MSc in Microbiology Course- Admissions, Colleges, Syllabus, Scope, Jobs and salary

Updated October 18, 2022

The discipline of Microbiology encompasses huge career opportunities for the candidates. Therefore, one who has completed BSc in Microbiology and wants to specialize in the field and accelerate his career growth should look forward to pursuing a higher degree course. And MSc in Microbiology is one of them.

Microbiology is a sub-species of Biology that deals with the study of microscopic living organisms. These living organisms are visible only under the microscopes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae etc. Studying these microbes helps develop medicines, vaccines, antibiotics etc., to tackle deadly diseases and epidemics.

MSc Microbiology full form Master of Science in Microbiology is a two-year postgraduate degree course divided into four equal semesters of study. The program integrates disciplines of chemistry and biology and is concerned with studying living organisms and their relations with the ecosystem. A BSc degree holder in Biology or related discipline from a recognized institute can apply for the program.

MSc in Microbiology Eligibility Criteria

The candidates must fulfil certain eligibility criteria to be eligible for applying to the MSc Microbiology Program. Following are the eligibility criteria to be followed by the candidates.

• The candidates must be Bachelor’s Degree holders in Microbiology or equivalent from a recognized institute.
• They must have secured the minimum aggregate of 55% marks in their BSc degree.

MSc in Microbiology Admission Process

Admission to MSc Microbiology courses at leading institutes like Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, etc., is made generally through various national and university level entrances exams. Institutes allocate admission seats based on marks obtained in the entrance tests. Below are the processes involved in the entranced based selection of the candidates for admission.

• Eligible aspirants need to apply and appear for the entrance test of the respective colleges they have chosen.
• When the entrances exams are successfully over, the institutes release a list of shortlisted students.
• After that, the shortlisted candidates need to go through the college wise admission process, including a round of counselling and personal interviews.
• And finally, based on the overall performances of the candidates, the institutes allot them admissions seats.
• Selected candidates are then needed to submit the required documents and the admission fee to get registered for the respective academic session.

M.Sc. Microbiology Entrance Exams

Admission to MSc Microbiology at top institutes is offered generally based on the marks candidates obtain in the entrance examinations. Some of the popular entrances for the program are as follows.

• DUET (Delhi University Entrance Test)
• OUCET (Osmania University Common Entrance Test)                      
• IPU CET (Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test)
• JNU-EE  (Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination)
• BHU PET (Banaras Hindu University Post Graduate Entrance Test)
• BIT-SAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test)           

Semester-Wise MSc in Microbiology Syllabus

There are various subjects included in the course curriculum of MSc Microbiology such as Biostatistics Computer Applications, Recent Trends in Virology, Microbial Genetics, Pharmaceutical Microbiology and many more. The academic curriculum for the program may differ from institute to institute, but we have mentioned here the basic course syllabus that most institutions follow. Besides imparting theoretical knowledge, MSc Microbiology Syllabus also includes various laboratory and research works.

Particulars of Masters in Microbiology Syllabus

Top MSc Microbiology Colleges

Numerous colleges in India offer M.Sc. Microbiology courses. Listed below are the top Colleges in India for the Master’s program in microbiology.

• Presidency College, Kolkata
• St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata
• JSS Medical College, Mysore                      
• Chandigarh University, Punjab                  
• St. Joseph’s College, Karnataka  
• Kristu Jayanti College, Karnataka              
• Fergusson College (Autonomous), Pune
• St Francis College for Women, Telangana
• The Oxford College of Science, Karnataka
• SAFI Institute of Advanced Study, Malappuram

Master of Science in Microbiology Fees

There are both types of colleges, Government as well as private colleges. And the fees charges of the course vary depending on the authority and education quality of the institute. Fee expenses at private colleges are comprehensively more than at government colleges. The average fee charged by the colleges offering MSc Microbiology courses ranges from INR 10000 to 2.5 Lakh Per annum. Tabulated below is the annual fee range for the program at institutions of different authority.

MSc Microbiology Career Scope

MSc Microbiology graduates can explore career opportunities in both the private and the public sectors. There are a wide variety of jobs after MSc Microbiology is available in various employment industries such as water industry, chemical technology industries, nanotechnology firms, academic institutions, healthcare sectors, pharmaceutical industries, agricultural firms, etc.

Apart from being a professional by taking up jobs, plenty of scopes is also available after completing the program. One can go for further education in the related discipline, and some of the options, in that case, are MPhil in Microbiology and PhD in Microbiology. These advanced courses bring more research opportunities and higher job positions for individuals in the field.

Top MSc Microbiology jobs

Graduating with MSc in Microbiology provide various jobs opportunities. Numerous leading firms like Biocon, Abbott India, Dr Reddy’s, Ranbaxy, Cipla, Lupin, etc., offer various job roles with a handsome salary package to the Master in Microbiology graduates. Below are some of the top job profiles candidates can spire after completing the program.

• Hygienist
• Virologist
• Mycologist                        
• Nutritionist
• Parasitologist
• Bacteriologist    
• Microbiologist
• Project Assistant                             
• Research Analyst
• Research Associate
• Academic professional

Graduates in MSc Microbiology Salary  

The average salary offered to MSc Microbiology graduates ranges from INR 3.5 to 10 LPA. The averages salary received by the graduates varies depending on various factors. These factors include college from which candidates have obtained their degree and skillset, knowledge, job profile and recruiter of the individuals. We have listed below the details of the average expected salary of M.Sc. Microbiology graduates in top job roles.

• Nutritionist:- 8 Lakh Per Annum
• Project Assistant:- 6 Lakh Per Annum
• Research Analyst:- 9 Lakh Per Annum
• Research Associate:- 8 Lakh Per Annum
• Microbiologist:- INR 10 Lakh Per Annum

To Sum Up Masters in Microbiology

As we earlier discussed on the vast scope of microbiology, doing a Masters is no brainer. With recent outbreak of Covid-19 and many subsequent waves of it, the global community is looking up to microbiology for, the solution lies within its ambit.

The regular career options with microbiology are already there and payouts are generous with all of them. Be it medicine, dairy, agriculture, clinical research, water industry, chemical technology, nanotechnology, the microbiology has its say. Research and analysis in the field of microbiology lacks the numbers and one with MSc Microbiology has rewarding career in it with a cause.

Questions Frequently Asked on MSc Microbiology

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