Curriculum
The curriculum at Opjs University Churu is meticulously structured to ensure a comprehensive understanding of biotechnology principles and applications. It spans four years with a total of eight semesters, combining core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory components.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | BIO101 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | None |
| I | BIO102 | Cell Biology | 3-0-2-4 | None |
| I | BIO103 | Organic Chemistry | 3-0-2-4 | None |
| I | BIO104 | Physics for Life Sciences | 3-0-2-4 | None |
| I | BIO105 | Mathematics for Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | None |
| I | BIO106 | Introduction to Laboratory Techniques | 0-0-4-2 | None |
| II | BIO201 | Molecular Biology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO102, BIO103 |
| II | BIO202 | Genetics | 3-0-2-4 | BIO102, BIO103 |
| II | BIO203 | Microbiology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO102, BIO103 |
| II | BIO204 | Principles of Chemical Engineering | 3-0-2-4 | BIO103, BIO104 |
| II | BIO205 | Data Analysis and Statistics for Biology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO105 |
| II | BIO206 | Advanced Laboratory Techniques I | 0-0-4-2 | BIO106 |
| III | BIO301 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3-0-2-4 | BIO204 |
| III | BIO302 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO203, BIO201 |
| III | BIO303 | Industrial Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO201, BIO204 |
| III | BIO304 | Bioinformatics | 3-0-2-4 | BIO201, BIO205 |
| III | BIO305 | Biomedical Engineering | 3-0-2-4 | BIO201, BIO204 |
| III | BIO306 | Advanced Laboratory Techniques II | 0-0-4-2 | BIO206 |
| IV | BIO401 | Special Topics in Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO301, BIO302 |
| IV | BIO402 | Research Methodology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO305 |
| IV | BIO403 | Capstone Project I | 0-0-6-4 | BIO306 |
| V | BIO501 | Advanced Biotechnology Applications | 3-0-2-4 | BIO401 |
| V | BIO502 | Biotechnology Ethics and Safety | 3-0-2-4 | BIO402 |
| V | BIO503 | Entrepreneurship in Biotechnology | 3-0-2-4 | BIO401 |
| V | BIO504 | Capstone Project II | 0-0-6-4 | BIO503 |
| V | BIO505 | Internship in Biotechnology | 0-0-0-4 | BIO504 |
| V | BIO506 | Professional Development and Communication Skills | 3-0-2-4 | BIO402 |
Departmental elective courses include:
- Advanced Gene Editing Techniques: This course delves into the latest developments in CRISPR-Cas9, TALEN, and other gene editing tools. Students learn about ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and real-world applications.
- Epigenetics and Genomic Medicine: Focuses on how gene expression is regulated without altering DNA sequence, and its implications in disease diagnosis and treatment.
- Biocatalysts and Enzyme Engineering: Explores the design and optimization of enzymes for industrial applications, including pharmaceuticals, food processing, and biofuel production.
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering: Introduces the principles of designing materials that interact with biological systems for medical devices, implants, and regenerative therapies.
- Nanobiotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems: Covers the development of targeted drug delivery mechanisms using nanoscale carriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and metallic nanocages.
- Marine Biotechnology and Algal Applications: Investigates marine resources for biotechnological applications, including biofuel production, pharmaceutical compounds, and aquaculture technologies.
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: Utilizes computational tools to analyze biological data, predict protein structures, and model molecular interactions.
- Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology: Focuses on redesigning metabolic pathways in microorganisms for enhanced production of valuable compounds like biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology: Examines the potential of stem cells in treating degenerative diseases and tissue regeneration through various therapeutic approaches.
- Bioremediation and Environmental Biotechnology: Addresses pollution control strategies using biological processes, including biodegradation, bioaugmentation, and phytoremediation techniques.
The philosophy of project-based learning at Opjs University Churu emphasizes experiential education and skill development. Students begin working on mini-projects in their second year, guided by faculty mentors from the first semester. These projects are designed to be interdisciplinary, encouraging collaboration between different fields within biotechnology.
Mini-projects typically span one semester and involve:
- Problem identification and literature review
- Designing experimental protocols
- Conducting experiments in lab settings
- Analyzing data using statistical methods
- Presenting findings in written reports and oral presentations
The final-year capstone project is a more extensive endeavor, often lasting the entire semester. Students select projects aligned with their interests or industry needs, working closely with faculty advisors and sometimes external collaborators. Projects are evaluated based on innovation, scientific rigor, impact, and presentation quality.