M.Sc. in Virology - A Specialized Degree Program for Developing Vaccines

M.Sc. in Virology - A Specialized Degree Program for Developing Vaccines

Article summary: M.Sc. in Virology is a program to educate students about the development of vaccinations for the cure of diseases like Swine Flu.

Since scores of people get adversely affected by harmful viral diseases, it’s important to find and develop some vaccines. Last year, Swine flu had killed many people across the world and the whole virologist community of the world had put in its best possible endeavors to develop some vaccines against this dreadful disease. At that point of time, the role of virologist was appreciated.
Since many years, there is a constant increase in the number of viral diseases and due to this, the demand of conducting research in the field of developing vaccines has increased manifold. In this attempt to educate students, many renowned institutes have commenced program in Virology. The Manipal Centre for Virus Research (www.manipal.edu) is offering Masters of Science in Clinical Virology with limited seats. The course has been designed to provide the diagnostic and research knowledge & practical exposire.
Earlier, students used to go abroad to pursue these kind of programs and establish their careers there. Dr. G. Arunkumar, Head, Manipal Centre for Virus Research, says, “With the introduction of this course, the rate of such students is expected to go down.”
To pursue M.Sc. in Virology, candidates should have Bachelor’s degree Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or Zoology and MBBS graduates can also apply to this program. After pursuing virology program, students can explore the subject in detail and gain deep knowledge about diseases and other things like Culture Cell Biology, Bioinformatics, Applied Epidemiology, Entomology and Advanced Immunology. This program brings forth a plethora of opportunities to students. Candidates can get placements in reputed organizations and earn up to Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 per month.

There are other institutes in India like National Institute of Virology in Pune (www.icmr.nic.in) and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in Delhi, which offer M.Sc Virology, a super-specialized degree program. Only 20 seats are available for the program. To pursue the program, students should have done MBBS or B.Sc in Life Sciences or Biotechnology with 60 %. They will have to clear the entrance exam also.