S. Vishnu Sharma
Virology is a field of study which also offers bright career prospects. Importance of this field has come into a limelight once again, owing to the current coronavirus outbreak across India.
The present outbreak has only shown how important it is to strengthen research in Virology. There is a need to study various viruses and their impact on human health in particular so that cures for them could be found out. The gateway to pursue a career in Virology is through study of MSc Virology.
About MSc Virology
This is a two year course offered at post graduation level. This subject is all about studying various viruses and their impact on human health. It analyses how viruses originate, how they regenerate, what is their behaviour in various conditions.
Virology, consider it for a great career
The subject also deals about how the viruses multiply and penetrate various living beings and affect their health. This subject generates human resources who can help academy, health sector and industry understand various issues related to viruses and conduct research and find out cures or methods to neutralise various viruses.
What are the subjects
Subjects of study in this post graduate programme are Tissue Culture Techniques, Virus Antigen Detection, Gene Regulation and Recombinant DNA technology, Viral cell interaction, Virus replication, Viral encephalitis, HIV/AIDS, Veterinary and agricultural viruses.
Eligibility
Candidates who are holding a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences can apply for the course. Even those who have studied B.V.Sc can also apply for studying the course.
Even candidates with B.Sc in Medical Laboratory Technology, MBBS graduates, B.Sc in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Zoology can also apply for MSc Virology. Applicants must have a minimum pass percentage of 50 or CGPA of 6.5.
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Top places to study
The most preferred places to study post graduate in Virology are Sri Venkateswara University (Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh), Savitribai Phule Pune University (Pune, Maharashtra), Manipal University (Karnataka) and Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology (Noida, Uttar Pradesh).
Fees for study
Candidates willing to study the course must remember that the fees to be paid to study the courses is different at each educational institution. The fee at Sri Venkateswara University is said to be Rs 84,190.
The fee at Savitribai Phule Pune University is said to be Rs 1,30,900 and Manipal University is said to be Rs 1,96,600 and Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology is said to be Rs 0.50 lakhs.
Admission process
The process of admitting candidates is different at various institutes. A few go for direct admission based on the marks candidates score in their respective qualifying exam. If the scores in the qualifying exam are good, then seat is offered directly.
A few others educational institutions go for entrance exam based system. NIV College Entrance Test, Manipal Entrance Test are some of the popular entrance tests. Candidate will be selected based on the performance in the test and also his marks in the qualifying exam.
More about the course
The major topics of study in MSc Virology are Basic Biology,Tissue culture and Cell Biology, Basic Immunology, Basic Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Vector Biology, Virological Methods.
Analytical Methods, Tissue Culture Techniques, Virus Antigen Detection, Statistical Methods, Entomological Methods, Propagation of Viruses.
Gene Regulation and Recombinant DNA technology, Viral cell interaction, Virus replication, Advanced Immunology, Applied Entomology, Applied epidemiology, Bioinformatics, Antivirals and vaccines, Molecular techniques, Biochemical/biophysical methods, Serological methods, Immunological techniques.
Viral enteric diseases and cancers, Viral hepatitis, Viral respiratory diseases, Exanthematous diseases of virus etiology, Viral hemorrhagic fever. Special Topics, Research Projects.
System of teaching
A few colleges are said to follow semester system and couple of other colleges are said to follow yearly system. The above topics will be taught in four semesters in a semester system and in two years in a yearly system.
Job offers
Candidates who have completed the course can get jobs in pharmaceutical companies, hospitals. Human Immunology laboratories, universities. They can join as assistant professors, virologists, microbiologists, research associates, laboratory executives.
MSc Virology can also turn into subject matter experts by opting for a doctoral degree in the same field. They can go for research.
Salary
Pay package for virologist could anyway be around Rs 2.5 lakhs per annum. A research associate can earn a pay package of Rs 3 lakhs per annum. Laboratory executive can earn around Rs 2 lakhs per annum. Assistant professorship in Virology will offer a pay package of Rs 3 to 5 lakhs and above.