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MSc Virology Top Colleges, Admission Process, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Syllabus, Jobs, Salary, Scope 2023

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Ahana Bhaduri

Senior Content Specialist

MSc Virology is a postgraduate biomedical course of 2 years. The course is based on a detailed description of human viral disease, viruses, the evolution of the virus, its mechanism, and a detailed structure of the same. 

The program is specifically designed to fulfill and develop the requirements of the health sector which need well-trained professionals in the field of virology. The course is a great choice for the ones who wish to gain theoretical knowledge and practical training in animal virology, knowledge about treatment and prevention of viral infections, etc. The course aims to provide the students with the ability to describe various structures, virus latency, integrate experimental strategies, replication strategies of different viruses, interpreting data from experiments to find conclusions from them, etc. 

For admissions to the course, the aspiring candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in Science or any related field like microbiology, biochemistry, life science biotechnology, chemistry, etc. with a minimum of 50% aggregate at the qualifying exam. The admissions are both merit and entrance based. The average course fee in India ranges between INR 80,000 - INR 2,50,000.

At the successful completion of the course, the students can get involved in the study of viruses for performing research and knowing about the diseases linked to it.These graduates can further undertake research studies or can even pursue a career by being a professional microbiologist or they may also take up teaching jobs in reputed colleges and universities. The professionals of the course are eligible to find lucrative job positions in reputed organisations. They can choose to be a Research Associate, Virologist, Assistant Professor, Laboratory Assistant, etc. 

They can find employment in areas like Pharmaceutical Companies, Research Centres, Private Clinics, Human Immunology Laboratory, Government Hospitals, reputed Colleges and Universities, etc. The average initial salary of these professionals ranges between INR 2,50,000 - 5,00,000.

MSc Virology Course Highlights 

Course Level Post Graduate
Full-Form Masters of Science in Virology
Duration 2 years
Examination Type Semester based
Eligibility Criteria The aspiring candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in Science or any related field like microbiology, biochemistry, life science biotechnology, chemistry, etc. with a minimum of 50% aggregate at the qualifying exam.
Admission Process Merit and Entrance based
Average Course Fee INR 80,000 - INR 2,50,000.
Job Positions Research Associate, Virologist, Assistant Professor, Laboratory Assistant, etc.
Top Recruiters Pharmaceutical Companies, Research Centres, Private Clinics, Human Immunology Laboratory, Government Hospitals, reputed Colleges and Universities, etc.
Average Initial Salary INR 2,50,000 - INR 5,00,000.

MSc Virology: What is it About?

A brief introduction about the course MSc Virology has been presented below to provide the students with an idea of what the subject deals with:

  • MSc Virology is a postgraduate biomedical course of 2 years. The course is based on a detailed description of human viral disease, viruses, the evolution of the virus, it's the mechanism and a detailed structure of the same.
  • The course is a great choice for the ones who wish to gain theoretical knowledge and practical training in animal virology, knowledge about treatment and prevention of viral infections, etc.
  • The course aims to provide the students with the ability to describe various structures, virus latency, integrate experimental strategies, replication strategies of different viruses, interpreting data from experiments to find conclusions from them, etc.
  • The 2-year program teaches the students about subjects like Virus Replication, Virus Encephalitis, HIV/AIDS, Tissue Culture Techniques, and much more.
  • The program is specifically designed to fulfil and develop the requirements of the health sector which need well-trained professionals in the field of virology.

There are several reasons due to which students in recent times have an interest in this particular field. Some advantages of the course have been listed below:

  • The course is a great choice for the ones who wish to acquire theoretical knowledge and practical training in the field of animal virology, knowledge about treatment and prevention of viral infections, etc.
  • The focus of the course is to provide the students with the ability to describe the various structures, virus latency, integrate experimental strategies, replication strategies of different viruses, interpreting data from experiments to find conclusions from them, etc.
  • At the successful completion of the program, the students are experienced enough to get involved in the study of viruses for performing research and knowing about the diseases linked to it.
  • These graduates can further undertake research studies or can even pursue a career by being a professional microbiologist or they may also take up teaching jobs in reputed colleges and universities.
  • The professionals of the course are eligible to find lucrative job positions in reputed organisations. They can choose to be a Research Associate, Virologist, Assistant Professor, Laboratory Assistant, etc. 
  • They can find employment in areas like Pharmaceutical Companies, Research Centres, Private Clinics, Human Immunology Laboratory, Government Hospitals, reputed Colleges and Universities, etc. 
  • The average initial salary of these professionals ranges between INR 2,50,000 - 5,00,000.

What is the MSc Virology Admission Process? 

