A unique two year post graduate degree program in contemporary biology and Ayurveda

Overview | Vision & Introduction | Salient Features | Eligibility | Career Opportunities | Curriculum | Application Process | Contact | About TDU

Vision

“Developing a cadre of next-generation scientists trained in the philosophy and methodology of modern biology and Ayurveda.”

Introduction

Are you keen to use biotechnology for exploring the potential of traditional medicine?

Are you motivated by evidence-based integration of traditional and modern biology?

Are you curious about the diversity and chemistry of indigenous medicinal plants?

Are you interested in conserving our flora and fauna for global wellbeing?

Join TDU for a first-of-its-kind 2-year postgraduate program in Life Sciences (Ayurveda Biology) to answer these questions. 

In this program, students will receive instructions on contemporary biomedicine and ecology, along with Indian Systems of Medicines. Students will acquire the tools and vocabulary to rigorously explore the theory of physiological functioning, disease etiology, drug formulations and clinical practices that underpins India’s vast medical heritage. They will also develop scholarship and understanding, for conserving and finding new applications for Indian systems of medicines in contemporary healthcare. 

This 2 year PG degree will attempt an intellectual and practical integration of Ayurveda and contemporary biology at the level of students, faculty, curriculum and research. By the end of course, we hope students would have learned that there are many paths to discovering new biology.

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Salient Features

• One year dissertation research project: Students will have the opportunity to combine atypical and innovative research areas – such as local health tradition and conservation; Vriksha-Ayurveda and agriculture; Rasayana and malnutrition; Mruga ayurveda (herbal veterinary medicine) and microbiome; medicinal plant chemistry and phylogeny for drug discovery, to name a few..
• A course for science, AYUSH, and medical graduates: We welcome AYUSH graduates interested in broadening their contemporary biology knowledge and learning research skills, as also graduates in modern biology and medicine wishing to build a sound foundation in Ayurveda and medicinal plants. Bringing together students from different academic backgrounds is expected to promote fertilization of ideas at the peer level.
• In-service AYUSH and medical graduates can exit the program after one year with a PG Diploma in Ayurveda Biology. 
• 7 functional centres operating in broad domains of life science and Ayurveda: Students to get enriched exposure to the oasis of learning where the two systems are already viewed from an integrated lens through faculty (in 7 Centres) trained in either Ayurveda and/or contemporary biology.
• Curriculum: Thoughtfully crafted to enable students of diverse backgrounds to develop theoretical and practical skills relevant to life sciences (see details below).

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Student eligibility:

Eligible graduates include those with:

• AYUSH graduates.
• B. Pharm., M.B.B.S, B.D.S., B. V.Sc.
• B. Sc., with biology and/or chemistry subjects like botany, zoology, biotechnology, life sciences, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics etc. 
• B. Tech., (Biotechnology)

*If you are uncertain about your eligibility please contact admissions@tdu.edu.in 

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Future career opportunities 

• R & D: Healthcare, Wellness and Herbal Industry 
• R & D: Academia Biotech startups in Wellness, Herbal products, Drug discovery, Health. 
• PhD: India or overseas; all nationally competitive PhD exams like UGC-NET, DBT-JRF etc
• Higher education teaching
• Diagnostics
• Medicinal plant production and conservation
• Policy, NGOs, Outreach

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Course Curriculum

Semester I	Semester II
Fundamentals of Ayurveda	Cell biology and cell signalling
Biochemistry*	Integrative immunology*
Molecular biology and genetics*	Medicinal plants and pharmacognosy*
Local health traditions and community health	Genomics and Bioinformatics*
Ecological principles*	Principles of conservation of biodiversity*
Drug design in Ayurveda – principles and practices*	Basics of plant and animal physiology

Semester III	Semester IV
Research project – Dissertation#	Research project – Dissertation#
Research methodology and biostatistics
One health
Elective I
Elective II

* Indicates courses with lab, practical training and/or field visits. 

