Updated October 18, 2022
MSc genetics or Master of Science in Genetics is a two-year specialized postgraduate course in genetics. Along with providing deep knowledge of heredity and genes, the program also covers the core components of Biotechnology and Microbiology.
The course curriculum of MSc Genetics incorporates the various techniques and procedures involved in performing a genetic level experiment, such as DNA isolation, DNA fingerprinting, DNA sequencing, details about genomic marker studies, etc.
Students with Bachelor’s degree in genetics, microbiology, biotechnology, or any other life science subject from a recognized institution are eligible for the MSc Genetics. Most institutions provide admissions based on cut-offs, but some might ask for entrance Tests.
The average fee charged by the institutions offering the M.Sc. genetics courses ranges from INR 5K to 2 LPA. The program’s fee structure varies depending upon the college the student has chosen, as the tuition fees are different at private and government colleges.
Highlights of MSc Genetics Course
Below are the key facts and highlights of the Master of Science in Genetics program. So check out below to get an overview of MSc Genetics Course.
| Course Name | MSc genetics |
| Full-Form | Master of Science in Genetics |
| Education Level | Postgraduate |
| Course Duration | Two years |
| Examination Pattern | Semester and Annual |
| Minimum Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Botany, etc. with a minimum of 55% from a UGC recognized University. |
| Admission Process | Merit-Based |
| Average Fees Incurred | INR 5K to 2 Lakh Per Annum |
| Average Salary Offered | INR 2 to 8 Lakh Per Annum |
| Top Job Positions | Geneticist, Epidemiologist, Research Scientist, Biophysicist, Professor, Principal Plant Breeder, etc. |
| Top Recruiting Areas | medical science Institutes, pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, animal clinics, academic institutions, research organizations, fisheries and aquaculture sectors, etc. |
Specialization in MSc Genetics Course
Genetics is a vast and multidisciplinary domain; therefore, it offers various specializations for the students to pursue. Listed below are the branches of Genetics to choose a particular sub-field as your area of specialization.
- Genomics
- Human Genetics
- Classical Genetics
- Population Genetics
- Behavioural Genetics
- Biochemical Genetics
- Quantitative Genetics
M.Sc. in Genetics Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for applying to the MSc genetics program are more or less similar to any other Master’s degree course in the science stream. Listed below are the minimum eligibility criteria for the Master of Science in Genetics Course.
- Since this is a master’s degree course, the aspirants must have a BSc degree in subjects like Zoology, Biology, Botany, Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or or any other relevant discipline from a recognized institution.
- They should have also scored the minimum aggregate of 55% in their Bachelor of Science degree. However, some universities may also ask for a minimum of 60% marks.
MSc in Genetics Admission Process
Admission to the M.Sc. genetics course is usually based on the Merit candidates obtained in their graduation degree. Colleges/universities that offer access to the program release a cut-off percentage, and applicants who meet the cut-off criteria are most likely to get admission to the program.
However, few colleges/universities also provide admission based on objective-based entrance exams score. For that also, the students need to qualify for the entrance exam and obtain the required marks percentage in their graduation level examination.
Entrance Exams for M.Sc. Genetics
Some colleges conduct their entrance tests to provide admission to the MSc Genetics course. Listed below are a few of the entrance tests for the program.
- DU PGAT (Delhi University PG Admission Test)
- DAVV AT (Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya Admission Test)
- IIT JAM (Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Admission Test)
- PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam)
- NIPER JEE (National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Joint Entrance Exam)
Master of Science in Genetics Syllabus
MSc in Genetics is a two-year postgraduate program comprising four semesters of study. And the course syllabus of the program incorporates various aspects of genetics and heredity. Tabulated below are the semester-wise breakup of the syllabus for the Master of Science in Genetics program.
