Curriculum: The Foundation of Excellence
The biotechnology curriculum at Shri Shankaracharya Professional University Durg is meticulously designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field, combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience. The program is structured over 8 semesters, with a blend of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions that progressively build upon each other.
Semester-wise Course Structure
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO101 | Introduction to Biology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | BIO102 | Chemistry for Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | BIO103 | Mathematics for Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | BIO104 | Physics for Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | BIO105 | Basic Laboratory Techniques | 0-0-3-1 | None |
| 2 | BIO201 | Molecular Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101, BIO102 |
| 2 | BIO202 | Cell Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101 |
| 2 | BIO203 | Genetics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101, BIO102 |
| 2 | BIO204 | Biophysics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO104 |
| 2 | BIO205 | Biotechnology Laboratory | 0-0-3-1 | BIO105 |
| 3 | BIO301 | Genetic Engineering | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, BIO203 |
| 3 | BIO302 | Protein Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | BIO102 |
| 3 | BIO303 | Microbiology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101 |
| 3 | BIO304 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, BIO204 |
| 3 | BIO305 | Advanced Laboratory Techniques | 0-0-3-1 | BIO205 |
| 4 | BIO401 | Drug Discovery and Development | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301, BIO302 |
| 4 | BIO402 | Environmental Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO303 |
| 4 | BIO403 | Plant Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 4 | BIO404 | Bioinformatics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301, BIO302 |
| 4 | BIO405 | Research Methodology | 0-0-3-1 | BIO305 |
| 5 | BIO501 | Gene Therapy | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301, BIO401 |
| 5 | BIO502 | Synthetic Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301, BIO404 |
| 5 | BIO503 | Personalized Medicine | 3-0-0-3 | BIO401, BIO404 |
| 5 | BIO504 | Biotechnology Ethics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201, BIO301 |
| 5 | BIO505 | Mini Project | 0-0-6-2 | BIO405 |
| 6 | BIO601 | Advanced Bioprocessing | 3-0-0-3 | BIO304, BIO401 |
| 6 | BIO602 | Biotechnology Entrepreneurship | 3-0-0-3 | BIO501 |
| 6 | BIO603 | Industrial Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO304 |
| 6 | BIO604 | Capstone Project | 0-0-6-2 | BIO505 |
| 6 | BIO605 | Internship | 0-0-0-3 | BIO604 |
| 7 | BIO701 | Advanced Topics in Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO601 |
| 7 | BIO702 | Research Project | 0-0-6-2 | BIO604 |
| 7 | BIO703 | Scientific Writing | 3-0-0-3 | BIO702 |
| 7 | BIO704 | Professional Development | 3-0-0-3 | BIO702 |
| 7 | BIO705 | Thesis | 0-0-0-6 | BIO702 |
| 8 | BIO801 | Industry Exposure | 0-0-0-3 | BIO705 |
| 8 | BIO802 | Final Presentation | 0-0-0-3 | BIO705 |
| 8 | BIO803 | Graduation Ceremony | 0-0-0-0 | BIO705 |
Advanced Departmental Electives
Advanced departmental electives provide students with the opportunity to explore specialized areas of biotechnology in greater depth. These courses are designed to complement the core curriculum and offer students the chance to pursue their interests and career goals.
Gene Therapy and Gene Editing
This course explores the principles and applications of gene therapy and gene editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9. Students learn about the mechanisms of gene delivery, the ethical considerations in gene therapy, and the latest advances in gene editing. The course includes laboratory sessions where students practice gene editing techniques and analyze the outcomes of gene therapy experiments.
Synthetic Biology and Bioengineering
This course focuses on the design and construction of new biological systems and parts. Students learn about synthetic gene circuits, metabolic engineering, and biomolecular design. The course includes hands-on laboratory sessions where students design and construct synthetic biological systems.
Biotechnology in Agriculture
This course examines the application of biotechnology in agriculture, including crop improvement, pest control, and sustainable farming practices. Students learn about genetic modification, plant breeding, and the environmental impact of biotechnology in agriculture. The course includes laboratory sessions where students work with plant samples and analyze their genetic modifications.
Drug Discovery and Development
This course covers the entire process of drug discovery and development, from target identification to clinical trials. Students learn about drug design, pharmacology, and regulatory affairs. The course includes laboratory sessions where students analyze drug compounds and evaluate their effectiveness.
Environmental Biotechnology
This course explores the application of biotechnology to address environmental challenges such as pollution control, waste management, and sustainable development. Students learn about bioremediation, biofuel production, and environmental monitoring techniques. The course includes laboratory sessions where students work with environmental samples and analyze their biodegradation processes.
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
This course combines biology with computer science to analyze biological data and develop computational tools for biological research. Students learn about genome analysis, protein structure prediction, and bioinformatics databases. The course includes laboratory sessions where students use bioinformatics software to analyze biological data.
Personalized Medicine
This course emphasizes the application of genomics and personalized medicine to improve healthcare outcomes. Students learn about genomics, personalized treatment strategies, and clinical applications of genetic information. The course includes laboratory sessions where students analyze genetic data and develop personalized treatment plans.
Biotechnology Entrepreneurship
This course prepares students for careers in biotechnology entrepreneurship by focusing on business development, innovation management, and technology transfer. Students learn about intellectual property, venture capital, and startup creation. The course includes guest lectures from successful biotech entrepreneurs and case studies of successful startups.
Advanced Bioprocessing
This course focuses on the development and optimization of bioprocesses for industrial applications. Students learn about fermentation technology, bioreactor design, and downstream processing of bioproducts. The course includes laboratory sessions where students design and optimize bioprocesses.
Biotechnology Ethics and Regulatory Affairs
This course examines the ethical and regulatory issues in biotechnology, including informed consent, data privacy, and the regulation of biotech products. Students learn about the regulatory frameworks in different countries and the ethical implications of biotechnology research. The course includes discussions on current ethical dilemmas in biotechnology and regulatory challenges in the industry.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department's philosophy on project-based learning is rooted in the belief that students learn best when they are actively engaged in solving real-world problems. This approach encourages students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and apply their knowledge in practical contexts.
Mini-Projects
Mini-projects are an integral part of the curriculum, starting from the second year. These projects are designed to help students develop research skills and apply theoretical concepts to practical problems. Students work in small groups and are mentored by faculty members. The projects are evaluated based on the quality of research, presentation, and teamwork.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project
The final-year thesis or capstone project is a significant component of the program, where students work on an independent research project or a collaborative project with industry partners. The project is designed to address real-world challenges and may lead to publication or patent applications. Students are required to submit a detailed research proposal, conduct experiments, and present their findings to a panel of faculty members.
Project Selection and Mentorship
Students are encouraged to select projects that align with their interests and career goals. The department provides a list of potential research topics and allows students to propose their own ideas. Faculty members are assigned as mentors to guide students throughout the project process. The mentorship includes regular meetings, feedback on progress, and support in overcoming challenges.