Microbiology: Admission 2024, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Top Colleges, Career Scope

The most well-suited course in the Microbiology stream is the BSc Microbiology program. It is an undergraduate degree programme that focuses on the study of microorganisms, including viruses, fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and other microscopic life forms.  
A BSc in Microbiology frequently involves a lot of lab work. Students receive practical experience in methods like DNA analysis, biochemical assays, microscopy, and the culture of microorganisms.

Microbiology is a branch of Biology that deals with the study of microorganisms. The microbiology course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the microscopic world, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The Microbiology course covers the fundamental principles and concepts of Microbiology, including microbial growth, metabolism, genetics, and ecology.

The Microbiology course also covers the interaction between microorganisms and their environment, including their relationship with other organisms and their impact on human health. Students will learn about the different types of microorganisms and their structures, functions, and roles in the environment.

Due to the increasing demand for microbiology in almost every sector, advanced technologies are evolving through research. These are helping lives day-to-day solving life-threatening diseases and problems in the food industry. Clinical laboratory tests are progressing precisely because of recent inventions. Some new technologies in microbiology are:

• Molecular Methods- Molecular techniques used in microbiology involve the manipulation and analysis of DNA, RNA, protein, and lipids. The benefits of molecular methods are improved sensitivity of detection, specificity of identification, and reduced turnaround time.
• Nucleic Acid Sequencing- Nucleic acid sequencing is the method to determine the sequential arrangement of nucleic acid bases. This allows researchers to identify changes in genes, links with diseases, and identify potential drug targets.
• Digital PCR- Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction methods are used to directly expand and amplify nucleic acid strands like DNA, cDNA, or RNA. Some of its applications are liquid biopsy, rare sequence detection, and gene expression.

Students pave the way for new approaches to fight diseases. All programmes in microbiology studies contain laboratory equipment. Internships provide quality experiences and win jobs from potential employers. Microbiologists specialise in understanding the characteristics and behaviour of microorganisms. Sometimes, they deal with harmful organisms for their research, and it tends to be hazardous. The required skill set to pursue a PG Diploma in Microbiology is:

• Abundant knowledge of science,
• Analytical, interpersonal, mathematical, speaking, and writing proficiency,
• Knowledge about how to use equipment like gas chromatography and electron microscopes,
• Laboratory skill,
• Critical thinking.

Microbiology and Biotechnology are two distinct fields of study within the broader scope of Life Sciences. Both fields deal with living organisms, but Microbiology is primarily concerned with the study of microorganisms, while Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms or their products to create useful products or technologies. 

Candidates can check the table below to know the comparison between the two.

This demanding course in microbiology calls for a great deal of work, commitment, and critical thinking. This is not a course that can be passed with ease by rote learning statistics and facts. Rather, it requires a thorough understanding of the subject, useful skills, and the capacity to solve problems.
Microbiology is a rewarding course that leads to many career opportunities, despite its challenges. Environmental Science, Healthcare, Agriculture, and the Food Industry are just a few of the industries in which microbiologists can find employment. To sum up, passing the Microbiology course is not impossible. If you're passionate about the subject, work hard, and dedicate yourself to the course can succeed in Microbiology and go on to have rewarding careers in the field.

Fundamentally, Microbiology courses impart knowledge on basic activities, living, and effects of microorganisms. The organisms include fungi, viruses, prions, prokaryotes, and protists. The immune system and immunology are studied in detail to know how diseases attack the human body.

Theoretical, as well as practical training, is imparted to candidates. This helps them to perform well in-patient care and prevent infectious diseases that bother society. Basic research is introduced to them in postgraduate studies so that they conduct fundamental and applied research.

Also, planning, executing, and teaching medical Microbiology is done. Postgraduate programmes are mostly self-directed and focus on clinical and academic work. A thesis is required to complete post-graduation.

Microbiology is a massive domain with a wide variety of options. There are various specialisations and it is up to the candidate to choose their specialisation. Bacteriology, virology, immunology, medical microbiology, and food and dairy microbiology are popular areas worldwide.
Microbiologists ensure the food we eat is safe and provide solutions to tackle diseases that kill humans. Microbiology is a major contributor to biotechnology. The range of jobs available to microbiologists is as extensive as their work. Many medical and biotech companies invite microbiologists to join them.
Post-doctoral studies abroad have high recognition and yield good pay. Multinational companies, multi-specialty hospitals, food industries, and chemical and cosmetic industries hire microbiologists. Research-based careers suit candidates with a postgraduate and doctoral degree. Another interesting career in microbiology is a marine microbiologist.

No, a Commerce student cannot apply for a Microbiology course at the undergraduate level. 

Candidates must have passed Class 12 with a minimum of 60% marks in the respective qualifying examination from a recognised educational board. The students must have studied PCB (Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Zoology/Botany) as the mandatory subjects in Class 12 or any other equivalent qualifying examination.

The Admission process for some institutions can be subject to entrance tests. The respective institutions conduct these entrance tests at their level. 

The basic eligibility criteria for admission to top Microbiology Colleges in India are mentioned below:

• Candidates must have completed Class 12 in Science Stream with Physics,  Chemistry,  Maths,  Biology from a recognised board.
• Candidates should atleast score around 60% (50% for SC/ST/OBC category except creamy layer) to be considered eligible for admission to top Microbiology Colleges in India.