Particulars of MSc Genetics Syllabus
| Semesters | Syllabus |
| Semester I | Concepts of Genetics |
| Chromosomes, Genes, and Genomes | |
| Biostatistics and Population Genetics | |
| Concepts in Cell and Molecular Biology | |
| Practical including continuous assessment | |
| Semester II | Human Genetics |
| Molecular Plant Breeding | |
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | |
| Gene Expression and Regulation | |
| Practical including continuous assessment | |
| Semester III | Students’ seminar |
| Plant Genetic Engineering | |
| Elective Courses (any three) | |
| Recombinant DNA Technology | |
| Practical including continuous assessment | |
| Semester IV | Students’ seminar |
| Plant Genetic Engineering | |
| Elective Courses (any three) | |
| Recombinant DNA Technology | |
| Practical including continuous assessment |
Important Subjects of MSc Genetics
MSc Genetics is a two-year course, and students pursue various essential subjects while studying the program. Listed are some of the core subjects taught in this PG program.
- Fungal Genetics
- Genetic Counselling
- Drosophila Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Biology of Dictyostelium
- Introduction to Genetics
- Yeast Molecular Genetics
- Plant Genetic Engineering
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Cancer Biology and Genetics
- Plant Genetics and Breeding
- Microbial and Human Genetics
- Chromosome, Genes and Genomes
- Biostatistics and Population Genetics
- Genetics of Bacteria and Their Viruses
- Developmental Biology and Immunology
- Plant Tissue Culture and Transgenic Technology
Top MSc Genetics Colleges in India
Numerous colleges/universities across India offer MSc Genetics courses. And some of the best among them are listed below.
- SRI Ramachandra University, Chennai
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
- Institute of Genetic Engineering, Kolkata
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
- Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad
- Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi
- Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Kolkata
- Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata
Future Scope of MSc Genetics Course
Graduating with an MSc in Genetics opens the door to innumerable career opportunities for candidates in employment sectors like medical science, pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, animal clinics, academic institutions, research organizations, fisheries and aquaculture sectors, etc. So, they can either start their professional journey by taking up jobs in these sectors or go for higher studies.
Pursuing a higher degree in the related field benefits the student in the long run as it adds more value and knowledge to their career. Since the discipline of genetics is more research-oriented, so opting for higher studies brings higher opportunities for the students regarding recognition, job positions, salary packages and research projects.
Popular MSc Genetics Jobs Prospects
Post pursuing the MSc genetics program; students have numerous opportunities in various job sectors like medical science institutions, pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, etc. Some of the top profiles available after studying MSc Genetics are listed below.
- Professor
- Genomics
- Geneticists
- Biophysicist
- Epidemiologist
- Research Scientist
- Principal Plant Breeder
Graduates of MSc Genetics Salary
After completing the MSc genetics program, candidates can expect jobs with an average salary between 2 to 8 lakhs per annum, depending on their job profiles. However, with gaining some experience in the field, their wages will increase. Below are some of the top profiles after the MSc genetics course with their salary structure.
- Professor:- INR 8 Lakh Per Annum
- Genomics:- INR 5, Lakh Per Annum
- Geneticists:- INR 6, Lakh Per Annum
- Biophysicist:- INR3.5 Lakh Per Annum
- Epidemiologist:- INR 5.5 Lakh Per Annum
FAQs on Master of Science in Genetics
Ans:- To be eligible for admission to MSc genetic program, the aspirants must have completed their graduation in Botany, Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or relevant discipline with a minimum of 55% marks from a UGC-recognized University.
Ans:- Each of these branches is good and adds value and knowledge to the careers, but considering the trends, biotechnology is better than genetics. Biotechnology has the upper hand over genetics when we compare these two courses in growth and scope, and the former is more closely associated with technology than the latter.
Ans:- No courses are country-specific. Every country is best for any learning, but considering the environment for better opportunities and growth, some have the upper hand over others. Here we have listed some of the best countries to study genetics.
· Spain
· Canada
· Sweden
· Denmark
· Singapore
· Netherlands
· Saudi Arabia