Post M.Sc. Advanced Diploma Course in Plant Genetic Engineering

(Funded by the Department of Biotechnology(DBT), Govt. of India)

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, under its Human Resource Development Programme, has sponsored ‘Technologists Training Courses’ for training Technologists in Life Sciences and Biotechnology.  Under the above Programme, DBT is funding a ‘Post-M.Sc. Advanced Diploma Course in Plant genetic engineering’ in the School of Biotechnology, Madurai Kamaraj University from 2008 onwards to provide intense ‘hands on’ training in Recombinant DNA Methods and Plant Genetic Engineering.  This is a one-year Diploma course, in which 10 students are admitted each year through an ‘All-India’ Entrance Examination and on the basis of  ‘Central Government Reservation Policy’.  Each student will receive a monthly studentship of Rs. 5,000.

Plant Genetic Engineering has emerged as an important tool in crop improvement and functional genomics.  Biotechnology companies and Research Centres with crop improvement programmes require experts with practical knowledge in recombinant DNA methods and plant genetic engineering.  The Post M.Sc. Advanced Diploma Course in Plant Genetic Engineering (ADCPGE) is designed to generate aptitude in research and to provide intense practical training in Recombinant DNA Methods and Plant Genetic Engineering to the postgraduate students who aspire for a career in Plant Biotechnology.  The students will be imparted ‘hands on’ practical training in recombinant DNA methods, plant transformation and analysis of transgenic plants. The students will also carry out independent Project Research for one semester. 

In the first semester, the course offers two advanced theory papers in Plant Genetic Engineering and Functional Genomics and two laboratory courses in Recombinant DNA Technology and Plant Genetic Engineering.   In the second semester, the students will be assigned to individual research laboratories in Madurai Kamaraj University to carry out full-time Project Research.  The findings of the independent project research will be compiled by the students and submitted in the form of Dissertations.

Syllabus