Introduction

Biotechnology, a multidisciplinary subject finds applications in varied fields from medicine to agriculture and from environment to sericulture. The term biotechnology was coined in the year 1919 by a Hungarian engineer Karl Ereky. The subject has revolutionized science since then.

Keeping a beat to the global demands for researchers in this field a full fledged post graduate degree course (MSc) in Biotechnology was introduced at the University of Mumbai in the year 1997. The department has also started a PhD program in biotechnology since May 2012.

The post graduate course initially started in three colleges across Mumbai, the subject is now offered at post graduate level in 18 colleges across Mumbai. The admissions though not centralized the course contents are uniform throughout the colleges under the umbrella of University of Mumbai. The course contents have been developed by senior faculties from various colleges affiliated to the University of Mumbai.

The department was one of the 1st three to have started this course in the year 1997. Initially as a part of the department of life sciences, an administratively independent University department of biotechnology was established in the year 2006. Since its inception the department has witnessed a consistent rise in the students demand for the subject. The department is well equipped with the all the necessary instruments and a number of research facilities within the campus as well as out of the campus are made available to the students.

The department has a young enthusiastic and student friendly staff. The teachers are available to the students for academic as well as personal counseling. The department has been encouraging the students to independently think as well as implement research ideas. The faulty also guides the students during their participation in a number of co-curricular as well as extra-curricular activities across various colleges, research institutes and Universities in the country.

The department has an excellent alumni support. The alumni have been guiding the present students with respect to the placements, studies as well as summer trainings. Every year the department has a number of researchers coming across the globe for the purpose of research collaborations and or campus recruitments. International Researcher from National Singapore University, Singapore, Nissin Foods, Japan, University of Deakin, Australia have visited the department for possible research collaborations as well as campus recruitments.

Since the last five years the department has witnessed a recruitment of over 80% and the distribution of students in various areas can be depicted as follows:
48% Research; 12-13% teaching / Lectureship; 11-12% Clinical Research; 10% technical marketing.

How to get to Department

The department of Biotechnology, University of Mumbai is located at Santacruz (East), which is a Western suburb in of Mumbai.
Public Transport: Mumbai is known to have one of the most efficient and reliable public transport networks. One can avail of the available public transport systems like auto rickshaw / Taxis to reach the department from the Central / Western railway stations. One can also use the BEST Bus Network so as to alight inside / at the University main gate.

Suburban Railway Transport
Those coming by Central / Harbour Railway train will have to alight at Kurla which is the nearest station to the campus. If you are coming by the Western Railways then you are requested to alight at Santacruz or Bandra station. The approximate Bus/ Auto rickshaws/ Taxi fare from these closest stations is Rs 10, 40, and /60 approximately.

Department Office and Laboratory-

Working hours: 10.00a.m to 6.00 p.m; (lunch time between 1.00 p.m.-2.00 p.m)
Telefax: 022-26526053; Email ID: drvkelkar@mu.ac.in