Major progress and advancement have been made in both fundamental and applied disciplines of Microbiology.In view of this, an urgent need was felt to rewamp, update and modernise the Microbiology Honours Course which has been rated as one of the most prestigious and sought after course of the University of Delhi. Although, a few modifications and ammendments have been carried from time to time since the inception of the course in 1987 such a thorough revision and modernization of both Theory and Practical was undertaken for the first time. The latest trends in Microbiology and allied fields of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology were discussed by various subcommittees and wherever need was felt, incorporation was finally done by an expert team headed by the Head, Microbiology, University of Delhi, South Campus. As a result of these deliberations and recommendations of these committees a thorough revision and upgradation was done in as many as 15 specialities of Microbiology. The modified syllabus was presented to the Faculty of Interdisciplinary & Applied Sciences and it was subsequently reviewed independently by 3 national experts before final approval was made by the Standing Committee, Academic & Executive Councils of the University of Delhi. This syllabus has been finally implemented from the current Academic Session of 20042005 of the University.
Here, in this paper, we have highlighted significant features of the revised syllabus both Theory and Practical. The field of Virology has witnessed innumerable developments both in Fundamental and Applied Virology pertaining to plants, animals, humans and microbes (like bacteriophages, mycoviruses). In light of this, the latest taxonomy based on genome and replication characteristics have been incorporated including those of viroids, virusoids, satellites, prions, etc. Detailed descriptions of structural and functional genomics of different viruses has been included. Replication strategies of all groups of viruses including retero, pararetro and ambisense strategies have been covered. Viral transformation, concepts of protoncogenes and oncogenes have been extensively reviewed. Epidemiological trends have covered emerging and re-emerging viruses(taking case studies of AIDS, Hepatitis, Arboviruses, SARS, Avian Flu, Gemini, TOSPO-viruses, etc.). Principles of Modern Diagnostic Techniques including hybridization, PCR (including Multiplex PCR, Real Time PCR, immunocapture PCR) nucleic acid and protein microarrays, confocal microscopy and other non invasive techniques. Latest trends in characterization of viruses have been extensively covered. Viral interference in bacteria, plants and animals have been extensively covered including mode of action of interfrons, RNA-interference, antisense strategy, and detailed coverage of viral vaccines. Detailed descriptions of applications of virology in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology is a major feature of the revised syllabus. This includes viral vectors in Gene Therapy, viruses in Gene Cloning, Plant Virus vectors, applications in Transgenic Research, Phage Display and Post Transcriptional Gene Silencing by viruses, etc.
The paper also discusses the innovations in interactive teaching methodologies which greatly rely on Tutorials, Seminars, Assignments, encouraging the use of internet and computational tools.
