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BSc Microbiology is a full-time undergraduate program which is of 3-year duration. This course primarily focuses on the microorganisms and their applications in the field of Research. This course aims to provide students a detailed study of microorganisms with the help of scientific tools such as microscopes, genetics, and culture.
Know More About Microbiology Courses
In order to be eligible to seek admission to this program, candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects. Admission to a BSc Microbiology course is done based on candidate’s marks in the Class 12 examination.
Key Points of B.Sc. Microbiology
- Duration: 3 years (Full Time & Part-Time)
- Minimum Eligibility: Minimum 50%-60% in higher secondary class with science stream.
- Admission Process: Usually Merit based. But, few of the colleges conduct their own entrance exams.
- Top B.Sc. Microbiology Entrance Exams: AMUEEE, LPUNEST, Assam CEE, HPU MAT, IISc Entrance Exam, and other relevant entrance exams.
- Top Universities and Colleges: NIMS University, Madras Christian College, Mount Carmel College, Ethiraj College, and others.
- Distance Education/Correspondence/Online: Yes.
- Distance Education Colleges: Periyar University, NIMS University, Annamalai University, and many more
- Common Jobs after B.Sc. Microbiology: Microbiologist, Operations Manager, Senior Business Analyst, Senior research scientist, Quality control Microbiologist, Clinical Research Associate, etc.
- Popular Courses after B.Sc. Microbiology: MSc Microbiology, MSc in Applied Microbiology, MSc Medical Microbiology, and MSc Microbial Genetics and Bioinformatics.
Some of the top universities/ colleges in India like LPU, Fergusson College, Mount Carmel College, Ethiraj College for Women, RamNarain College, offer BSc Microbiology degree
The average annual program fee in India ranges between INR 50,000 and 2,00,000, depending on the institute offering the program. There are a plethora of high paid and reputed jobs available after successful completion of this course. The average annual starting salary offered to BSc Microbiology graduates in India range between INR 3 and 5 Lakh depending on the candidate's expertise in the field.
BSc Microbiology Eligibility
Students who aspire to seek admission to BSc Microbiology course is required to follow the minimum eligibility criteria given below:
-
Must have passed Class 12 or any other equivalent examination from a recognized board with an aggregate of at least 60% marks.
- Aspirants must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/ Zoology/ Botany as compulsory subjects in Class 12.
BSc Microbiology: Admission Process
Most of the institutes and universities in India follow a merit-based admission process for admission to the BSc Microbiology program. Marks obtained by students in Higher secondary class or relevant examinations are taken into consideration. Seats are then allotted to deserving candidates. A few of the colleges do offer admission on the basis of entrance exams.
Merit-Based Admission: Colleges Offering admissions on the basis of merit list consider the 10+2 score. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Zoology are the mandatory subjects, that means you should be from a science background. To apply for merit-based admission offering colleges you need to fill the application form online and have to keep a check on the cutoff list released by the college or university.
Entrance Based Admission: A few of the colleges and states conduct their university and state level entrance tests for offering admissions in this course like LPUNEST for Lovely Professional University, Assam CEE for Dibrugarh University, and alike. For this mode of admission, you need to apply on their college website and have to appear for an exam on the date of examination. Students will be selected on the entrance exam score.
BSc Microbiology Entrance Exams
Some of the top colleges and universities which offer this Bachelor’s degree program conduct an entrance test for admission to this program. There are a number of universities, state, and college-level entrance exams like MGU CAT, LPU NEST, Assam CEE, and others. With the help of these examinations, colleges/ universities will be able to test the student’s knowledge and ability on the basis of which the selection takes place.
LPUNEST 2021: Lovely Professional University National Eligibility and Scholarship Test (LPUNEST) is a national level entrance examination conducted online. It comprises multiple-choice questions that offer admission in Undergraduate degree and MCA/MBA courses. It is a 2 hour 30 minutes examination consisting of 4 sections Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology, and English.
Assam CEE: The Dibrugarh University conducts this Assam CEE (Assam Common Entrance Examination) offer admissions in undergraduate engineering courses like BE, B.Tech, B.Sc., and alike. It is a paper pen objective type test of 3 hours.
AMUEEE 2021: Aligarh Muslim University Engineering Entrance Examination (AMUEEE) is an exam conducted by Aligarh Muslim University. It is a 3-hour offline examination comprising questions related to physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
| Exam Name | Application Process | Exam Date | Exam Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPUNEST | June 2, 2020- June 30, 2020 | Up to June 30, 2020 | Online |
| Assam CEE | March 02, 2020- May 27, 2020 | June 28, 2020 | Offline |
| AMUEEE | January 16, 2020- February 27, 2020 | Postponed | Offline |
How to prepare for B.Sc. Microbiology Entrance Exams?
We have listed a few points below to help the aspirants cracking the entrance exams.
