About the Subject

A science beyond compartmentalization…

Water, protein, nucleic acids, fats, sugars and salts such are the mundane substances the chemist finds within the living cell. Certainly these are not "such stuff as dreams are made on." And yet, on such stuff is built the edifice of the improbable dream that is life. All the greater, therefore, is the miracle of that life.

Biochemistry is all about how inanimate & non-living molecules get together to constitute, maintain and perpetuate life. It is the study of the molecules and their chemistry in reactions that facilitate the processes in a living system. Biochemistry has many new frontiers today. The study of the subject is useful not only in understanding the basic functions of the living body including that of man at the cellular and molecular level, but also in finding remedies for a variety of ailments. Biochemistry is not confined as a single discipline but is a science beyond compartmentalization. A well trained biochemist is equipped with knowledge of analytical biochemistry, metabolism, genetics, immunology, physiology, molecular biology, nutrition, clinical biochemistry, endocrinology, pharmacology, biotechnology, environmental science, enzymology, biostatistics and bioinformatics. A vast array of studies are being conducted the world over on various aspects of biochemical problems including synthesis of proteins, vitamins & enzymes, dynamics of energy transmission at cellular, molecular and genetic levels, metabolic regulation and functional control of numerous microbiological processes, nutrition, biosynthesis and degradation, X-ray crystallography of molecular structures etc.

About the Department

• The department was initiated with Masters Programme in Biochemistry in the year 1969 as a part of the Chemistry Department and started functioning as an independent department from the year 1980 onwards with added graduate programme.
• The subject is offered as double major or 3 units along with Chemistry or Microbiology or Life Sciences at the graduation level.
• The M.Sc. programme (by papers) is also run by the department.
• Biochemistry department also conducts applied component subject An Introduction to Food, Nutrition & Dietetics for S.Y.BA students.
• A Post graduate diploma course in “Quality Assurance in the Foods and Pharmaceuticals Industry” is run by the department.

Focus of the Department
Department focuses on an education that develops the overall personality of an individual and over the years have identified three focus areas. It tries to impart an education that is:

• Environment Sensitive
• Interactive
• Collaborative

Regular annual activities of the department

• Intercollegiate thematic competition as a part of college event ‘Ananya'
• Outstation academic and industrial visit for Post Graduate students
• Local visits to various institutes, industries, etc.
• Training of post graduate students at various reputed labs, industries and institutes. Maximum student strength at entry level for; T. Y. B.Sc. - 30-35, M.Sc. - 5, S.Y.B. A. - 85-100