Department of Microbiology – Best Deemed University in Chennai

About the Department

The Department of Microbiology is one of the oldest departments, established in 1993 and was integrated into the School of Life Sciences, VELS University during 2008. The department offers B.Sc. Microbiology and a novel job-oriented course, M.Sc. Immunology and Microbiology in addition to M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in research. The syllabus of these programmes is fortified with the latest developments to facilitate easy employability. The curriculum is based on Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) providing academic flexibility with Core and Elective courses enabling student community to prefer their electives of interest. Priority is also given to enhance the research ability among students and motivate them to become future scientists in the form of training/internship, group projects and dissertation works. This practice improves the analytical skill and logical reasoning of the student. Developing entrepreneurship skills among students is another priority given by the department. The department provides hands-on experience in microbiological techniques through two common laboratories and one research laboratory, equipped with basic and modern equipments such as PCR, Gel Documentation, ELISA Reader, Cooling Centrifuge, BOD etc.

The department comprises of dedicated, experienced and qualified faculty members with teaching and research proficiency. In addition to teaching, faculty members are actively engaged in research by applying and carrying out funded projects. Faculty members also have research publications of their research findings in reputed indexed journals. The thrust areas of research include Marine Bio products, Applied Immunology, Plant- Microbe Interactions, Molecular drug resistance mechanisms, Molecular interactions in biofilms, Medical and Applied Mycology, Bio-nanomaterials etc.

The department has organized many conferences/seminars/workshops/guest lectures for the benefit of the student community in providing opportunity to interact with scientists and delegates from other universities and industries. Students are also encouraged to participate/present their research findings in International and National Conferences. The department is also actively linking up with industries of high repute in terms of short-term training and student projects. The department has signed an MoU with Asian Enviro Labs for training of students. The alumni of the department are well placed in government and non-government sectors. The department along with a well functioning placement cell enables students to get good placements in healthcare, food, dairy, pharmaceutical industries. Overall, the department provides conducive environment to foster research led academic programs enabling students to be professionally competent.

Vision & Mission

Vision of the Department

To produce graduates with relevant education descriptors and hands-on skills in microbiology and related areas of life sciences plus holistic development of individuals that makes them responsible citizens of society.

Mission of the Department

• Imparting relevant knowledge and creating an atmosphere to develop innovative and critical thinking.
• Skill enhancement through hands-on training and value-added courses plus add on courses.
• Sustained focus on original high quality research encouraging scientific thinking and approach.
• Creating an environment for holistic development of individuals with emphasis on spirit of integrity, equity, professional ethics and social harmony through the exposure and participation in co-curricular, extracurricular and extension activities.

Programmes Offered

B.Sc MICROBIOLOGY
M.Sc IMMUNOLOGY & MICROBIOLOGY,
M.Phil, Ph.D

Faculty-Student Ratio: 1: 20

Programme Outcomes

PROGRAM OUTCOME (PO)

PO-1: Microbiology knowledge: Graduates will acquire microbiology specific knowledge including molecular biology, immunology and rDNA technology coupled with hands-on skills and leadership skills for a successful career.

PO-2: Problem analysis: Graduates will be able to analyse, solve and troubleshoot problems in implementation of microbiological protocols.

PO-3: Design/development of solutions: Graduates will develop creative thinking and cooperate with each other to solve problems in the field of microbiology.

PO-4: Conduct investigations of complex problems: Graduates will acquire practical skills – which help in planning and designing protocols to validate hypothesis and execute experimental techniques independently as well as assimilate, analyse and interpret subsequent data.

PO-5: Modern tool usage and communication: Graduates will effectively be able to manage resources and time using ICT and computer enabled devices and accomplish ability to understand and communicate all ideas effectively.

PO-6: Environment sustainability and Ethics: Graduates will get adequate knowledge to use information and implement solutions for environmental protection and remediation. Graduates will be aware of their role and responsibility in handling and use of microbes including genetically modified microorganisms.

PO-7: Lifelong learning: Graduates will carry on to learn and adapt in a world of constantly evolving technology.

Programme Outcomes

PROGRAM OUTCOME (PO)

PO-1: Life Sciences knowledge: Successful candidates will apply current/recent specific knowledge in the respective discipline with proficiency in practical skills and leadership skills for a successful career.

PO-2: Problem analysis: Successful candidates will be able to apply the knowledge in microbiology to design standards, resolve and troubleshoot problems in implementation or standardization of protocols.

