M.Sc Life Science: Admission 2025, Syllabus, Eligibility, Colleges, Careers

M Sc Life Science is a postgraduate degree program of 2 years. It is a specialization in life science fundamentals that trains students for various biological processes involved in the life of a plant, animal, human, as well as microorganisms. The course curriculum equips you with research, analytical, and writing skills that are required for a career in Research, academia, or an Industrial Job.

MSc Life Science eligibility criteria involve having 50-60% in a BSc degree from a UGC-recognised university. Additionally, qualifying for a GATE or JAM makes you eligible for admission in premier institutes like IISc Bangalore, Indian Institute of Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, etc. Some other private universities offering MSc Life Science considering BSc merit are Parul University, CHARUSAT, MAHE, Amity University, etc.

M Sc in Life Science opens the door to a research career in various research labs like CSIR, or diagnostic labs like SRL Diagnostics. It also leads you to an academic career in private or government schools and colleges. It requires additional teaching qualifications like SET/NET/B.Ed/TAT examinations.

M Sc Life Science Key Highlights

The key highlights of MSc Life Science are tabulated below.

What is an M Sc Life Science?

M Sc Life Science is a 2-year postgraduate course that focuses on various biotic and abiotic factors present in our environment. It teaches your plant kingdom, animal and human anatomy, physiology, biochemical processes, genetics, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and other relevant subjects.

The course also trains you for various analytical and separation techniques, diagnostic techniques, handling of instruments, and a research project during the final semester.

It leads you to pursue a PhD or research fellow position in a government-funded project globally.

Also, read MSc Biotechnology

Why Study M Sc Life Science?

M Sc Life Science offers a direct entry to PhD in any Life Science domain such as Environmental Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Zoology/Botany, Genetics, Animal Biotechnology, or Plant Biotechnology.

• It is a doorway to an academic career in schools, colleges, and universities.
• M Sc in Life Science will make you eligible to qualify a SET or NET exam for assistant professor positions.
• The course curriculum provides you an in-depth knowledge of life fundamentals as well as hands-on training on handling of biotic specimens (plants/microbes/animals) and other technical/instrumental techniques.

Who should study M Sc Life Science?

M Sc Life Science is an ideal course for those looking to explore research in life science areas, including plants, environment, animals, medical, etc.

• Those wanting to develop their career in academics can definitely pursue this course as schools, colleges, and universities require MSc-PhD graduates for teaching positions.
• Candidates looking to work on government-funded research projects must pursue MSc Life Science as it is the minimal eligibility to work as Junior Research Fellow (JRF) or to enrol in PhD.

M Sc Life Science Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for an MSc Life Science, a minimum of 50% or equivalent CGPA in BSc is required.

• Any BSc graduates with Life Science majors (Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, life science) can apply.
• Candidates should have GATE or CUET qualification for admission in renowned universities like Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Mumbai University, etc.
• Other eligibility criteria for M Sc in Life Science may include personal interview post examination.

M Sc Life Science Entrance Exams

M Sc Life Science admission is either based on graduation merit or through an entrance exam assessment. Some of the common entrance exams accepted for MSc Life Science admission are IIT JAM, GATE (BT/Lifescience), and CUET PG.

There are some other state or university-specific entrance exams that can be considered based on the chosen institute for admission.

M Sc Life Science Colleges in India

M Sc Life Science is offered by many private and government institutes in India. Colleges offer MSc Life Science with different specialisations such as MSc Biotechnology, MSc Microbiology, MSc Biochemistry, MSc Life Science & Genetics, etc. Therefore, candidates are advised to cross verify the available specialization and course category for their chosen institute.

M Sc Life Science Admission Process

The M Sc Life Science Admission process for IISc Bangalore is explained below for reference.

Step 1. Online Application: Candidates have to apply online by the form given on its official portal, admissions.iisc.ac.in

Step 2. Registration: Firstly, register yourself as a new user on the portal.

Step 3. Fill Application Form: Fill in all required personal and academic information accurately. This includes details of your 10th, 12th, and Bachelor's degrees, and your scores/ranks in the qualifying entrance exams (JAM/GATE).

Step 4. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of necessary documents.

Step 5. Submission: Pay an application fee and submit your candidature.

Step 6. Shortlisting: Candidates are shortlisted for an interview based on their JAM rank or GATE score. IISc will then release cut-off ranks.

Step 7. Interview: The final selection is based solely on your performance in the interview. Candidates called for an interview must bring original attested copies of all their academic transcripts and certificates for verification.

Step 8. Offer Letter: Shortlisted candidates will be notified through the applicant's interface on the IISc admission portal. Candidates are required to download the offer letter for further reference.

Step 9. Admission Confirmation: After receiving the offer letter, candidates will need to complete the admission formalities, including payment of initial tuition fees.

Documents Required:

• Original Marksheet of 10th and 12th grade, Graduation certificate
• Entrance Exam score card (if applicable)
• School Leaving Certificate
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Birth Certificate
• ID Proof (Aadhar/ PAN/ Passport)
• Passport-size Photograph

M Sc Life Science Syllabus

M Sc Life Science subjects include basic to advanced biology and life science fundamentals concepts, mainly for plants, animals, microbes, and humans. Given below is an MSc Life Science syllabus followed at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University.

M Sc Life Science Job Opportunities in India

M Sc Life Science jobs are dynamic in nature. One can explore quality control or quality assurance roles in pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. Those interested in research can opt for PhD or join a research lab as JRF or Research Associate. Candidates looking to develop their career in education can further prepare for exams like SET and UGC-CSIR NET to be eligible for assistant professor positions.

M Sc Life Science FAQs