GENOME SCIENCE

Genomics is an interdisciplinary field of biology focusing on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of genomes. It involves the collective characterization and quantification of all of an organism's genes, their interrelations and influence on the organism. The field also includes studies of intra-genomic (within the genome) phenomena such as epistasis (effect of one gene on another), pleiotropy (one gene affecting more than one trait), heterosis (hybrid vigor), and other interactions between loci and alleles within the genome. This two years self-financed CBCS curriculum based M.Sc. program in Genome Science under the School of Interdisciplinary Studies of University of Kalyani aims to educate students from a wide range of backgrounds (e.g. Biotechnology, Medical science, Zoology, Botany, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and allied sciences) to read and understand high-throughput sequencing data which profoundly impacts on life on earth including identification of biological entity, forensics as well as day to day health-related services. This full-time interdisciplinary M.Sc. course, delivered over two years (4 semesters) with topics covering Human Genomics, Population genetics, Pharmacogenomics, Comparative Genomics, Epigenomics, Animal and Plant Genomics, Microbial Genomics, and Bioinformatics with utilization of in-house State-of-the-art Instrumentation facility that includes Automated DNA-Sequencer, Next Generation Sequencer, qPCR, Gel documentation system, Confocal and Electron Microscopy, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology facility for Big-data Analysis.

Globally acclaimed Universities and Institutions like Boston University, University of Cambridge, MIT, Stanford University and others have already started post graduate programme in Genome Science for better understanding the roles of genes in human health, animals and plants by fostering collaboration and serving as resource investigators engaged in genetics and genomics research and education. However, in India, only few educational Institutions/ Universities offer this kind of modern course. Introducing M.Sc. program in Genome Science is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Eastern and North-Eastern India. Moreover, this part of the country, comprising a part of eastern Himalayas including some parts of Northeast have rich sources of biodiversities, evolved by the complex genome-environment interaction during evolution, culminate some unexplored unique characters viz. disease and stress tolerance, excellent economic characters etc. and awaiting identification vis-à-vis patenting for different pharmaceuticals and industrial products. On the other hand, in the life sciences, vast amount of data exists and are constantly being generated in many forms, including information about genomic sequences, molecular pathways, and structural information of various genes. This massive amount of information can provide understanding about biological function, which is hitherto not available. The knowledge gained through this course can be applied in, for example, in health care and developing novel biomolecules, crop improvement, strain improvement, disease diagnostics, genomics-driven personalized medicine and therapeutics, and others. Therefore, the course curriculum has been designed in such a way that bachelor students from any branch of Life Sciences are eligible to apply. This program also aims to enhance knowledge and skill development in this fast evolving discipline by providing a flexible, interdisciplinary course in genome science at both the basic and applied level to different stakeholders (Research lab to Public domain).

Human Resource Development with wide, cutting-edge and in-depth knowledge in genome science with the ability to translate in the benefit of the society.

With the advent of this discipline, there is a huge opportunities that students can avail job opportunities in the fields of Health Care, Biotechnology Industries, Pharmaceutical Industries, Forensic Department, Agricultural Biotechnology Industries, and Academic/ Research Institutions. Interaction with reputed company personnel in this area will be encouraged. Moreover, the students can also opt for higher study and research in the fields of healthcare, forensics, biodiversity and different other related fields. Besides, this program will also provide sufficient skills and training on entrepreneurship development in the related field of biological through application of start-up grants for Biomedical Research, Diagnostics, Agricultural Science or Genomics Service Providers.

For Course Structure AND Detailed Syllabus, CLICK HERE.

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