PO-3: Design/development of solutions: Successful candidates will develop creative and cognitive thinking and cooperate with each other to solve problems in the field of Life sciences.

PO-4: Conduct investigations of complex problems: Successful candidates will acquire capabilities to plan and design protocols and utilize practical skills to validate hypothesis by executing experimental techniques independently coupled with the ability to assimilate, apply, analyze, interpret and accurately evaluate subsequent data.

PO-5: Modern tool usage: Successful candidates will effectively be able to choose and manage resources including time using ICT and other computer enabled devices.

PO-6: Ethics: Successful candidates will be aware of their role and responsibility in proper handling, use and safe disposal of microbes including genetically modified microorganisms.

PO-7: Communication: Successful candidates will have the ability to understand and communicate all ideas and concepts effectively.

PO-8: Environment sustainability: Successful candidates will get adequate knowledge to use information and implement solutions for environmental protection, safeguards and remediation.

PO-9: Lifelong learning: Successful candidates will carry on to learn, adapt and disseminate knowledge in a world of constantly evolving technology.

Curriculum & Syllabus

CURRICULUM & SYLLABUS

MINIMUM CREDITS TO BE EARNED: 140

		Hours/week				Maximum Marks
Code No.	Course	Lecture	Tutorial	Practical	Credits	CA	SEE	Total
SEMESTER 3
LANG	Tamil III/ Hindi III/ French III	3	0	0	3	40	60	100
ENG	English – III	3	0	0	3	40	60	100
CORE 7	Introduction to Environmental Microbiology	4	0	0	4	40	60	100
CORE 8	Basic Food Microbiology	3	0	2	4	40	60	100
CORE 9	Introduction to Virology	4	0	0	4	40	60	100
AECC	Environmental Studies	2	0	0	2	40	60	100
CORE	Practical in Environmental microbiology	0	0	4	2	40	60	100
SEC	Soft Skills - II / Sector Skill Council Course	2	0	0	2	40	60	100
SEC	Swayam / NPTEL / Value Added Course	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Total	21	0	6	24

View full course curriculum

Curriculum & Syllabus

CURRICULUM & SYLLABUS

MINIMUM CREDITS TO BE EARNED: 90

		Hours/week				Maximum Marks
Code No.	Course	Lecture	Tutorial	Practical	Credits	CA	SEE	Total
SEMESTER 1
CORE 1	Cell Culture and Fermentation Technology	4	0	0	4	40	60	100
CORE 2	Immunology	4	0	0	4	40	60	100
CORE 3	General Microbiology	3	0	2	4	40	60	100
CORE	Practical Immunology and Systemic Bacteriology	0	0	4	2	40	60	100
DSE	Medical Bacteriology and Virology	4	0	0	4	40	60	100
DSE	Industrial Microbiology	4	0	0	4	40	60	100
SEC	Soft Skill 1	2	0	0	2	40	60	100
	Total	21	0	6	24	280	420	700

View full course curriculum

Eligibility Criteria

Program	Program Duration (Year)	Eligibility	Criteria for Merit
B.Sc Micro-Biology	3 Years (6 Semesters)	A pass in higher secondary with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Botany/ Zoology/ Vocational – Agriculture or any Life Sciences	Merit based on the percentage of marks secured in the qualifying examination

Eligibility Criteria

Program	Program Duration (Year)	Eligibility	Criteria for Merit
M.Sc Immunology & Microbiology	2 Years (4 Semesters)	Degree in B.Sc., (Microbiology/ Biotechnology/ Biochemistry/ Bioinformatics/ Botany/ Zoology or any Biological Sciences)	Merit based on the percentage of marks secured in the qualifying examination

Career Prospects

CAREER PROSPECTS

Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Food Scientists and Technologists
Immunologists
Mycologists

Parasitologists
Personal Care Product and Cosmetic Scientists and Technologists
Pharmaceutical Scientists and Technologists
Science Writers

Technical Support Specialists
Virologists
Water Quality Laboratory Technicians

Career Prospects

CAREER PROSPECTS

Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Clinical or research laboratory manager
Biotechnologists
Biosafety officer
Food Scientists and Technologists
Immunologists

Teachers and Professors
Mycologists
Parasitologists
Personal Care Product and Cosmetic Scientists and Technologists
Pharmaceutical Scientists and Technologists
Research associate

Science Writers
Technical Support Specialists
Virologists
Water Quality Laboratory Technicians

Alumni Testimonials

“My experience at Vels university was quite different and before my showtime i was afraid of my future. Once after entering microbiology department, i made cohesive bonding and cognition among faculty, who enlightened my path towards extensive and intensive knowledge on microbiology. The astonishing environment of Vels university propelled me into my masters program in a top college. I thank them for feeding me with knowledgeable fuel to drive my future in successful roads.”

