M.Sc. Programmes

MSc Computational Biology at Department of Computational Biology and 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.

Job Prospects

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, IMSC etc also have limited requirements.

Admission Procedure

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 3) PG Entrance syllabus Please apply only as per announcement.