Comprehensive Course Structure
The Biotechnology program at Indira University Pune is structured over eight semesters, with a carefully curated mix of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory components designed to build a strong foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | L-T-P-C | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO101 | Introduction to Biology | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | CHEM101 | Basic Chemistry | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | MATH101 | Calculus and Differential Equations | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | PHYS101 | Physics for Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | BIO102 | Biochemistry Fundamentals | 3-1-0-4 | BIO101 |
| 1 | L101 | Lab Practical I | 0-0-3-2 | - |
| 2 | BIO201 | Molecular Biology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO102 |
| 2 | CHEM201 | Organic Chemistry | 3-1-0-4 | CHEM101 |
| 2 | MATH201 | Linear Algebra and Statistics | 3-1-0-4 | MATH101 |
| 2 | BIO202 | Cell Biology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO102 |
| 2 | L201 | Lab Practical II | 0-0-3-2 | - |
| 3 | BIO301 | Genetics | 3-1-0-4 | BIO201 |
| 3 | BIO302 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | BIO202 |
| 3 | MATH301 | Probability and Numerical Methods | 3-1-0-4 | MATH201 |
| 3 | BIO303 | Microbiology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO202 |
| 3 | L301 | Lab Practical III | 0-0-3-2 | - |
| 4 | BIO401 | Biotechnology Principles | 3-1-0-4 | BIO301 |
| 4 | BIO402 | Bioinformatics | 3-1-0-4 | BIO302 |
| 4 | CHEM401 | Physical Chemistry | 3-1-0-4 | CHEM201 |
| 4 | BIO403 | Enzymology and Protein Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | BIO303 |
| 4 | L401 | Lab Practical IV | 0-0-3-2 | - |
| 5 | BIO501 | Pharmaceutical Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO401 |
| 5 | BIO502 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO402 |
| 5 | BIO503 | Agricultural Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO403 |
| 5 | BIO504 | Industrial Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO401 |
| 5 | L501 | Lab Practical V | 0-0-3-2 | - |
| 6 | BIO601 | Medical Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO501 |
| 6 | BIO602 | Marine Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO502 |
| 6 | BIO603 | Food Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO503 |
| 6 | BIO604 | Synthetic Biology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO504 |
| 6 | L601 | Lab Practical VI | 0-0-3-2 | - |
| 7 | BIO701 | Capstone Project I | 0-0-6-8 | BIO601 |
| 7 | BIO702 | Advanced Biotechnology Topics | 3-1-0-4 | BIO602 |
| 7 | BIO703 | Biotechnology Ethics and Regulation | 3-1-0-4 | BIO603 |
| 7 | BIO704 | Entrepreneurship in Biotech | 3-1-0-4 | BIO604 |
| 7 | L701 | Lab Practical VII | 0-0-3-2 | - |
| 8 | BIO801 | Final Year Thesis | 0-0-6-12 | BIO701 |
| 8 | BIO802 | Internship | 0-0-0-6 | BIO702 |
| 8 | BIO803 | Professional Development | 0-0-0-2 | BIO703 |
| 8 | BIO804 | Research Methodology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO704 |
| 8 | L801 | Lab Practical VIII | 0-0-3-2 | - |
Detailed Departmental Elective Courses
Departmental electives in the Biotechnology program at Indira University Pune are designed to provide students with specialized knowledge and skills that align with current industry trends and research developments.
BIO501 - Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: This course delves into drug discovery, development, and manufacturing processes. Students learn about pharmacokinetics, formulation science, and regulatory affairs. The course includes case studies from leading pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis, Genentech, and AstraZeneca.
BIO502 - Environmental Biotechnology: This course explores bioremediation techniques, waste management strategies, and ecological restoration methods. Students study microbial consortia for wastewater treatment and soil remediation using genetically modified organisms.
BIO503 - Agricultural Biotechnology: Students gain insights into genetically modified crops, plant breeding techniques, and sustainable farming practices. The course includes hands-on lab sessions on genetic transformation and marker-assisted selection.
BIO504 - Industrial Biotechnology: This course focuses on the application of biotechnology in manufacturing processes. Topics include biofuel production, bioplastic development, and industrial fermentation techniques. Students engage in projects involving enzyme engineering and process optimization.
BIO601 - Medical Biotechnology: This course emphasizes diagnostic tools, therapeutic development, and clinical applications of biotechnology. Students explore molecular diagnostics, gene therapy, and personalized medicine approaches used in modern healthcare.
BIO602 - Marine Biotechnology: The course investigates the potential of marine organisms in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial applications. Students study bioactive compounds from algae, sponges, and coral reefs for drug discovery purposes.
BIO603 - Food Biotechnology: This elective focuses on improving food safety, nutrition, and shelf-life through biotechnological interventions. Students learn about fermentation processes, food preservation techniques, and functional foods developed using modern biotechnology tools.
BIO604 - Synthetic Biology: Students explore the design and construction of biological systems from scratch. The course covers genetic circuits, synthetic promoters, and metabolic engineering for novel product synthesis.
BIO701 - Capstone Project I: This advanced course allows students to work on real-world problems in biotechnology under faculty supervision. Projects are selected based on industry needs and student interests, providing valuable experience in research methodology and scientific communication.
BIO702 - Advanced Biotechnology Topics: This seminar-style course exposes students to cutting-edge developments in biotechnology through guest lectures and research presentations. Topics include CRISPR gene editing, artificial intelligence in drug discovery, and sustainable biofuels.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department's philosophy on project-based learning emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application. Students engage in both mini-projects and a final-year thesis/capstone project that allows them to explore specialized areas within biotechnology while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Mini-projects are conducted during the third and fourth years, allowing students to apply concepts learned in class to real-world scenarios. These projects are typically completed in small groups with guidance from faculty mentors. Students present their findings at internal symposiums, fostering collaboration and communication skills.
The final-year thesis project is a comprehensive research endeavor that spans the entire eighth semester. Students select a topic related to their area of interest, work closely with a faculty mentor, and produce a detailed report and presentation. The project involves extensive literature review, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing.
Project selection is facilitated through an online portal where students can browse available projects proposed by faculty members or suggest their own ideas. Each project is evaluated based on its relevance to current industry needs, feasibility, and potential for innovation.
Faculty mentors play a crucial role in guiding students throughout the project process. They provide regular feedback, ensure adherence to ethical standards, and facilitate access to necessary resources such as laboratory equipment, databases, and expert consultations.