Life Science
Overview
The need for an interdisciplinary programme in Biology at the Post-Graduate level, led to the establishment of the M. Sc. Life Science Department at Mount Carmel College in the year 2007. The course covers various basic and applied aspects of Biological Sciences. Such a holistic approach to the study of Biology is unique and very few Universities and colleges across the country offer similar programmes. As a result, about 70-80% of the student intake is from outside the state.
The Department has grown steadily both in the area of academics as well as research. Student enrolment has increased. The alumni are being successfully placed in various research institutes, companies, pharma industry, and technical writing institutes/industries. A good proportion of the students opts for higher education and completes their doctoral degree in Universities in India and abroad.
Vision
Quality education to reach the maximum population of youth belonging to all stratas of socio-economic status by enabling them to face challenges in life and create a career through scientific temperament and ethical practices.
Mission
Enable the students to integrate the curriculum to life requirements and empower them to be efficient teachers, researchers, and human beings
Approach to higher learning through the integration of classical, applied, and emerging fields of biological sciences to improve the quality of life of students and the society
Head of the Department
Programs Offered
The department started with triple major courses as a part of the State education policy(SEP) in June 2024.
Activities
The department of Biotechnology has an active association named ‘Biogeniac’ that regularly publishes newsletters on topics that are in trend. It also organizes multiple activities at intra and inter collegiate levels. Community Development Programme on health awareness, covid vaccination awareness at old age homes and education service at government schools and children with special needs.
Guest Lectures
- “CRISPR Revolution: Transforming Genetic Engineering”, Dr. Anuradha Singh, Founder and Director, Aaryagen Seeds and Technologies, Bengaluru, (10th Aug 2024)
- “Cancer-Biology, Genes and Therapy”, Dr. Pratibha Ranganathan, Assistant Professor, Cancer Research Lab, Centre for Human Genetics, Bengaluru (05th November 2025)
- “Nalanda: A Tale in the Twist”, Dr M B Rajani and Prof. Viraj Kumar, in association with Abhijnan, Carmel Centre for Indian Knowledge System (04th March 2025)
- “Exploring Dairy Processing: Pilot Scale Insights and Lab-based Analytical Techniques” , Dr. Surabhi Subhir, Dairy Processing Technology Centre, Ireland (08th March 2025)
Workshop Conducted
Hands – on workshop on “Understanding genetics and behaviour using Drosophila melanogaster”, conducted by, Dr. Deepti Trivedi, Drosophila Facility, NCBS, Bengaluru, (30/9/24 to 1/10/24)
Institute / Industrial visit (Experiential Learning)
- Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Energy and Development (MGIRED) (03rd July 2024).
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), Jakkur, Bengaluru (19th July 2024).
- ICAR-NDRI (Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Dairy Research Institute) (11th September 2024)
- Advanced Microscopy Facility at National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru (21st Oct 2024)
Community Development Program - Students did their community development program in Arogya Seva Centre, Jayanagar, Bengaluru
Alumni Connect
- “Navigating a Ph.D in India: Applications, Programme Experience and Future Prospects” – Ms. Christine Wilson, (Batch 2016-18) Ph. D Scholar, Dept. of Medical Oncology, AIIMS, New Delhi and “Charting your course: A Peek into Career Exploration” Ms. Aparna Sajeendran, (Batch 2015-17) Data Aquistion Expert, IQVIA, Bengaluru (20th July 2024)
- “Overseas Education and its Opportunities” – Dr. Ranjan Swarup and Dr. Rachel Jessop, Nottingham University, UK. (19th July 2023).
- “Insights on Artificial Reproductive Technology” – Ms. Christine Noronha, Sr. Embryologist, Gynaecworld, Mumbai. (22nd Sept 2023).
- “Gene Expression Changes during Cell State Transitions in Cancer – An insight into Cancer Chemo-resistance” – Dr. Prathibha Ranganathan, Cancer Research Lab, Centre for Human Genetics, Bengaluru. (8th Nov 2023).
- The Clocks that Time Us – What, Where and How – Prof. Sheeba Vasu, Chronobiology and Behavioural Neurogenetics Laboratory, JNCASR, Bengaluru. (31st Jan 2024).
Alumni Connect
- “Navigating from Masters to Ph.D” – Ms. Divita Garg, Ph. D Scholar, School of Arts and Science, Ahmedabad University and “My Journey as a First Generation Academic Student” Ms. Lara D Souza, Ph.D Scholar, A&M University, Texas USA. (16th September 2023).
- “Behaviour of Monkeys in Thenmala” – Ms. Shubha, Research Assistant, Thenmala Macaque Project, Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland. (21st Feb 2024).
- Biologique: Intercollegiate Fest: Panel Discussion on “Crafting a Career in Biological Sciences” – 19th March 2024.
Workshop Conducted
- “Antimicrobial Assays and Plating Techniques” hands-on workshop was conducted for the M.Sc Nanotechnology Students. (13th Sept 2023).
- Institute / Industrial visit (Experiential Learning)
- NIMHANS, Bengaluru (4th October 2023)
- Department of Apiculture and Inland fisheries, GKVK, Bengaluru (24th Feb 2024)
- NCBS, Bengaluru (27th Feb 2024)
- InStem (27th March 24)
Community Development Program
- Students did their community development program in the following organizations –
- Nachiketa Manovikasa Kendra, Special School for differently abled children
- Christu Seva Samaj
- Hiteshi Mahila Maneangala
- Sumangali Seva Ashrama
Guest Lectures
- “The Evolution and Genetics of Butterfly Wing Colour Patterns” – Prof. Krushnamegh Kunte, Biodiversity Lab, NCBS, Bengaluru. (11th March 2023).
