The Department of Biotechnology was established in 1991, under the Faculty of Sciences for postgraduate teaching and research in the emerging area of Biotechnology. The Department offers MSc in Biotechnology, MSc in Microbiology and IMSc in Biological Sciences. The programme has been designed in such a way that the students are well trained in state-of-the-art techniques in the world of molecular biology, genetic engineering, bio-informatics, plant biotechnology, molecular neurobiology, microbiology and immunology. The theoretical and practical knowledge acquired by the student during the first three semesters is perfected through an intensive dissertation work during the fourth semester. Topically relevant problems are identified for the purpose so as to impart training in identification and execution of research problems and interpretation of data.
Most of the M. Sc. students opt for research programmes in national/international laboratories after they complete their course. They also find employment in industries, educational institutions and other organizations involved in R & D and also in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental biotechnology sectors.
The Department has many achievements to its credit. More than 100 PhDs have been awarded to date and there are more than 250 publications to its credit. The Department is also amongst the few at the National level to have been selected for the special assistance from DST (Govt. of India) under the FIST ( Fund for Improvement of S & T infrastructure) in 2003, 2009 and 2025. In addition there are also several externally funded research projects and schemes sponsored by DBT, DST, UGC, CSIR, DOD, MoES, ICAR, ICMR, etc.