- Syllabus and question structure: The students must have a proper idea about the syllabus and the question paper. Most entrance exams have a duration of 2-3 hours comprising objective type questions.
- Section-wise Preparation: Questions are mainly asked from the subjects -like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English. Therefore, the students should have a clear understanding of all these subjects.
- Previous Question Papers: The students should study the previous year’s question paper in detail. This will help them to understand the type of questions asked in the examination.
- Time Management: Time should be given more importance, as students are recommended to have a proper time table and should practice time-based sample or mock test papers.
BSc Microbiology: What is it about?
BSc Microbiology is an undergraduate degree that enables you to investigate the living system and environmental relationship. It covers the study of microorganisms and their effects on human beings. This course comprises both practical and theoretical subjects.
- Bachelor of Science in Microbiology involves the study of the biology of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi.
- The main focus of this program is the study of the pathogenic potential of the disease-causing organisms in man.
- This program also covers aspects of Biochemistry, Physiology, and Genetics of Microorganisms.
- The program is meant to prepare students for a prosperous career in the field of Microbiology.
- It is a professional degree program of 3 years comprising 6 semesters.
- This course is a combination of 2 leading subjects i.e. biology and chemistry.
BSc Microbiology Highlights
| Course Level | Undergraduate |
| Duration of the Course | 3 years |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | 50%-60% in 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry and Biology/ Botany/ Zoology as compulsory subjects |
| Admission Process | Direct Admission followed by Counselling/Entrance Exam Based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 50,000 to 2 lakhs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 5,00,000 per annum |
| Top Job Areas | Colleges, Universities, Food Industry, Development Laboratories etc. |
| Top Job Positions | Bacteriologist, Virologist, Biochemist, Cell Biologist, Industrial Microbiologist, etc. |
BSc Microbiology Top Colleges
Some of the top colleges offering B.Sc. Microbiology program is listed in the table given below:
| The WEEK Ranking | Name of the College/ University | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees | Average Placement Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Madras Christian College, Chennai | Merit-Based | INR 88,857 | INR 3,80,000 |
| 8 | Fergusson College, Pune | Merit-Based | INR 22,110 | INR 5,70,000 |
| 10 | St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai | Merit-Based | INR 20,507 | INR 6,20,000 |
| 13 | Mount Carmel College, Bangalore | Entrance Exam Based | INR 1,26,000 | INR 6,80,000 |
| 17 | Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai | Merit-Based | INR 59,000 | INR 4,80,000 |
| 21 | RamNarain RUIA Autonomous College, Mumbai | Merit-Based | INR 22,350 | INR 3,25,000 |
| 29 | Jai Hind College, Mumbai | Merit-Based | INR 18,715 | INR 4,25,000 |
| 31 | Kishinchand Chellaram College, Mumbai | Merit-Based | INR 18,735 | INR 5,10,000 |
BSc Microbiology College Comparison
The basic difference between the top colleges offering B.Sc Microbiology program for the convenience of students is provided in the table given below:
| Name of the College | Madras Christian College, Chennai | Mount Carmel College, Bangalore |
|---|---|---|
| The WEEK Rank | 6 | 13 |
| Overview | Madras Christian College is an autonomous institute established in 1837. This university provides students with numerous programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels. The college is having 38 departments in total including both day and evening streams. It offers over 30 regular courses including every stream i.e. arts, science, and commerce. | Mount Carmel College is a prestigious university which is situated in Bangalore. It is a women’s college with notable alumni like Deepika Padukone, Anushka Shetty, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, and many more. Mount Carmel College offers a wide range of programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate and research level. It is also the 3rd top-ranked college in Karnataka as per India Today ranking. |
| Courses Offered | Ph.D., BA, B.Sc., BBA, MA, PG Diploma, B.Com, MSc, and other courses | Ph.D., BA, B.Sc., BBA, MA, PG Diploma, B.Com, MSc, and other courses |
| Average Fees | INR 88,857 | INR 1,26,000 |
| Average Salary Package | INR 3,80,000 | INR 6,80,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Larsen & Toubro, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Deloitte, and many other companies. | Accenture, Amazon, TCS, Goldman Sachs, HP, KPMG, Cognizant, and many more |
Source: College Official Websites
BSc Microbiology Distance Education
You can also pursue B.Sc. Microbiology from distance learning. There are plenty of reasons to pursue courses from distance education, few of those reasons are listed below:
- The average cost of studying from distance education colleges always cost less.
- You need not migrate from your hometown for pursuing education
- Study material will be readily available on mail or through speed post and pen drives.
- Suitable for those aspirants who cannot pursue the course full time.
You need to clear your 10+2 with science stream or equivalent from the recognized board to get eligible for this course.
