The curriculum is designed to train the students in basic and advanced areas of Microbiology, keeping in mind the latest advances in the field. Particular emphasis is laid on the practical aspects of the field. Students are taught how to plan experiments, perform them carefully, analyze the data accurately, and present the results both, qualitatively and quantitatively. To enable them to develop speaking and presentation skills they are encouraged to deliver seminars on a wide range of topics covering the different areas of Microbiology. This also leads them into reading about different themes and enhances their assimilation abilities. A major component of their course is a research project on which they will work in their final semester. The student is guided in choosing a research problem, executing experiments related to it, collecting data and analyzing it, and presenting the results in the form of an oral presentation as well as a dissertation. The student presents her research orally at the end of the semester, and this is coupled to a viva-voce. This not only equips the student for a career in research/ industry, but also fosters self-confidence and self-reliance in the student as she learns to work and think independently. At the end of the programme the student will be well-versed in basic microbiology as well as be familiar with the most recent advances in microbiology, and will have gained hands-on experience in microbiology, including fermentation technology and molecular biology techniques. The student will also be able to take up a suitable position in academia or industry too.