The admission to MSc Virology is the same as any other course. However, certain essential points must be kept in mind while applying for the course. 

  • Aspiring candidates of MSc Virology must meet the eligibility criteria for the same. 
  • The admissions to the course are both merit and entrance based.
  • Some of the popular entrance exams conducted for the admissions are Manipal Entrance Test, NIV College Entrance Test, etc.
  • The students can register themselves for the same either through an online or offline mode.

How to apply for MSc Virology? 

In India, several colleges are offering the course of MSc Virology. The admissions to these colleges are mostly entrance based.

  • Register on the official websites and provide the necessary personal details.
  • Fill the online application form available in there.
  • Attend the exam on the prescribed dates only.
  • The results are issued based on the marks obtained by all the candidates at an average.
  • Some colleges may even hold personal interviews before the further admission process.

What is Eligibility Criteria for MSc Virology?

Matching the eligibility criteria is the primary requirement for taking admission into a particular college or university. The eligibility for MSc Virology is as follows:

  • Bachelor's degree in Science or any related field like microbiology, biochemistry, life science biotechnology, chemistry, etc. 
  • A minimum of 50% aggregate in the qualifying exam.
  • The degree must be obtained from a recognised college or university.

What are the top MSc Virology Entrance Exams? 

Admissions to MSc Virology are mostly entrance based across India. The most popular entrance exams have been listed below:

  • SVUCET conducted by Sri Venkateswara University Common Entrance Test is an offline exam.
  • MET conducted by Manipal Entrance Test is an online exam.
  • The admission process is usually based upon the merit of the students in these entrance exams. 
  • The cut off marks are generally set up by taking an average mark scored by all the candidates who appeared for the exam. 

Some important dates have been mentioned below:

Entrance Exams Exam Dates
CUET PG Check Here
BITSAT Check Here
NEST Check Here
IIT JAM Check Here
DUET Check Here
TISS NET Check Here

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, some exams have either been postponed or cancelled. The above exams have been conducted successfully amid this situation. These given dates provide the students with an idea of when doing the exams take place every year.

How to Prepare for MSc Virology Entrance Exams? 

If an aspirant wishes to clear the entrance exams with flying colours, they need to prepare themselves very well to achieve that. Several tips have been given below for a reference of the students:

  • Stay alert about the latest exam pattern which will help you to prepare well for the exams.
  • Check the latest syllabus for the exam which is available on the official websites.
  • Practice all types of questions including MCQ so that you don't get confused at the time of examination.
  • Do not go for guesswork if there is negative marking.
  • Make a newspaper reading your daily habit to stay updated about the current affairs.
  • Revise prepared topics thoroughly until the final exam.
  • Do not go for new topics a day before the actual exam as this might confuse you.
  • Sit for mock exams as this will give you an idea of how the exams take place.

Know more about: MET Exam Pattern

How to get Admission in top MSc Virology colleges? 

Getting admission into a reputed college is a dream for every aspirant. For this, they need to prepare themselves well enough to clear the entrances and get into the college. Certain tips have been mentioned below for a reference of the students:

  • Admission to any college requires a strong academic background. In the case of MSc, the students must have a bachelor's degree in Science or any related field like microbiology, biochemistry, life science biotechnology, chemistry, etc.
  • They must acquire a minimum of 50% aggregate at the qualifying exam.
  • Start preparing for the entrances a year before the actual exam.
  • Find out whether the college you desire to get in is good enough or not.
  • Get an idea of the curriculum offered for the course in that particular college.
  • Check if the college offers placements as this has been a requirement in recent years.
  • Find out about the fee structure of the college and check if it matches your requirements.

MSc Virology Syllabus 

The syllabus of the course might differ in different colleges and universities. However, the syllabus given below provides an idea to the students as to what subjects are taught within 4 years.

Semester I Semester II
Tissue Culture and Cell Biology Virus Cell Interaction
Vector Biology Virus Replication
Basic Epidemiology and Biostatistics Immunological Techniques
Basic Biology Biochemical Methods
Basic Immunology Serological Methods
Tissue Culture Techniques Molecular Techniques
Virological Methods Bioinformatics
Virus Antigen Detection Antivirals and Vaccines
Statistical Methods Advanced Epidemiology
Analytical Methods Bioinformatics
Entomological Methods Advanced Immunology
Propagation of viruses Applied Entomology
- Gene Regulation and Recombinant DNA technology
Semester III Semester IV
Viral Hepatitis Special Topic
Exanthematous diseases of virus aetiology. Research Projects
Viral Enteric Diseases and Cancers -
Viral Respiratory Diseases -
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever -

The syllabus is subject to vary in different colleges and universities.