A few of the colleges and universities offering B.Sc. Microbiology from distance learning are listed below:
| College/University Name | Location | Average Annual Fee Charged |
|---|---|---|
| Periyar University | Tamil Nadu | INR 6,845 |
| Annamalai University | Tamil Nadu | INR 19,400 |
| NIMS University | Jaipur | INR 66,000 |
| Vinayaka Mission University | Tamil Nadu | INR 33,000 |
BSc Microbiology Subjects and Syllabus
B.Sc. Microbiology covers the subjects related to microorganisms, cell biology, ecology, and other related terms related to microorganisms. The detailed semester-wise syllabus of B.Sc. Microbiology program is provided in the table given below:
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Biology | Physics |
| Chemistry | Microbial Ecology |
| English | Biochemistry |
| Introduction to microbiology | Creative writing |
| Information systems | Mathematics |
| Cultural education I | Cultural education II |
| Microbiology lab | Physical science lab |
| - | Biochemistry lab |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Molecular biology | Cell biology |
| Mycology | Inheritance biology |
| Microbial physiology | Immunology |
| Analytical biochemistry | Enzyme technology |
| Virology | Biostatistics |
| General microbiology lab | Food microbiology |
| Molecular biology lab | Immunology lab |
| - | Food microbiology lab |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Industrial microbiology | Project |
| Medical bacteriology | Pharmacology |
| Recombinant DNA technology | Parasitology |
| Environmental and agricultural microbiology | - |
| Research methodology | - |
| Medical bacteriology lab | - |
| Industrial microbiology lab | - |
| Genetic engineering lab | - |
A few of the top reads and course books of B.Sc. Microbiology is enlisted below for your reference. This list of books will definitely help you to grow advanced knowledge of the subject.
| Book Name | Author |
|---|---|
| Microbiology: An Introduction | Gerard J. Tortora, Berdell R. Funke, and Christine L. Case |
| Brock Biology of Microorganisms | Michael T. Madigan, John M. Martinko, Kelly S. Bender, Daniel H. Buckley, David A. Stahl, and Thomas Brock |
| Clinical Microbiology made Ridiculously Simple | Mark Gladwin, Bill Trattler and C. Scott Mahan |
| Prescott’s Microbiology | Joanne Willey, Linda Sherwood, and Christopher J. Woolverton |
| Bailey & Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology | Patricia Tille |
| Greenwood Medical Microbiology | David Greenwood, Richard C. B. Slack, Michael R. Barer, and Will L Irving |
BSc Microbiology Career Prospects
Microbiologists are in huge demand nowadays in the field of Medical Research, Quality Control, and the biotechnology industry. Numerous graduates get jobs as researchers working in Universities, Pharmaceutical and Bioscience companies and institutes.
B.Sc. Microbiology graduates also move forward in laboratory-based careers in clinical or technical roles not involving research. There are a large number of job opportunities for those who want to pursue a career in the field of Microbiology. Microbiologist graduates will be able to find jobs in various sectors including government and private hospitals, food industries, research and development organizations, chemical industries, and pharmaceutical industries.
B.Sc. Microbiology graduates can also opt for a career as a science writer, writing articles for professional microbiologists. The salary of microbiologists depends on various factors including qualification, experience, and job profile.
Some of the popular professional jobs available to a B.Sc. Microbiology graduate along with the corresponding salaries are provided in the table given below:
| Job Position | Job Profile | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteriologist | The job of a Bacteriologist is to study different kinds of bacteria that are constantly changing and evolving. Their main work is to do research in a laboratory mostly for govt. or pharmaceutical companies. | INR 2,91,000 |
| Virologist | A Virologist is a professional who studies the growth, development, structure, and characteristics of distinct viruses. His main job is to isolate and make cultures of significant viruses in a standard inhibitory medium in a way such that to control environmental factors including aeration, moisture, temperature, and nutrition. | INR 10,00,000 |
| Mycologist | A Mycologist is a person who studies fungi which is an independent organism similar to animals, algae, plants, and bacteria. Mycologists usually study operations of the organism-based processes of poisonous, edible, and parasitic fungi to find organisms that are pretty helpful in medicine, industry and agriculture sectors. | INR 6,00,000 |
| Cell biologist | Cell biologists used to research and study the properties, interactions, and structure of molecules of a cell from which they can derive basic principles or about the effects of cell behavior on a particular organism. | INR 10,70,000 |
| Biochemist | Biochemists work with the chemical composition of living organisms and carry out the studies of the chemical processes involved in all the basic life functions. With the help of research, experimentation, and study, these professionals will be able to provide us with much of the background knowledge on topics like genetics and heredity. | INR 7,00,000 |
Source: Payscale
B.Sc. Microbiology Scope
On completion of B.Sc. Microbiology program candidates can opt for a wide range of professions. With the help of a B.Sc. Microbiology degree, students will be able to make their careers in the field of Microbiology as a Microbiologist, Bacteriologist, Virologist, etc. The scope in this field is rising at a fast pace and will continue to do so in the future also.
