Curriculum Overview
The Biotechnology program at Monad University Hapur follows a comprehensive and progressive curriculum designed to provide students with both foundational knowledge and advanced expertise in the field. The course structure spans eight semesters, with each semester focusing on specific learning outcomes aligned with industry standards.
Course Structure Table
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO101 | Introduction to Biology | 3-0-2-4 | None |
| 1 | CHEM101 | General Chemistry | 3-0-2-4 | None |
| 1 | MATH101 | Calculus and Linear Algebra | 3-0-2-4 | None |
| 1 | PHYS101 | Physics for Life Sciences | 3-0-2-4 | None |
| 1 | BIO102 | Laboratory Techniques in Biology | 0-0-6-3 | None |
| 1 | CHEM102 | Laboratory Techniques in Chemistry | 0-0-6-3 | None |
| 2 | BIO201 | Cell Biology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO101 |
| 2 | GENE201 | Introduction to Genetics | 3-0-2-4 | BIO101 |
| 2 | BIO202 | Molecular Biology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO101, GENE201 |
| 2 | BIO203 | Microbiology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO101 |
| 2 | BIO204 | Biophysics | 3-0-2-4 | PHYS101 |
| 2 | BIO205 | Laboratory Practice in Cell Biology | 0-0-6-3 | BIO101, BIO201 |
| 2 | CHEM201 | Organic Chemistry | 3-0-2-4 | CHEM101 |
| 3 | BIO301 | Recombinant DNA Technology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO202, GENE201 |
| 3 | BIO302 | Protein Engineering | 3-0-2-4 | BIO202, CHEM101 |
| 3 | BIO303 | Genomics and Proteomics | 3-0-2-4 | BIO202, GENE201 |
| 3 | BIO304 | Biochemistry | 3-0-2-4 | CHEM101, BIO202 |
| 3 | BIO305 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3-0-2-4 | BIO203, CHEM101 |
| 3 | BIO306 | Laboratory Practice in Molecular Biology | 0-0-6-3 | BIO202, BIO301 |
| 4 | BIO401 | Immunology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO203, BIO202 |
| 4 | BIO402 | Vaccine Development | 3-0-2-4 | BIO401 |
| 4 | BIO403 | Bioinformatics | 3-0-2-4 | BIO303, MATH101 |
| 4 | BIO404 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO203, CHEM101 |
| 4 | BIO405 | Plant Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO201, GENE201 |
| 4 | BIO406 | Laboratory Practice in Immunology | 0-0-6-3 | BIO401 |
| 5 | BIO501 | Synthetic Biology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO301, BIO302 |
| 5 | BIO502 | Drug Design and Development | 3-0-2-4 | BIO304, BIO401 |
| 5 | BIO503 | Nanobiotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO202, CHEM101 |
| 5 | BIO504 | Industrial Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO305 |
| 5 | BIO505 | Laboratory Practice in Bioprocessing | 0-0-6-3 | BIO305, BIO401 |
| 6 | BIO601 | Advanced Topics in Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO501, BIO502 |
| 6 | BIO602 | Capstone Project I | 0-0-12-6 | BIO501, BIO502, BIO503 |
| 7 | BIO701 | Capstone Project II | 0-0-12-6 | BIO602 |
| 8 | BIO801 | Internship and Thesis | 0-0-12-6 | BIO701 |
Advanced Departmental Electives
The program offers several advanced elective courses that allow students to explore specialized areas within biotechnology. These courses are designed to enhance practical skills, deepen theoretical understanding, and align with current industry trends.
1. Recombinant DNA Technology
This course covers the principles and techniques involved in creating recombinant DNA molecules. Students learn about vector systems, cloning strategies, gene expression analysis, and applications in biotechnology. Practical sessions include plasmid isolation, PCR amplification, restriction enzyme digestion, and gel electrophoresis.
2. Protein Engineering
This elective explores the structure-function relationships of proteins and how these can be modified for improved performance. Topics include protein folding, mutagenesis techniques, enzyme design, and bioinformatics tools used in protein modeling. Students also work on designing novel enzymes with enhanced properties.
3. Genomics and Proteomics
This course introduces students to the analysis of genomes and proteomes using modern techniques such as next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics databases. Students gain hands-on experience in data interpretation, gene annotation, and functional genomics.
4. Biochemistry
Focusing on the chemical processes occurring within living organisms, this course delves into metabolic pathways, enzyme kinetics, protein structure, and membrane transport mechanisms. The course includes laboratory experiments to analyze biochemical reactions and study molecular interactions.
5. Bioprocess Engineering
This elective covers the principles of bioreactor design, fermentation processes, and downstream processing in industrial biotechnology. Students learn about bioreactor optimization, process control, scale-up strategies, and quality assurance in manufacturing environments.
6. Immunology
This course provides a comprehensive overview of immune system function, including innate and adaptive immunity, immunological disorders, and vaccine development. Practical sessions involve immunoassay techniques, flow cytometry, ELISA, and cell culture methods.
7. Bioinformatics
This course introduces students to computational tools used in biology, including sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, genome annotation, and protein structure prediction. Students gain proficiency in programming languages like Python and R, along with software tools such as BLAST and ClustalW.
8. Environmental Biotechnology
This elective focuses on the application of biotechnology to environmental problems such as pollution control, waste management, and ecological restoration. Topics include bioremediation, biodegradation mechanisms, and sustainable industrial practices.
9. Plant Biotechnology
This course explores genetic modification techniques in plants, including gene transfer methods, transgenic plant development, and crop improvement strategies. Students learn about plant tissue culture, marker-assisted selection, and field trials for genetically modified crops.
10. Synthetic Biology
This advanced elective introduces students to the design and construction of biological systems using engineering principles. Topics include genetic circuits, biofabrication, synthetic pathways, and biosensors. Students work on designing and building novel biological constructs through hands-on laboratory experiments.
Project-Based Learning Approach
The program places a strong emphasis on project-based learning, which is integrated throughout the curriculum to ensure students gain practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge. This approach fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation skills essential for success in the biotechnology industry.
Mini-Projects (Years 1–3)
During the first three years, students participate in mini-projects that allow them to apply classroom concepts to real-world scenarios. These projects are typically completed in small groups and involve research, experimentation, and data analysis under faculty supervision.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project (Years 4–5)
The final-year capstone project is a significant component of the program, requiring students to conduct independent research on a topic of interest. Students select their projects in consultation with faculty mentors and work closely with them throughout the process. The project culminates in a written thesis and an oral presentation to a panel of experts.
Project Selection and Mentorship
Students are encouraged to choose projects that align with their interests and career goals, with guidance from faculty mentors who help refine research questions, develop methodologies, and navigate challenges. The selection process is competitive, ensuring that each student has a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the field of biotechnology.