The present outbreak has only shown how important it is to strengthen research in Virology. There is a need to study various viruses and their impact on human health in particular so that cures for them could be found out. The gateway to pursue a career in Virology is through study of MSc Virology.

About MSc Virology
This is a two year course offered at post graduation level. This subject is all about studying various viruses and their impact on human health. It analyses how viruses originate, how they regenerate, what is their behaviour in various conditions.

Eligibility
Candidates who are holding a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences can apply for the course. Even those who have studied B.V.Sc can also apply for studying the course.

Even candidates with B.Sc in Medical Laboratory Technology, MBBS graduates, B.Sc in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Zoology can also apply for MSc Virology. Applicants must have a minimum pass percentage of 50 or CGPA of 6.5.

Also read ‘TS ECET application last date extended’

Top places to study
The most preferred places to study post graduate in Virology are Sri Venkateswara University (Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh), Savitribai Phule Pune University (Pune, Maharashtra), Manipal University (Karnataka) and Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology (Noida, Uttar Pradesh).

Fees for study
Candidates willing to study the course must remember that the fees to be paid to study the courses is different at each educational institution. The fee at Sri Venkateswara University is said to be Rs 84,190.

The fee at Savitribai Phule Pune University is said to be Rs 1,30,900 and Manipal University is said to be Rs 1,96,600 and Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology is said to be Rs 0.50 lakhs.

Admission process
The process of admitting candidates is different at various institutes. A few go for direct admission based on the marks candidates score in their respective qualifying exam. If the scores in the qualifying exam are good, then seat is offered directly.

A few others educational institutions go for entrance exam based system. NIV College Entrance Test, Manipal Entrance Test are some of the popular entrance tests. Candidate will be selected based on the performance in the test and also his marks in the qualifying exam.

More about the course
The major topics of study in MSc Virology are Basic Biology,Tissue culture and Cell Biology, Basic Immunology, Basic Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Vector Biology, Virological Methods.

Analytical Methods, Tissue Culture Techniques, Virus Antigen Detection, Statistical Methods, Entomological Methods, Propagation of Viruses.

Gene Regulation and Recombinant DNA technology, Viral cell interaction, Virus replication, Advanced Immunology, Applied Entomology, Applied epidemiology, Bioinformatics, Antivirals and vaccines, Molecular techniques, Biochemical/biophysical methods, Serological methods, Immunological techniques.

Viral enteric diseases and cancers, Viral hepatitis, Viral respiratory diseases, Exanthematous diseases of virus etiology, Viral hemorrhagic fever. Special Topics, Research Projects.

System of teaching
A few colleges are said to follow semester system and couple of other colleges are said to follow yearly system. The above topics will be taught in four semesters in a semester system and in two years in a yearly system.

Job offers
Candidates who have completed the course can get jobs in pharmaceutical companies, hospitals. Human Immunology laboratories, universities. They can join as assistant professors, virologists, microbiologists, research associates, laboratory executives.

MSc Virology can also turn into subject matter experts by opting for a doctoral degree in the same field. They can go for research.

Salary
Pay package for virologist could anyway be around Rs 2.5 lakhs per annum. A research associate can earn a pay package of Rs 3 lakhs per annum. Laboratory executive can earn around Rs 2 lakhs per annum. Assistant professorship in Virology will offer a pay package of Rs 3 to 5 lakhs and above.

The application submission started on 12 March 2025.

About AP POLYCET 2025

Its complete name is Andhra Pradesh Polytechnic Common Entrance Test and is popular as AP POLYCET.

The exam is conducted by State Board of Technical Education and Training of Andhra Pradesh.

Test will be conducted offline, as a pen and paper-based test where the answers have to be marked on an answer sheet provided separately at the test centers which will be situated across Andhra Pradesh.

AP POLYCET 2025 Information Brochure is Here

Who can take up AP POLYCET 2025 registration?

The eligibility to take up AP POLYCET 2025 registration is a pass in the 10th standard from a recognized educational institution located anywhere in Andhra Pradesh.

Applicants must belong to the state of Andhra Pradesh. Candidates who appeared or are appearing for the 10th class or equivalent examination and whose results are yet to be declared can also take up AP POLYCET 2025 registration.

These students have to pass the exam and provide proof of it by the time of admission. There is more to it than meets the eye as far as AP POLYCET 2025 is concerned.

The URL to reach it is ‘https://polycetap.nic.in/Default.aspx’

1. The URL mentioned above has to be typed into the browser of the computer and the website has to be allowed to download.

2. Once the web page is available in the browser, candidates must click the button Online Application

2A. Candidates other than SSC qualified and Telangana State applicants can choose to register with their mobile number.

2B. Candidates from AP who have completed SSC can choose to register with their SSC Hall Ticket Number.

3. Candidates can provide details like their name, date of birth, and email id and create an account comprising a username and password.

4. Once the account is ready, candidates can log in and start AP POLYCET 2025 registration, filling the application form for AP POLYCET.

5. The form has to be filled and AP POLYCET 2025 registration fee has to be paid and submitted.

6. Post submission, applicants have to wait for the message indicating successful submission, once it is obtained, it can be downloaded and a printout of it has to be taken and preserved for future use.

Direct Link to take up AP POLYCET 2025 registration is Here

Registration fees

Candidates from OC/BC categories have to pay Rs 400 as fee while taking up AP POLYCET 2025 registration. Those from SC/ST categories have to pay Rs 100 as fee while taking up AP POLYCET 2025 registration.

Hall Ticket

Candidates who have successfully completed their AP POLYCET 2025 registration can alone download the admit card from the official website ‘https://polycetap.nic.in/Default.aspx’

1. The URL mentioned above has to be typed into the browser and then submitted to allow the webpage to download.

2. Once the webpage is ready, the link for hall ticket download has to be clicked.

3. After clicking the link, information like application number, date of birth have to be entered and submitted to view the hall ticket. Once the hall ticket is visible, candidates can download it and take a printout.

Counselling is the process where the candidates can choose the college to study the course of their choice.

The process of counselling can be conducted in more than one round. Students who get a seat can convey the acceptance and pay the fees and join the college.

Students who do not get a seat in the first round of counselling connected with AP POLYCET 2025 can perhaps try in the subsequent rounds.

The schedule for counselling will be declared shortly after the release of the AP POLYCET 2025 results.

Also Read – IITMPTF and L and T EduTech launch great training