MICROBIOLOGY

PROFILE

The Microbiology Department in Andhra University, currently housed in Advanced Sciences Bhavan was started in 1999-2000 as a self-financing course in the Department of Biochemistry. The Department has enjoyed sustained growth with an initial student intake of 24, that has gradually increased to 52 in the year 2019. So far 19 batches of students have successfully completed the M.Sc. course and nearly 12 research scholars were awarded Ph.Ds from the Department. The department has 6 affiliated colleges in and around Visakhapatnam offering M.Sc Microbiology with an average intake of 20-30 students in each college annually.

Prof. T. Govardhana Reddy from the Department of Biochemistry was the first co- coordinator for the Microbiology course, followed by Prof G. Seshagiri Rao from the same Department. Prof G. Subba Rangaiah from Botany Department was the first Head of the Department, followed by Prof K.P.J. Hemalatha from Biochemistry, Prof. P.K.Ratna Kumar from Botany, Dr. V. Lakshmi Kalpana from Human Genetics Department successively. Dr. V. Lakshmi from the Department of Human Genetics is the present Head of the Department.

Microbiology has generated loads of opportunities for the past few years leading to a rush in the number of students who are looking to pursue this field as a career. The Microbiology Department. in Andhra University has made significant contribution in terms of academic standards as evidenced by placement of students which is always 85-90%, remaining 10-15% enrolled for higher education. The alumni of this Department occupy high positions in reputed national and international research institutes and Pharma companies such as Indian Immunologicals Ltd., Dr. Reddys, Divis, Aurobindo, Pfizer, Laurus, Lupin, Hetero, Mylan, Santha Biotech, etc. International students from countries like Iran, Iraq, Ethiopia, UAE and Nepal are some of our alumni.

The core mission of the Department is to excel in research with the ultimate goals of improving human health and training the next generation of biomedical research scientists.