M Phil Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary postmaster’s research degree which is often seen as training for PhD. This one-year (2 semester programme) is open to Computer Science, Life Science and allied masters degree holders (MSc, M Tech, MCA, MSc Agriculture, MPharm, MD, etc). Exposure to theoretical and practical aspects of Bioinformatics is included in the programme.

MPhil Bioinformatics at Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Kerala is a innovative programme, being the first of its kind in India. Bioinformatics is the application of Computers and Informatics to Biology, specifically at sub-cellular or molecular level. The MPhil programme focus on the understanding and use of tools in Bioinformatics.
Read tutorial on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics.

MPhil graduates who have also masters in Computing/IT are suitable for employment in IT industries which take up software development work in Bioinformatics. These include TCS which has a Molecular Biology Division which develops the Bio-suite software. C-DAC, premier supercomputing institution of the country also has a bioinformatics division in Pune. As the economic recession fades away, more opportunities are expected to evolve in Technoparks. MPhil graduates with masters in Life Science can look for openings in Research & development institutions in life science area, all over the world. Institutions in India like RGCB, IGIB, CCMB, IIMT etc also have limited requirements. Pharma field is expected to grow soon to become a major employer as it is increasingly using computational tools for molecular drug discovery.

In addition to the above, a research career is also open to MPhil holders. They can register for PhD at the University of Kerala without any entrance test and are eligible to submit there thesis in a minimum time of two years.

Admission will be based on marks scored in qualifying examinations and also in an entrance examination. Entrance Examinations will have 100 objective type questions: 20 questions on computer field; 20 questions on general Biology, 60 questions on logic & numeric reasoning. Index Marks for Ranking: 50% Aggregate in Bachelors; 50% Entrance Marks. Applications are invited in May/June, Entrance test is conducted in July/Aug and admission procedure is completed in September.

Please see Announcements link in this web site for latest announcement on admission. Download the 1) MPhil Bioinformatics Syllabus, 2) Model Question Paper for Entrance and 3a) Preliminary Application Form for Admission 3b) Detailed Application Form for short listed Indian Candidates (to be submitted only after admission offer is received) and Detailed Application Form for Foreign Candidates. Please apply only as per announcement in the Announcements link. Kindly do not send unsolicited applications. You can send email to admissions.cbi(at)gmail(dot)com for enquiries on admissions.

MSc Computational Biology aims at imparting theoretical and practical skills for the development and implementation of powerful computational algorithms, for representing, analyzing and simulating life at sub-cellular or molecular level. The course is appropriate for graduates of computer science/applications and those with mathematical and technical background.

MSc Computational Biology at Centre for Bioinformatics is a UGC sponsored innovative programme, being the first of its kind in India. Computational Biology involves the development and implementation of powerful computational algorithms, for representing, analyzing and simulating life at sub-cellular or molecular level. The ultimate product of Computational Biology is Software tools. Knowledge of computer science, mathematics and allied fields play key role here.

University of Kerala differentiates between bioinformatics and computational biology thus: Bioinformatics is concerned with the use of computational tools to solve biological problems whereas Computational biology is concerned with development of the tools themselves (An analogy would be the difference between car driving and automobile engineering). University of Kerala’s MSc Bioinformatics programme (currently offered in one affiliated college in Thiruvananthapuram) admits only life science students whereas MSc Computational Biology programme admits only non-life science students. Read tutorial in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics.

Post graduates of computational biology are suitable for employment in IT industries which take up software development work in Bioinformatics. These include TCS which has a Molecular Biology Division which develops the Bio-suite software. C-DAC, premier supercomputing institution of the country also has a bioinformatics division in Pune. As the economic recession fades away, more opportunities are expected to evolve in Technoparks. In addition, the academic career and research career are other options. Research & development institutions in life science area, all over the world, seek computational biologists. Institutions in India like RGCB, IGIB, CCMB, IIMT (links) etc also have limited requirements.

Admission will be based on marks scored in qualifying examinations and also in the entrance examination. Entrance Examinations will have 100 objective type questions: 40 questions on computer field; 10 questions on general Biology, 50 questions on logic & numeric reasoning. Index Marks for Ranking: 50% Aggregate in Bachelors; 50% Entrance Marks. Applications are normally invited in March, for entrance test that will be conducted in June and admission procedure will be completed in July.

Please see Announcements link in this web site for latest announcement on admission. Download the 1) MSc Computational Biology Syllabus, 2) Model Question Paper for Entrance and 3) Detailed Application Form for short listed candidates. Please apply only as per announcement in the Announcements link. Kindly do not send unsolicited applications. You can send email to admissions.cbi(at)gmail(dot)com for enquiries on admissions.