Introduction

The development of Biotechnology is embracing almost every sector of human civilization. All the developed and developing countries are heading towards this diverse discipline in a very short span of time which has created unique opportunities not only for the exploitation of biological systems for the benefit of mankind, but also for undertaking research to explore the fundamental life processes. Presently it has found wide applications in the areas as diverse as agriculture, animal husbandry, medicine, pharmacology, environmental management, Biosensors, Bioelectronics and diagnostics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Body’s and Cell’s Bio-signatures, Microarray Technologies, Prediction and Molecular Simulation, Drug Discovery, Gene Regulation and Transcriptomics, Bioinformatics and computational biology and in industries making biotechnological products. In a country like Nepal, where the concept of biotechnology based industries is limited and biotechnology is immature with limited number of skilled human resources making it difficult to develop biotechnological research and industries. Tribhuvan University (TU) is the premier university in Nepal, which provides courses in diverse disciplines at various levels. Considering the potentialities of modern biotechnology, TU established Central Department of Biotechnology in 2008, anticipating leading role in the fulfillment of national demand on the manpower and also to start innovative researches in various fields of biotechnology. The course curriculum of master level in biotechnology has been formulated considering the need of the current nation’s requirement as well as to meet the international standard in the subject under the Institute of Science and Technology. The aim of this program is to produce high level manpower in the field of biotechnology required in the country and at global level. Yearly hundreds of biotechnology undergraduates and graduates leave Nepal for higher studies. If the nation or government could make an effort on setting up a biotechnology based laboratory and industry, not only the student but also those who are abroad will be benefited in the sense that they will have enough space to come back here, thus making an attempt in brain gain rather than brain drain and of course the national economy and development will be flash up.

Objectives of the course

Upgrade the Central Department of Biotechnology as an Academic Centre of Excellence for the production of competent postgraduate/higher level human resource in the field of biotechnology.

Establish a sophisticated and well equipped academic Research Laboratory as a model biotechnology laboratory in Nepal.

Conduct innovative national/international research projects in various fields of biotechnology according to specialization of faculties (at least one project-one faculty concept).

Contributing the creation of human resource for the manpower need of the country;develop scientific knowledge and innovative ideasleading to the economic uplift of the nation.

Eligibility for Admission

1.Candidates with Bachelor degree in Biotechnology, Agricultural Science, Biochemistry, medicine, Environmental Science (with chemistry and biological science), Medical Lab Technology (BMLT), Food Technology, and Bachelor degree in science with chemistry and biological sciences (Botany Microbiology, or Zoology), from Tribhuvan University or equivalent degrees from other recognized institutes or universities are eligible for admission.

2. The candidate must have secure at least 50% marks in aggregate in Bachelor level

Selection Criteria

The candidates will be selected for the admission on the basis of merit, which will be assessed by the marks secured in the entrance test taken by the Central Department of Biotechnology.

Normal and Maximum Duration of study

Normal duration            24 months (4 semesters)

Maximum duration                   60 months (10 academic semesters)

Students failing to complete the requirement in 60 months have to be re-enrolling.

Credit calculation

A semester consists of16 weeks.

Theory: One credit is equivalents to 16 teaching hours in a semester or one credit equals to one-teaching hour in a week for one semester.

Laboratory work: One credit is equals to 60 Practical hours in a semester or one credit equals to 4 practical hours in a week.

Evaluation

Different methods of evaluation are to be adapted to assess students' performance. The in-semester (internal) evaluation shall have a total weight of 40 percent in each course. Students have to obtain 50 percent to pass in the internal exam. Without passing internal exam students will not be qualified to appear in semester exam. Total weight of internal exam includes internal assessment, project work, class attendance, class talk, homework etc upon the recommendation of departmental committee. In case a student remains absent in internal examination due to serious illness will given one[1]time opportunity to appear in the exam if he/she is able to produce an authorized medical certificate. The internal exam notice will be published by the concerned department or campus.

The total evaluation will be done by taking final examination. In total one credit equivalent to 25 marks for both theory and practical paper.

Theory paper

Forty percent mark is allocated for Internal Assessment and is assessed by the concerned faculty on the basis of internal examination. 60% mark is allocated for Final examination.

Laboratory work

The laboratory work is evaluated based on the performance of student during the regular lab work (40%) as well as the Examination taken at the end of each semester (60%).

Thesis

The student must prepare a thesis and should submit it within 3 months after the completion of the academic session of the fourth semester. The duration can however have extended by the head of the department on request from the student and on the recommendation of the supervisor with suitable reason.

Seminar

All students must attend and take active participation in seminars organized by the department. Each student must present at least one research paper or topic provided to him/her with critical assessments and discussion comments. Evaluation will be done by assessing quality of presentation and participation in all the departmental seminars. Each student must get at least satisfactory grade in the Seminar.

I^st semester seminar: seminar at the department

II^nd semester: seminar outside kathmandu/KTM valley

III^rd semester: seminar for Project practical outside Kathmandu/KTM valley

IV^th semester: Seminar related to their thesis work at CDBT/Kathmandu

Departmental Participation in organizing national and International Seminar is important part for upgrading the student’s scientific knowledge. The department should organize national /International conference time to time whenever possible by inviting foreign and national scientists.

Talk Program

All students should attend talks delivered by foreign and national scientists invited by the central department of biotechnology. In each semester at least 2 (or more ) talks should be attend by the students.

Field Visit

All IIIrd semester students must participate in required field visits as practicable in each subjects, organized by the department outside the Kathmandu valley/KTM valley. The visit may include Research centers, Biotech-industry, Universities and other organization related to biotechnology.

Project practical /Internship

Project practical can be replaced by internship whenever possible. For which the course code will be same as project practical

Guest Lectures from visiting faculty

There should provision for guest lecture from invited visiting faculties. They will be paid according to the departmental decision/rules

Electives

The Department can offer various elective courses. The elective courses are extra credit and are not compulsory, which will not be counted in the last grade of the degree.

Semester examination

Semester exam will be held two times in a year. Semester exam contains 60 percent weight. Students have to secure at least 50 percent marks in each subject to pass the semester exam. Semester exam will be conducted by the concerned office of the dean. All answer books are corrected at the concerned dean's office exam section.

Grading

Students must pass all compulsory and optional papers separately. Students must pass the internal assessment examination in order to appear in the final examination. There will be at least two internal examinations and the average of which will be counted as 40% internal evaluation. The pass mark for both theory and practical papers is 50%. To obtain the M.Sc. Biotechnology degree the student must complete total 60 credit hours (compulsory and optional courses). Grade is given according to the percentage of marks secured in the aggregate. Second Division 60% and above First division 70% and above Very Good 80% and above Distinction 90 % and above.

Grade CGPA                  Percentage            Equivalent Performance Remarks

A       4.0               90 and above                  Distinction

A-      3.7               80 -89.9                Very good

B+     3.3               70 -79.9                First Division

B       3.0               60 - 69.9               Second Division

B-      2.7               50 — 59.9            Pass in individual subject

F       0                 below 50               Fail