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Masters of Science in Biology is a postgraduate degree conducted and offered by many major universities and colleges in India. The duration of this course is two years.
Check top MSc Biology colleges in India here.
This course is basically the study of living organisms, with special emphasis on their growth structure, evolution and ecology. This course also deals with disciplines such as taxonomy and Origin of such species.
This program allows its students and aspirants to explore the depths of structural changes that happen due to various factors concerning the living organisms and work on both human and plant based foundations to derive possible conclusions.
To be considered eligible to apply to this program, students are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Science with an aggregate of at least 60% marks.
Admission to MSc Biology course will be done either on the basis of the candidate's performance in the Bachelor’s degree exam or on the basis of their performance in the entrance exams conducted by admission authorities.
| OPJS University, Churu | Entrance-Based | INR 31,200 | INR 5,00,000 |
The average fee charged by colleges offering this MSc Biology ranges from INR 40,000 to INR 4,00,000 per annum. It can vary depending upon the college the student has chosen. Students can opt this course through distance learning mode as well. The average annual fees for studying Masters of Science in Biology through distance learning ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 70,000.
After completing this course, the MSc Biology degree holders can work as a Biology Content Developer, Biochemist, Health Educator, Physician's Assistant and Nurse Practitioner, Medical and Health Services Manager, Geneticist, Biological Technician and Medical Product Sales Representative etc.
The average salary that one can expect after completing MSc Biology usually ranges from INR 2,00,000 to 5,00,000 per annum, depending on the job roles and experience of candidates.
After completion of MSc Biology course, one can opt to enroll in PhD in Biology, DSc etc.
Also check top PhD Biology Colleges in India.
MSc Biology Course Highlights
| Course level | Post-graduation |
|---|---|
| Full form | Master of Science in Biology |
| Duration | Two years |
| Examination type | Semester-type |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university |
| Admission Process | Entrance/ Merit-Based |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 40,000 to 4,00,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 2,00,000 to 5,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Johnson and Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Abbott laboratories, Merck, Biocon, CTS life sciences, Dr. Reddy's laboratories etc. |
| Job Positions | Biological Research Associates, Teachers, Biochemist, Healthcare Professionals and Practitioners, Health Services Manager, Ecologist etc. |
MSc Biology: What is it about?
Information and details about the MSc Biology course are as follows.
- This course lays emphasis on theoretical and practical expertise on studying various living organisms and how they evolve over time when subjected to consistent changes in their environment.
- MSc in biology specializes in studying these transitions and transformations that take place in living organisms when they are introduced to various different environmental changes and how these changes affect their ecology, growth and evolution.
- This program acquaints students with the fundamentals of biology and equips them with the necessary knowledge needed to conduct such meticulous research ability.
- The students are made aware of current biological techniques such as DNA sequencing, analysis of genetic variation, metabolic networks, physiological measurements in humans, field experiments on plants and animals etc.
There are so many reasons why an individual should pursue an MSc Biology course. Students can pursue this course because of the following benefits of the course:
- Individuals who wish to understand genetic reforms and are interested in witnessing structural change and anomalies of living organisms as well as to study such concepts in depth are welcome to pursue this course.
- Graduates of this discipline can seek employment with prestigious pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and biocon as research associates and eminent personalities to contribute their research and analysis into development of medications to tackle ailments of the human body.
- Aspirants who wish to contribute their skills in plant and botanical industries can be employed as research associates in agricultural industries where they can study various species of plants and their uses to assist in making organic farming better as well as their uses in modern medicine in treatment of diseases and health issues
- Candidates who wish to study plants and animal genomes and genetic variation can become agrochemicals and botanists or horticulturists and exclusively study species of plants by conducting experiments and deriving conclusions to improve or provide assistance to modern medicine and organic farming.
- MSc in biology graduates are in extreme demand in the education sector as they are needed and required by Universities and institutions on teaching positions to impart their expertise to Students who wish to study this discipline for Higher Education and are offered exclusive incentives and money for the same.
- After completion of this course, students will be able to get a job with an average annual salary ranging between INR 2,00,000 and 5,00,000.
