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Microbiology is a vital field of study that has a significant impact on our health, food, and environment. The study of microorganisms is crucial in understanding and addressing a wide range of issues such as the spread of infectious diseases, the production of food and beverages, and the development of medical treatments. In West Bengal, India, there are several universities that offer undergraduate and graduate programs in Microbiology, and have a strong research focus in the field. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top Microbiology Universities in West Bengal, highlighting their programs, research focus, and facilities. We will also examine the career opportunities available for graduates in this field and the impact these universities have on the local and global community. Whether you are a prospective student or simply interested in the field of Microbiology, this article will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the top Microbiology Universities in West Bengal.
Also Read: History and Scope of Microbiology
Top Universities in West Bengal Offering Microbiology
Here is a list of universities in West Bengal, India that offer undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in Microbiology:
- University of Calcutta, Department of Microbiology
- University of Burdwan, Department of Microbiology
- University of Kalyani, Department of Microbiology
- Vidyasagar University, Department of Microbiology
- West Bengal State University, Department of Microbiology
- Aliah University
- Amity University
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology
- University of North Bengal
- Raiganj University
- Swami Vivekananda University
- Techno India University
- JIS University
- Bankura University
It’s worth noting that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other universities in West Bengal that also offer Microbiology degrees.
Also Read: Top and Best Books for Microbiology
1. University of Calcutta, Department of Microbiology
The University of Calcutta, located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, was established in 1857 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in a wide range of disciplines, including arts, sciences, engineering, law, and medicine. The university has more than 80 departments and over 200 affiliated colleges. It is also home to several research centers and institutes, including the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, and the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute. The University of Calcutta is known for its academic excellence and has produced many notable alumni, including several Nobel laureates and other distinguished scholars.
About the Microbiology department
Microbes have become indispensable for ensuring the health and well-being of humans. In 2000, the University of Calcutta created a master’s degree programme in microbiology on the Ballygunge Science College Campus in acknowledgment of the significant impact of this field on contemporary society. Initially, Microbiology was a division of the Department of Biochemistry, and academics from all linked areas taught the course. Microbiology’s infrastructure was expanded with funding from the UGC-Xth plan, and the programme was elevated to the status of a full-fledged department in 2005. In 2012, with additional assistance from the University and the DBT-IPLS programme, the Department updated its facilities.
Numerous students scored inside the top 50 on the CSIR-NET examination. Sourav Bhattacharya, one of their students, achieved first place in the 2010 CSIR-NET examination and was granted the prestigious SPM fellowship.
Currently there are 4 Academic Faculty Members in Microbiology Department (This post was published in 17/01/23).
Microbiology Courses
| Programme | Level of study | Eligibility | Intake capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc | Post graduate | B.Sc Hons in Microbiology | 15 |
| Ph.D | Doctoral | M.Sc in any branch of life science |
Thrust areas in teaching and research of the academic department / centre :
Teaching emphasis
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell biology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics
Thrust areas in Research
- Bioremediation
- Bio-fertilizer
- Small RNA mediated controls in bacterial iron homeostasis
- Development of anti-mycobacterial drug
- RNA regulation in human infectious diseases
- Cigarette smoke induced human diseases
- Identification and designing of molecules against Alzheimer’s Disease
- Study of leucine-rich repeats as protein motifs in plant defense
Teaching support : Department is equipped with e learning facilities
University Link: https://www.caluniv.ac.in/academic/Microbiology.html
2. University of Burdwan, Department of Microbiology
The University of Burdwan, located in Burdwan, West Bengal, India, was established in 1960. It is a teaching-cum-affiliating university which offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in a wide range of disciplines such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Engineering, Education and Technology. The university has several departments, including Bengali, English, History, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science and Environmental Science. The university also has several affiliated colleges and institutes.
The University of Burdwan is known for its academic excellence and has produced many notable alumni in various fields. The university also has a strong focus on research and has several research centers and institutes, including the Institute of Development Studies, the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies, and the Institute of Environmental Studies. The university is also actively involved in community service and outreach programs.
