Life sciences courses at Vels University

For a holistic education, Vels University, Chennai, is planning to launch a five-year integrated course in applied life sciences and nano-biology from the next academic year. “When you do a BSc or an MSc, certain subjects are repeated, so we wanted to introduce a course that covers all the basics of life sciences,” says Prof R Dinakaran Michael, director, School of Life Sciences, Vels University. A student can also leave with a bachelor’s degree after completing three years. The fee for these courses will be 1.5-2 lakh, which you can pay semester-wise. Students who wish to apply should have studied biology and scored at least 50 per cent in their higher secondary examination.

The school is currently offering a two-year MSc course in applied life science with 26 seats. The eligibility is a bachelor degree in life science or physical science with a fee of `25,000 per semester. They also offer an MSc in immunology and microbiology. You can become a quality audit/check supervisor or entrepreneurs in immuno diagnostic or pharmaceutical, food/environmental biotechnological industries, scientists in research and development centres or laboratories after your study. An MSc in medical biotechnology and clinical research (MCR) and biotechnology and management is also offered. “We need people with managerial skills to manage and head biotechnical industries and companies. This course will prove to be very effective for such aspirants,” he assures.

Prof Michael also says that this industry is slowly gaining importance in India, but there is a dearth of well trained employees. Last academic year, about 35 companies had come for recruitment. The professor promises that the training given at the university will prepare you to meet the requirements of the industry. Several research projects in protein engineering, fungal biotechnology, anticancer biology, etc, are ongoing at the university. “Students are encouraged and are given ample opportunities to bring out new ideas during research,” he says. A research on fish immunology , headed by the Prof plans to minimise disease-loss in fish production. Details at 044-22662500/2501 or www.velsuniv.ac.in.

— kaviya@newindianexpress.com