Master of Science in Bioinformatics is a multi disciplinary academic program which stretches for a period of 2 years. The course deals with the field of science and covers the bioinformatics, means the application of computer science, and technology in the field of biology. The course provides better knowledge about the biological process and its related activities. The field in Bioinformatics is fast growing and the students with the science background along with biology can extract maximum benefit out of the course in developing the algorithm and tools of Bioinformatics as well as derive better knowledge in the field of drugs, vaccine, and biodiversity.

Advantages or Benefits of Doing Master of Science in Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is a major and important field in biological science which is growing in much faster rate despite of the fact that the field is a newly emerged discipline. The experts who are associated with the field are earning handsome amount of money along with knowledge and experience as well. More and more employees are hired in to the field of Bioinformatics, as it is expanding beyond microbiology. The experts are doing research on this field which help he field to grow in a faster rate pulling behind the old discipline in biology.

After completing the course the candidates can search jobs in all routes. The jobs of Bioinformatics are been advertised in some non-commercial web sites. People are hired from all parts of the world, and USA is the biggest pool throughout the world.

Eligibility Criteria for M.Sc. (Bioinformatics)

The candidate who has completed B.S.C degree under registered university with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics as main subjects with 50% marks can apply for the course. The candidate has to pass all India entrance examination and personal interview in order to get in to the course. Candidate must have better knowledge in the stream of computer science and biology which these two merge together the course. The candidate must have keen attitude to work in hard in order to do research as do statistical work.

Admission Procedure for M.Sc. (Bioinformatics)

The admission process is based on the entrance exam conducted by a university or a national level exam. If the candidate is considered having satisfactory skills and competence by analyzing their curriculum vitae, they will be assessed immediately to the Biotechnology course. In other case if the C.V of the candidates is not satisfactory they have to attend an interview. Candidate must have to apply for the admission test at least 15 days before the registration deadline. The following documents have to be send along with the application form

• Copy of the certification of exams and related credits achieved.
• Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum (the applicant must use the format downloaded from the website, otherwise his/her application will not be taken into account) including the following information:
• Detailed curriculum vitae et studiorum;
• Title of the final examination or of degree thesis;
• Declaration of intent: letter illustrating the motivation and professional and personal aspirations of the candidate in relation to the Master’s Degree Course.

The candidate will be assessed on the basis of:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Informatics
• Chemistry
• Biological knowledge

Entrance exams in India

Following are some of the entrance exams in India for Bioinformatics course:

• Amity Institute of Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Anna University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Bharathidasan University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Bharathiar University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Calicut University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Information Technology: Bioinformatics Division Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) IIT JEE Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Technology Delhi IIT JEE Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati IIT JEE Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur IIT JEE Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) IIT JEE Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur IIT JEE Entrance Exam
• Institute of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology Admission Test
• Institute Of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Jadavpur University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Jamia Millia Islamia Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Jawaharlal Nehru University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Karunya University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Kerala University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Madurai Kamraj University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Mahatma Gandhi University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Periyar University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Pondicherry University : Bioinformatics Centre Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Rai University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Sri Ramchandra Medical College & Research Institute (Deemed University) Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• SRM University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• Tamil Nadu GD Naidu Agricultural University Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• University of Calcutta Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• University of Hyderabad Biotechnology Entrance Exam
• University of Pune, Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology Entrance Exam Biotechnology Entrance Exam

How to fill in M.Sc. (Bioinformatics) Entrance Application form?

The application form for the entrance exams can be bought from the institution either by post or via online. The application form can be filled and send via online. The candidate must scan a passport size photograph not more than 50kbps and attach it along with the DD number and other necessary details in the case on online form filing. In other case the application form has to be filled carefully with black ball pen, and photo and DD no for the amount paid as per the course details should be filled. Take print out of your admit card available online.

M.Sc. (Bioinformatics) Entrance Exam Pattern

There will be 100 multiple choice questions which is of objective type will be asked from the field of Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics, Reasoning and English. The total time period available is 90 minutes. The questions are of objective types and consist of two papers paper I and paper II. The level of questions will be 10, +2. And all questions have to be attended compulsorily. So candidate has to attend the entire 100 question from part I and the entire 100 question from part II, which carry a weight age of 1 mark each and negative mark of 1 for every 4 wrong answers.

Coaching Centers for M.Sc. (Bioinformatics) Entrance Exam

• Chemistry Coaching
• Ranjeet Shahi chemistry Classes
• Santushti Foundation
• Kamat Education
• St. Berchuman’s College

Reference Books for M.Sc. (Bioinformatics) Entrance Exam

• Introduction to Bioinformatics by Stephen A. Krawetz
• Bioinformatics: Managing Scientific Data by Zoe Lacroix
• Developing Bioinformatics Computer Skills by Cynthia Gibas
• Introduction to Bioinformatics by Teresa k. Attwood
• Discovering Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics by A. Malcolm Campbell
• Introduction to Bioinformatics by Arthur M. Lest
• Bioinformatics: A Biologist’s Guide to Biocomputing and the internet
• Master of Science in Bioinformatics Colleges in India
• A.N.J.A. College sivakasi, Tamil Nadu
• A.V.C College Nagappattinam, Tamil Nadu
• Alpha Arts and Science College Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham- Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
• Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham/ Amritapuri, Kollam, Kerala
• Annai College of Arts and Science, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
• Apeejay University, Gurgaon, Hryana.
• Aquinas College, Edacochin, Kochi, Kerala
• Asian Institute of Health Sciences, Thane, Maharashtra
• Auxilium College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
• Banasthai University, Tonk, Rajasthan
• Bharath College of Science of Science and Management Tamil Nadu
• G.I.T.A.M. Institute of Science, Andhra Pradesh
• GITAM University, Andhra Pradesh
• Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences
• Dibrugarh University, Assam
• Jamia Milia Islamic, Delhi
• Kharora Highway, Chhattisgarh
• Karnataka Women’s University, Karnataka
• Kuvempu University, Karnataka
• Manipal University, Karnataka
• St. Aloysius Day College, Karnataka
• West Bengal University of Technology, West Bengal
• I.I.S. University, Rajastan
• Singhania University, Rajasthan
• University of Kota, Rajastan
• Sikkim Manipal University, Sikkim

