Course Structure Overview
The Biotechnology program at Indus International Uniersity Una is structured into eight semesters, with a balanced mix of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory components. Each semester carries a specific credit load designed to ensure comprehensive coverage of theoretical and practical aspects of the field.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO101 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | BIO102 | Cell Biology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | BIO103 | Basic Biochemistry | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | MAT101 | Calculus I | 4-0-0-4 | - |
| 1 | MAT102 | Linear Algebra | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | PHY101 | Physics for Biologists | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | CHE101 | Chemistry I | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | BIO104 | Lab: Introduction to Biotech Lab Techniques | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 2 | BIO201 | Molecular Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO102, BIO103 |
| 2 | BIO202 | Microbiology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO102 |
| 2 | BIO203 | Genetics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO102, BIO103 |
| 2 | MAT201 | Statistics for Life Sciences | 3-0-0-3 | MAT101 |
| 2 | PHY201 | Biophysics | 3-0-0-3 | PHY101, MAT101 |
| 2 | CHE201 | Organic Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | CHE101 |
| 2 | BIO204 | Lab: Molecular Biology Techniques | 0-0-3-1 | BIO104 |
| 3 | BIO301 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, BIO202 |
| 3 | BIO302 | Enzyme Technology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201 |
| 3 | BIO303 | Bioinformatics I | 3-0-0-3 | MAT201, BIO201 |
| 3 | BIO304 | Protein Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | BIO103 |
| 3 | MAT301 | Probability and Distributions | 3-0-0-3 | MAT201 |
| 3 | BIO305 | Lab: Enzyme & Protein Analysis | 0-0-3-1 | BIO204 |
| 4 | BIO401 | Metabolic Engineering | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301, BIO302 |
| 4 | BIO402 | Drug Design Principles | 3-0-0-3 | BIO304 |
| 4 | BIO403 | Bioreactors & Fermentation | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 4 | BIO404 | Pharmacology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201 |
| 4 | BIO405 | Lab: Bioreactor Operations | 0-0-3-1 | BIO305 |
| 5 | BIO501 | Bioinformatics II | 3-0-0-3 | BIO303 |
| 5 | BIO502 | Plant Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, BIO203 |
| 5 | BIO503 | Nanobiotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO401 |
| 5 | BIO504 | Medical Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO202, BIO404 |
| 5 | BIO505 | Lab: Plant & Medical Biotech | 0-0-3-1 | BIO405 |
| 6 | BIO601 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO202, BIO302 |
| 6 | BIO602 | Food Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, BIO304 |
| 6 | BIO603 | Regenerative Medicine | 3-0-0-3 | BIO504 |
| 6 | BIO604 | Research Methodology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 6 | BIO605 | Lab: Environmental & Food Biotech | 0-0-3-1 | BIO505 |
| 7 | BIO701 | Capstone Project I | 2-0-0-2 | BIO604 |
| 7 | BIO702 | Advanced Elective: Synthetic Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO501 |
| 7 | BIO703 | Advanced Elective: Computational Modeling | 3-0-0-3 | BIO501, MAT301 |
| 7 | BIO704 | Lab: Capstone Project | 0-0-6-2 | BIO701 |
| 8 | BIO801 | Capstone Project II | 3-0-0-3 | BIO701 |
| 8 | BIO802 | Internship | 0-0-0-6 | - |
| 8 | BIO803 | Final Project Defense | 0-0-0-3 | BIO801 |
Detailed Departmental Elective Courses
Advanced departmental electives in the Biotechnology program are designed to deepen students' understanding of specialized areas within the field. These courses often incorporate recent advancements, research methodologies, and practical applications:
- Bioinformatics II: This course delves into advanced computational methods for analyzing large-scale biological datasets. Students explore genomic and proteomic databases, sequence alignment algorithms, and machine learning techniques applied to biological problems. It emphasizes real-world applications such as drug discovery and personalized medicine.
- Plant Biotechnology: Focused on genetic modification of crops, this course covers molecular breeding techniques, transgenic plant development, and sustainable agriculture practices. Students learn about CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, plant tissue culture, and field trials.
- Nanobiotechnology: This elective introduces students to the intersection of nanoscale science and biological systems. Topics include nanostructured materials for drug delivery, biosensors, and medical imaging technologies. Practical sessions involve designing and testing nanodevices in laboratory settings.
- Medical Biotechnology: Students study diagnostic tools, therapeutic proteins, and regenerative medicine approaches. The course includes case studies of successful biotech therapies and explores ethical considerations in clinical applications.
- Environmental Biotechnology: This course addresses pollution control and waste management using biological methods. It covers bioremediation techniques, wastewater treatment systems, and sustainable technologies for industrial effluent disposal.
- Food Biotechnology: Focuses on the application of biotechnology in food production, safety, and preservation. Students learn about fermentation technology, genetically modified foods, and food processing innovations.
- Regenerative Medicine: Explores stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and cellular therapy applications. The course includes research into organ replacement therapies and the development of bioengineered tissues for clinical use.
- Research Methodology: Provides students with essential skills for conducting independent research. Topics include hypothesis formulation, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing. Students prepare for their final-year thesis by applying these principles in practice.
- Drug Design Principles: Introduces fundamental concepts in rational drug design, including molecular modeling, pharmacophore identification, and structure-activity relationship studies. Students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software tools.
- Metabolic Engineering: Covers the engineering of metabolic pathways for producing valuable chemicals, fuels, or pharmaceuticals. The course integrates knowledge from biochemistry, microbiology, and chemical engineering to optimize bioprocesses.
Project-Based Learning Approach
Our program strongly emphasizes project-based learning as a cornerstone of education. Students are encouraged to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings through mini-projects, capstone projects, and thesis work. This approach fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation.
Mini-projects are introduced in the second year and require students to collaborate on short-term research tasks under faculty supervision. These projects typically last 3–4 months and allow students to explore specific topics in depth while developing technical skills and scientific communication abilities.
The final-year thesis/capstone project is a major undertaking that spans several months. Students select a topic aligned with their specialization and work closely with a faculty mentor. Projects may involve laboratory research, computational modeling, or literature review, depending on the area of interest.
Students are supported throughout the process through regular meetings with mentors, access to research facilities, and guidance on academic writing and presentation skills. The final project is defended in front of an expert panel, ensuring that students demonstrate mastery of both content and methodology.