There are several areas both in the private as well as in the public sector where a B.Sc. Microbiology graduates may start working.
After completing B.Sc. Microbiology program, there are a large number of job opportunities and career options. Students can choose any of the careers in accordance with their skills and interests. Some of the topmost career choices after completion of B.Sc. Microbiology program is provided below:
- M.Sc. Microbiology: After pursuing B.Sc. Microbiology, most of the students opt for M.Sc. Microbiology. You can pursue M.Sc. Microbiology with a specialization of your choice. It is always recommended to go for further studies after pursuing this program as otherwise, it won’t be that fruitful. An average fee charged to pursue this course ranges from INR 50,000- INR 3 Lakhs.
- M.Sc. in Applied Microbiology: On completion of B.Sc. Microbiology, candidates can opt for this course which is a specialization of Microbiology. An average cost of pursuing an MSc in Applied Microbiology course ranges from INR 2-5 Lakhs.
So, BSc Microbiology offers numerous lucrative career options and you can choose according to your skills and areas of interest. You can go for higher studies or you can also opt for a decent job. It all depends on you whether you want to do the job after completing this course or you wish to study further.
Course Comparison
- BSc Biotechnology or BSc Microbiology
Both BSc Biotechnology and BSc Microbiology is a specialized course and is pretty popular among students. The basic difference between these two courses is provided in the table below:
| Parameters | BSc Biotechnology | BSc Microbiology |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Form | Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology | Bachelor of Science in Microbiology |
| Course Overview | B.Sc. Biotechnology is a full-time undergraduate program that is of 2-year duration and is a more diverse field as compared to a B.Sc. Microbiology. | Bachelor of Science in Microbiology is a full-time undergraduate program the duration of which is 2 years and can be pursued after completing Class 12. |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 3,000 to 1 Lakhs | INR 25,000 to 2 Lakhs |
| Average Salary | INR 4 Lakhs per annum | INR 5 Lakhs per annum |
| Colleges | Punjab University, Lovely Professional University, GD Goenka University, Gurgaon, etc. | Indian Academy Degree College, Bangalore, Rai University, Ahmedabad, Punjab University, GD Goenka University, Gurgaon, etc. |
Source: College Official Websites
BSc Microbiology: FAQs
Some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to B.Sc. Microbiology course is given below:
Ques. What is the full form of BSc Microbiology?
Ans. The full form of BSc Microbiology is a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology.
Ques. Can an aspirant get admission to DU in the BSc Microbiology program based on Class 10th and Diploma?
Ans. No, you need to have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board to apply for the BSc Microbiology program in DU.
Ques. What after BSc Microbiology?
Ans. After pursuing a BSc Microbiology program, you can opt for jobs as a Microbiologist or Biochemist or you can also go for further studies such as M.Sc Microbiology.
Ques. Is there any entrance exam for admission to the BSc Microbiology program at Delhi University?
Ans. No, there is no entrance examination for admission to the BSc Microbiology program. Admission to this course will be granted based on the candidate’s marks in the Class 12 examination.
Ques. Where can I pursue a BSc Microbiology program in India?
Ans. Some of the top universities, and institutes offering the B.Sc. Microbiology degree in India is Indian Academy Degree College, Lovely Professional University, Rai University, IIMT, BFIT Group of Institutions, Punjab University, SASTRA University, and Bharath University.
Ques. Is BSc Microbiology a good career option?
Ans. Yes; BSc Microbiology is a good career option and promises students a sound career in this field.
Ques. Is Maths required for the BSc Microbiology course?
Ans. Mathematics is not mandatory for the BSc Microbiology program. It is a program mainly for Class 12th PCB students.
Ques. What subjects are taught in the BSc Microbiology course?
Ans. The main subjects of the study included in the BSc Microbiology curriculum is General Microbiology, Microbial Physiology, Microbial Genetics, Molecular Biology, etc.
Ques. How tough is the BSc Microbiology course?
Ans. B.Sc. Microbiology courses are not at all tough. If you have an interest in Botany, Zoology, and Life Sciences then it seems easy to you. Basically, it all depends on your interest.
Ques. Which degree is better: BSc Biotechnology or BSc Microbiology?
Ans. BSc Microbiology course has a large focus on Chemistry particularly Biochemistry whereas BSc Biotechnology focuses more on the understanding of technology and offers analytical approaches. BSc Biotechnology program offers students a greater degree of expertise particularly on Biophysical Applications and Computational Biological Science.
Ques. Have entrance exams postponed due to COVID’19?
Ans. Yes, entrance exams like LPUNEST, AMUEEE have been postponed due to pandemic disease COVID’19.
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