In today’s biotechnology-driven world, this postgraduate programme can be highly beneficial for candidates aiming for research, diagnostic, or industrial roles. The curriculum includes theoretical knowledge with laboratory practices. Also, candidates can study topics such as genetics, molecular diagnostics, microbiology, and drug discovery.
Here, aspirants can explore all the essential details on M.Sc Biochemistry including, eligibility, syllabus, top colleges, books, career opportunities, and job scope in a structured way.
The full form stands for Master of Science in Biochemistry. The course primarily focuses on the chemical composition of living matter, enzymology, metabolism, genetic coding, and the biochemical basis of diseases.
Graduates from this PG course are expected to gain advanced skills in molecular techniques, analytical instrumentation, and computational biology. Learning this course can open career opportunities in academic institutions, research laboratories, healthcare, and biotechnology-based industries. Here is a quick overview of the 2-year programme:
M.Sc Biochemistry Overview | |
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Particulars | Details |
Course Name | Master of Science in Biochemistry (M.Sc Biochemistry) |
Duration | 2 Years (4 Semesters) |
Course Level | Postgraduate |
Eligibility | B.Sc. in Biochemistry / Chemistry / Life Sciences or related discipline |
Average Fees | ₹25,000 to ₹2,00,000 per year |
Top Entrance Exams | CUET PG, BHU PET, IIT JAM, and other university-level exams |
Average Salary (Starting) | ₹4 to ₹8 LPA |
Career Roles | Biochemist, Research Scientist, Clinical Analyst, Lecturer, Pharma R&D |
Note: The above details about the postgraduate course in Biochemistry may vary depending on the university or institute. Thus, aspirants must confirm official information from the concerned institution before applying.
It is recommended to check all the Eligibility Criteria in the chosen institution before applying. Candidates are required to check the eligibility conditions carefully. Some requirements, like qualifications, age, etc, may differ across central universities, state universities, and private institutions. However, the broad eligibility norms remain similar across India:
M.Sc Biochemistry Eligibility Criteria | |
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Criteria | Requirements |
Educational Qualification | B.Sc. in Biochemistry / Chemistry / Biotechnology / Life Sciences or equivalent |
Minimum Marks | 50–60% aggregate in undergraduate degree (varies by institution) |
Age Limit | No specific upper age limit |
Additional Requirement | Some universities may require candidates to have Chemistry and Biology as core subjects in their undergraduate courses |
Note: Universities may revise eligibility norms based on their admission policies with each passing year. Therefore, candidates are advised to go through official notifications before filling out applications to learn about the updated Eligibility Criteria.
The admission process depends on the university. Prestigious central universities and institutes usually conduct entrance examinations, while some private colleges admit students based on graduation marks. Here is the common admission process that candidates can follow:
M.Sc Biochemistry Admission Process | |
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Mode | Details |
Merit-Based | Selection based on B.Sc. aggregate marks |
Entrance-Based | Admission through exams like CUET PG, BHU PET, IIT JAM, etc. |
Counselling | Conducted for seat allocation, document verification, and fee payment |
Final Selection | Based on the combined performance in the merit or entrance and counselling rounds |
Note: The admission procedure may differ across institutions. Therefore, aspirants are recommended to refer to university websites for official admission guidelines.
For admission in 2025 in M.Sc in Biochemistry, aspirants should be aware of the national-level and university-level entrance exams. These exams typically assess knowledge in biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, and allied subjects. Here are the most popular entrance examinations conducted throughout the country for admission in the Biochemistry PG program:
M.Sc Biochemistry Entrance Exams | |||
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Exam Name | Conducting Body | Mode | Subjects Covered |
CUET PG | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Online (CBT) | Biochemistry, Life Sciences, General Aptitude |
IIT JAM (Biotech) | Indian Institutes of Technology | Online (CBT) | Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology |
BHU PET | Banaras Hindu University | Online/Offline | Biochemistry & Allied Life Sciences |
Note: Candidates must check the latest entrance exam notifications before preparing. It is possible to observe a few changes in the examination scheme and pattern with time.
