The syllabus for M. Sc . Microbiology generally includes advanced study of microorganisms, their genetics, physiology, applications and laboratory techniques. Although every university has small variations, the core structure remains similar across India. The major units usually taught are:

1. Microbial Diversity & Taxonomy

• Classification of bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, viruses.

• Modern classification: 16S rRNA sequencing, phylogenetic trees.

• Extremophiles and environmental microbes.

2. Microbial Physiology & Metabolism

• Structure of bacterial cell, growth curve, nutrient requirements.

• Aerobic & anaerobic respiration, fermentation pathways.

• Enzymes, bioenergetics, metabolic regulation.

3. Microbial Genetics & Molecular Biology

• DNA replication, transcription, translation.

• Operons, mutations, gene regulation.

• Plasmids, transposons, horizontal gene transfer.

4. Immunology

• Innate and adaptive immunity.

• Antibodies, antigen–antibody reactions.

• Hypersensitivity, vaccines, immune disorders.

5. Biochemistry for Microbiology

• Biomolecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids.

• Enzymology & metabolism.

6. Medical Microbiology

• Pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi & parasites.

• Mechanisms of infection, virulence factors.

• Diagnostic methods: staining, culture, PCR, serology.

7. Industrial & Food Microbiology

• Fermentation technology: antibiotics, alcohol, enzymes, organic acids.

• Food spoilage, food preservation, HACCP.

• Probiotics & prebiotics.

8. Environmental & Agricultural Microbiology

• Wastewater treatment, biodegradation, biofertilizers.

• Nitrogen fixation, soil microbes, plant–microbe interactions.

9. Microbial Biotechnology

• Recombinant DNA technology.

• Cloning, vectors, PCR, CRISPR basics.

• GMOs, biofuels, bioremediation.

10. Virology & Mycology

• Virus structure, replication, vaccines.

• Fungal diseases, fungal growth, industrial fungi.

11. Biostatistics & Research Methodology

• Statistical tests, data analysis.

• Research design, scientific writing.

12. Practical Components

• Culture techniques, media preparation, microscopy.

• Biochemical tests, antibiotic sensitivity tests.

• Molecular biology experiments (PCR, DNA extraction)

  This is the broad, detailed syllabus followed by most M. Sc . Microbiology programmes for the 2026 cycle. Universities may add elective papers like nanobiotechnology, microbial genomics or clinical microbiology depending on their curriculum. All the best.