M.Sc. Wildlife Biology and Conservation

CALL OF THE WILD: Wildlife biology and conservation are ideal subjects for those who love nature.
M.Sc. Wildlife Biology and Conservation is a rare course that is available at the National Centre for Biological Science on its G.K.V.K Campus, Hebbal. This postgraduate course is affiliated to the Manipal Academy of Higher Education and funded by the Wildlife Conservation Society based in New York. This course is offered once in two years and starts in July. Admission notification may be expected in December/January. Admission is based on a national-level test and interview aimed at assessing the analytical and quantitative abilities, basic biology-related awareness and interest in current affairs and wildlife conservation issues and the ability to communicate in English.
Any graduate in any subject (other than fine arts and languages) with 50 per cent aggregate marks is eligible for admission to this course. Age should not exceed 35 years. Final year degree students are also eligible. Admission is open for the course beginning in July 2006 for which the entrance test was conducted on February 25 in Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Guwahati.
The result will be announced in May and classes will commence in mid-July. Selected students may receive a studentship that will cover their academic fees and living expenses. All students are expected to reside in the hostel.
The course is organised into four semesters, including the final semester of field research and thesis preparation. The first semester will focus on a theoretical and practical introduction to diversity, distribution, biology and distribution of plant and animal life, with particular emphasis on high vertebrates. It will also focus on the theory and application of mathematics and statistics within the framework of science.
The second semester will deal with the theoretical grounding in population ecology, conservation biology, behavioural ecology, landscape ecology, conservation genetics and vegetation ecology. It will also provide hands on training in the application of modern tools in conservation such as remote sensing/Geo-Information Systems (GIS) and conservation genetics.
The third semester will cover the historical, social and economic framework within which conservation operates. It will also focus on the communication and problem solving skills that are necessary to effectively practice conservation. During the final semester, students will have to design and implement a field project.
More details can be obtained from the Course Coordinator (M.Sc. wildlife biology and conservation), National Centre for Biological Sciences, Post Box no. 6501, GKVK campus, Hebbal, Bangalore - 560 065, Email: ajith@ncbs.res.in; M.Sc.@wcsindia.org, website: http://www.wcsindia.org/ or http://www.ncbs.res.in./
Wildlife and animal ecology are relatively new subjects. The Wildlife Institute of India, an autonomous institution under the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, is a prominent organisation offering a two-year M.Sc. course in Wildlife Science, which is affiliated to Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Gujarat. Number of seats is 12. Students desirous of joining this course should have obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Science with biology as a major subject.
Bachelor's Degree holders in Veterinary Science, Forestry, Agriculture, Environmental Science are also eligible for admission (minimum 15 years formal education should have been completed) and applicants must have obtained a minimum of 55 per cent marks aggregate at the degree level. Those appearing for the final qualifying degree examination are also eligible. Age limit is 30 years as on July 1. Selection is based on an objective type written test of two hours to be held in Bangalore, Dehra Dun, Kolkata and Mumbai.
The test will consists of multiple-choice questions (60 per cent) with sections on general knowledge; general science and optional subjects (life science/ forestry/ veterinary science/ agricultural science) and essays will make up the remaining 40 per cent of the marks.
The personality and aptitude test will held at Dehra Dun. The entrance test is likely to be held during April. The admissions notification can be expected in January. Details of curriculum, course fee, scholarship, etc. are available on the website http://www.wii.gov.in./ Research facilities are also available here.
The Forest Research Institute (deemed university) Dehra Dun - 248 195, conducts the following courses for science graduates:
M.Sc. Forestry (Economics and Managements): Graduates in science with at least one of these subjects - botany, chemistry, geology, mathematics, physics, zoology, forestry, agriculture - with 50 per cent marks (SC / ST students require only 45 per cent marks) are eligible for admission.
M.Sc. Environment Management: Entry qualification is a bachelor's degree in any branch of basic or applied sciences or forestry/agriculture or BE Environment Sciences with 50 per cent marks.
Selection is based on a national level admission test. Detailed information can be obtained from the website: http://www.icfre.org/
Kuvempu University in Karnataka offers M.Sc. Wildlife Management. For more details visit http://kuvempu.ac.in or http://www.kuvempuuniversity.org/
Environmental Science
As a discipline, environmental science encompasses both natural and social sciences. Environment science also covers forestry, wildlife and environment protection. M.Sc. Environmental Science programmes are being offered by several universities/departments.
In Kerala, the School of Environmental Science, under Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, conducts M.Sc. Environmental Science and Management. Meritorious graduates in zoology are eligible for admission.
The School Environmental Studies under Cochin University of Science and Technology, conducts an M.Sc. Environmental Technology programme that consists of two streams - environmental engineering and environmental biotechnology. Entry qualification is a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry with physics and mathematics as subsidiaries or engineering (civil / public health / environmental or chemical) or life sciences, environmental sciences or zoology or botany / microbiology with at least 55 per cent marks in the optional subjects. Selection is through Cusat- CAT. (http://www.cusat.ac.in/)
Bangalore University, Janabharathi Campus offers M.Sc. Environmental Science. Meritorious graduates in zoology are eligible.
Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, offers M.Sc. Environmental Sciences. Zoology graduates are eligible for admission.
Biotechnology
M.Sc. in Biotechnology is another suitable option that offers comprehensive education in all aspects of modern applied biology.
After the successful completion of the course, one should opt for research, leading to Ph.D. Job opportunities are aplenty in biotech industries, educational institutions, research and development organisations and also in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, environmental sectors.
Graduates in zoology with 55 per cent marks are eligible for admission to M.Sc. Biotechnology programmes. In Kerala, MG, Cusat, Calicut and Kannur Universities offer M.Sc. Biotechnology courses. Selection is based on an entrance test.
Every year, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, holds a combined biotechnology entrance test for admissions to M.Sc. Biotechnology/M.Sc. Agri / MV.Sc. (Biotechnology)/M.Tech Biotechnology courses offered by various universities, including the University of Calicut.
The Amrita School of Applied Sciences, Clappana, Kollam, conducts M.Sc. Biotechnology, Bioinformatics courses. Graduates in any discipline of science with biology as a subject are eligible for admission.
Other options
Annamalai University offers M.Sc. Environmental Biotechnology, Marine Biology and Oceanography, Coastal Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology courses. Meritorious graduates in zoology are eligible for admission to all these courses.
Bangalore University offers M.Sc. Applied Genetics, Biotechnology courses. Zoology graduates can seek admission.
Bharathidasan University, Thiruchirappalli, conducts M.Sc. Animal Biotechnology and Bharathiar University Coimbatore offers M.Sc. Animal Science/ Biotechnology / Bioinformatics / Industrial Biotechnology courses. Meritorious graduates in zoology are also eligible for admission.
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore provides facilities for doing an integrated Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. First class B.Sc. degree holders in biological sciences are eligible for admission. Selection is based on the IISc entrance test and interview. For details visit: http://www.iisc.ernet.in./
The Department of Management Sciences, University of Pune, (http://www.dmsunipune.ernet.in/) , offers MBA (Biotechnology). Zoology graduates are eligible for admission. Selection is through ATMA test score/group discussion and personal interview.