What is the MSc Biology Admission Process?
Admission to this course is usually based on the score obtained by a candidate in an entrance exam. Some of the major all India entrance exams conducted for this purpose are BHU PET, IIT JAM, DUET etc. Some colleges also offer admission on merit basis. The various steps involved in the admission process are given below.
Merit-based selection
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Submit the application to the colleges or universities you are interested in.
- Maintain a good score throughout your Bachelor’s degree exams.
- In due course of time, colleges release their cutoff lists. Check if you are eligible for admission into the desired course.
- If eligible, visit the college and submit all the required documents.
Entrance based selection
The guide to apply for entrance exam based admission is as follows.
- Registration: Candidates have to register themselves for the entrance exams.
- Application form: Fill up the application form with all necessary details carefully.
- Submit documents: Scan and upload all required documents like mark sheets. Documents need to be uploaded in a specific format only, as specified by the institute’s application portal.
- Application fee: A minimal application fee is to be paid online during the submission of the application form. Payment can be done by all online payment modes.
- Download admit card: Admit cards are released once all applicants are judged for eligibility. The admit card must be downloaded and printed out to be used on the day of the examination.
- Examination: Prepare for the exam as per the syllabus and past papers. Appear for the examination on the date announced.
- Results: Based on candidates performance in the entrance exam, results will be announced.
What is the MSc Biology Eligibility Criteria?
The eligibility criteria for MSc Biology aspirants is not complicated and is as follows. It must be noted that the eligibility criteria will differ from institute to institute.
- Any candidate with a bachelor’s degree in Biology or any other specialised subject from a recognized institute is eligible to apply.
- The candidate must possess at least 60% marks in their graduation degree.
- A relaxation of 5% in aggregate marks is given for candidates belonging to SC/ST category.
Which are the popular MSc Biology Entrance Exams?
In most of the colleges, the MSc Biology admissions are done on the basis of the results in the entrance tests. The forms for the entrance tests are mostly released in the months of December and January and the examinations are held shortly after that. However, this year, the dates have been deferred because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Some of the popular MSc Biology entrance exams are provided below:
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BHU PET- The Banaras Hindu University conducts its Post graduate Entrance Test (PET) to fill seats in MA, MCom, MSc, MFA, MPA, MEd courses etc.. The exam will be held in computer-based mode, in 200 cities across India. The candidates who qualify this entrance exam will be called for counseling and seat is allocated on the basis of performance in the exam.
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DUET- Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET) is conducted by Delhi University in order to offer admission to aspirants in various UG, PG, MPhil and PhD programs. DUET 2023 exam is conducted in three shifts across 101 exam centers in 18 cities. The entrance exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of Delhi University. Also check DUET 2023 Practice Papers here.
| Entrance Exams | Registration | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| CUET PG | April 2023 | June 1 – 10, 2023 |
| BITSAT | February 2023 | June 2023 |
| NEST | February 2023 | June 2023 |
| IIT JAM | September 07 – October 11, 2023 | February 12, 2023 |
| DUET | April 2023 | July 2023 |
| TISS NET | December 14 – January 15, 2023 | January 28 – February 28, 2023 |
How to Prepare for MSc Biology entrance exams?
If your college includes an entrance test in the admission procedure, then you must be well prepared for it. So, here we are with some interesting preparation tips for you:
- You must be completely familiar with the exam pattern. Get to know the number of sections and the total number of questions that you have to answer.
- Knowing the syllabus properly is also of primary importance. You need to download the syllabus from the official website of the university.
- In most cases, you will be dealing with multiple-choice questions. If that is the case, then check whether there is negative marking or not.
- Another very good way to perform well is to appear for regular mock tests. This will make you accustomed to the type of questions and the examination patterns. Various educational institutes hold regular mock tests for the students.
- Revision is also an integral part of preparation. You need to revise all the chapters and the important topics properly. Otherwise, even after preparing all the chapters, you might not get a really good rank.
What is the Syllabus of MSc Biology?
