Curriculum Overview
The Biotechnology curriculum at Pdm University Haryana is meticulously designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field, combining foundational knowledge with specialized expertise. The program spans four years, divided into eight semesters, each building upon previous learning while introducing new concepts and applications.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO-101 | Introduction to Biology | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | CHEM-101 | Chemistry I | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | MATH-101 | Mathematics I | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | PHYS-101 | Physics I | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | BIO-102 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-101, CHEM-101 |
| 1 | BIO-103 | Cell Biology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-101 |
| 2 | BIO-201 | Molecular Biology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-103 |
| 2 | CHEM-201 | Organic Chemistry | 3-1-0-4 | CHEM-101 |
| 2 | BIO-202 | Genetics | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-103 |
| 2 | MATH-201 | Statistics and Probability | 3-1-0-4 | MATH-101 |
| 2 | BIO-203 | Microbiology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-103 |
| 3 | BIO-301 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-201, BIO-203 |
| 3 | BIO-302 | Pharmaceutical Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-201, BIO-202 |
| 3 | BIO-303 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-203 |
| 3 | BIO-304 | Plant Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-201, BIO-203 |
| 3 | BIO-305 | Animal Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-203 |
| 4 | BIO-401 | Bioinformatics and Computational Biology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-201, BIO-202 |
| 4 | BIO-402 | Synthetic Biology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-201, BIO-202 |
| 4 | BIO-403 | Marine Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-203 |
| 4 | BIO-404 | Cancer Biology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-201, BIO-202 |
| 4 | BIO-405 | Advanced Topics in Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-301, BIO-302 |
| 5 | BIO-501 | Research Methodology | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 5 | BIO-502 | Mini Project I | 0-0-6-6 | BIO-301, BIO-302 |
| 5 | BIO-503 | Mini Project II | 0-0-6-6 | BIO-401, BIO-402 |
| 6 | BIO-601 | Capstone Project | 0-0-12-12 | BIO-501 |
| 6 | BIO-602 | Internship | 0-0-8-8 | BIO-401, BIO-402 |
| 7 | BIO-701 | Advanced Research Topics | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-501 |
| 7 | BIO-702 | Special Topics in Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | BIO-401, BIO-402 |
| 8 | BIO-801 | Final Thesis | 0-0-12-12 | BIO-701 |
| 8 | BIO-802 | Industry Exposure | 0-0-6-6 | BIO-602 |
Detailed Course Descriptions
The department's philosophy on project-based learning is centered around developing critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students are encouraged to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges through structured projects.
Mini-projects begin in the fifth semester and continue into the sixth. These projects are assigned based on student interests and faculty availability. Each mini-project is supervised by a faculty mentor and requires students to conduct literature reviews, design experiments, analyze data, and present findings. The evaluation criteria include project proposal, progress reports, final presentation, and peer review.
The final-year thesis/capstone project is an independent research endeavor that allows students to explore a topic of personal interest in depth. Students select their projects in consultation with faculty advisors and must complete a significant piece of original research. The thesis includes an abstract, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references. The project is evaluated by a panel of faculty members and external experts.
Advanced Departmental Elective Courses
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: This course introduces students to the use of computational tools in analyzing biological data. Topics include sequence alignment algorithms, protein structure prediction, gene expression analysis, and machine learning applications in biology. Students learn to use software like BLAST, ClustalW, and R for data analysis.
Synthetic Biology: This course explores the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems. Students study genetic circuits, metabolic engineering, and synthetic pathways. The course includes lab sessions where students construct simple genetic switches and oscillators using E. coli.
Marine Biotechnology: This course examines the potential applications of marine organisms in biotechnology. Topics include marine drug discovery, algal biofuel production, and bioremediation using marine microorganisms. Students conduct lab experiments involving extraction of marine compounds and testing their biological activities.
Cancer Biology: This course focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression. Students study tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, cell cycle regulation, and signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis. The course includes case studies of recent discoveries in cancer therapy.
Bioprocess Engineering: This course covers the principles of designing and optimizing bioprocesses for industrial applications. Students learn about fermentation technology, downstream processing, and scale-up strategies. The course includes hands-on lab sessions where students operate bioreactors and analyze product yields.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: This course explores the development of drugs using biotechnological methods. Students study drug discovery, formulation, and regulatory requirements. The course includes guest lectures from industry experts who discuss current trends in pharmaceutical development.
Environmental Biotechnology: This course addresses environmental challenges through biological solutions. Topics include bioremediation of pollutants, waste management, and sustainable technologies. Students conduct field studies and laboratory experiments to assess the effectiveness of biological treatments.
Plant Biotechnology: This course focuses on genetic modification of crops for improved yield and resistance. Students study gene editing techniques like CRISPR-Cas9, transgenic plant development, and regulatory frameworks for genetically modified organisms. The course includes lab sessions where students perform molecular cloning and transformation experiments.
Animal Biotechnology: This course explores applications of biotechnology in animal health and production. Topics include genetic engineering of livestock, vaccine development, and reproductive technologies. Students learn to analyze animal data using bioinformatics tools and design experimental protocols for animal studies.
Advanced Topics in Biotechnology: This course provides a platform for exploring emerging areas in biotechnology. Topics vary each year based on current research trends and industry needs. Past topics have included nanobiotechnology, regenerative medicine, and precision agriculture.