# Can be in-house or external as long as TDU faculty is a co-guide. 

Electives: Biology of metabolic diseases, Ayurveda Biology of Dietetics, Advanced Research Seminars, Natural gums and resin, Basics of plant taxonomy and systematics, Policy and regulatory affairs in AYUSH and conservation, Wood science

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Application Process and Deadlines

1. Application portal will open 10 March, 2021.
2. Only online applications will be accepted. If you have difficulty submitting an online application, please contact admissions@tdu.edu.in
3. Before you submit your application, be familiar with the following requirements:
   • 3.1 Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements.
   • 3.2 Pay the application fee of Rs. 500. Only online payments are accepted. If you have trouble with payments, contact admissions@tdu.edu.in. You can use NEFT transfer using your bank portal or Google pay bank transfer options. Make a note of your transaction number/ ID. Following are the credentials.
     

     Recipient Account Name:	UTD-HST General Fund
     Bank IFSC Code:	IBKL0000694
     Bank Account Number:	0694104000134705
     Bank Details:	IDBI Bank, Yelahanka New Town, Bangalore-560064

   • 3.3 Digital copy of recent passport size photo (JPEG/PDF/GIF; <1Mb)
   • 3.4 A single merged PDF that contains the following certificates.: 
     • 3.4.1 Class X marksheet
     • 3.4.2 Class XII/ higher secondary marksheet
     • 3.4.3 PDF of all marksheets from your Bachelor’s degree available up to now.
     • 3.4.4 Bachelor’s degree certificate (if applicable)
     • 3.4.5 PDF of any other Diploma’s or Certificates you want to share on your application.

     If you use gmail, a simple way to merge documents is shared in this video.

   • 3.5 Prepared statements (of upto 200 words) to copy/paste into the online application form for the following questions:
     • 3.5.1 Why do you want to join the M.Sc. Life Sciences (Ayurveda Biology) program?
     • 3.5.2 Describe a research project that you would like to do at TDU. This is a hypothetical question; if selected for the program, the answer has no bearing on the final topic or guide of your M.Sc. project.
     • 3.5.3 Edible tubers or rhizomes of plants (like Turmeric) are believed to be best harvested in early winter. Why do you think this is so? How will you investigate your idea?
4. Applications will be reviewed continuously. They will be screened for eligibility, academic merit and interest in pursuing this course. Short-listed candidates will be contacted and invited for an online interview with the Admissions Committee. 
5. Admission portal will close on 15 May, 2021. 
6. Selected candidates will be notified by 15 June, 2021.
7. Classes likely to commence on the week of 9 August, 2021.

Intake for the first batch is limited to 30.

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Contact

Email queries to admissions@tdu.edu.in 

Phone: 080-28568000 (Ask for: Mr. Ravi Kumar G, Assistant Registrar, Academics)

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About TDU

The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology

Established in 2013, TDU is a Karnataka State Private University with a unique combination of resources, faculty and environment. TDU received approval to be a UGC recognised university wide letter No.F.8-8/2015(CPP-I/PU) on 23 Sep 2020. 

TDU is the outcome of decades of work by FRLHT (Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Tradition), a Trust that has a strong reputation in conservation of medicinal knowledge and plants, using community-led methods. Awards include Norman Borlaug Award (1998), United Nations for the Equator Initiative Prize (2002),  Columbia University Medical School, “Cultural Leadership in Traditional Medicine” (2003) and Ayurveda Ratna to our Vice-Chancellor Prof Darshan Shankar by the All Party Parliamentary Group, UK (2018).

Over the years (2002 – 2010) three Ministries of the Govt. of India: Environment and Forest, Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Ministry of AYUSH, have  recognized FRLHT-TDU as a National Central of Excellence for various research programs.

Situated on a 17-acre campus in Bangalore, we have laboratory facilities, herbarium, medicinal plant nursery, pharmacy and close association with a 100-bed integrative healthcare hospital. 

Laboratory facilities currently include molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, analytical chemistry, phytochemistry, C. elegans facility, Drosophila facility, FACS and bioinformatics.

Hostel and transportation facilities available on site.

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