MSc Virology: Important Books 

Books are the most important part of a course and choice of books is much more important than that. A list of the most popularly referred books has been given below for the reference of the students:

Name of the Book Name of the Author
Understanding Viruses Teri Shors
Aquaculture Virology Frederick S.B. Kibenge, Marcos Godoy
Field of Virology Peter M.Howley, David M.Knipe, Sean Whelan
The Viral Storm Nathan Wolfe
Molecular Virology of Human Pathogenic Diseases Wang-Shick Ryu

These are only a few books which are mostly chosen by the students and scholars as well. The students may refer to many such books which are related to the field of Biotechnology. Reading these books will provide them with extensive knowledge of the subject which they may further utilise in their career ahead.

MSc Virology Top Colleges 

In India, many institutions are currently providing the course of MSc Virology. However, the most desired and reputed ones amongst them have been listed below: 

Name of the College Area of Location Admission Process Average Course Fee
Savitribai Phule Pune University Pune Entrance Based INR 1,30,990
Manipal University Karnataka Entrance Based INR 1,96,600
Sri Venkateswara College Tirupati Entrance Based INR 84,190
Amity University of Virology and Immunology Noida Merit-Based INR 50,000

MSc Virology College Comparison 

A comparison between the most reputed colleges has been given below to help the students decide which college would be the best for them and matches their requirements.

Comparison Parameters Savitribai Phule Pune University Sri Venkateswara College Manipal University
Overview Also recognised as the Pune University, this is one of the well-known universities of the country. The 411 acres campus of this The university was established in 1949 under the Poona University Act. Established in 1954, the university has been ranked on the second position in Andhra Pradesh by the NIRF in 2020. The Institute offers various UG, PG, Doctoral courses under various streams. Earlier known as Manipal University but now as Manipal Academy of Higher Education, this institute was set up in 1953 and is known to provide various UG, PG and Research Courses.
Average Course Fee INR 1,30,990 INR 84,190 INR 1,96,600
Admission Process Entrance Based Entrance Based Entrance Based
Area of Location Pune Tirupati Karnataka
Average Initial Salary INR 2,00,000 - 4,00,000 INR 2,00,000 - 3,00,000 INR 3,00,000 - 5,00,000
College Comparison

Course Comparison: MSc Virology vs MSc Biology 

A course comparison has been given below two different fields available in MSc programs. These are often the most chosen courses so a comparison will help the students decide their area of interest wisely. Check Out: MSc Biology Course

Comparison Parameters M.Sc Virology M.Sc Biology
Overview M.Sc Virology is a postgraduate biomedical course of 2 years. The course is based on a detailed description of human viral disease, viruses, the evolution of the virus, it's the mechanism and a detailed structure of the same. This is a postgraduate degree of 2 years which focuses on the structure, function, growth, evolution, origin, etc. of living organisms. The students are taught about the application of scientific methods in experiments, laboratory techniques, analyzing data, etc.
Average Course Fee INR 80,000 - 2,50,000. INR 40,000 - 4,00,000.
Job Positions Research Associate, Virologist, Assistant Professor, Laboratory Assistant, etc. Biology Content Developer, Geneticist, Biochemist, Health Educator, etc.
Top Recruiters Pharmaceutical Companies, Research Centres, Private Clinics, Human Immunology Laboratory, Government Hospitals, reputed Colleges and Universities, etc. Baxter, Abbott Laboratories, Johnson and Johnson, Merck and Pfizer, etc.
Average Salary INR 2,50,000 - 5,00,000 INR 2,00,000 -5,00,000

The above comparison has been done among two different subjects available in the MSc fields. These are the most desired and chosen courses among the students in recent times. This comparison will allow the students to make a wise choice as to which subject would benefit them and meet their requirements.

MSc Virology Job

Job Profile Job Description Average Annual Salary
Laboratory Assistant Their work involves working with the teachers and assisting them and the students to perform laboratory work. INR 2,00,000 - 3,00,000
Virologist Their area of work includes diagnosing, treating and helping to prevent viral diseases and perform a variety of related tests. INR 2,50,000 - 3,50,000
Assistant Professor They work towards guiding, mentoring, and leading the students in various research projects. They even assist senior professors in their daily works and tasks. INR 2,50,000 - 5,00,000
Research Associate These professionals indulge in performing specialized and advanced experiments, tests, and studies. INR 3,00,000- 4,00,000
Average Salary

MSc Virology Future Scope 

The field of virology is an emerging developing field. This increases the demand for professionals of this field. 

