M.Sc. in Biophysics is a 2-year long course divided into 4 semesters. The minimum eligibility criterion needed to be fulfilled for pursuing the course is graduation in any of B.Sc. Physics, Bio-informatics, Biology (10+2 with mathematics), Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, B. Tech. Bioinformatics, Biotechnology and Industrial Biotechnology.
Biophysics, as the name suggests, is physics as applied to biological world. The structures and functions of biological cells, molecules and organisms are studied using methods of physics. Biophysics is the science of developing theories and methods of physics towards the investigation of biological problems.
The average tuition fee charged in India for the course ranges between INR 40,000 and 1 Lakh. Admission to the course is based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance exam such as the Bangalore University Entrance Exam, Bharathiar University Entrance Exam, Bhopal University Entrance Exam and Manipal University Online Entrance Test entrance exam etc.
Such postgraduates are hired in capacities such as Biophysicists, Medical Biophysics, Applied Biophysicist, Researcher, Associate Engineer and Quality Controller etc. and in industries like Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing, Biotechnology, Research Organizations and FMCG etc., besides colleges and universities as teachers.
The average annual salary offered for these positions varies between INR 2 Las and 9 Lacs annually.
Organizations such as Abbott Laboratories, Baxter, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Biocon, IFGL, Bioceramics Limited, Orbees medical, Invitrogen, Glaxosmithkline, Reliance life sciences, CTS life sciences, Dr.Reddy’s labs, Cipla, Jubilant life sciences, Wockhardt, Torrent pharma, Cadila healthcare and Ranbaxy and Pfizer etc. hire such postgraduates.
M.Sc. in Biophysics: Course Highlights
Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.
Course Level | Post Graduate |
Duration | 2 years |
Examination Type | Semester System |
Eligibility | Physics, Bio-informatics, Biology (10+2 with mathematics), Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, B. Tech. Bioinformatics, Biotechnology and Industrial Biotechnology. |
Admission Process | Based on entrance exams such as Bangalore University Entrance Exam, Bharathiar University Entrance Exam, Bhopal University Entrance Exam and Manipal University Online Entrance Test entrance exam etc. and graduating score. |
Course Fee | INR 40,000 to 1 Lakh |
Average Starting Salary | INR 2 to 9 Lacs |
Top Recruiting Companies | Abbott Laboratories, Baxter, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Pfizer. |
Job Positions | Biophysicists, Medical Biophysics, Applied Biophysicist, Researcher, Associate Engineer and Quality Controller |
M.Sc. in Biophysics: What is it About?
Biophysics is an advanced field of science which uses the techniques of physical science to study biological systems. The major subjects in the course consist of Biology and Molecular Biology, Biomechanics, Structural Biology, Biochemistry and Chemistry, Computer Science, Computational Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Mathematics, Medicine and Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Physiology, Physics, Quantum Biophysics, Agronomy and Agriculture, and so on.
Biophysical research extends to various other subjects such as Bioengineering, Agrophysics, Nanotechnology, Systems Biology, etc. Physics is a natural science essentially involving the study of matter and its motion through space-time and concepts like energy and force. Subjects usually studied under in the course curriculum are General Physics, Mathematical Methods for Physics, Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Solid State Physics, Electromagnetics, Electronics & Computer Science, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Biophysics, Electronics Instrumentation, Subatomic Physics etc.
Top Institutes Offering M.Sc. in Biophysics
Listed below are some of the top institutes offering the course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by each:
Name of Institute | City | Average Fees |
Manipal University | Manipal | INR 1.5 Lacs (course) |
University of Mumbai | Mumbai | INR 34,000 (course) |
University of Madras | Chennai | INR 50,000 (course) |
Panjab University | Chandigarh | INR 40,000 (course) |
University of Kalyani | West Bengal | INR 50,000 (course) |
Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam | INR 44,000 (course) |
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | Aurangabad | INR 60,000 (course) |
Eligibility for M.Sc. in Biophysics
As a minimum criterion of eligibility, aspiring candidates are needed to have attained a Bachelor’s degree in any of Physics, Bio-informatics, Biology (10+2 with mathematics), Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, B. Tech. Bioinformatics, Biotechnology and Industrial Biotechnology, with a minimum aggregate score of 55%.
Indian nationals can apply under the General Category, while foreign nationals or Non- Resident Indians or Indian nationals supported by NRI relatives can apply under the Foreign/ NRI Category.