About the Microbiology Department
The Department Was Created With The Aim To Develop A Centre Of Education And Research In The Area Of Microbiology And To Prepare Students Who Can Face Successfully Both The Academic As Well As Corporate Challenges. All The Faculties Has Their Individual Projects And Are Actively Involved In Training Students For Several National Level Competitive Examinations (Such As Net, Slet, Gate, Etc.), Apart From Teaching And Training The Skills Of Microbiological Techniques As Per Syllabus. On Average Every Year About Two To Three Students Qualify These Tests. Till Date About 142 Students Has Got Pg Degree From This Department. One Student Has Been Awarded Ph. D. About 14 Students Have Qualified Net While 25 Have Qualified Gate. Students Are Performing Very Well Both Nationally As Well As Internationally. About 8 Students Are Engaged As Faculties In Different Institutes, Universities And Colleges In India; 31 Students Are Engaged In Research, 6 Have Already Got Doctorate From Premier Institutes In India & Abroad. About 20 Of Students Are Working As Scientists/Manager/Analysts In R&D Sector Of Different Biotech Companies/Organisations In India, While Nearly 5 Are Engaged As Psu Employees, Finally About 5 Of The Remaining Are Serving As Teachers At Different Schools In Inida.
Microbiology Courses
| Programme | Admission Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. in Microbiology | July-August | 5 Years |
| M.Sc. in Microbiology | August-September | 2 Years |
University Link: https://www.buruniv.ac.in/bunew/Template.php?page=Departments&stream=TS&subpage=MICBIOG
3. University of Kalyani, Department of Microbiology
The University of Kalyani, located in Kalyani, West Bengal, India, was established in 1960. It is a teaching-cum-affiliating university which offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in a wide range of disciplines such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Engineering, Technology, and Management. The University of Kalyani has several departments, including Bengali, English, History, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Environmental Science and Library and Information Science. The university also has several affiliated colleges and institutes.
The University of Kalyani is known for its academic excellence and has produced many notable alumni in various fields. The university also has a strong focus on research and has several research centers and institutes, including the Institute of Development Studies, the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies, the Institute of Environmental Studies and the Institute of Advanced Study in Education. The university is also actively involved in community service and outreach programs.
About the Microbiology Department
The Department of Microbiology was established in 2001 and has already shown its mark in the teaching in Microbiology. The Department received financial support for purchase of equipment and extension of building work from different funding agencies. Eighty percent students passing out from the Department have qualified CSIR-UGC-NET/GATE/SLET/ICMR-NET and many of them are working for their Ph. D. degree in different Universities and Research Institutes in India and abroad. Rest of the successful candidates of last four batches have been placed in different jobs in colleges and Industries.
The infrastructural facilities of the Microbiology classroom and laboratories have been developed with modern instruments, audio-visual system and computer facilities. The Department has already developed its infrastructure with some sophisticated equipments like, fermentor, UV- vis spectrophotometer, PCR thermocycler, ELISA Reader, Gel-doc system, BOD chamber, cold centrifuge and other essential equipments required for conducting research and practical classes.
Programmes offered
| Programme | Duration |
|---|---|
| Ph.D. in Microbiology | 5 Years |
| M.Sc. in Microbiology | 2 Years |
University Link: https://klyuniv.ac.in/academic/faculties/faculty-of-science/department-of-microbiology/
4. Vidyasagar University, Department of Microbiology
Vidyasagar University, named after the 19th century Indian social reformer Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, is located in Midnapore, West Bengal, India. It was established in 1981 and is a teaching-cum-affiliating university. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in a wide range of disciplines such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Engineering, Education and Technology. The university has several departments, including Bengali, English, History, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Library and Information Science. The university also has several affiliated colleges and institutes.
Vidyasagar University is known for its academic excellence and has produced many notable alumni in various fields. The university also has a strong focus on research and has several research centers and institutes, including the Institute of Development Studies, the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies, and the Institute of Environmental Studies. The university is also actively involved in community service and outreach programs. It is named after the famous Bengali polymath Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, who was a teacher, reformer, philanthropist and a key figure of the Bengal Renaissance.
