Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are unicellular or cell-cluster microscopic organisms. This includes eukaryotes such as fungi and protists and prokaryotes such as bacteria and certain algae. Viruses also come under this domain. Microbiology is subdivided into divisions like bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology to name a few. A scientist who specializes in the area of microbiology is called a microbiologist.
By understanding microbes, microbiologists aim to solve a range of problems affecting our health, the environment, climate, food and agriculture. This can include the prevention, diagnosis and control of infections and disease, as well as ensuring that food is safe, as well as understanding the role that microbes play in climate change, and developing green technologies.
The three-year graduate programme in microbiology was introduced in the year 2016-2017 keeping in mind the increasing demand of microbiology as a discipline. The curriculum for the course is designed to suit both the medical and industrial aspects of microbiology. The major focus would be to impart laboratory skills and strong theoretical knowledge of all the core subjects through the didactic medium of communication, student interactive sessions, teacher/student seminars, and problem-based learning, group discussions and proper evaluation throughout the year at regular intervals.
At SGT, we have a well-equipped hospital with a specialised microbiology lab that caters to hundreds of patients on a daily basis. The graduate programme students will benefit immensely from exposure to relevant patient samples in their practical classes. The presence of a well qualified and motivated team of faculty members is an added boon to the department. A lot of importance is given to industrial exposure in the form of day trips to reputed industries/production companies as well as providing hands-on training in well-known hospitals and research institutes and also during their summer/winter break.
This programme aims to educate students in all aspects of microbiology and prepare them either to pursue higher studies or work as microbiologists in different sectors like clinical, agricultural, industrial, food, or molecular microbiology. The scope of microbiology has increased tremendously over the last decade due to the amendment of strict regulatory norms with respect to microorganisms. Jobs in microbiology are available in government as well as private sectors. Pharmaceutical, food, agriculture, clinical, hotels, KPOs, medical transcription, applications and sales are new avenues seeking young, qualified, skilled, and enthusiastic professionals.