The M.Sc Biochemistry syllabus is designed to combine fundamental and advanced concepts of biochemistry with hands-on laboratory training to the students. Aspirants are expected to study enzymology, metabolism, molecular genetics, immunology, bioinformatics, and research methodologies under this course. Here is the glimpse of M.Sc Biochemistry syllabus of all the 4 semesters:
M.Sc Biochemistry syllabus | |
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Semester | Subjects Covered |
Semester 1 | Biomolecules, Enzymology, Cell Biology, Analytical Biochemistry |
Semester 2 | Metabolism, Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering, Plant Biochemistry |
Semester 3 | Immunology, Clinical Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biostatistics |
Semester 4 | Advanced Biochemistry, Research Methodology, Bioinformatics, Dissertation/Project |
Note: The course structure may vary across universities. However, the UGC syllabus guidelines may be followed with slight modifications by each institution.
Apart from semester-wise modules, aspirants are also introduced to specialised core subjects under the syllabus that provide depth in applied and theoretical aspects of them. Here are the details of the core subjects in the Biochemistry PG course:
M.Sc Biochemistry Core Subjects | |
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Core Subject | Focus Area |
Enzymology | Mechanisms, kinetics, and regulation of enzymes |
Metabolism | Carbohydrate, protein, lipid, and nucleic acid metabolism |
Molecular Biology | DNA replication, transcription, translation, and genetic regulation |
Immunology | Immune system mechanisms, antigen-antibody reactions, immunotechniques |
Clinical Biochemistry | Biochemical basis of diseases, biomarkers, diagnostics |
Bioinformatics | Database usage, molecular modelling, computational tools |
Note: Core subjects may differ across institutions. Some colleges may include elective papers for specialisation in the master’s course. Hence, candidates are recommended to check this with their chosen university’s website or prospectus before taking admission.
India has several reputed universities and institutes that offer programs to pursue M.Sc in biotechnology. Central universities are often more affordable, while private universities may provide additional research infrastructure, so they can seem a bit expensive. Here is the list of top colleges in India for M.Sc in biochemistry:
Top Colleges in India for M.Sc in Biochemistry | ||
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College/University | Location | Exam Accepted |
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi | CUET PG / BHU PET |
Delhi University (DU) | New Delhi | CUET PG |
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | New Delhi | JNUEE |
University of Hyderabad | Hyderabad | CUET PG |
Osmania University | Hyderabad | OU Entrance |
University of Madras | Chennai | CUET PG |
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Aligarh | University Entrance |
The fee structure for the course depends on the type of institution (central, state, or private). Here are the estimated fee ranges on the basis of the type of institutions:
Fees in India for M.Sc in Biochemistry | |
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Type of Institution | Average Fee Range (per year) |
Central/State Universities | ₹25,000 – ₹70,000 |
IITs/NITs/Research Institutes | ₹80,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
Private Universities | ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000 |
Note: Fees mentioned are indicative and may change based on institution policies. Candidates are advised to confirm the actual fee from their desired university or institution's web portal.
Some Books can help candidates develop an in-depth understanding of the subject. In addition to this, reference books are important for preparing well for both coursework and competitive exams.
Aspirants may refer to the following widely recommended titles of Books:
Popular Biochemistry Books for M.Sc | |
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Subject | Recommended Books |
Biochemistry | Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry – Nelson & Cox |
Molecular Biology | Molecular Biology of the Cell – Bruce Alberts |
Enzymology | Fundamentals of Enzymology – Nicholas C. Price |
Clinical Biochemistry | Clinical Biochemistry – William J. Marshall |
Immunology | Kuby Immunology – Judith A. Owen |
Bioinformatics | Bioinformatics: Principles and Applications – Zhumur Ghosh |
Graduates of the course can pursue diverse career opportunities across research, industry, and academia. With the growing focus on biotechnology, clinical research, and pharmaceuticals, the demand for biochemists is steadily rising. Here are the popular Job roles for the graduates:
Jobs for M.Sc in Biochemistry | |
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Career Role | Average Salary (per annum) |
Biochemist | ₹5 – ₹9 LPA |
Clinical Research Associate | ₹4 – ₹8 LPA |
Pharma R&D Scientist | ₹6 – ₹12 LPA |
Lecturer/Professor | ₹4 – ₹7 LPA |
Molecular Biologist | ₹6 – ₹10 LPA |
Research Scientist | ₹7 – ₹14 LPA |
Note: The above data is for indicative purposes only. Job roles and salaries are based on candidates’ potential, skills, and their organisation.
The future scope of pursuing the course can be highly promising, as aspirants may pursue:
Higher Studies: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or related fields.
Research Roles: Positions in CSIR, ICMR, DBT, DRDO, and international labs.
Industrial Careers: Opportunities in pharma companies, biotech startups, healthcare analytics, and the food industry
Global Careers: Scope in international research and biotech industries due to growing global demand.