About the Microbiology Department
Post-graduate teaching of Microbiology in Vidyasagar University was started in the year 2001 as a unit in the Department of Botany and Forestry with the help of Higher Education Department, Government of West Bengal. The unit turned into a full-fledged department in the year 2004. Infrastructural facility of this department is quite good. At present six faculty members are covering the said course in four semesters. Neat and clean lecture gallery, laboratory rooms, instrument room, faculty rooms and a big computer room with 24hrs internet facility fulfilled up to date standard of this department. The Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility (BIF) center has been created in this department with funding from Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, New Delhi. A large number of research projects funded by UGC, DST, CSIR and DRDO were successfully completed and two projects are currently running in our department. Every year a good number of research papers have been published in the journal of national and international repute by the faculty members. Recently a national seminar on “Microbiology in 21st Century” was organized by the department and about 193 participants attended the same.
A quite number of students qualified for NET and GATE. Passed out students of microbiology department are absorbed in different research laboratories as well as in industries. Microbiology Department is also conducting an innovative course on PG Diploma in Quality Control and Assurance in Microbial Technology (QCAMT). The said course is funded by UGC since 2013 with an intake capacity of 20 students. They have included some emerging fields of biology in their revised course curricula. The fields are Nano-technology, Bioinformatics, Intellectual property right etc. CBCS mode of syllabus in M.Sc. course is introduced from this year.
| Programme | Duration |
|---|---|
| Ph.D. in Microbiology | 5 Years |
| M.Sc. in Microbiology | 2 Years |
University Link: http://www.vidyasagar.ac.in/departments/Microbiology/
5. West Bengal State University, Department of Microbiology
West Bengal State University (WBSU) is a state university located in Barasat, West Bengal, India. It was established in 2008 and offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in various disciplines such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Engineering, Technology and Management. The university has several departments, including Bengali, English, History, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Library and Information Science. The university also has several affiliated colleges and institutes.
WBSU is known for its academic excellence and has produced many notable alumni in various fields. The university also has a strong focus on research and has several research centers and institutes, including the Institute of Development Studies, the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies, and the Institute of Environmental Studies. The university is also actively involved in community service and outreach programs. The university offers students the opportunity to participate in various extracurricular activities and clubs to help them develop their talents and interests outside the classroom.
About the Microbiology Department
The Department had its inception in 2009. The secret of the success of the department lies in the academic environment and close ties between teachers and students. While one enjoys such flexibility a rigid discipline is maintained as far as the classes and projects are undertaken. This makes the department efficient as a research institute minus the official rigidity there in. Presently a number of Research Projects are being carried out by the different faculty members of this department. There has been some important work in the fields of bioinformatics, cancer biology, environmental biotechnology and diseases with emphasis on mycobacteriosis and zoonotics.
| Programme | Level of study | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| M.Sc (2 yrs. duration) | PG | B.Sc.(Hons) |
University link: https://wbsu.ac.in/web/department/microbiology/
6. Aliah University
Aliah University is a state-funded university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The Department of Microbiology is one of the departments of the university. The department offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in Microbiology. The undergraduate program is a four-year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Microbiology, while the postgraduate program is a two-year Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Microbiology. The doctoral program is a Ph.D. in Microbiology.
The department is well-equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and has a team of experienced and dedicated faculty members who are actively involved in teaching and research. The department’s research activities include studies on various aspects of Microbiology such as Medical Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, and Microbial Biotechnology. The department also conducts regular workshops, seminars, and conferences to provide a platform for students and faculty members to share their research findings and to learn about the latest developments in the field of Microbiology.
The department has a strong emphasis on research and has produced many notable alumni in the field of Microbiology. It also encourages students to participate in research projects under the guidance of faculty members and provides opportunities for students to present their research findings at conferences and seminars.
Check More Detail: https://aliah.ac.in/
7. Amity University
Amity University is a private university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The Department of Microbiology is one of the departments of the university. The department offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in Microbiology. The undergraduate program is a four-year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Microbiology, while the postgraduate program is a two-year Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Microbiology. The doctoral program is a Ph.D. in Microbiology.
