Master of Science in Biology

Master of Science in Biology

Ashoka University’s Master of Science (M.Sc.) Programme in Biology is designed to impart holistic training in the fundamentals of physical and chemical principles of biology, in the diverse yet connected areas ranging from evolution and organism biology to cell-molecular and computational biology. Students will receive hands-on training aided by contemporary and innovative pedagogical methods as well as extensive independent research.

The programme also promotes collaboration in all areas of human creativity and innovation spanning natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities as a true representation of Ashoka’s spirit of liberal education.

Students will be encouraged to harness the unique cross-disciplinary opportunities provided by Ashoka University to acquire skills beyond academia in emerging areas such as science journalism, biomedical entrepreneurship, molecular archaeology, and economics of health and disease.

Application forms are now open for the Academic Session starting in August 2024 are now closed.

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Why Pursue Graduate Studies at Ashoka?

 

Ashoka University ranked among Top 5 Private Universities 
in India by QS Asia University Rankings 2022 and stood at number 1 among all Indian universities on ‘International Faculty’ indicator.

General Overview of The Programme

The M.Sc. Biology programme offers a research intensive opportunity for students to customise their specialisation across a wide range of elective courses such as biophysics, biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, computational and mathematical biology, behaviour, ecology and evolutionary biology. Guidance and assistance is offered by the Graduate Advisory Committee (GAC) in identifying individual specialisations for students.

In the first year, students attend mandatory and various elective lectures which will help them streamline their academic interests. Additionally, they will take up short research projects of their choice which will harness their research capabilities.

In the second year, students pursue their thesis research in an identified area of specialisation within or outside the university (in academia or industry). The university is in communication with industries to work collaboratively with various student trainees. This enables greater access and mobility for students, opening up possibilities for their careers.

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Testimonials

Notes from Faculty Members

“The research intensive and customizable M.Sc. Biology Programme at Ashoka provides various flavours of a PhD programme within 2 years, allowing students to utilise their skills in both academic and industry spaces going forward.”

Kasturi Mitra, Associate Professor of Biology, M.Sc. Biology co-ordinator

“The Master’s in Biology at Ashoka is a unique initiative. It opens up possibilities for students to start their long-term career in an area of their interests during the programme itself. Be in academia, industry or other organisations where they can contribute their might and at the same time pursue a career with interests, motivation and satisfaction.”

L. S. Shashidhara, Visiting Professor of Biology (Honorary), Ashoka University

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Voices of the Students

“Having no formal experience in Biology after 10th standard, I was initially sceptical about joining as a masters student in Biology. However, the multidisciplinary approaches of the department enable thorough engagement with scientific questions. This makes me feel included and provides opportunities to explore the concepts associated with Biology from a quantitative perspective. Additionally the student support mechanism of this programme is phenomenal because of the exceptionally approachable and passionate professors.”

Yogesh Pratap, M.Sc. Biology 2022-2024

“The exciting aspects I discovered in the Ashoka masters programme include the opportunity to autonomously choose the subject I wanted to explore, the distinctive teaching style, and collaboration in courses with Ph.D. students who have somewhat more experience than us. As an Ashoka student, the standout features I discovered are the interdisciplinary academic approach, the diversity of peers, and the highly experienced faculties across disciplines.”

Ajith D, M.Sc. Biology 2022-2024

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Admissions Timeline

Component and Stage	Date	Day
Application Forms Open	8th January, 2024	Monday
Application Submission Deadline	26th April, 2024	Friday
Online Entrance Examination Date	12th May, 2024	Sunday
Financial Aid Timeline	20th May-24th May,2024	Monday-Friday
Interviews	27th-29th May, 2024	Monday – Wednesday
Decision Notification	31st May-30th June, 2024
Last Date of Admission	5th August, 2024	Monday
Boot Camp	19th – 24th August, 2024	Monday – Saturday
Commencement of Classes: Monsoon Semester (2024)	26th August, 2024	Monday

 

 

 

Admissions Process

Candidates who are interested in applying for the M.Sc. in Biology programme are required to fill in an application form online through the website. An applicant cannot submit more than one form in one admissions cycle. There is no application fee.

*Please read the Online Entrance Examination section to determine if you are eligible to proceed with your application without the Online Entrance Examination

Applicants are responsible for ensuring access to good internet connectivity for Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the processes. Please note that only those candidates who pass the entrance examination and clear the interview round will receive a firm Offer of Admission.

