Department of Microbiology

Small components are among the most vital and powerful elements of any system, and microorganisms hold this significance for planet Earth. Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University (MDSU), Ajmer, pioneered microbiological education in Rajasthan by launching the state's first M.Sc. Microbiology program in 1993. The Department of Microbiology (DoM) is dedicated to satisfying curiosity about the life of organisms invisible to the naked eye and through them, provides deep insights into life as a whole.

The student in Microbiology or Biotechnology explores fundamental questions such as how life is sustained and evolved, the possibility of life beyond Earth (exobiology), and the biology (biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology and genetics) of microorganisms. S/he learns about the diversity of microorganisms, their roles in biogeochemical dynamics, interactions, and the extreme ends of existence and focuses on how microbes or their processes/products can be harnessed in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, agriculture, environment, medicine, food, water, and hospitality (hotels, food joints and tourism) industry.

Besides, care for hygiene is of utmost importance in almost all walks of human life.

The Department of Microbiology offers academic programmes to build strong foundations in microbial sciences. It conducts postgraduate programmes including Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Microbiology along with M.Sc. in Biotechnology.

These programmes are aimed at cultivating a deep understanding of various aspects of the subject where a student has a choice to specialize in fields like medical microbiology, environmental microbiology, industrial microbiology or food microbiology.

The curriculum offers an open choice based credit system (CBCS) where students can explore, play and experiment with his or her academic choices - selecting elective papers from within the department or from interdisciplinary areas across the university. The pedagogy encourages academic freedom and creativity, fostering critical thinking and research aptitude.

Students are given opportunities to integrate foundation courses with modern advancements in microbiology, biotechnology, and related life sciences. Continuous internal assessments, practical training, and research-based projects under this flexible academic framework help students develop both conceptual understanding and hands-on skills suited to evolving scientific and industrial demands.

Both programs are modular allowing exit after each semester and reentry within two years of exit. Successful completion will earn:

• PG Certificate (Minimum 1 semester)
• PG Diploma (Minimum 2 semesters)
• Advanced PG Diploma (Minimum 3 semesters)
• M.Sc. Degree (Minimum 4 Semesters)

1. Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms
2. Microbiology of Extremes
3. Microorganisms Diversity and Ecology
4. Molecular Biology
5. Environmental Microbiology & Biotechnology
6. Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology
7. Biofuel & Bioenergy
8. Medical Microbiology
9. Pharmaceutical Microbiology
10. Diagnostic Microbiology

1. Molecular & Synthetic Biology
2. Plant Biotechnology
3. Animal Biotechnology
4. Medical Biotechnology
5. Industrial Biotechnology
6. Food Biotechnology
7. Environmental Biotechnology
8. Entrepreneurship in Biotechnology

Financial Assistance

Besides the fee refund and/or scholarships of the Department of Social Justice of Government of Rajasthan, two toppers in MSc Microbiology (Previous and Final Year each) are provided Jaganbai Mayadevi Endowment Scholarship and Professional Faculty Fund Scholarship, respectively. One topper each in MSc Biotechnology (Previous and Final year) is eligible for Professional Faculty Fund Scholarship.

Pedagogy

Learning at the DoM is activity based and besides the knowledge of the subject, tries to inculcate skills important for employment and entrepreneurship while honing some of the vital skills for life. Driven by the motto "Unveil the Hidden Strength," the faculty strives to unlock both the potential of its students and the power of these invisible yet essential organisms.

The DoM is the first department in Rajasthan that presented students with a basket of 24 elective courses in M.Sc. Microbiology and 21 elective courses for M.Sc. Biotechnology with choice of multiple entry and exit since 2015. We emphasize a practical, internship-driven, and project-based learning approach, offering 24x7 open access to research laboratories to support their academic and research endeavors.

Technical writing, planning and designing research are an integral part of the curriculum. Tracking, site seeing, Socratic seminars, and student seminars are part of our learning methodology. One week workshops/training are creditable courses in our program and the students have learnt serodiagnostics, vermicomposting, preparing fermented brews and fermented foods and cultivating mushrooms, cyanobacterial biofertilizer and Azolla. The workshops are also open for a limited number of students from other departments of the University.

Learning Beyond Syllabus

The DoM runs a PG Club "Microconcern" with the motto "All that concerns" as part of its student orientation activities, where postgraduate students come together to engage in academic engagement, scientific exchange, collaborative learning, community connect and skill-building events.