The MSc Biology course includes various important subjects and topics. Here, we have given the semester-wise breakup of the syllabus for the MSc Biology course:
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Genes and genomes | Metabolism and metabolomics |
| Proteins and proteomics | Recombinant DNA technology |
| Cell biology | Methods in applied sciences |
| Biostatistics and biosystematics | Research methodology and IPR |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Research project | Molecular oncology and molecular medicine |
| __ | Clinical immunology |
| __ | Recent advances in biology |
| __ | Introduction to pharmacology |
Which books to refer for the MSc Biology course?
Students are advised to follow the below-mentioned books for MSc Biology program:
| Name of the book | Author |
|---|---|
| Principles of Genetics | D.Peter Snustad, Michael J Simmons and Robert H Tamarin |
| Microbiology | John Harley, Donald A Klein and Lansing Prescott |
| The Ecology | Tony Juniper |
| Bioinformatics and functional genomics | Jonathan Pevsner |
| Animal cell culture and technology | M.Butler |
Which are the Top MSc Biology Colleges?
MSc Biology is taught in some of the best educational institutes in India. Here, we have mentioned a few popular MSc Biology Colleges of India:
| Name of the College/ University | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| MJRPU, Jaipur | Merit-Based | INR 42,000 | INR 3,21,000 |
| CMJ University, Ri-Bhoi | Merit-Based | INR 95,000 | INR 4,85,000 |
| CSK HPKV, Palampur | Merit-Based | INR 30,540 | INR 4,00,000 |
| JSU, Shikohabad | Entrance-Based | INR 10,500 | INR 5,78,000 |
| OPJS University, Churu | Entrance-Based | INR 31,200 | INR 5,00,000 |
| CPU, Kota | Merit-Based | INR 30,000 | INR 4,29,000 |
| TIFR, Mumbai | Entrance-Based | INR 2,500 | INR 5,42,000 |
| GHRU, Saikheda | Merit-Based | INR 52,100 | INR 4,89,000 |
| NCBS, Bangalore | Merit-Based | INR 2,000 | INR 6,00,000 |
| Kumaun University, Nainital | Merit-Based | INR 60,000 | INR 6,43,000 |
MSc Biology College Comparison
The tabulation below depicts the comparison made among the three top MSc Biology colleges in India.
| Parameters | MJRPU, Jaipur | CMJ University, Ri-Bhoi | CSK HPKV, Palampur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | This deemed university offers numerous undergraduate, postgraduate, PG Diploma, Certificate, and Doctorate courses in the fields of Law, Agriculture, Arts, Commerce, Home Science, Yoga and Vedic Sciences, management, and many more fields. | CMJ University is recognized by UGC & offers a variety of UG, PG, Doctoral & Diploma programs in the field of Engineering & Technology, Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, Health Sciences, Nursing, Law, Arts & Crafts, etc. | Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya is an agricultural university at Palampur in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. This deemed university offers a variety of programs at the UG, PG and the research level. |
| Average Fees | INR 42,000 | INR 95,000 | INR 30,540 |
| Eligibility Criteria | Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology or any other relevant discipline from a recognized university. | Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology or any other relevant discipline from a recognized university. | Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology or any other relevant discipline from a recognized university. |
| Admission Criteria | Merit-Based | Merit-Based | Merit-Based |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3,21,000 | INR 4,85,000 | INR 4,00,000 |
Where can I pursue an MSc Biology course from Distance Learning?
- Distance Education is quite popular nowadays and holds equal importance as the regular course. There are various universities in India offering MSc in Biology Distance Learning programme.
- The syllabus and curriculum for both distance learning and regular course is the same. The only difference between both of them is that students with regular courses attend lectures and practical classes, however in distance learning, students have to study at home and attend semester examinations.
- The eligibility criteria for admission to a correspondence program or distance learning course may depend on the university/institution, the candidates, however, must hold a Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university with at least 60% aggregate marking. Admission procedure remains the same for the distance course as the regular one.
MSc Biology vs MSc Life Sciences
MSc Biology and MSc Life Sciences are quite similar, however, there is a minute difference between them. Also check top MSc Life Sciences Colleges in India.
