PREAMBLE:

Genomics is an important discipline in biological, biomedical, industrial and agricultural sciences and provides the global information on genetic factors and the genomic processes which in turn are related to the phenotype of organisms. Genomics also involves a series of unbiased assays and approaches to understand the complexity and diversity of genomes. Genomics approaches are expected to provide solutions in biomedical research by creating possibilities to new therapies for genetic and pathogen borne diseases. Because of its immediate and considerable impact on global health, there is demand for highly qualified and trained manpower in the field of Genomics.

Therefore, Post-Graduate course “M.Sc. Genomics” had been started from the Academic year 2002 onwards in the School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University. M.Sc Genomics is the first of its kind in the country and is being well recognized at national and international level. The outgoing students of M.Sc., Genomics were highly successful in finding the right opportunities. Ninety percentage of the M.Sc. Genomics students pursue their higher education through Ph.D., and the remaining take job in academic institutes or biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

M.Sc. course on “Genomics” was initiated as a part of the “Centre with Potential for Excellence in Genomic Sciences” programme of Xth plan initiatives of the University Grants Commission. By considering the national level recognition and demand for the course, UGC supported this programme in the XIth plan period also. At present, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, came forward to up-grade the PG and research programmes in School of Biological Sciences through the DBT-MKU Interdisciplinary Life Science Programme for Advanced Research and Education (DBT-MKU-IPLS). Thus the M.Sc. Genomics programme has been upgraded to Integrated M.Sc.– Ph.D. in Genomics. (This upgradation includes: i) increase in the number of students admitted to the course, ii) upgradation of laboratory, instrumentation and class room facility to accommodate the increased student intake, and iii) establishment of state-of-the art core equipment facility for the education and research in the focused area of the programme, “Disease Diagnostics and Therapeutics”. This upgradation is financially supported by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India.

Students with high academic standards in Bachelors degree are selected through a national level entrance test conducted by the University. This course pattern with an orientation towards basic and applied research in Genomic Sciences which provide opportunity to the students with an ambition of becoming scientists of international standard. The students joining this course are taught fundamental subjects as well as the basic and applied aspects of Genomics in the initial two years. This programme provides a platform, orientation and competence for them to carry out their doctoral research work in the focussed area of “Disease Diagnostics and Therapeutics”. On successful completion of the course, the students would receive both M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in five years period.

1.1:     ADVERTISEMENT FOR ADMISSION

Every year, call for the admission of Integrated M.Sc.– Ph.D. programme in Genomics will be advertised during December second week through leading national newspapers and in the following websites of Madurai Kamaraj University and School of Biological Sciences (www.mkuniversity.org, www.genomicsmku.org, & www.dbtiplsmku.org (under construction) ).

1.2:      ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION

Candidates who have successfully completed Bachelor degree in any branch of Life Sciences (Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Genetics or equivalent), Physical and Chemical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry), Medicine, Veterinary and Agriculture from any recognized Indian or Foreign University, with 55% marks or equivalent are eligible to apply for the Integrated M.Sc. – Ph.D. in Genomics course. Students with B.Tech. Degrees in Biotechnology, Computer Science, Information Technology and Bioinformatics, with Biology at +2 levels are also eligible.

1.3:       MODE OF SELECTION
Students with high academic standards in Bachelors degree will be selected through a national level entrance test conducted by the University in the month of March. This screening test will be conducted at 8 different centers across the country. Among the applicants, the candidates will be short-listed based on their score in the national level screening test. The short-listed candidates will be further screened by interview / seminar / discussion held at Madurai Kamaraj University during the second week of May. Thus the selection of candidates is based on their score in the national level screening test and their performance in the interview. The selection list will be published in June and the course will commence in July every year.

Every year, a maximum of 24 students will be admitted for the integrated M.Sc.- Ph.D., in Genomics. Among these 24 seats, 40% of seats are reserved for students from other states. The remaining 60% of the seats are allotted to the students from Tamil Nadu following the Tamil Nadu Government’s reservation policy.

1.4:     STUDENTSHIP
The students admitted to the integrated M.Sc. – Ph.D, Genomics course would be provided with the studentship of Rs. 1200/ per month for the period of initial 2 years. Any changes in this studentship amount would be implemented as per the regulations and instructions of DBT, New Delhi.

1.5:     COURSE STRUCTURE

The initial two years of the M.Sc. – Ph.D. Genomics course would be conducted under CBCS system (please refer CBCS guidelines of the University). The course Coordinator and the Departmental council decide all about the course structure and implementation. The core papers will be offered during the first three semesters as major papers. The elective papers will be offered in any semester depending on the workload of the teachers and the number of other papers stipulated during that period.  The existing semester-wise course allotment is as follows:

The course structure and syllabus of M.Sc. Genomics, which were approved by the Department Council of School of Biological Sciences and Academic council and Senate of Madurai Kamaraj University, are adopted and implemented for the first two years of the integrated M.Sc. – Ph.D. Genomics course. Additional elective courses could be offered in modern areas like Metagenomics, Cellular Genomics, Genomic Medicine, Molecular Diagnostics, Pharmacogenomics, Epigenomics, Therapeutics, etc.