  • The specialized candidates of the field can find employment opportunities in the Private as well as the government sector. 
  • Graduates of the course begin their career as holding positions in firms that are related to the field of Virology.
  • These graduates can further undertake research studies or can even pursue a career by being a professional microbiologist or they may also take up teaching jobs in reputed colleges and universities. 
  • Those who are willing to opt further for higher studies may even go for a Ph.D. in Microbiology or related fields.

MSc Virology FAQs 

Ques. What is the main focus of the subject?

Ans. The program is specifically designed to fulfill and develop the requirements of the health sector which need well-trained professionals in the field of virology.

Ques. What is M.Sc Virology?

Ans. MSc Virology is a postgraduate biomedical course of 2 years. The course is based on a detailed description of human viral disease, viruses, the evolution of the virus, it's the mechanism and a detailed structure of the same.

Ques. Which are the top institutes offering this course?

Ans. The most reputed colleges offering the course are Sri Venkateswara College, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Manipal University

Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for MSc Virology?

Ans. For admissions to the course, the aspiring candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in Science or any related field like microbiology, biochemistry, life science biotechnology, chemistry, etc. with a minimum of 50% aggregate at the qualifying exam. 

Ques. What are the employment opportunities after the course?

Ans. They can choose to be a Research Associate, Virologist, Assistant Professor, Laboratory Assistant, etc.

Ques. Which are the entrance exams conducted for admission to the course?

Ans. The most popular entrance exams have been listed below:

  • SVUCET: Sri Venkateswara University Common Entrance Test
  • MET: Manipal Entrance Test

Ques. Where can I find employment?

Ans. The professionals of the course are employed in fields like the  Pharmaceutical Companies, Research Centres, Private Clinics, Human Immunology Laboratory, Government Hospitals, reputed Colleges and Universities, etc.

Ques. For whom the course is suitable enough to opt?

Ans. The course is a great choice for the ones who wish to gain theoretical knowledge and practical training in animal virology, knowledge about treatment and prevention of viral infections, etc.

Ask your question

Answered Questions

SM

Shivangi Mishra

06 May 22

Yes, IISER Kolkata offers a 2 year-long MS program in Space Science. The application for the program is open now. Here are the application details.

Enquiries  cessi@iiserkol.ac.in
Application portal opened 20th April 2022
Application Portal closes  20th May 2022
Publication of shortlist for interview  25th May 2022
Selection process ends  June 2022

To apply you need to have a recent bachelor's degree in Physics or Engineering with first class or equivalent and qualification in either GATE or other national eligibility test such as JEST. 

...Show More

RG

Rajit Ghosh,

22 Nov 21

An MSc. from CFTRI Mysore is considered to be one of the best for food technology in India. It has been the pioneer in providing quality education in food. But you need to keep in mind that it is a government institution. Therefore it has its own limitations, in terms of research, funds and several other things.

On the other hand if you choose to go abroad, your guide has full autonomy for the funds. They take the responsibility of spending the money and what projects to pursue or not. It is known that colleges abroad have better facilities and better working conditions. Indian institutes lack this although they have state of the art facilities but they are of no match for the colleges abroad.

Also, the hard work you will put in to get into CFTRI is much more than getting admission in any college abroad. They also provide better returns. If your financial background is good you can then choose to go abroad rather than studying in India.

...Show More

MR

Malabika Roychowdhury

21 Dec 21

No, it is not a mistake to prefer IISER Kolkata over IIT KGP for an MSc integrated course in Physics. You are going to get a pure science degree so it makes more sense to get the degree from an institute that focuses on that degree. IIT KGP is popular for its engineering degrees. So, you will be mostly surrounded by people who are pursuing engineering degrees. You won’t get to meet many like-minded students. The course structure of integrated MSc at IITs is also outdated. 

At IISER Kolkata, you will get a decent course structure and better faculties for an integrated MSc. 

...Show More

ML

Manisha Lamba

20 Oct 21

If you want to stand out among others in your master’s degree, you should pursue your master’s in a regular mode from a government university. This will later help you to pursue your further studies in post-graduate degrees, like Ph.D.

So it is suggested that you work a bit harder and try to get admission in a government college with the course offered in the regular mode. However, if you merely require a master’s degree, you can pursue it from any educational institution.

...Show More

KM

Krishna Murthy

30 Nov 21

According to the reviews online, Bangalore University (BU) is an average institution. It sure is one of the oldest in the country and has a reputation. But it nowadays has been seen to deteriorate day by day. 

Here are some facts about BU:

  • The faculty members, though highly experienced, are very few. Most of the classes are taken by Research students.
  • There is no proper management.
  • The exam results are delayed most of the time.
  • The syllabus is not upgraded catering to the latest trends in the industry.
  • Bus service is not provided.
  • The canteen is not clean and well maintained.