M.Sc. in Biophysics: Admission Process
Admission to the course is based on the candidate’s performance in the Joint Admission Test for M.Sc. (JAM) conducted across 52 centers in the country, usually in the month of May. Centralized admission to the IITs is made on the basis of the rank obtained in the Joint Admission Test and the choices entered by the candidates.
Listed here are the main entrance exams conducted in the country for admission to the course.
- Alagappa University Entrance Exam
- Aligarh Muslim University Entrance Exam
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences Entrance Exam
- Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Entrance Exam
- Andhra University Entrance Exam
- Annamalai University Entrance Exam
- Bangalore University Entrance Exam
- Bharathiar University Entrance Exam
- Bhopal University Entrance Exam
- Manipal University Online Entrance Test
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M.Sc. in Biophysics: Syllabus and Course Description
A semester- wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.
M.Sc. Part I Semester I: Paper I: General Physio-chemical Principles Paper II: Biomathematics & Biostatics Paper III: Cell Biophysics Paper IV: Methods in Biophysics |
Semester II: Paper V: Molecular Biophysics: PSBP201 , Credit :04 Paper VI: Biochemistry: PSBP202, Credit:04 Paper VII: Molecular Biology & Protein Engineering: PSBP203 , Credit:04 Paper VIII: Membrane Biophysics: PSBP204 , Credit 04. Practical: Each practical paper(I,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII) |
M.Sc. Part II Semester III: Paper I: Physiological Biophysics Paper II: Bio crystallography & Magnetic Resonance Techniques Paper III: Radiation Biophysics Paper IV: Advanced in Biophysical Techniques Semester IV: Paper V: Medical Biophysics Paper VI: Nanomaterials in biology and medicine Paper VII: Elements of Bioinformatics & Chemo informatics Paper VIII: Molecular Modelling & Drug design |
M.Sc. in Biophysics: Career Prospects
Career opportunities for such postgraduates abound in the areas of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in a variety of capacities in schools and colleges as teachers, in government and private organizations and in different industries, since chemicals are used in most things of everyday use, whether it is medicines, food or electronics.
Chemists are mostly employed in pharmaceutical industries, institutions, research institutes, schools and government laboratories. Industries involved in manufacturing and processing of food and beverage products such as cheese, noodles, jams, biscuits and readymade food items also employ such postgraduates, aside from those involved in research operations, commercial surveys and numerical analyses.
The average annual starting salary offered to such postgraduates ranges between INR 15,000 and, 20,000 varying based on the candidate’s skillset and experience.
Some of the popular professional avenues open to such postgraduates are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.
Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Pay Scale in INR |
Biophysicists | Biophysicists assume teaching responsibilities in addition to research duties. As they move up the ladder from Instructor or Assistant Professor to Professor, they may also take on additional administrative duties in their departments. | 4,40,634 |
Medical Biophysics | Medical Physicists use a variety of analytical, computer-aided and bioengineering techniques in their work such as radiotherapy, x-ray imaging, ultrasound, tomography, radiology, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and lasers. They work with patients and with a wide range of medical, technical and administrative staff. | 6,00,000 |
Applied Biophysicist | Biochemists and Biophysicists typically plan and conduct complex projects in basic and applied research. They research the effects of substances such as drugs, hormones, and food on tissues and biological processes. | 4,96,316 |
Researcher | Researchers may work for laboratories in the pharmaceutical industry or elsewhere, or for public institutions, including universities and organizations such as the National Institutes of Health. Biotechnology research scientists often investigate the DNA and RNA of bacteria and viruses, as well as the genetic makeup of animals, plants, and people. | 5,75,329 |
Associate Engineer | This is often a mid-level position, under the supervision of a Senior Engineer. The Associate Engineer performs routine engineering work, assisting senior-level engineers on major projects. | 5,50,000 |
Quality Controller |
Quality Controllers perform laboratory tests in order to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific investigations. They carry out routine tasks accurately and follow strict methodologies to carry out analyses. | 2,54,328 |
Regional Manager | Regional Managers generate revenue through creating leads for inquiries. They develop and implement marketing plans for new and existing business plans, and manage and coordinate marketing and promotional activities at various institutes. Also, they execute marketing strategies & campaigns, meeting, seminars, promotional events & exhibitions. | 9,97,728 |