The history of biology traces the living world from ancient to modern times. Biological sciences such as Botany and Zoology became increasingly professional scientific disciplines from the beginning of the 18th century. With a better understanding of life forms and the fading of boundaries with technology that helped delve into the depth of molecular biology, today, these studies have become more focused and purposeful for application, benefiting mankind. Thus, Biotechnology and Microbiology are realized for their importance in the present times rooting from the basics of life forms such as plants, animals and microorganisms.
The Department of Biotechnology, National College (Autonomous), Tiruchirapalli, was established in 2011 with a firm objective to provide quality teaching and learning in the fields of modern science, focused on practical learning, leading to original research contributions of global standards. As proof of growth, the Department of Microbiology was initiated in the year 2013 to impart knowledge on the beneficial and malevolence impacts of microorganisms on society and later merged with the Department of Biotechnology. After a decade, today, the department offers UG and PG courses are offered in both disciplines, possesses the best possible infrastructure to nurture 250 students and hosting 14 faculty members.
The Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology in National College stands tall in reputation in terms of quality education, updated training and career guidance as it is recognized under DBT PG teaching & under the DBT star college scheme. The PG research and teaching departments have thus opened up lead research avenues for post-graduate and doctoral students in molecular oncology, genetic engineering, animal health, bioinformatics, data mining, plant and animal biotechnology, marine microbiology, freshwater microbiology, plant microbiology, and integrated research areas. The department has signed MoUs with the National Research Center for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirappalli, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, Kothari Sugars and Chemicals Limited, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Targenix private limited (Chennai), Fermentech GSV (Thanjavur), and Vivagen Lab Dx (Chennai), to impart and exchange academic and research outputs and training.
The Biotechnology and Microbiology department thus provides state-of-the-art facilities for studies about plant tissue culture, animal cell/tissue culture, microbiological research, toxicology, cancer biology, aquaculture, metagenomics, and stem cells. Both the UG and PG students are given supervised access to the departmental labs 24x7 and are strongly encouraged to practice science. The National College Culture Collection Centre (N4C) was initiated in January 2022, which holds more than 220 microbial strains currently and are screened for various application potentials such as lipases and amylases, nano-particle synthesis, probiotic, and dye degradation activities.To add wings to its research vision, the department in the academic year 2020-2021 has attracted five additional faculty members with research and teaching expertise with International post-doctoral research experience in molecular oncology, neurotoxicology, animal health science, aquaculture, bioinformatics, agricultural/soil microbiology, aquatic biotechnology / biofuel and metabolic engineering.
Biotechnology and Microbiology are closely inter-related to each other in terms of the fundamentals and applications. Biotechnology includes many or most of the concepts and different laboratory techniques of Microbiology and similarly, Microbiology completely depends on the biotechnological methods. There are both common and uncommon areas of study and employment for Biotechnology and Microbiology in general. For an instance, common areas for Biotechnology and Microbiology include that of Fermentation, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Diagnostics etc. while the two disciplines largely stay apart or differ in the aspects of Animal / Plant Biotechnology and its application areas such as Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART / IVF), Cell Culture based productions etc.
National College offers the best and practical exposure to the students both in Biotechnology and Microbiology in the common inter-twined facilities that are highly resourceful and vast. Be it, short term projects or internships or research collaborations, or advanced instrumentation, students of Biotechnology and Microbiology are given equal exposure and importance across disciplines in all the activities, building their confidence in curricular and extra-curricular activities. Team of faculty members with Post-Doctoral experience in India and Abroad having different research background / specializations in the fields of Biotechnology and Microbiology in the department at NCT, give the students winning edge in understanding the subjects and practical learning; leading to remarkable exposure favouring higher studies and placements.
Biotechnology as a Degree Programme @ National College Success of any educational / Degree programme lies on the plight of placement of students in various avenues of the field of interest. Biotechnology is nowhere less when it comes to placement of its students. In-fact, there is a huge demand of ‘trained’ biotechnologists in Research and Industrial sector. To meet the needs for quality biotechnologists and skilled personnel, National College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, launched M.Sc., Biotechnology programme from the academic year 2011 – 2012.
To offer quality Higher Education to the younger generations, especially from rural India, who are economically and socially backward, to liberate themselves from prejudice, oppression and ignorance and to gain knowledge for their bright future.
A Pass in Higher Secondary Examination conducted by State or Central Board of Secondary Education or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (or) Biology / Botany / Zoology as the subjects of study and with a minimum of 50% overall aggregate of marks.
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