Besides literary activities, the PG Club also organizes sports and various cultural events, celebrates festivals, and conducts activities designed to boost creativity and promote mental health. These initiatives help students relieve the stress of their studies and foster a balanced, healthy campus life.

Microorganisms Day

17 September marks the day in 1676 when Anton von Leeuwenhoek first saw and described microorganisms. This day is celebrated as International/World Microorganism Day.

Atreya Lecture Series

Named after Atreya - the physician of Takshashila who was born at Panchanad of Kashmir during Kanishka's period this lecture series provides students and faculty with opportunities to interact with leading experts, gain exposure to current research, and broaden their academic horizons.

The Atreya Galaxy includes renowned scientists and academicians from institutions such as IARI New Delhi, Delhi University, JNU New Delhi, Philips University Marburg, NII New Delhi, USEPA, IIT Mumbai, AIIMS New Delhi, and IIT Guwahati.

Madhavkar Awareness Campaign

Named after Madhavkar, the physician of the 8th-9th century and author of Rugvinishchaya (Madhavnidan), this campaign promotes awareness about the roles of microorganisms. Beginning in 2025, it is conducted annually from World Microorganisms Day (17 September) to National Ayurved Day (23 September) and includes poster exhibitions and lectures.

Covid-19 Awareness and Safeguards

From 12 March 2020 to 30 May 2020, Microconcern conducted a large-scale awareness initiative. Posters promoting proper handwashing and personal hygiene related to coronavirus were displayed at public locations including toilets, railway stations, restaurants, hospitals, malls, courts, offices, and jails in Ajmer.

When sanitizer shortages occurred in the early phase of the pandemic, the department prepared sanitizers and distributed them to university employees. Hygiene demonstrations were conducted at Central Jail, University offices, Hindustan Zinc, IG Police Office, RPSC, Sophia College, and among university sanitation workers.

ConServe - In Service of Nature

ConServe is an action platform that organizes nature trails focusing on visible microbiological features such as microbiotic crusts, desert varnish, biofilms, algal blooms, and anthropogenic destruction of natural bodies. Activities include plantation drives and plant parenting to promote environmental awareness and responsibility towards nature.

Camaraderie

Birthday celebrations of students and faculty members foster a sense of community, camaraderie, and belonging within the department.

Research

The Department of Microbiology (DoM) was recognized as the Satellite Centre for Microalgal Biodiversity in Arid Zones of Rajasthan (SCMBAZR) from 1999 to 2002 by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. From 2000 to 2012, it also served as the Prosthecate Bacteria & Micrococcus Centre under the All India Coordinated Project on Taxonomy of the Ministry of Environment & Forests.

The Algae Biofuel & Biomolecules Centre, launched on March 3, 2011, is the university's first interdisciplinary research centre. It collaborates with departments of Environmental Science, Food Science & Nutrition, Economics, and Management. The centre has undertaken projects on algal cultivation systems and currently runs a private funded project supported by the Parenteral Drug Association India Chapter.

Research on desert microorganisms earned recognition from the Earth Microbiome Project and resulted in authorship in the prestigious journal Nature. Collaborative research with the University of Georgia led to the development of a mist-based algae cultivation system awarded a US patent (US20160376543A1).

Facilities

The department is equipped with advanced laboratory infrastructure including preparatory laboratories, environmental microbiology laboratories, molecular biology and analytical biochemistry laboratories, microscopy laboratories, biofuel and bioprocessing laboratories, biopolymer laboratories, bacteriology and mycology laboratories, lecture halls with smart boards, seminar halls, library and museum facilities, algae growth rooms, mushroom cultivation rooms, autoclaving zones, and outdoor algae and Azolla cultivation units.

Alumni Network

The Department of Microbiology maintains an active alumni network called "Biodictyon" with the tagline "Network for Life." By 2024, a total of 662 students had graduated from the department. Alumni frequently engage with current students through talks, placement assistance, and collaborative curriculum development.

Alumni Meet

The third alumni meet was held on 10-11 January 2025 with participation from alumni, faculty, research scholars, and students. The event served as a platform for reconnecting with alumni and strengthening professional and academic networks.

Academic Collaborations

Networking and collaboration have been central to the development of the DoM. The department has been involved in national biodiversity initiatives, international collaborations such as with the University of Hong Kong, and interdisciplinary research through the Algae Biofuel & Biomolecules Centre.

Collaborative agreements have also been signed with institutions such as the Materials & Energy Research Centre (Iran) and Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi. Various MoUs with the Department of Biotechnology and other organizations support research projects including low-water demanding algal cultivation systems and advanced wound care biomaterials.