Here, we have compared the two courses:
| Parameters | MSc Biology | MSc Life Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Master of Science in Biology | Master of Science in Life Sciences |
| Course Overview | This course covers the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and taxonomy of living organisms. | This course gives a deep study of the various life processes in plants, animals and human beings along with microorganisms like fungi, algae and viruses. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university. | Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university. |
| Admission Process | Merit/ Entrance-Based | Merit/ Entrance-Based |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 40,000 to 4,00,000 | INR 15,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 2,00,000 to 5,00,000 | INR 2,80,000 to 6,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Abbott Laboratories, Baxter, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Pfizer etc. | Abbott Laboratories, Baxter, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Pfizer etc. |
| Top Job Profiles | Biology Content Developer, Biochemist, Health Educator, Physician's Assistant and Nurse Practitioner, Medical and Health Services Manager etc. | Product Manager, Food Scientist, Immunologist etc. |
What are Job Prospects and Career Options after MSc Biology?
- MSc Biology degree holders can get employment with leading pharmaceutical industries and companies, by aiding them in research and experimentation for development of future medications and cures.
- MSc Biology postgraduates can also seek employment on a vacancy basis under government sector organizations such as the important science and technology industry to contribute their biological research conducted on various specimens of living organisms to provide further support and earn recognition for the same. These posts are vacancy based and provide handsome monetary packages.
- MSc in biology graduates can also venture in the sales industries as potential sales representative and promote and facilitate selling of medical goods Medicines and equipment to earn better money with incentives
- Individuals well versed with this degree and its scientific terminology can also work as content writers and contributors needed for the functioning of online medical forums and answer the queries of people as well as write and develop content on latest biological research and development.
We have Listed some of the popular job positions offered to successful graduates of the discipline along with the corresponding job descriptions and average annual salaries offered to the graduates of MSc Biology:
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Health Educator | Health Educators are individuals who propagate or convey/ make aware of people or organizations about health hazards and issues that can prevent spreading of diseases. | INR 3,37,000 |
| Biological Content Writer/ Developer | Such individuals are engaged with leading websites or firms that contribute writings and articles on leading biological research and trends and communicate such delicate information by authenticating the facts and summarizing the material to prepare compact articles. | INR 4,00,000 |
| Biochemist | Biochemists are individuals involved with active research, experimentation and analysis of data specimens and material to develop a comprehensive approach to aid medicine and agriculture industry in their course of development of new products which are organic and suitable to the environmental needs. | INR 3,75,000 |
| Research Assistant | A Research Assistant’s job is to perform research activities in the field of Biology or other related disciplines. | INR 4,85,000 |
| Inspection Officer/ Quality Officer (Food and Drug) | Food and Drug Quality Officers are people who are appointed to make sure the standardization and quality of factory good manufacturing is updated and equal. They make sure the administration is running well and the distribution of such goods (medicines/ agricultural products) is obstacle free and smooth | INR 5,28,000 |
| Teachers/ Professor | A Biology teacher has to teach individuals about various principles and fundamentals of this discipline by combining practical knowledge and field work | INR 6,68,000 |
What are the Future Scope of MSc Biology?
Being a very popular discipline, MSc in Biology course has excellent future scope. The students are exposed to numerous ways in which they can build their career:
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PhD: If one wishes to continue in the same field of education, the first program of choice is a PhD Biology. It is a three to five year duration course and the eligibility criteria include having a MSc degree in Biology or other related disciplines.
Check out the Top PhD Biology Colleges in India here.
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DSc - Students can also opt for a Doctor of Science degree in a relevant field on completion of this course.
MSc Biology FAQs
Some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to the MSc Biology program are as follows:
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria to seek admission to MSc Biology program in Indian Colleges/ Universities?
Ques. What is MSc in Biology?
Ques. What is the scope of this degree?
Ques. What salary should I expect after completing my MSc in Biology course?
Ques. What are the career paths for a Biology major?
Ques. What can I do after completing my MSc in Biology course?
Ques. Can a Computer graduate seek admission in an MSc Biology course?
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