About M.Sc in Biochemistry

Biochemical Society defines M.Sc in Biochemistry as "Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the chemical processes within and related to living organisms. It is a laboratory-based science that brings together biology and chemistry. By using chemical knowledge and techniques, biochemists can understand and solve biological problems."

M.Sc in Biochemistry duration is two years. The course falls under the umbrella of M.Sc. The important subjects of the M.Sc in Biochemistry course are Enzymology, Cell Biology, Biomolecules, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Immunology, Bioinformatics, and much more. 

Eligibility Criteria For M.Sc Biochemistry

Candidates who aspire to get admission to M.Sc in Biochemistry course are required to fulfill the eligibility criteria so that the admission committee can set up a common ground for comparing students’ candidacy and offer admission accordingly. Some of the most important eligibility qualifications required by students to get admission are discussed below which can help them determine their eligibility:

Students are required to successfully complete their 10+2 from a recognized board in India.

Students are required to successfully complete their bachelor’s degree (preferably a B.Sc degree) with a minimum of fifty percent aggregate marks.

Candidates are required to successfully take the entrance test and clear the cutoff according to the admission criteria.

Candidates aged 21 and above are eligible to apply and sit for the admission process.

Benefits of studying M.Sc in Biochemistry:

There are several reasons why students must choose to pursue M.Sc biochemistry. This particular degree programme provides students with a diverse and dynamic pool of job opportunities. Candidates involved in M.Sc biochemistry are generally subjected to higher-paying jobs in both government and private sectors. There are various biochemical firms that offer exciting and adventurous opportunities in the field of research to biochemistry candidates. If students choose to pursue M.Sc biochemistry, then they will be able to learn more about the technical terms related to the industry.

Syllabus of M.Sc in Biochemistry

MSc in Biochemistry is a postgraduate course of 2 years that comprises 4 semesters. The course curriculum comprises subjects related to biotechnology, bioinformatics, immunology, cell biology, and similar.

The semester-wise syllabus of the course is tabled below to give you an idea of the subjects to be taught under the course study. It covers research topics, practical labs, and dissertations too.

M.Sc in Biochemistry Semester 1 Syllabus

• Enzymology
• Structure and Function of Biomolecules
• Bioenergetics and Intermediary Metabolism
• Cell Biology and Physiology
• Practical Labs

M.Sc in Biochemistry Semester 2 Syllabus

• Biophysical and Biochemical techniques
• Molecular Biology I
• Nutritional and Clinical Biochemistry
• Plant Biochemistry
• Practical Labs
• Seminar Session

M.Sc in Biochemistry Semester 3 Syllabus

• Basic Biotechnology
• Introductory Microbiology
• Molecular Biology II
• Immunology
• Practical Labs
• Seminar Session

M.Sc in Biochemistry Semester 4 Syllabus

• Bioinformatics
• Stem Cell and Reproduction
• Biostatistics and Research Documentation
• Practical Labs
• Project Reports

Admission Process for M.Sc in Biochemistry

The admission process for M.Sc in Biochemistry in India is carried out either from the college premises or online. Certain universities offer both direct admission and entrance-based admission to the program. Listed below are the various procedures to get admission for the M.Sc in Biochemistry course details:

How to Apply?

The aspirants eager to study M.Sc in Biochemistry can either apply online or offline for the course. The applicants are shortlisted for the course based on the marks scored in the graduate degree course and the scores obtained in the entrance exams corresponding to any respective discipline related to science or computers. The aspirants can apply for the M.Sc in Biochemistry course by downloading an admission form available online at the university or on the college website.

Selection Process

The selection process for the course is carried out based on the entrance exam score and the marks scored in 10+2+3. The aspirants are allocated seats based on various M.Sc in Biochemistry eligibility Science criteria fulfilled by the aspirants proposed by the college/university officials.

Popular Entrance Exams for M.Sc in Biochemistry

There are many entrance exams for the M.Sc in Biochemistry course in India for which the students can attend. Appearing for entrance exams is an essential criterion and a good merit score from the graduate degree course in the science field. The graduates can grab a seat for the course in a reputed college or university. Some of the very best and mandatory M.Sc in Biochemistry entrance exams are:

BHU PET

AIIMS

Amity JEE

JET

GREAT

How to Prepare for MSc Biochemistry Entrance Exams?

To prepare for these entrance exams you need to do very well. Few of the common preparation steps are discussed below:

Prepare a timetable to finish the syllabus.

Refer to the previous year’s question papers and solved mock test papers.

Go through the topics of Bachelor’s degree subjects.

Mostly, these topics include general science, cell biology, and immunology questions but as per previous year question papers, it also includes questions from metabolism, cancer biology, and bioenergetic-related questions.

Future Scope of M.Sc Biochemistry:

After successfully completing M.Sc biochemistry degree program, candidates have the option to apply for various lucrative job positions including Research associate, scientist, professor, biochemist, microbiologist, manager, and more such professions. Since M.Sc biochemistry is a master’s degree programme, the average package offered to candidates is also decent with an annual mark of Rs. 5 Lakh per annum. There are various companies such as Abbott Laboratories, GlaxoSmithKline, Bharat Serum, Cipla, Biocon, Johnson and Johnson, and more that are considered top recruiters of M.Sc biochemistry candidates.

Job Prospects and Career Options For M.Sc in Biochemistry

There are a number of MSc Biochemistry jobs available in the market. An average salary offered to an MSc biochemistry graduate is up to INR 5 Lakhs per annum. Raise in pay depends upon the skills and experience a graduate holds. Plenty of organizations like GlaxoSmithKline, Abbott Laboratories, Johnson and Johnson, Cipla, Biocon, Bharat Serum, and like are the top recruiters of this course graduates.

There is a flood of employment areas where you can try to get placed after this course completion. A few of those employment areas are listed below for your reference.

Research Laboratories

Diagnostics Centres

Colleges and Universities

Pharma Companies

Medical Equipment Manufacturing Companies

Biotechnology Firms

Career Options For M.Sc in Biochemistry

As per the first option, candidates after completing M.Sc biochemistry can choose to get a job in various types of industries such as Research Laboratories, Diagnostics Centres, Colleges and Universities, Pharma Companies, Medical Equipment Manufacturing Companies, and Biotechnology Firms. The second option is to pursue a higher degree program, preferably an M.Phil, or a Ph.D degree in a related field. The choices made by the students totally depend on their area of interest. A higher degree of course opens more opportunities and possibilities for researching the domain of your interest.

List of popular career options after M.Sc Biochemistry:

Research associate: A research associate is a professional who is responsible for assisting the scientists involved in research or experiments pertaining to biochemistry and maintaining a thorough log of information collected during the research. A research associate manages documents, projects, and a team of interns working on the project.

Lab technician: A lab technician is a professional who is responsible for conducting experiments that include collecting and analyzing specimens. A lab technician performs laboratory procedures and completes all clerical functions in the lab including some technical aspects of scientific research being performed.

Pharmacologist: A pharmacologist is a professional in the field of research and science whose responsibilities are studying and reporting various ways in which medicines and drugs interact with the human body and animal beings of a different order.

Biochemist: A biochemist is a professional in the field of science and research whose responsibilities are studying the fundamental units of human beings, DNA, heredity, and other similar concepts. A biochemist is responsible for developing the right medicine for a human body illness that does not counter the effects in any possible way.