Most students choose to study in this college due to its brand and reputation. It is an older elite institute which they often think will be reliable. The quality of education is considered to be good and students are selected here for admission based on their merit.

...Show More

RB

Ranjini Banerjee

30 Mar 23

The basic differences between MR at IIT Madras and Ph.D. at IIT Madras are

  • Research: MS program has less research work than Ph.D. It is considered an extended version of MS and many MS students go for a Ph.D. afterward.
  • Degree: An MS degree is awarded if the student has a minimum of 1 international conference paper and if the panel is satisfied that the work has met the standards of the institute. Whereas a Ph.D. is awarded only when the student has a minimum of 2 international journal papers and if the panel is satisfied and considers it as per the standards of the institute.
  • Coursework: An MS student needs to take at least 5 graduate courses whereas a Ph.D. needs to take 4. Additionally a Direct Ph.D. or M.S.+PhD. needs to take 8.
  • Duration: The time taken to complete an MS program is between 1.5-3 years whereas for a Ph.D. and M.S. + Ph.D it takes 3-5 years. This duration might be increased in case a student is unable to complete it in the given time frame.
  • Viva: In Ph.D., you are required to pass a challenging Viva Voce, while in M.S. you need not. The difficulty level of this viva varies from department to department.
  • Stipend: Under the HTRA scheme, an MS student gets INR 12400 while a Ph.D. student gets INR 25000.

Despite these differences, the general routine and schedule of both MS and Ph.D. are similar. Ultimately, more than your program, your research topic and performance will matter.

...Show More

SP

Suyash Pandey

30 Apr 21

The MSc. Honours at BITS Pilani is a highly recommended course for every student who is interested in a combination of Science and Engineering. It is an excellent course provided by the institute, with great opportunities for students in various fields. The points below give a brief overview of the course of MSc. Honors provided by BITs Pilani.

  • The course provided by BITS Pilani is a dual degree course, which comprises five years of study in total.
  • After the first year of the course, you will be provided with subjects that belong to different branches of engineering (B.E). This is a great opportunity to explore such subjects from different streams, along with the conventional science subjects. You will get several choices in the selection of subjects and choose between topics according to your own decision.
  • BITS Pilani is predominantly an engineering institute. Therefore, there are numerous minds in the institute for several technical works and inventions. The institute has earned recognition in the fields of space-travel bots, humanoid robots, Formula-one style cars, and a lot more.
  • Students from BITS Pilani have been selected in Google Summer of Code several times, which is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world in the field of computer science.
  • Other than the field of academics, students of BITS Pilani get the freedom to perform anything of their choice and achieve a good position in it. There are several musicians, dancers, painters, poets, debaters, etc among the batches of BITS Pilani, and even students with multiple talents in it.

Therefore, BITS Pilani provides an appropriate ground to cherish any kind of talent of students, which is a great aspect of the institute.

...Show More

AY

Atul Yadav

14 Aug 20

The placement for MSc.-PhD in Atmosphere and Sciences at IIT Bhubaneswar is not that impressive. Although the overall placement at this IIT is quite decent and the placement rate is around 90% with an average CTC of 11.4 LPA. But the placement statistics for the M.Sc courses are not good. Only a few teaching institutes visit the campus during the placement drive recruiting students mainly from courses like Mathematics and Physics, etc.

The department of Atmosphere and Sciences at IIT Bhubaneswar is still developing and there is a shortage of faculty members in this department but there are visiting faculties from the different institutes.

...Show More

MR

Meghna Roychowdhury

14 Aug 20

To pursue a joint MSc.-Ph.D. degree in atmospheric sciences from IIT Bhubaneswar a student is required to have at least 60% in aggregate in his or her undergraduate degree in a relevant stream from a recognized university. A joint MSc.- Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences is not a very popular subject among the students and the department is still developing. The School of Earth, Ocean, and Climate Sciences at IIT Bhubaneswar have well-experienced faculty members. It also invites professors from other premier institutes like the University of Ontario and University of Massachusetts.

This subject is mainly research-oriented. Topics like Meteorology, Aerosol Properties, and impacts, Urban Heat Island Effects, etc. are studied under the subject of Atmospheric Sciences. Regarding placements, Atmospheric Sciences might not provide you with opportunities from private sectors, but the Government, Ministry of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences recruit students for various Scientific posts and Contractual posts. For example, the National Centre for Antarctic Ocean and Research (NCAOR) recruits students of atmospheric sciences. Students also opt for higher education.

...Show More

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