1.6:     DETAILS OF COURSE FEE
On receipt of intimation of provisional selection, candidates should pay the prescribed fees.  Selected candidates who do not pay their fees within the time specified on the admission intimation will forfeit the seats offered. Any fees and excess fee once paid will not be refunded or adjusted or transferred under any circumstances. The fee structure of the Madurai Kamaraj University would be followed as below:

1. Tuition fees Rs.1,200/-  (per year) or (Rs. 650/- per semester)          
2. Laboratory fees Rs. 4,000/-   (per semester)  
3. Special fees (per year) as follows:

1.       Library                                       Rs.150/-
2.       Magazine                                    Rs.  50/-       
3.       World University Service                 Rs.  10/-       
4.       Games                                       Rs.120/-
5.       Student Aid Fund                          Rs.  10/-
6.       Examination Stationary                  Rs.  90/-       
7.       Identity Card                               Rs.  25/-
8.       Youth Activities                            Rs.  35/-                
9.       Admission fee                              Rs.  55/-
10.     Caution Deposit                            Rs.350/-
11.     Infrastructure Facilities                   Rs.  90/-
12.     Computer & internet utility fee         Rs.600/-

1.7:     COMPLETION OF INITIAL 2 YEARS
At the end of second year (fourth semester), based on the accomplishment of the course requirements, students will be considered as they have completed 2 years M.Sc course and will be awarded Masters Degree in Genomics as per the norms and regulations of Madurai Kamaraj University.

1.8:     Ph.D. ENROLLMENT & ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION
On the day of completion of the final examination of the fourth semester, counselling for Ph.D. admission will be conducted. During counselling, the students are expected to express their interest and commitment for continuing in the Ph.D. programme. Among the 24 students, who have completed two years of PG programme, 15 students would be enrolled for immediate Ph.D. registration. Among the interested candidates, priority will be given for the candidates those who qualify CSIR/NET examinations. Further, the cumulative marks obtained in the first four semesters will be considered as the selection criteria. This selection is made during the month of May every year. The waitlisted candidates will be enrolled in the event of vacancy arises within three months of admission.

Students can enrol for their Ph.D. as per the rules and regulations of Madurai Kamaraj University. Candidates can submit their Ph.D., thesis after the completion of three years with other course requirements (please refer the Ph.D. guidelines of Madurai Kamaraj University).

1.9:     GUIDE SELECTION
The student can choose their research supervisor in the School of Biological Sciences based on their area of interest. The cumulative score obtained in the four semesters would be the first criteria for the candidates to select the guide. When needed, counselling will be done with a committee constituted for the purpose to assess the interest of the candidates, willingness of the guide and to streamline the selection process. If students wish to continue their Ph.D. work with the same supervisor where they have completed their fourth semester project work that would be favourably considered by the committee. The selected candidates would be enrolled for Ph.D. as per the research guidelines of Madurai Kamaraj University.

1.10:  FELLOWSHIP
 The fellowship for the students admitted to Ph.D. will be Rs. 12000/- p.m + 15 % HRA + MA for first two years and Rs. 14000/- p.m + 15 % HRA + MA for the third year.

1.11:  Ph.D. GUIDELINES
Those registered for Ph.D. undertakes a paper offered by the School of Biological Sciences and another one offered by the Ph.D. supervisor. This could be completed in the fifth semester. At the end of third year the students will appear for the Research Methodology exam as per the regulations of University. The students who continue their Ph.D. research with the same supervisor where they have completed their fourth semester project work can appear for the methodology examination at the end of fifth semester.  Students can submit their Ph.D. thesis at the end of 5 years or 2 years after their methodology exam. Every year, students are required to give 2 research project progress presentations in the School. The recommendation for the subsequent year fellowship is based on the assessment of the committee and the recommendations of the supervisor.

Madurai Kamaraj university’s Ph.D guidelines and regulations are applicable for the Integrated Ph.D course in all other aspects that were not specified here.

Syllabus

For Details please contact:

Dr. P. Gunasekaran
Co-ordinator
Centre for Excellence in Genomic Sciences
School of Biological Sciences
Madurai Kamaraj University
Madurai 625 021

Phone: 0452-2458478 or 0452-2459873
E-mail: gunagenomics@gmail.com / gunagenomics@yahoo.co.in