TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, (A Deemed to be University) has revised one of its programmes. The programme earlier known as M Sc (Plant Biotechnology) has now been revised to M Sc (Biotechnology). M Sc in Biotechnology (BT) is aimed at exploring sustainable solutions for agriculture, energy, environment and health sectors.

Specialisations are offered in plant biotechnology and microbial biotechnology. The eligibility criteria is a Bachelor’s degree in Sciences/Engineering/Technology.

Applications are invited from candidates through advertisements published on TERI SAS website (www.terisas.ac.in) and also in leading national newspapers and social media platforms. Admission to the M Sc Biotechnology Programme is made based on a combined entrance examination followed by an interview conducted by a faculty panel from the Department of Biotechnology, TERI SAS.

Apart from the classroom/online lectures, students will have access to laboratory practicals, case studies, classroom discussions, and guest lectures by experts. During the fourth semester, students are involved in full-time research for their major projects.

The M Sc Biotechnology programme is a two-year programme divided into four semesters. A student is required to complete 75 credits for the completion of the programme and the award of degree. The programme provides options for specialisation by completing a set of specialisation specific courses. The entire M Sc Biotechnology Programme consists of core courses (51 credits), elective courses (audit only but equivalent to minimum 4 credits), Specialisation specific courses (8 credits) and a Major Project (16 credits). In addition, two courses, Technical Writing and Communication Skills and Applied mathematics have been added as compulsory audit courses.

The specialisation specific courses will be offered during the second and third semesters. A student can opt for specialisation specific courses related to only one of the available specialisations. The elective courses are to be taken only as audit courses only and the grades in those courses will not be considered while calculating the CGPA. A minimum of four credits equivalent to elective courses needs to be completed during the programme. There is no upper limit for the number and credit equivalent for Elective courses. The elective courses may be taken in any semester when offered by the concerned department and provided it doesn’t conflict with any other course taken by the student.

At the start of Semester 2, the students will be required to choose any one of the two specialisations. A maximum of 60 per cent of the total number of students can be allotted a particular specialisation. Allotment of specialisation will be done based on a combination of merit (as per the Semester 1 grades) and preference. A strong component of Bioinformatics in the form of hands-on practical equivalent to 3 credits has been included in Semesters 2 and 3. This is in addition to the theoretical orientation on Bioinformatics of 2 credits that will be provided in Semester 1.