M.Sc. in Biotechnology 

at SASTRA University, Thanjavur

The total course fee for the MSc course at SASTRA University ranges between INR 80,000 to INR 2 lakh. Admission to the MSc course is based on merit scores in the last qualifying exam. This course is offered across three specialisations including Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physics and Data Science. Check out the table below for specialisations across MSc along with their minimum eligibility criteria:

MSc Specialisations	Eligibility Criteria
Biotechnology	A pass in BSc (Biotechnology) OR a valid UG degree in relevant field from a recognised university
Chemistry	A pass in BSc (Chemistry) OR a valid UG degree in relevant field from a recognised university
Physics	A pass in BSc (Physics/ Applied Electronics / Industrial Electronics) OR a valid UG degree in relevant field from a recognised university
Data Science	A pass in BSc Mathematics/ Computer Science / BCA OR a valid UG degree in relevant field from a recognised university

Admission to all the BTech courses is subject to JEE Main scores and Class 12 scores(given equal weightage) for 50% of the seats and is subject to Class 12 scores for the remaining 50% of the seats. However, as per the official website, there is no fixed or specific cutoff to get a seat here. It depends on the students who score the highest marks. If a student has appeared for JEE Main then they need to apply under stream 1 of admission. Additionally, as per the data available on the internet, if a student has a score of 90-95% in Class 12 and 50-120 in JEE Main, there is a high possibility of getting admission.

There is no such provision for getting direct admission in any courses at SASTRA University. SASTRA University admission is both a merit and entrance exam based on the course for which the candidate has applied. Given below are the eligibility and selection criteria for some of the most opted courses at SASTRA University.

Course Name	Eligibility & Selection Criteria
BTech	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 with Maths & Physics as compulsory subjects with Chemistry/ Biotechnology/ Computer Science/ Biology with 60% aggregate + Age should be less than 19 Selection: JEE Main + Class 12 scores
BCA	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 with Mathematics/ Statistics as a subject Selection: Merit in Class 12
Integrated MTech	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 with Maths & Physics as compulsory subjects with Chemistry/ Biotechnology/ Computer Science/ Biology with 60% aggregate Selection: JEE Main + Class 12 scores
BOptom	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 in a single sitting with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics or Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology from a recognised board with at least 60% aggregate + Age should be less than 20 Selection: NEET + Class 12 scores
BA LLB (Hons)	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 from a recognised board in the first attempt with at least 50% aggregate with English as a subject Selection: CLAT + Class 12 scores
BBA LB (Hons)	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 from a recognised board in the first attempt with at least 50% aggregate with English as a subject Selection: CLAT + Class 12 scores
BCom LLB (Hons)	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 from a recognised board in the first attempt with at least 50% aggregate with English as a subject Selection: CLAT + Class 12 scores
MTech	Eligibility: A pass in relevant BE/ BTech Selection: GATE (preferred, not compulsory)
MBA	Eligibility: A pass in any UG degree Selection: CAT / XAT / AIMAT / CMAT / AIMCAT + Merit scores in UG
PhD	Eligibility: A pass in any PG degree with a 55% aggregate Selection: UGC-NET/ UGC CSIR-NET/ GATE/ UPSC

Selected candidates can register further for the counselling process after submitting the counselling fees; during this round, candidates will be required to report to the admission cell at SASTRA University for document verification and other admission formalities along with fee payment.

The SASTRA University highest package is not available officially. Once the University reveals the salary details it will be updated here. Meanwhile, the course-wise median package offered to the 2023 passing-out batch is mentioned below:

Course	Median Package (2023)
BTech	INR 7.60 LPA
MTech	INR 5.50 LPA
BA LLB/ BCom LLB/ BBA LLB	INR 4.60 LPA

NOTE: The above salary statistics are gathered from the NIRF report 2024.

{Source: M.E./M.Tech students & alumni}

Based on the reviews and feedback from current students and alumni, here's a summary of the pros and cons:

Infrastructure and Facilities:
* Well-maintained infrastructure, with good labs and library facilities
* Availability of Wi-Fi throughout the campus
* Clean and green surroundings
* Decent hostel facilities, though some complain about poor food and limited space

Teaching Quality:
* Faculty members are experienced and knowledgeable in their fields
* Encouragement towards practical learning and research
* Good balance between theoretical and practical education

Placements and Internship:
* High placement rates, with several students getting offers from reputed companies
* Core-based jobs are relatively fewer, with most being IT-related
* Average salary packages range from INR4-INR5 Lacs per annum
* Fewer internships available compared to other universities

Criticisms and Suggestions:
* Some students report poor food options in the hostel and canteen
* Limited social events and festivals organized by the college
* Some faculty members may not be up-to-date with the latest developments in their fields

Overall, M.E./M.Tech at SASTRA University seems to be a good choice for those interested in pursuing a career in engineering. While there are some areas for improvement, the university's strong faculty, good infrastructure, and decent placement record make it a viable option.

SASTRA University usually concludes the application for most of its courses between April and August. Candidates seeking admission at SASTRA University must complete their application process within the given time frame. Candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria for the programme they have applied for will be shortlisted for further admission rounds followed by document verification and fee payment leading to final seat allotment.

While Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA) offers a wide range of courses to students, it is most popular for its BTech, MTech, BSc, MSc, MBA, Integrated Law and PhD programmes. These courses are popular since they are available in a variety of subjects and specialisations. Other than the availability of specialisations, these courses are also affordable and flexible, which makes them a good choice for students who want to study at their own pace. Mentioned below are some of the reasons why Sastra University courses are popular:

• Flexibility: Sastra University provides a variety of learning modes, such as regular, online, distance learning, and correspondence. This makes it possible for the students to study from anywhere in the world at their own pace.
• Affordability: Apart from MTech, a majority of Sastra University courses are very affordable, making it possible for students from all backgrounds to pursue them.

Other than these factors, the reputation of the university, its strong faculty and state-of-the-art facilities makes it a popular choice among students. 

Sastra University offers a BTech course with 32 different specialisations. Among these 32 specialisations, seven are minors and two are integrated courses that last for five years. The entire BTech programme is divided into 8 semesters, with each semester having a duration of six months.

The subjects included in the course are related to the specialisation selected by the candidate. Candidates can download the entire curriculum of each specialisation from, here.

SASTRA University application process was conducted in both online and offline modes up until 2021. However, starting 2022, the process has shifted completely to online mode. Aspirants seeking admission can visit the official website of the deemed university, apply online, submit all the required documents and pay the application fee. Further, they have to go through the selection rounds and counselling process and then confirm their seat on payment of the admission tuition fee. Candidates can follow the below steps to download the application manual available on the official website for admission 2023. A step-by-step process is as follows:

Step 1: Visit Sastra University official website.

Step 2: Under the Admission 2023-24 section, click on 'Online Applications 2023'.

Step 3: Under the bottom left corner in the 'Application Guide' section, click on 'Application manual'. A PDF with the step-by step process of application will open up. Candidates willing to download this can click on the 'Down' arrow icon on the top right corner ofthe web page to download the same. 

SASTRA offers merit-based scholarships to meritorious and skilled students under the following categories: - It awards merit scholarships to the students who fall in the top 3 to 10% of high scorers in their semester examinations. The students are offered one-fifth of the semester fee. - The top 3% scorers at the university are offered two-fifth of the semester fee.