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Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

Program Description

With the establishment of state-of-the-art laboratories, Department of Biological and Health Sciences is offering another new program i.e., Bachelor’s in Microbiology. Microorganisms, the “invisible task force”, drive the fundamental processes on which all life on earth depends. Major areas of research in basic and applied microbiology are antimicrobial resistance, Emergence of new infectious diseases, Epidemiology and public health, Environmental microbiology, Pathogenicity & virulence, Biotechnology & Synthetic Biology, Microbiomes, Food microbiology, Vaccinology & viral immunology. Major aim of starting this program is to enhance vision of applied academic institute which is committed to explore the interactions between microbial pathogens and their animal host which will positively impact the development of vaccines, diagnostic tools, and novel therapeutic and preventive treatments worldwide. Keeping in view ‘Skilling Pakistan’ vision of PAF-IAST, is to provide education, nurturing and mentoring of individuals through undergraduate program and to empower graduates to recognize, investigate microbiological problems. The development of new medicines and treatments is expected to increase the demand for microbiologists in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research.

Why Study at PAF IAST?

Location and Ambience

PAF IAST is nestled in natural mountains that flank its campus from all sides. The institute offers one  ravishing view of snow-capped peaks of Nathiagali and natural winding trails. Furthermore, to its north-west is Tarbela Lake, a journey of only a few kilometers from the campus. Moreover, set in the middle of the campus is a natural lake, fed by the springs of surrounding mountains. The campus is just a 3-kilometer drive from the Hazara Motorway. This results in an ideal setting equally conducive to academic activity. Most importantly, major cities like Islamabad, Abbottabad, are just an hour’s drive, while small towns like Wah, Hasanabadal, Taxila, and Swabi can be reached in just half an hour. All these features make PAF IAST the best biomedical sciences university in KPK. 

Technology Advancement and Foreign Partnership

This institute is an emerging center of excellences, with its own technology park. Therefore, all faculty members hold PhD degrees in appropriate disciplines. By virtue of its wide array of facilities and the facilitation for its students to learn. Furthermore, they benefit both from classroom teaching and faculty trained at premier Austrian universities/institutions. The institution is ideally cut out for imparting state-of–the-art engineering and allied education in Pakistan. Moreover, the institute enjoys close linkages with top ranking universities in Austria and China. As a result, we have already concluded with them formal agreements regarding student and faculty exchange programs, provision of dual degrees in certain areas, and the training support from foreign faculty. 

Academia-Industry Relationship

There is a strong relationship between academia and industry. As a result, this paves the way for job opportunities for students even in the midst of their studies. PAF IAST will serve as a welcome platform for the industry to share their requirements for a skilled workforce. Therefore, this will enable the institute to incorporate their valuable inputs in practical vocational training and expose the students to industrial perspectives.

On-Spot Industry Internship

Firstly, it will be a mandatory requirement for every student to do an internship every semester in an appropriate industry. Secondly, this will garner them practical experience related to their respective degree programs. To crown it all, Technology Park will afford them rare opportunities to apply themselves innovatively and become promising entrepreneurs.

Need and Merit-based Scholarships

Different types of local and foreign scholarship opportunities are available on need and merit base.

Associated Careers

Teaching Colleges/ University, Quality control, Biotech/pharmaceutical industry, Research organization, Medical scientists, Medical and Clinical Lab Technologists & Technicians, Microbiologists, Epidemiologists, R&D and Process Development Scientists, Biomedical research, Pathology laboratories, biotechnology industries, Genetically modified food production, Diagnostic test design and production, Biotechnology business plan analyst, Research with research institutes, universities, industry, or government agencies.

Course Curriculum

Semester 1

S. No

Code

Course Title

CH

Lec

Lab

Combined

1

SS-101

English Language and Communication Skills

3

0

3

2

SS-112

Pakistan Studies

2

0

2

3

COMP-102

Introduction to ICT

2

0

2

4

COMP-102L

Introduction to ICT Lab

0

1

1

5

MTH-111

Mathematics

3

0

3

6

MGT-262

Entrepreneurship

3

0

2

7

MIC-101

Fundamentals of Microbiology

2

0

3

8

MIC-101L

Fundamentals of Microbiology Lab

0

1

1

 

