses offered in the Biotechnology program:
- Molecular Biology: This course delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular processes, including gene expression regulation, DNA replication, transcription, and translation. Students gain insights into how these mechanisms influence development, disease, and evolution.
- Bioprocessing Engineering: Designed to bridge biology with engineering principles, this subject covers fermentation techniques, bioreactor design, downstream processing, and scale-up strategies in industrial settings.
- Bioinformatics: This course introduces students to computational methods for analyzing biological data, including genomics, proteomics, and phylogenetic analysis. It equips learners with tools to manage large datasets using programming languages like Python and R.
- Genetic Engineering: Focused on modern genetic manipulation techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, gene editing, and transgenic animal models. Students explore ethical considerations and practical applications in medicine and agriculture.
- Immunology: A comprehensive study of immune responses, including innate and adaptive immunity, immunopathology, vaccines, and autoimmune disorders. It provides a foundation for understanding diseases like HIV/AIDS and cancer immunotherapy.
- Biotechnology Ethics & Regulation: Explores ethical dilemmas in biotechnology, regulatory frameworks governing biotech products, intellectual property rights, and safety protocols in research and commercial applications.
- Plant Biotechnology: Covers genetic modification of plants for improved yield, resistance to pests and diseases, and tolerance to environmental stresses. Students learn about marker-assisted breeding, transgenic crops, and agrochemical innovations.
- Nanobiotechnology: Examines the intersection of nanotechnology and biology, focusing on nanomaterials for diagnostics, drug delivery systems, biosensors, and tissue engineering applications.
- Synthetic Biology: Introduces principles of designing and constructing new biological parts, devices, and systems. Students engage in synthetic biology projects involving genetic circuits, metabolic pathways, and engineered organisms.
- Marine Biotechnology: Explores marine organisms as sources of novel compounds for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial enzymes. Topics include bioprospecting, bioactive molecules, and sustainable aquaculture practices.
- Environmental Biotechnology: Focuses on biological solutions to environmental problems, including bioremediation, wastewater treatment, biofuel production, and carbon sequestration techniques.
- Drug Design & Development: Provides an overview of pharmaceutical research, including target identification, lead optimization, clinical trials, and regulatory pathways for bringing new drugs to market.
- Computational Biology: Integrates computational methods with biological data analysis, covering algorithms for sequence alignment, protein structure prediction, and systems biology modeling.
- Advanced Bioinformatics: Builds upon basic bioinformatics knowledge, emphasizing advanced topics like machine learning in genomics, network analysis, and functional genomics tools.
- Bioprocessing for Biopharmaceuticals: Examines specialized bioprocessing techniques used in producing biologics such as monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and recombinant proteins. Covers purification, formulation, and quality control aspects.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
Our department strongly believes in project-based learning (PBL) as a transformative pedagogical approach that enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. PBL immerses students in authentic scenarios where they apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges.
The structure of projects spans from foundational mini-projects in the early semesters to complex capstone projects in the final year. Mini-projects are designed for small teams (typically 3–5 members) and last approximately two months, involving tasks like designing a simple bioreactor or analyzing microbial diversity in soil samples.
Final-year capstone projects are more extensive and can involve multi-disciplinary teams working on long-term research initiatives. These projects often lead to publications, patents, or startup ventures. Students select their topics in consultation with faculty mentors, ensuring alignment with current industry needs and personal interests.
Evaluation criteria for these projects include scientific rigor, innovation, presentation quality, peer feedback, and impact potential. Regular progress reviews are conducted by supervisors and external experts to ensure academic integrity and professional standards.