Admission to M.Sc in Biotechnology course is made through an entrance exam in most of the Universities like Andhra University and Alagappa University. The main topics included in this entrance test will be General science, Cell biology and Immunology. Apart from these topics, questions can be from other areas like Bio-Energetic & Biological Interaction, Metabolism and Cancer biology too. The syllabus of this exam is detailed in the article below.

General science

• Mathematics
• Computer science
• Chemistry
• Physics

Bio-Energetic & Biological Interaction

• Hydrophobic and hydrophilic Interactions
• Acid-base equilibrium
• Soaps and detergents
• Laws of Thermodynamics
• Concepts of heat of reaction
• Concept of chemical bonding
• Electron displacements
• Enthalpy
• Entropy
• Dipole-dipole interactions
• Hydrogen bond
• Vander-Waal’s forces

Bio-molecules

• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Structure and function of nucleic acids
• Proteins
• Vitamins

Cell biology

• Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell-structure
• Organelle functions
• Photo-autotrophism
• Heterotrophism
• Stress physiology
• Ageing of cells

Metabolism

• Carbohydrate
• Nucleotides
• Metabolic disorders
• Lipids
• Amino acids

Biological oxidations

• Oxidation-reduction potentials
• ATP synthesis-oxidative and photo-phosphorylation
• Electron acceptors and donors in plants and animals

Molecular Biology

• Prokaryotic and eukaryotic Replication
• DNA Repair systems
• Recombination
• Transcription
• Translation

Concept of Recombinant Technology

• Plasmids
• Bacteriophages
• Restriction enzymes
• Ligases
• PCR
• Cosmids
• Phagemids
• YACs

Immunology

• Innate and adaptive immunity
• T-cells and B-cells
• Antigen and super antigens
• Structure and functions of immunoglobulin

Bio-Techniques

• Principles of chromatography
• Types of chromatography
• Applications of chromatography
• Spectrophotometery
• Centrifugation
• Electrophoresis

Genetics

• Mendelian laws of inheritance
• Application
• Linkage and crossing over
• Gene mapping
• Theories of mutation and evolution
• Genetic disorders
• DNA modifying enzymes
• DNA replication and amplification
• Alpha complementation
• Plasmid biology

Animal & Plant physiology

• Physiology and development of circulatory
• Nervous system
• Photo systems
• Endocrine and exocrine system
• Hormone diversity and action
• Plant hormones
• Transport across plant cell
• Transpiration
• Flowering
• Plant tissue culture
• Production of transgenic plants

Microbiology

• Microbial growth
• Antimicrobial agents
• Drug resistance
• Transformation
• Transduction
• Conjugation
• Structure and organization of microbial cells

Enzymology

• History
• General characteristics
• Competitive and uncompetitive inhibition
• Allosteric enzymes
• Enzyme activity
• Nomenclature and classifications of enzymes
• Factors affecting enzyme activity

Cancer biology

• Receptor mediated cell Signaling
• Protein modification by phosphorylation
• De-phosphorylation
• Factor signaling
• Cell cycle progression and regulation
• Different types of receptors
• Secondary messengers
• Protein modification on ontogenesis

Ecology and Evolution

• Components and types of ecosystem
• Environmental pollution
• Biogeochemical cycles
• Biotic interactions
• Hardy Weinberg law
• Population genetics
• Mechanism of speciation
• Origin of life
• Biological rhythms
• Biological control

Aspirants should go through this detailed syllabus and must set up a good study plan to crack this entrance test. They should refer good reference books and can also seek the help of coaching centers for further assistance.