The department is well-equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and has a team of experienced and dedicated faculty members who are actively involved in teaching and research. The department’s research activities include studies on various aspects of Microbiology such as Medical Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, and Microbial Biotechnology. The department also conducts regular workshops, seminars, and conferences to provide a platform for students and faculty members to share their research findings and to learn about the latest developments in the field of Microbiology.
The department has a strong emphasis on research and has produced many notable alumni in the field of Microbiology. It also encourages students to participate in research projects under the guidance of faculty members and provides opportunities for students to present their research findings at conferences and seminars. Amity University is a well-known and reputed university known for its academic excellence and facilities provided to students, it has several other departments in various fields such as engineering, management, law and also has collaborations with several reputed universities across the globe.
Check More Detail: https://www.amity.edu/
8. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal (formerly known as West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT)) is a state university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It was established in 2000 by the Government of West Bengal. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in various fields such as Engineering, Technology, Management, Computer Science, and Applied Sciences. The university has a number of research centers and departments, including a center for renewable energy and a department of biotechnology. The university also has collaborations with many international universities to provide students with opportunities for study abroad and internships. The university aims to provide quality education and promote research in various fields, with an emphasis on technology and engineering. This university offers both M.Sc and B.Sc Degree in Microbioogy.
Check Detail: https://makautwb.ac.in/page.php?id=200
9. University of North Bengal
The University of North Bengal (UNB) is a state university located in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India. It was established in 1962 by the Government of West Bengal. The University offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in various fields such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Education, and Technology. The University has a number of research centers and departments, including a center for Himalayan studies and a department of forest management. The University also has collaborations with many international universities to provide students with opportunities for study abroad and internships. The University aims to provide quality education and promote research in various fields, with an emphasis on the study of the region of North Bengal and the surrounding Himalayan region.
The Department of Microbiology was established in the year 2005 with a mission to promote and facilitate dissemination of knowledge and research in Microbiology and its related avenues. The department offers M.Sc. in Microbiology and Ph.D. degree in Microbiology and Interdisciplinary subjects. Currently the department has five faculty members and three associated staff. There are currently 49 M.Sc. students , 3 registered research scholars and two scholars who have completed course work in the department. Research interests of the department are Bioprocess technology, Enzyme technology, Food Microbiology, Stress Biology, Environmental Microbiology, Applied microbiology, Microbial Biotechnology and Molecular Biology. The department has modern research facility and infrastructure to support the teaching and research activities. The post graduates from this department are already employed in various National/International academic, research and industrial organizations. The Department strives to spearhead research and educational programs in an effort to provide solutions to some of the current world’s most pressing issues, such as alternative energy sources, remediation of industrial pollutions etc.
Academic programs in Microbiology offered by this University
- M. Phil. in Microbiology: The learners get research foundation for doctoral degree.
- MSc in Microbiology: This two year self-finance programme covers different branches of Microbiology such as Bacteriology, Virology, and Eukaryotic microbes. The learners will be able to explain various application of Microbiology and to design & execute experiments related to Microbiology & Microbial Genetics.
- Ph.D. in Microbiology: The students get exposed to research ethics, ways to avoid plagiarism and all aspects of research methodology in concerned discipline.
Check Detail: https://www.nbu.ac.in/
10. Raiganj University
The post-graduate teaching of microbiology was started in Raiganj University in the year 2016. Before that under-graduate teaching had been continued since 2003 under the erstwhile Raiganj University College, Raiganj. At present the Department of Microbiology, Raiganj University offering the degree of B.Sc (Honours) in Microbiology with 42 seats, M.Sc in Microbiology and also Ph.D. in Microbiology. Presently 9 faculty members are serving in the department with different research interest like Enzyme technology, Biofertilizer, Probiotics, Cell & Molecular biology, Infection Biology, Bioinformatics and Medical Microbiology. The additional grants for research and infrastructural development of the department have been sanctioned from UGC, ICMR, DBT and DST, Govt. of India, Govt. of West Bengal and also from private sectors like Biostadt India Ltd. and Sanzyme Biologics. Every year, a good number of research papers have been published in the journal of national and international repute by the faculty members. Students from this department have qualified NET, GATE, SET and other national competitive examinations. Passed out students of the department have been absorbed in different research laboratories as well as in industries. The curricula has been upgraded periodically and Emerging fields of biology is included in the revised course curricula to ensure that the fresh, young and creative-minds should acquaint with modern knowledge and skill to become globally competent leader in their respective fields.