- “Potentiating Moxifloxacin Lethality against M. tuberculosis by NAC” – Prof. Amit Singh, Centre for Infectious Disease Research, IISc, Bengaluru.
(25th Feb 2023). - “Therapeutic Frontiers in Overcoming Chemotherapeutic Resistance in Ovarian Cancer” – Prof. Jayakumar R Nair, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA. (12th November 2022).
- “Reproductive Endocrinology” – Dr. Premalatha Krishna Kumar, Consultant Gynaecologist and Colposcopy Specialist, Coimbatore. (03rd November 2022).
Alumni Connect
- “Role of Internship in Shaping a Career Opportunities: Exploring Avenues in Animal Behaviour and Ecology” – Ms. Chiti Arvind, Ph.D Research Scholar, ISSER, Tripathi, and “Pursuing a Career in EU Food Industry” Dr. Surabhi Subhir, Post-Doctoral Dairy Researcher, Processing Technology Centre in Collaboration with Tengac Research Centre, Ireland. (22nd Oct 2022).
- Biologique: Intercollegiate Fest: “Cervical Cancer Awareness” – Dr. Premalatha T S, Prof and Head, Dept of Gynaecologic Oncology, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru.
Institute / Industrial visit (Experiential Learning):
- Biozeen Pvt. Ltd.(12th Sep 2022)
- NCBS, Bengaluru. (18th May 2022; 14th Feb 2023)
- NIMHANS, Bengaluru (20th Oct 2022)
- Bayers, Bengaluru (31st March 2023)
Community Development Program
Students did their community development program in the following organizations –
- Nachiketa Manovikasa Kendra
- Nightingales Medical Trust
- Christu Seva Samaj
- Hiteshi Mahila Maneangala
- Sumangali Seva Ashrama
- Webinar series on Alumni talk by Ms. Saniya Pamnani, Alumna & Dr. Sushmita Sudarshan, Molecular Devices, California.
- Guest Lecture on “Some Aspects of Molecular Evolution” by Dr. Tejaswi Shivanand, Centre for Learning, Bengaluru.
- Webinar on “Post -Harvest Technology” by Dr. Sundaravalli A, Home Science, MCC, Bengaluru.
- Guest lecture on “Molecular Evolution and Neutrality” by Dr. Vidyanand Nanjundiah, The Centre for Human Genetics, Bengaluru.
- Guest lecture on “Molecular Tools in Phylogeny” by Dr. Tejaswi Shivanand, Centre for Learning, Bengaluru.
- Webinar on “Stem Cell Transplantation” by Dr. Anand Prakash, St John’s Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru.
- Webinar on “Invincible Corona” by Ms. Vimala Francis, Retd. Dean, MCC, Bengaluru.
- Webinar on “Good Laboratory Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices” by Dr. Nellaiah Hariharan, Biozeen Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru.
- Webinar on “An Introduction to Bird Migration” by Dr. Thejaswi Shivanand, Centre for Learning, Bengaluru.
- Guest Lecture on “Keeping Time in Biological World- The Tales of How Flies Helped Solve Clock Mysteries?” by Dr. Sheeba Vasu, JNCASR, Bengaluru.
- Guest Lecture on “Biofuel Production and its Applications” by Dr. Savitha G., NDRI, Bengaluru.
- Guset lecture on “Phyllosphere Methylobacterium have Variable Effects on its Rice Host Plant by Dr. Pratibha Sanjenbam, NCBS, Bengaluru.
- Guest lecture on “Some Aspects of Molecular Evolution” by Dr. Tejaswi Shivanand, Centre for Learning, Bengaluru.
- Guest lecture on “An Introduction to Molecular Evolution” by Dr. Thejaswi Shivanand, Centre for Learning, Bengaluru.
- Guest lecture on “Immune System and Health” by Dr. Shishupala, Davanagere University, Davanagere.
- Workshop on “Flow Cytometry and Data Analysis” by Mr. Vishal Shinde, CellKraft Biotech Ltd. Bengaluru.
- Webinar series on “Future Prospects in Life Science” by Dr. Sudha Rao, Genotypic Technologies, Bengaluru., Ms. Ananya Sen, University of Illinois, USA and Ms. Subhashini Joshi, Rutgers University, USA.
- Guest lecture on “Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics: Good Food for Good Health” by Dr. Sadananda. G. K, Department of Postharvest Technology, College of Horticulture, UAS, Bengaluru.
- Guest lecture on “An Introduction to Molecular Evolution and Molecular Clocks” by Dr. Thejaswi Shivanand, Centre for Learning, Bengaluru.
- Guest lecture on “The Ever-Changing Brain and Challenges in Treating Neurological and Psychiatric disorders” by Dr B. S. Shankaranarayana Rao, NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
- Guest lecture on “Flight Modifications in Birds” by Dr. Thejaswi Shivanand, Centre for Learning, Bengaluru.
- Guest lecture on “Evolution of the Bacterial Translation Machinery” by Dr Deepa Agashe, NCBI, Bengaluru.
Highlights
The focus of the department is on holistic learning – both classic and emerging areas. Some of the highlights of the department are:
- The department encourages faculty and students to participate in National and International Conferences.
- Choice Based Credit System enables students to choose papers of their interest.
- Provides job oriented hands-on skill training.
- The experienced faculty encourage and prepare students for multiple job prospects for teaching career, for research and to take up higher studies in India and abroad