Online Entrance Examination

The candidates with a valid national eligibility test score (JGEEBILS/JAM/JNU-Biotech) will be directly screened to identify the top 70th percentile. Candidates may choose to take the M.Sc. Biology online Ashoka Entrance Examination even if they have taken any of the accepted national eligibility tests. In case they choose to do so, only their performance in the Ashoka Entrance Examination will be taken into final consideration towards their overall candidature, and the result(s) of the other national eligibility test(s) will be discounted. Eligible candidates without a valid national eligibility test score or in the final year waiting results will be notified by email for appearing in a proctored online test designed by Ashoka Biology faculty. The Ashoka University Online Entrance Examination will be in the lines of JGEEBILS. The email notification will carry all details about the online test.

Optional Application for Need-based Financial Aid

Candidates may independently apply for need-based financial aid (up to 100%) if shortlisted for the Personal Interview. Please visit the Financial Aid page to learn more about the process and details on how to apply for financial aid.

Candidates will receive their Financial Aid decision along with their Offer of Admission if they have applied for aid.

Interviews

Selected candidates will be notified by email to appear for a 10 minute interview by an Ashoka University panel. The interview tests the candidate’s drive, motivation and potential to work in a research intensive setting. 

Eligibility and Criteria for Application

The M.Sc. in Biology programme is open to students from all universities in India and around the world. Applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree from a recognised university or be enrolled in their final year of study. Offers of admission will be provisional until final undergraduate transcripts are received. 

The eligibility criteria to apply to the programme include a three year B.Sc. in natural sciences with a minimum of 55% or GPA 7/10. Candidates with a Bachelor’s in Biology/Biotechnology/ Chemistry/ Physics/ Mathematics/ Pharmacy/Veterinary Sciences/ Agriculture/ BE/ B.Tech as applicable to individual discipline, under the 10+2+3/4 system, are eligible to apply to this programme. 

The candidates with valid national eligibility test scores (JGEEBILS, JAM and JNU-Biotech) will be directly screened to identify the top 70th percentile. Candidates may choose to take the M.Sc. Biology online Ashoka Entrance Examination even if they have taken any of the accepted national eligibility tests. In case they choose to do so, only their performance in the Ashoka Entrance Examination will be taken into final consideration towards their overall candidature, and the result(s) of the other national eligibility test(s) will be discounted.
Eligible candidates without a valid national eligibility test score or in the final year waiting results will be notified by email for appearing in a proctored online test designed by Ashoka Biology faculty. The Ashoka University Online Entrance Examination will be in the lines of JGEEBILS. The email notification will carry all details about the online test..

Statement of Purpose (SOP) Guidelines

In your statement of purpose, you must succinctly provide your reasons for applying to the M.Sc. in Biology programme, which may include:

1. Outlining your career goals and how a research intensive programme will help you achieve them.
2. Preparation and motivation to study M.Sc. Biology at Ashoka and how it will further your academic goals.
3. Research, work experience and other influences in your career path.
4. Possible areas of interest.
5. Inclinations to academia or industry.

The SOP must not exceed two pages (single-spaced) with standard formatting. The SOP is a well-structured essay highlighting the information above while indicative of your writing ability. Avoid simply listing your academic credentials, outlining your research proposal or describing personal anecdotes.

Fee Structure

The Fee Structure of the M.Sc. in Biology programme starting in August 2024 has the following components (In INR):

Components (2024 intake)	Amount Per year (INR)
Tuition Fees	5,64,000
Residence: On-Campus Double Occupancy	1,91,000
Essential Services (Consisting of medical insurance and laundry service)	5,400
Total Cost	7,60,400

Note: The Residence Cost for the Second Year (AY 2024-2025) is subject to revision in consonance with inflation. In the last three years, our fee has gone up by approximately 5% to 8% annually. However,  this percentage is not fixed and is subject to change.

Masters students can also opt for off-campus single occupancy (INR 120,000 per annum) if there is availability.

Ashoka University provides Residence and Meal facilities for M.Sc. Students, on an optional basis. If you opt-in for Residence as provided by Ashoka University, please note the following details:

1. Tuition Fees is inclusive of a Refundable Security Deposit of INR 20,000 (One-time payment made at the time of acceptance of offer of admissions, and to be refunded at the time of graduation from Ashoka University or withdrawal of admission, whichever is earlier)
2. In case, the stay duration extends due to any reason, an additional residence fee will be charged.

Note: M.Sc. students can choose to not opt-in for residence and meals provided by Ashoka University. M.Sc. students who choose to not opt-in for residence can avail of meals on campus through the coupon system and/or pay on purchase from all vendors.

