[BiO BB] MPhil Bioinformatics, Kerala University

[Dr. Achuthsankar S. Nair]

Please encourage good PG holders (MTech/MCA/MSc(CS)/MSc(Life Science) etc
apply

*Kerala University invites applications for  3rd batch of
MPhil Bioinformatics* (To start in January 2007)

The *one-year MPhil (Bioinformatics) programme* of the University of Kerala
is a novel inter-disciplinary programme in the frontier area of application
of computing and information technologies to cutting-edge problems in life
sciences. This is the only MPhil programme in the area offered by Indian
Universities. Application forms and bochures are available from *
www.cbi.keralauniversity.edu* and the *last date for application is 30 Sept
2006.*

The programme *admits postgraduate students from engineering, computing and
life sciences or allied streams. *Those who hold a recognized post-graduate
degree in any one of the following disciplines with a minimum of 55% marks
in aggregate, may apply: Engineering & Technology – Any branch (MTech),
Computer Sciences (MSc, MCA), Electronics (MSc), Life Sciences (Zoology,
Botany, Bio-chemistry, Bio-technology, Environmental Sciences, Aquatic
Biology, Molecular Biology) (MSc), Agriculture (MSc), Pharmacy (MPharm),
Medicine (MD), Science (Chemistry, Maths, Operations Research, Statistics,
Geology etc) (MSc), Bioinformatics (MSc). There shall be 15 seats for the
programme, of which 3 seats shall be for sponsored candidates. 6 seats shall
be reserved for life-science stream and 6 for non-life science stream.
Reservations for SC/ST, SEBC etc shall be as per University rules. Admissions
for applicants except foreign students shall be based on (i) an entrance
test to be conducted at Thiruvananthapuram (which will be based on logical
reasoning, numerical ability, and life sciences and computing) and (ii)
aggregate marks scored in the qualifying postgraduate examinations, with 50
: 50 weightage. The tuition fees are as follows: Non-sponsored : Rs 10,000 /
semester, Sponsored : Rs 25,000 / semester.

Two batches have been admitted so far. The first batch which came out in
early 2006 have announced the formation of the first Bioinformatics company
in Kerala: *Soorya Kiran Bioinformatics Pvt Ltd.*

Bioinformatics is a nascent field which is predicted to generate a large
number of job opportunities in the coming decade. One of the key areas of
growth is computer aided drug design which is expected to revitalize the
pharma sector. This is especially so after the patent amendment in India
which has forced pharmaceutical companies to focus on R&D, as drug molecules
can no longer be copied. A study conducted by the Department of Information
Technology (DIT), Govt of India, in collaboration with the Confederation of
Indian Industries(CII) has predicted that the demand for Indian
professionals from the rest of the world is expected to rise from less
than500 in 2004 to over 8000 by 2012. Indian bioinformatics market is
currently 2.5% of the global market.

The M.Phil (Bioinformatics) programme aims to prepare the students for
understanding biological data at molecular level from both informational and
biological perspective and impart conceptual, computational and practical
skills to acquire, analyze, process or use the data to address significant
problems in the field of Bioinformatics, of both pure and applied nature.
The programme incorporates advanced level education in basic biological
(DNA, RNA, Protein) sequence analysis, sequence alignments, sequence data
base handling, RNA and protein structure prediction, molecular
phylogenetics, molecular visualisation, drug discovery, gene expression
studies using micro arrays and data mining. The programme also gives
training in relevant mathematical principles, programming tools etc and
also  research methodology. Considering heterogeneous student group, primer
on information technology and life sciences shall be offered as electives
for the life science and computer streams respectively. University is
offering the programme as an interdisciplinary programme involving Life
Sciences and Computer Science. The programme is run under the choice-based
credit and semester scheme.



-- 
Dr Achuthsankar S Nair
Hon. Director
Centre for Bioinformatics
University of Kerala, Trivandrum 695581, INDIA
Tel (O) 471-2412759 (R) 471-2542220
www.cbi.keralauniversity.edu
www.achu.keralauniversity.edu
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Admissions to MPhil Bioinformatics for Jan 2007 Open - Brochure and
Application forms can be downloaded from www.cbi.keralauniversity.edu
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