Total Semester CH

15

2

17

Semester 2

S. No

Code

Course Title

CH

Lec

Lab

Combined

9

SS-102

Technical and Business Writing

3

0

3

10

SS-112

Islamic Studies

2

0

2

11

CH-103

Chemistry and Stoichiometry

2

0

2

12

CH-103L

Chemistry and Stoichiometry Lab

0

1

1

13

MTH-412

Biostatistics

2

0

2

14

MTH-412L

Biostatistics Lab

0

1

1

15

SS-310

Professional Ethics

3

0

3

16

BMS-141

Cell & Molecular Biology

3

0

3

17

BMS-141L

Cell & Molecular Biology Lab

0

1

1

 

Total Semester CH

15

3

18

Semester 3

S. No

Code

Course Title

CH

Lec

Lab

Combined

18

BTY-211

Biochemistry I

2

0

2

19

BTY-211L

Biochemistry-I Lab

0

1

1

20

MIC-211

Microbial Anatomy & Physiology 

3

0

3

21

MIC-238

Laboratory Animals & Model Organism

2

0

2

22

MIC-238L

Laboratory Animals & Model Organism Lab

0

1

1

23

MIC-235

Biosafety & Risk Management

3

0

3

24

MIC-202

Microbial Taxonomy

3

0

3

 

Total Semester CH

13

2

15

Semester 4

S. No

Code

Course Title

CH

Lec

Lab

Combined

25

MIC-221

General Immunology

3

0

3

26

BTY-212

Biochemistry-II

2

0

2

27

BTY-212L

Biochemistry-II Lab

0

1

1

28

MIC-202

Microbial Genetics

2

0

2

29

MIC-202L

Microbial Genetics Lab

0

1

1

30

MIC-205

Epidemiology

3

0

3

31

MIC-251

General Virology

3

0

3

32

MIC-241

Clinical Bacteriology

2

0

2

33

MIC-241L

Clinical Bacteriology Lab

0

1

1

 

Lab Rotation/Internship (Noncredit Hour)

 

 

 

 

Total Semester CH

15

3

18

Semester 5

S. No

Code

Course Title

CH

Lec

Lab

Combined

25

MIC-221

General Immunology

3

0

3

26

BTY-212

Biochemistry-II

2

0

2

27

BTY-212L

Biochemistry-II Lab

0

1

1

28

MIC-202

Microbial Genetics

2

0

2

29

MIC-202L

Microbial Genetics Lab

0

1

1

30

MIC-205

Epidemiology

3

0

3

31

MIC-251

General Virology

3

0

3

32

MIC-241

Clinical Bacteriology

2

0

2

33

MIC-241L

Clinical Bacteriology Lab

0

1

1

 

Lab Rotation/Internship (Noncredit Hour)

 

 

 

 

Total Semester CH

15

3

18

Semester 6

S. No

Code

Course Title

CH

Lec

Lab

Combined

43

MIC-353

Vaccines & Viral Immunology

3

0

3

44

MIC-307

Pharmaceuticals & Industrial Microbiology

3

0

3

45

MIC-355

Mycology & Phycology

2

0

2

46

MIC-355L

Mycology & Phycology Lab

0

1

1

47

MIC-331

Cell & Tissue culture

2

0

2

48

MIC-331L

Cell & Tissue culture Lab

0

1

1

49

BTY-371

Nanobiotechnology

3

0

3

50

MIC-376

Fermentation Technology

3

0

3

51

SS-331

Community Services (NC)

   0

0

0

 

 

Lab Rotation/Internship (NC)                               

 

 

 

 

Total Semester CH

16

2

12

Semester 7

S. No

Code

Course Title

CH

Lec

Lab

Combined

52

MIC-462

Soil Microbiology

3

0

3

53

BMS-461

Bioinformatics

2

0

2

54

BMS-461L

Bioinformatics Lab

0

1

1

55

MIC-xxx

Elective Course I

3

0

3

56

MIC-xxx

Elective Course II

3

0

3

57

MIC-498

Final Year Project I

0

3

3

 

Total Semester CH

11

4

15

Semester 8

S. No

Code

Course Title

CH

Lec

Lab

Combined

58

MIC-463

Plant Microbiology

2

0

2

59

MIC-463L

Plant Microbiology Lab

0

1

1

60

MIC-464

Environmental Microbiology & Public health

3

0

3

61

MIC-xxx

Elective Course III

3

0

3

62

MIC-xxx

Elective Course IV

3

0

3

63

MIC-499

Final Year Project II

0

3

3

 

Total Semester CH

11

4

15

Total

111

23

134

82.8%

17.1%