Mr. MOHINUDEEN (B. Sc Microbiology) 2012-2015 Batch

Business Manager, Pfizer Ltd, Chennai.

I have finished my graduation from the department of Microbiology, Vels University and it was a good opportunity for me to build up good knowledge in this field. I found this subject very interesting from the first day and the professors from this department helps me a lot to gather knowledge. It was good to be in the lab and learn the skill of different practical works. Finally it was a good experience to be in the department.

Mr. SOMAK BANERJEE (B. Sc Microbiology) 2012-2015 Batch

Academic Specialist, Think and Learn Pvt Ltd., Chennai

Alumni Testimonials

If you asking me about my experience during study in Vels University, it was awesome and full of enthusiasm. Most important fact is that our teachers were so co-operative, simple and well informed . They always motivate us to innovate and to be an expert in our field. Besides this friends in our department and in other department too were so friendly. As I come across the whole two year course, I always felt a sense of unity in diversity of all Indian culture in Vels. The centrally location of Vels near to Chennai city help us to travel to shopping mall and city side for amusement during weekends . In my view to become a good person and make a good personality, Vels university is a good choice. Thank you to give me this opportunity to share my experience.

Mr. Anup Ranjan Jena (M.Sc. Microbiology) 2010-2011

Marketing Manager,Imgenex

When I decided to do my M.Sc , I came across in contact of many Universities in Bangalore and Chennai, but at last I stopped in VELS University (VU) in Chennai. I have seen many universities, which are doing business of education instead of giving quality of studies to students. But VU is best, which is always thinking of students’ perspective. I had a great time at VU. It was very helpful in achieving my career goal and converts my endeavors into real time world. The faculties are very experienced and committed to help the students to excel. I am very thankful to the faculty that gave me the knowledge and confidence and has brought a new dimension into my life to achieve a successful career .I would strongly recommend anyone to VU for its quality in studies/course frame. Very Best,

Mr. BIRAJA S. PATTNAIK (M.Sc. Microbiology) 2009-2011

Food Technologist

Fee Structure

Tuition Fee 2024 - 2025 (Per Sem)	Other Fee (Per Sem)	Total Fee 2024 - 2025 (Per Sem)
17,000	13,000	30,000

Fee Structure

Tuition Fee 2024 - 2025 (Per Sem)	Other Fee (Per Sem)	Total Fee 2024 - 2025 (Per Sem)
25,000	20,000	45,000

Faculty of the Department

Sl. No.	Name of the Faculty	Designation	Educational Qualification	Area of Specialization	Experience in Years	Vidwan ID
1	Dr.AK.Kathireshan	Professor & Director	M.Sc., M.Phil., SLET, Ph.D	Molecular Drug Resistance, Plant Microbiome and Bioprospecting of Marine Algae	29 years 1 month	234065
2	Dr.Gayathri.G	Associate Professor	M.Sc., M.Phil, SET, Ph.D	Microbial Biofilms, Nanomaterials, Immunotherapeutics	25 years 2 months	173799
3	Dr.Suresh Dhanaraj	Associate Professor	M.Sc.,M.Phil, Ph.D,NET.	Microbial Nanotechnology, Fermentation Technology	24 years 2 months	290392
3	Dr.Prabha.S.B	Assistant Professor	M.Sc., Ph.D	Applied Microbiology	8 years2 months	234101
5	Dr.Raj Yoganandh.S.V	Assistant Professor	M.Sc., Ph.D	Mycology, Antimicrobial resistance	5years,0months	234082
6	Dr.Murugan.K	Assistant Professor	M.Sc, Ph.D	Bioremediation, Biodegradation, Waste water treatment using VBNC Bacteria	1years,1months	469422
7	Dr.Sudharsan.K	Assistant Professor	M.Sc, Ph.D	Industrial microbiology, Biopolymer production	7 years 10 months	469400