Note: eligibility criteria may vary for different institutions, so it is suggested to check the official college website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

No, B tech Graduates are not eligible for the UGC NET Exam. Eligibility Criteria: Students who have secured at least 55 percent marks in a Master's Degree or equivalent examination from universities or institutions recognised by UGC in Humanities and Social Science, Computer Science, Applications, Electronic Science, etc. Are eligible for the NET exam. The OBC belonging to non-creamy layer, SC, ST, and PWD category students who have secured at least 50 percent marks in a Master's degree or equivalent examination are eligible for the NET exam. The Ph.D. degree holders whose Master's level examination had been completed by September 19th, 1991 (irrespective of the date of declaration of result) shall be eligible for a relaxation of 5 percent in aggregate marks (I. e. , from 55 percent to 50 percent) for appearing in UGC NET. Age Limit: 31 years for JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) and No age limit for Andhra Pradesh (Assistant Professorship).. .

For admission in Universities through CUET (UG) - 2025, the existing policies regarding quota, category, relaxation, reservations, qualification, subject combinations, preferences etc.. of the respective University / Institution shall be applicable. For appearing in CUET exam there is no age limit, however, candidates will be required to follow the age criteria (if any) prescribed the university in which candidate is desirous of taking admission. As the eligibility criteria for admission may be unique for every University, the candidates are advised to visit the University website to which they are applying for their respective programs.

Mere appearance in the CUET exam will not guarantee admission to the programme untill the candidates has:

• Studied subject (s) in major
• Fulfilled the subject combination criteria

Yes, there are many common entrance exams to get admitted to Microbiology Colleges in India; below mentioned are some of them:

• CUET: Common University Entrance Test is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission in various fields in UG and PG level.
• CPGET: Common Post Graduate Entrance Test is a state-level entrance exam conducted by Osmania University for admission to various PG, PGDM courses and five-year integrated courses in State Universities of Telangana.
• ICAR AIEEA: Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Examination for Admission is a National level entrance exam conducted by National Testing Agency for admission to Bachelors and Masters degree programmes in Agriculture and Allied Sector.
• UGC NET: University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test is a national-level entrance exam conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) for determining eligibility of candidates for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship in Indian Universities and Colleges.
• NEET MDS: National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test for Masters in Dental Surgery is a national level entrance exam conducted by National Board of Examinations (NBE) for admission to postgraduate dental courses.

Given below are the exam schedule for above examinations:

There are various strategies which can increase the chances of qualifying. One of the most remarkable practice which produces good result is solve previous year ICAR AIEEA PG question paper

It will help students to compose their strategy of question solving in less time and help to understand the trend of the questions. Since the syllabus remains same so some times even same questions are repeated in the exam which helps students to take an edge over others. 

No, there is no negative marking for the incorrect answer in the Andhra Pradesh PGECET exam. The Andhra Pradesh PGECET exam pattern helps in making a correct strategy to ace it. The university also releases mock tests based on the Andhra Pradesh PGECET exam pattern and with the help of Mock tests candidate will be able to evaluate their exam preparation and also get an overview of the actual exam.

Similar to other courses, students will be asked 100 questions in a duration of 90 minutes. Each question will carry one mark. Questions will be asked from the sections/ subjects - Phyiscs, Chemistry and Mathematics. Sections-wise number of questions are provided in the table below

Yes, Mathematics is an important component in the field of Microbiology. While Microbiology primarily deals with the study of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, mathematical concepts and techniques are applied in various aspects of microbiological research and analysis. 

Microbiologists are involved in laboratory research, data analysis, and conducting experiments to understand microorganisms and their impact on various aspects of life, including healthcare, agriculture, and the environment.

On the other hand, Medical doctors are responsible for diagnosing and treating patients, performing surgeries, and providing medical care to individuals with various health conditions.

Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two courses.

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

Common Univeristy Entrance Test (CUET) result is released by National Testing Agency. CUET syllabus is divided into three sections viz., Languages, Domain Subject and General Test. CUET language section assesses candidate through reading comprehension (factual, literary, and narrative), literary aptitude and vocabulary. CUET syllabus second section- domain subject assesses the candidate's in depth knowledge on the subject he/she has opted for. CUET third section- general test includes general knowledge, current affairs, general mental ability, quantitative reasoning and logical and analytical reasoning. CUET syllabus is available now. Candidates can check the section wise detailed CUET syllabus here.

If candidates are preparing for Microbiology course entrance exams in India, they will want to refer to reliable and comprehensive textbooks to cover the syllabus effectively. Here are some recommended books for Microbiology course entrance exams in India:

Note: The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

India has almost 264 Government Microbiology Colleges and below mentioned are some of the top Government Microbiology Colleges in India:

Given below are some of the top Microbiology Colleges in India in accordance to their NIRF University Ranking 2023:

Here are some of the top Microbiology college options providing the best placement options in India:

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.

The Microbiology salary in India can vary depending on experience, education, location, and the type of industry or organization. However, the average salary of a Microbiologist in India is:
•    Entry-Level: INR 2.5 - 4 LPA
•    Mid-Level: INR 4 - 6 LPA
•    Senior-Level: INR 6 - 10 LPA

Here are some of the top job profiles under Microbiology field:

Note: The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

B Pharm primarily focuses on pharmaceutical sciences, including the study of drugs, their development, manufacturing, and dispensing. It prepares students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry, research, clinical pharmacy, and drug regulatory affairs.

Meanwhile, Microbiology focuses on the study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Microbiologists investigate various aspects of these organisms, including their structure, function, genetics, and role in diseases.
Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two courses.

Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two courses.

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

No, Medical Doctors are not Microbiologists. When someone studies microorganisms, which include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microscopic organisms, they are regarded as a Scientist. Microbiologists can find employment in a variety of settings, such as industry, environmental science, healthcare, and research.
Professionals with a medical degree (such as an M.D. or D.O.) who have completed medical school are known as Medical Doctors. They are qualified to identify, address, and prevent medical conditions in people.