M.Sc. (Bioinformatics) course curriculum

Outline of courses in different semesters

Semester 1

• Theory Credits
• Introduction to Programming Languages and Programming: 4 Credits
• Cell Biology and Genetics: 4 Credits
• Essential Mathematics and Statistics: I 4 Credits
• Introduction to Bioinformatics: 4 Credits
• Practical Sections

Semester 2

• Theory
• Data Structures and Algorithms: 4 Credits
• Microbiology and Biotechnology: 4 Credits
• Essential Mathematics and Statistics II: 4 Credits
• Basic Biochemistry and Immunology: 4 Credits
• Comprehensive Viva based on the respective subjects.
• Practical Sections

Semester 3

• Theory
• DBMS with reference to Biological Data 4
• Biodiversity and Ecological Informatics 4
• Genoinformatics 4
• Prediction of Protein Structure and Modeling 4
• Practical Sections

Semester 4

• Theory
• Tools and Techniques: 4 Credits
• Applications of Bioinformatics 3 Credits
• Molecular Biology Techniques 4 Credits
• Seminar 1
• Comprehensive Viva based on the subjects.
• Project Work 6 Credits
• Practical Works
• Specializations
• A Simulations and Modelling for Biologists
• Soft Computing Techniques
• Biophysics: Experimental Techniques

M.Sc. (Bioinformatics) Course Evaluation

The evaluation is based on direct examination, internals, practical’s and project works. Each one has their own credits wherein which candidates have to score minimum score for each vertical in order to complete the course. Each subject has its internal as well as practical’s along with the ordinary theory part examination except for mathematics. Candidates have to score minimum of 500 for each semester and all together 2000 for the total 4 semesters.

M.Sc. (Bioinformatics) Text Books

• J.D. 2001 Beginning Perl for Bioinformatics. O’Reilly & Associates
• Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland. by Alberts et. al. 2002
• Genes VIII. Pearson. by Lewin 2004
• Molecular Cell Biology. Freeman. by Lodish et. al. 2004
• Cell and Molecular Biology. John Wiley. by Karp 2002
• Cell Biology. Saunders. by Pollard & Earnshaw 2002
• Asking about Cells. Saunders. by Tobin & Morcel 1997
• Molecular Biology of the Gene. Pearson by Watson et. al. 2004
• F.  Matrices and Vectors by Ayers
• G.: Differential Calculus by Prasad
• G.: Integral Calculus by Prasad
• Mathematical methods in the Physical Sciences by  Boas
• J.M. and Notredame C. 2003 Bioinformatics for Dummies. Wiley Edito
• S.I. 1999 Bioinformatics. Kluwer Academic Publishers. by Letovsky
• P. and Brunak by Baldi
• J. and Meidanis by Setubal
• A.M. 2002 Introduction to Bioinformatics. Oxford University Press.
• S.C. by Rastogi
• S.P. and Kohli by Vyas
• Data Structure  McGrawa Hill. by Lipshutz
• Data Structure  Addison-Wesley. by Standish
• File Structures  Prentice-Hall. by Salzberg
• File Organization and Processing  John Wiley and Sons. by Tharp
• A.  Hopcroft  J. and Ullman  J. The Design and Analysis of Compute
• E. and Sahani by Horowitz
• S.T. Introduction to the Design and Analysis of Algorithms. McGraw
• G. and Bratley by Brassard

What to do after M.Sc. (Bioinformatics)?

Those who had completed the MSC Bioinformatics can do job in various fields, as well as they can work as researcher in any of the biological firm, take profession as teacher, and they also have an opportunity to take masters in Bioinformatics and advance diploma. Those who are capable can even start their own biological firm and start research and make an income. Candidate can also do higher studies as M-Phil.

Job and Career options for M.Sc. (Bioinformatics)

Following are some of the jobs and career options for the MSC Bioinformatics candidates,

• Employment Areas
• Biomedical sciences
• Biotechnology
• Database Design and Maintenance
• Diagnostic Centers
• Educational Institutes
• Government and Private Hospitals
• Hospital Industry
• IT Sector
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Research Agencies and Institutions
• Sequence Analysis
• India Civil Services

Job Types

• Bio-Analyst
• Clinical Pharmacologist
• Computational Chemist
• Database Designer and Maintenance Expert
• Informatics Developer
• Sequence Analyst
• Pharmacologist
• Universities and College Professor
• Drug Inspector
• Researcher & Operator
• Manager & Observer
• IAS, IPS, and PCS Officers

Remuneration after M.Sc. (Bioinformatics)

Those who have finished the post graduation in Bioinformatics can expect a salary range between Rs.12000-Rs.15000 in the starting stage and will go up along with experience in the respective fields. Those who are in research can expect a high salary along with experience and huge growth potential.