Biotechnology Curriculum Overview
The Biotechnology program at Ram Krishna Dharmarth Foundation Rkdf University Ranchi is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field, from foundational sciences to advanced applications. The curriculum is divided into eight semesters, with a mix of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO101 | Introduction to Biology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | CHM101 | Chemistry for Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | MAT101 | Mathematics for Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | PHY101 | Physics for Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | BIO102 | Cell Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101 |
| 1 | CHM102 | Organic Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | CHM101 |
| 1 | BIO103 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | BIO104 | Biotechnology Lab I | 0-0-3-1 | None |
| 2 | BIO201 | Molecular Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO102 |
| 2 | BIO202 | Genetics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO102 |
| 2 | CHM201 | Physical Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | CHM102 |
| 2 | MAT201 | Statistics and Probability | 3-0-0-3 | MAT101 |
| 2 | BIO203 | Microbiology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO102 |
| 2 | BIO204 | Biotechnology Lab II | 0-0-3-1 | BIO104 |
| 3 | BIO301 | Recombinant DNA Technology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201 |
| 3 | BIO302 | Protein Engineering | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201 |
| 3 | BIO303 | Bioprocessing | 3-0-0-3 | BIO203 |
| 3 | BIO304 | Biotechnology Lab III | 0-0-3-1 | BIO204 |
| 3 | BIO305 | Biotechnology in Medicine | 3-0-0-3 | BIO203 |
| 3 | BIO306 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO203 |
| 4 | BIO401 | Pharmaceutical Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 4 | BIO402 | Agro-Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 4 | BIO403 | Biotechnology Entrepreneurship | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 4 | BIO404 | Biotechnology Lab IV | 0-0-3-1 | BIO304 |
| 4 | BIO405 | Advanced Molecular Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 4 | BIO406 | Bioinformatics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 5 | BIO501 | Synthetic Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO401 |
| 5 | BIO502 | Regulatory Affairs in Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO401 |
| 5 | BIO503 | Biotechnology Ethics and Safety | 3-0-0-3 | BIO401 |
| 5 | BIO504 | Biotechnology Lab V | 0-0-3-1 | BIO404 |
| 5 | BIO505 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201 |
| 5 | BIO506 | Biotechnology in Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | BIO306 |
| 6 | BIO601 | Mini Project | 0-0-6-3 | BIO504 |
| 6 | BIO602 | Biotechnology Internship | 0-0-0-3 | BIO504 |
| 6 | BIO603 | Biotechnology Seminar | 0-0-0-1 | BIO504 |
| 6 | BIO604 | Biotechnology Lab VI | 0-0-3-1 | BIO504 |
| 7 | BIO701 | Final Year Thesis | 0-0-6-6 | BIO601 |
| 7 | BIO702 | Biotechnology Research | 0-0-3-3 | BIO601 |
| 7 | BIO703 | Biotechnology Capstone | 0-0-6-3 | BIO601 |
| 7 | BIO704 | Biotechnology Lab VII | 0-0-3-1 | BIO604 |
| 8 | BIO801 | Biotechnology Industry Exposure | 0-0-0-3 | BIO701 |
| 8 | BIO802 | Biotechnology Career Planning | 0-0-0-1 | BIO701 |
| 8 | BIO803 | Biotechnology Presentation | 0-0-0-1 | BIO701 |
| 8 | BIO804 | Biotechnology Final Lab | 0-0-3-1 | BIO704 |
Advanced Departmental Electives
The department offers several advanced elective courses designed to provide students with specialized knowledge and skills in specific areas of biotechnology. These courses are typically offered in the later semesters and are taught by leading faculty members with extensive industry experience.
Recombinant DNA Technology: This course delves into the techniques and applications of recombinant DNA technology, including gene cloning, vector construction, and gene expression analysis. Students gain hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques and learn how to apply these techniques in research and industry.
Protein Engineering: This course focuses on the design and modification of proteins for specific applications. Students learn about protein structure-function relationships, mutagenesis techniques, and protein purification methods. The course also covers the application of protein engineering in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
Bioprocessing: This course introduces students to the principles and practices of bioprocessing, including fermentation, downstream processing, and scale-up techniques. Students learn about bioreactor design, process optimization, and quality control in biotechnology manufacturing.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: This course explores the application of biotechnology in drug discovery and development. Students study drug design, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, and the commercialization of biopharmaceutical products.
Agro-Biotechnology: This course focuses on the application of biotechnology in agriculture and food production. Students learn about genetically modified crops, plant biotechnology, and sustainable farming practices. The course also covers the regulatory and economic aspects of agro-biotechnology.
Biotechnology Entrepreneurship: This course prepares students for careers in biotechnology startups and innovation. Students learn about business planning, intellectual property, funding strategies, and the commercialization of biotechnology products.
Bioinformatics: This course introduces students to computational methods in biology and biotechnology. Students learn about sequence analysis, database management, and the application of bioinformatics in drug discovery and genomics.
Synthetic Biology: This course explores the design and construction of biological systems. Students learn about genetic circuit design, metabolic engineering, and the development of synthetic organisms. The course also covers the ethical and safety considerations of synthetic biology.
Regulatory Affairs in Biotechnology: This course provides students with an understanding of the regulatory frameworks governing biotechnology products. Students learn about drug approval processes, quality assurance, and compliance with regulatory standards.
Biotechnology Ethics and Safety: This course addresses the ethical and safety considerations in biotechnology research and applications. Students learn about biosafety protocols, ethical decision-making, and the societal impact of biotechnology.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department's philosophy on project-based learning is centered on the principle that students learn best when they engage in hands-on, real-world problem-solving. Projects are designed to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines and to encourage innovation and creativity.
Mini-projects are undertaken in the sixth semester, where students work in small groups to address a specific biotechnology challenge. These projects are supervised by faculty members and are evaluated based on the quality of the solution, the application of theoretical knowledge, and the presentation of findings.
The final-year thesis or capstone project is a comprehensive endeavor that allows students to demonstrate their mastery of biotechnology concepts and their ability to conduct independent research. Students select a topic in consultation with faculty mentors and work on it for the entire semester. The project is evaluated based on originality, technical depth, and the contribution to the field of biotechnology.
Students are encouraged to choose projects that align with their interests and career goals. Faculty mentors provide guidance throughout the project process, from the initial idea to the final presentation. The department also provides resources and support for students to present their projects at national and international conferences.