Introduction
Department of Microbiology
Division of Microbiology was established in 2013 under the aegis of Department of Water & Health, Faculty of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru. In the year 2020, the Division of Microbiology was recognized as "Department of Microbiology". The Department has adequate infrastructure and basic amenities and offers Under-graduation (B.Sc), Post-graduation (M.Sc) and PhD degrees in Microbiology. The study of Microbiology offers tremendous avenues and has considerable potential in Applied Sciences.
In addition, the Department also offers Diploma in Tissue Culture (1 Year). The Department has nine teaching faculties with rich teaching and research experience. All the faculties are recognized guides under the JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research.
Currently, the faculties in the department are engaged in research on Epidemiology, Clinical Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Probiotics and Food Microbiology. The prime theme and area of focus of the department is to impart quality teaching and create abundant research opportunities in the health care sector. The department focuses and emphasizes vibrant teaching, learning & an interactive environment between students and faculty. The faculties are specialized in different fields of Microbiology viz., Mycology, Plant Pathology, Epidemiology, Clinical Microbiology, Herbal Drug Technology for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Biofilm Development, Probiotics, Human Microbiome Studies & Functional Genomics, Microbial Characterisation of Water Sources, Mycorrhizal Association, Bioremediation, etc., The mandates of the department are to mentor and channelize students to ace the various national/international competitive examinations e.g. UGC-CSIR NET, KSLET, GATE, etc. The dissertation and research experience aids students to frame the objectives to receive fellowships from different funding agencies viz., ICMR, ICAR, DST, DBT, etc. The department encourages interdisciplinary research in association with its sister departments/divisions viz., Nutrition & Dietetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Nanoscience & Technology, etc., to foster best interdisciplinary environment for M.Sc. students. The Department actively hosts activities such as research talks, seminars and lecture series and offers consultancy services. The faculties of the department are life members and are serving as Executive committee members of the Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI), Mysore-Chapter, and had organized a National Conference with the theme on Biology of Microbes: Evolution along with Technology in 2016.
The course is distinctive and has vast scope as microbiologists are involved in various roles in different sectors of Medicine, Clinical Research, Agriculture, Dairy & Food industry, Water & Waste Water Industry, Biochemistry, etc., The course fosters continuous improvement and innovation towards entrepreneurship with exceptional emphasis on skill development on Biofertilizers, Compost production Technology, Fermented Food, Wine preparation technology, Baking technology, Recycling Organic wastes, Vermicomposting, etc. Postgraduates can gain prolific research experience through the research project during their fourth semester as a part of the curriculum.