Academic Programs
| Level & Nature of the Programs | Degrees Approved/Offered |
| Bachelors | B.Sc.(H)-Microbiology |
| Masters (Taught) | M.Sc.- Microbiology |
| Masters (Research) | M.Phil.- Microbiology |
| Doctoral | Ph.D. (Science)- Microbiology |
Check More Detail: https://raiganjuniversity.ac.in/microbiology/
11. Swami Vivekananda University
Swami Vivekananda University (SVU) is a private university located in the state of West Bengal, India. It was established in 2018 by the West Bengal Swami Vivekananda University Act, 2018. It is recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC). The University offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in various fields such as Engineering, Technology, Management, Computer Science, Applied Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law and Medical Science. The University has a number of research centers and departments, it also has collaborations with many international universities to provide students with opportunities for study abroad and internships. The University aims to provide quality education and promote research in various fields, with an emphasis on the study of the Indian Philosophy, Culture and Heritage.
Swami Vivekananda University offers Both M.Sc and B.Sc Course In Microbilogy.
Check More Detail: https://www.swamivivekanandauniversity.ac.in/
12. Techno India University
Techno India University (TIU) is a private university located in the state of West Bengal, India. It is part of the Techno India Group, which is a well-known educational group in the country. The university was established in 2012 and is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in various fields such as Engineering, Technology, Management, Computer Science, Applied Sciences, and Humanities. The university has a number of research centers and state-of-the-art facilities to support students’ learning and research activities. It also offers various programs that are tailored to meet the needs of the industry and has a strong focus on industry-oriented education. TIU also has collaborations with many international universities to provide students with opportunities for study abroad and internships.
The collaboration of the teachers of the interacting Departments of Techno India University has been established, so as to bring together all the relevant disciplines in a common platform to impart this multidisciplinary course. The Department of Microbiology has also received financial support for purchase of equipment and extension of building work from the the Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India and other funding agencies. This has played a pivotal role in the proliferation of the department. The course being taught at Techno India University would help the students in getting a extensive knowledge based on theoretical and applied aspects of different disciplines of microbiology in general and its peripheral areas in particular. It is aimed at offering high quality training and generating expertise in the frontier areas of microbial technology, and to provide enthusiastic ambience to the talented individuals. The course includes inter-alia, collaborative efforts with different institutes, industries, clinical laboratories and other similar agencies. Hence, the courses open up lucrative opportunities of employment and entrepreneurship.
Techno India University offeres M.Sc, B.Sc, and P.hd Courses in Microbiology
Check More Detail: https://www.technoindiauniversity.ac.in/
13. JIS University
JIS University (JISU) is a private university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It was established in 2015 and is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in various fields such as Engineering, Management, Law, Computer Science, Applied Sciences, and Humanities. JISU also has collaborations with many international universities to provide students with opportunities for study abroad and internships. The university has a number of research centers and state-of-the-art facilities to support students’ learning and research activities. JISU also has a strong focus on industry-oriented education and offers various programs that are tailored to meet the needs of the industry.
Check More Detail: https://www.jisuniversity.ac.in/dept-bioscience.php
14. Bankura University
Bankura University is a state university located in Bankura, West Bengal, India. It was established in 2012 by the Government of West Bengal. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in various fields such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Education, and Technology. It also has a number of research centers and departments, including a center for tribal studies and a department of women’s studies. The university aims to provide quality education and promote research in various fields. This university only offers B.Sc in Microbiology.
Check More detail: https://www.bankurauniv.ac.in/
Nice Article