Where Code Meets Biology
"Our students don't just study bioinformatics — they live it, build it, and push its frontiers."
National Seminar on
Computational Biology
Our most prestigious event of the year — a two-day gathering that brings distinguished scientists, researchers, and industry leaders from across India to our department. Students present their research findings as posters and oral presentations, attend keynote lectures, compete in the Research Pitch Competition, and build lasting professional connections with the pioneers shaping modern bioinformatics. An essential milestone in every student's academic journey.
The Heart of Department Life
A rich academic environment built to produce well-rounded computational biologists — from library to lab to field.
Departmental Research Library
Specialized collection of computational biology journals, reference texts, and digital repositories. Students access past dissertations, capstone projects, and curated semester reading lists in a dedicated quiet-study environment.
Open Mon–Sat · 8 AM – 8 PMHigh-Performance Computing Lab
A dedicated 32-node Linux cluster with SLURM job scheduling, pre-configured with BLAST, HMMER, GATK, and GROMACS. Available 24/7 to all enrolled students for running large-scale bioinformatics analyses.
24 / 7 Access · All StudentsWet Lab Integration
A key differentiator of our programme — students gain hands-on experience in DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and library preparation, directly validating computational work done in parallel courses.
Practical · Every SemesterHigh-Speed Network & Databases
Dedicated 1 Gbps fibre connectivity ensures fast access to NCBI, Ensembl, PDB, and UniProt. An internal software mirror hosts 60+ tools and curated datasets, all accessible offline on the campus network.
1 Gbps · 60+ Tools HostedHow Our Students Grow
Beyond lectures and labs — a full ecosystem of learning, competition, and professional development.
Hands-On Tool Workshops
Regular training sessions on GROMACS, GATK, PyMOL, AutoDock Vina, and R/Bioconductor. Led by senior students and invited experts from Year 1 onwards.
6–10 Workshops Per YearField Research Expeditions
Metagenomics field sampling at Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika mangroves, and local biodiversity hotspots. Students produce actual datasets and published reports.
3 Major Expeditions DoneBioinformatics Hackathon
Annual 48-hour challenge where teams tackle real biological data problems — cancer variant pipelines, microbiome classifiers. Industry judges evaluate and reward teams.
Annual · Teams of 3–4Research Internships
Top students secure prestigious summer placements at IISc Bangalore, CDFD Hyderabad, NCBS, NII Delhi, and CSIR labs with full faculty preparation support.
40+ Secured in 2024Weekly Journal Club
Every Friday, students present landmark papers from Nature Biotechnology, PLOS Computational Biology, and Genome Research — building critical reading habits.
Every Friday · 4:00 PMIndustry Interaction
Professionals from Strand Life Sciences, MedGenome, and Eurofins Genomics conduct career talks and informal recruitment sessions each quarter.
Quarterly Industry VisitsStudent Seminar Series
Every M.Sc. student delivers at least two graded seminars annually — one classical topic, one ongoing project. Builds scientific communication and confidence.
Compulsory · GradedOnline Certifications
Students complete certifications via Coursera (UCSD), EMBL-EBI, and Rosalind. Lab infrastructure facilitates learning well beyond the formal curriculum.
80+ Completed in 2024Peer Mentorship Programme
First-year students are paired with experienced seniors for structured onboarding — tools, lab culture, exam prep, and career guidance in a peer-to-peer model.
All First-Year StudentsKey Events Through the Year
A structured calendar that ensures every student knows what's coming and can prepare in advance.
New M.Sc. students attend an intensive two-week orientation covering Linux essentials, Python for biology, and lab safety. Senior students lead sessions and introduce the peer mentorship programme.
Team formation, problem statement release, and practice rounds lead up to the flagship 48-hour Bioinformatics Hackathon in late September. All M.Sc. Year 2 students participate.
Dissertation advisors are assigned for Year 2. Industry interaction events are scheduled, and resume workshops begin to prepare students for internship applications opening in January.
The department's most prestigious annual event. Distinguished scientists and industry leaders join us for two full days of keynotes, student poster sessions, oral research presentations, and the Research Pitch Competition. Simultaneously, internship applications to IISc, CDFD, NCBS, and CSIR labs are open and faculty write recommendation letters.
Metagenomics field sampling expeditions depart in March. End-semester student seminars are evaluated in April. Students present final project progress reports before summer internships begin.
Final examinations and dissertation submissions close the academic year in May. Year 1 students depart for their summer research internships at premier institutes across India in June.
Built for World-Class Science
Modern facilities designed to support every stage of the bioinformatics pipeline — from wet bench to cluster.
Genomics Wet Lab
Fully equipped for DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and library preparation for NGS workflows.
HPC Cluster
32-node Linux cluster with SLURM, 256 GB shared RAM, and GPU nodes — available 24/7 to all enrolled students.
Collaboration Spaces
Three open-plan project rooms with whiteboards, dual-monitor workstations, and flexible seating for group work.
Software Repository
Curated internal mirror of 60+ tools, databases, and datasets — updated each semester, accessible offline on campus.
e-Learning Studio
Students record presentations and access recorded lectures. Also used for remote collaboration with visiting scientists.
Database Access
Dedicated 1 Gbps fibre for fast, reliable access to NCBI, Ensembl, PDB, UniProt, and all major bioinformatics portals.
Your Professional Trajectory
We build the bridge between academic excellence and a thriving career in biotechnology and research.
Placement Facilitation Programme
The department maintains active, structured focus on every graduate's professional success. We provide every tool, connection, and opportunity to ensure you compete at the highest level.
Placement is merit-based — we provide the network and the platform; our students provide the talent.
Resume & LinkedIn Workshops — Faculty and alumni guide students in building a strong profile tailored to biotech and research roles, held in Semester 3.
Mock Interview Rounds — Industry professionals conduct simulation interviews before internship deadlines, providing individual structured feedback.
On-Campus Recruitment Drives — Biotech firms are invited to campus; the department sends merit-based recommendations for shortlisted positions.
Alumni Network Portal — An active network connects current students to graduates working at leading companies and institutions globally.
Where Our Alumni Work & Train
💡 A Note on Placement: While we provide strong recommendation letters for meritorious students and actively facilitate recruitment drives, placement is a merit-based process. We provide the tools, the network, and the opportunities — our students provide the talent and the drive.
Stay Connected
Join our growing alumni network and help shape the next generation of computational biologists at BJB Autonomous College.
Alumni Registration Form
Department of Bioinformatics
Are you a graduate of our department? Register with us to stay connected with the department, mentor current students, and be part of our growing professional alumni network. Your experience and insights are invaluable to the next generation of bioinformaticians at BJB Autonomous College.