 

SMaRT-Bio Merit Scholarship for M.Sc. Biology Students

We are pleased to announce the Scholarship for Masters level Research Training in Biology for students admitted to the M.Sc. Biology Programme, independent of the University’s Need-based Financial Aid programme. Two SMaRT-Bio merit scholarships will be given out to exceptional candidates to cover their 100% of the tuition and residence fees for the duration of the programme. The award may be discontinued for a semester with the failure of maintaining academic excellence in the preceding semester.

Top 6 to 8 candidates from the merit list will receive an invitation from the Admissions Committee in their offer letters to appear for the SMaRT-Bio Merit Scholarship online interview conducted by a departmental committee of senior faculty members. The two awardees will be selected based on their overall depth and breadth of knowledge in Biology, their innovative thinking abilities, as well as their potential to emerge as transformational leaders. The selected candidates will be notified by June 15th. Please note that there is no separate application process for the SMaRT-Bio Merit Scholarship and is open only to students who have a firm offer of admission to the programme.

Refund Policy

In reference to the Fee Refund Policy 2024-25 issued by University Grants Commission (UGC) dated 12th June, 2024, please note the following details regarding the refund amounts from the time of withdrawal of admission till 30th September, 2024:

1. Students will avail of a full refund on the Tuition Fees amount paid by them till 30th September, 2024. Residence and Meal costs will be charged on pro rata basis from 19th August, 2024, till the date of withdrawal or exit from the Ashoka University residential premises (campus), whichever is later

2. There will be a deduction of INR 1000 from the Tuition Fees amount paid by the student from 1st October, 2024 to 31st October, 2024. Residence and Meal costs will be charged on pro rata basis from 19th August, 2024, till the date of withdrawal or exit from the Ashoka University residential premises (campus), whichever is later

3. There will be no refunds applicable on any amount paid by the student from 1st November, 2024 onward

Please note that Ashoka University does not advertise or promote itself in newspapers, magazines, or through any third party channel. The process for admission to Ashoka University is very transparent and does not engage the services of any third party to make calls or messages from, for, or on behalf of Ashoka University. Applicants should therefore protect themselves against any such persons who may approach them on the pretext of assisting them to get admission.

Need-based Financial Aid for M.Sc. Biology Programme

Ashoka University’s need-based Financial Aid programme aims to provide necessary financial support which can help you bridge the gap between the cost of the programme and your ability to pay. Before awarding need-based financial aid, we expect that the candidate and/or their family/guardian(s) will consider various resources available to them towards financing the cost of the programme. To complement the need-based aid offered to candidates shortlisted for interviews, Ashoka University has collaborated with institutions who enable education loans to help cover any gap between the aid offered and the programme fee.

Financial Aid Application: Documents and Information

Candidates may apply for Financial Aid if their Application is shortlisted for the interview stage.

Download Sample Financial Aid Form

The following are important points to keep in mind regarding the process:

• The Financial Aid form will open only once for approximately five days, and each candidate will have only one opportunity to submit an application. Requests made at any other time, especially after receiving an offer of admission, will not be entertained.
• Candidates will have a few days between knowing their shortlist status and the opening of the Financial Aid form, so that they may start preparing documentation accordingly. We strongly recommend not waiting until the form opening, rather procuring required documents in advance.It is estimated that it will take a candidate a few hours to complete the Financial Aid form, if the required documents and financial information are in order.
• Documents need to be converted into PDF/JPG files of sizes under 2MB, with a minimum resolution of 200 DPI, which is readable. Zip folders under 2MB containing all the documents are also accepted.
• For all queries and clarifications, please write to postgraduate.financialaid@ashoka.edu.in BEFORE the submission deadline.

 

Mandatory Documents and Information

Required for all earning members, including the candidate (if applicable).

• Income Tax Returns for the Financial Year 2020-21, 2021-22 & 2022-23 for your parents/earning members of the family
• Salary statements for the last 3 months of all earning members (if applicable)
• Bank Account Statements for the last 12 months of all earning members of the family
• Details of the family’s Financial Assets (movable and immovable property, investments, etc)
• For Businesses/Professionals : Income Tax Returns, Bank Statements, Financial Statements (Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet for the last three Financial Years), Form 26AS and GST returns
• Details of main expenses. Loan Statements are mandatory if a loan expense is shown.
• Haryana Domicile Certificate* (mandatory for availing Haryana Resident benefits). Transfer Students are not eligible to apply for this benefit.

 

*Haryana domicile students are eligible for a full or partial fee concession as per the Haryana Private Universities Act (2006). However, this is subject to the submission of their Government issued Haryana Resident Certificate (Domicile). Please note that Ashoka University reserves the right to determine the percentage of fee concession. Please also note that Transfer Students are not eligible to apply for this benefit.

Contact Information

For all application related queries and concerns, please write to us at MSc_Biology@ashoka.edu.in