Master of Science-Life Sciences (Ayurveda Biology)

Objec�veAyurveda primarily focuses on health management through holis�c principles. Though Ayurveda is an ancient science of life, its principles and prac�ces are valid even today and have significant relevance in contemporary healthcare sector. The essence of any science is the con�nuous quest for new knowledge through research and development. The need for con�nuous scien�fic evalua�on of Ayurveda has also been well recognized. However, research in Ayurveda has been highly dominated by studies focusing only on medicinal plants and bioac�ve compounds for herbal drug development.

It is the need of the hour to have novel educa�onal and research programmes in Ayurveda, integra�ng with modern bioscience, for a paradigm shi� in Ayurvedic research perspec�ve as well as to broaden the understanding of the principles and science of Ayurveda in contemporary scien�fic languages.

The MSc Life Sciences, focused on the theme of Ayurveda Biology, offered by the School of Integra�ve Health Sciences at TransDisciplinary University (TDU) - intends to generate knowledge interface between Ayurveda and life sciences for applica�ons in the contemporary healthcare research and industry The programme scope is to interpret the sophis�cated, systemic founda�ons, principles and . prac�ces of Ayurveda using modern scien�fic tools. Thus, it works for bridging SHASTRA (tradi�onal sciences) and SCIENCE.

Uniqueness of the courseThe programme theme is ideal for students who are interested in taking up challenging transdisciplinary research in Ayurveda and modern biomedicine.

The Course focuses on:

Ÿ Crea�ng a knowledge interface between Ayurveda and modern life sciences. Ÿ Integra�ng theore�cal and prac�cal aspects of life sciences and technology with Ayurveda for

applica�ons in the contemporary healthcare research and industry needs.Ÿ Training students in basics of Shastra and Science for logical synthesis and applica�on of

knowledge systems of Ayurveda and Biology.Ÿ Building skill and capacity in students to take up industry/academic based research jobs in the area

of Life Sciences/Biomedicine/Ayurveda.

Course detailsThe MSc - Life Sciences (Ayurveda Biology) is a four semester, 80 credit postgraduate degree programme. Coursework offered as part of this programme is broadly divided into core courses and elec�ve courses. The programme will have the following focus in each of the semesters:

Semester-1: Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of modern life sciences including human physiology, biochemistry, bioenerge�cs, molecular biology and cell biology. A course on principles of life, wellness and disease in Ayurveda will provide the basic founda�ons of Ayurvedic understanding of human physiology and wellness. A course on nutri�on and human health will introduce the subject from both Ayurvedic and modern science perspec�ve. Further, students shall

undertake various prac�cal learning ac�vi�es to learn about laboratory/research documenta�on andscien�fic wri�ng. Students shall be encouraged to have ac�ve discussions and dialogues between Ayurveda and modern science researchers either on campus or at partner research ins�tu�ons to explore transdisciplinary applica�ons.

Semester - 2: Students will learn basic concepts of drug design in Ayurveda and biomedicine,

fundamentals of immunology and infec�ons and the basics of clinical and public health. The research methodology course will help students understand different research methods, approaches, hypothesis development, scien�fic wri�ng and communica�ons. A 'lab rota�on' ac�vity shall be given to students wherein the students will be assigned to research groups, on a rota�on basis, to enable hands on learning of research ac�vi�es. Workshops will be conducted to build confidence and so� skills in the students.

Apart from these core courses, students will be required to take relevant elec�ves (at least one per semester), in consulta�on with their research supervisor, to get a deeper understanding of their subject of research. The School of Life Sciences plans to offer various elec�ves viz. bridge course in Sanskrit, scien�fic and logic concepts in Indian philosophy, herbal drug analysis, bioinforma�cs and databases, pharmaceu�cal chemistry, biology of metabolic diseases, mode of ac�on of Ayurvedic formula�ons and Ayurgenomics. Students are however free to take relevant elec�ve courses from other ins�tu�ons (ensuring the courses adhere to the credit system prescribed by UGC) in consulta�on with their research supervisor.

Semesters - 3 & 4: The programme has a major component of hypothesis driven research in

different fields of Ayurveda Biology leading to thesis/research papers. Students are expected to have necessary founda�on from their core and elec�ve coursework and are ready to start serious research work. Students who have gaps in their knowledge and skills may be required to do addi�onal

thcoursework as recommended by their research supervisor. At the end of the 4 semester, students shall submit a thesis/disserta�on which shall be evaluated by a panel of examiners. The research topics selected are expected to have long term and short term deliverables. The minimum dura�on of the research component is two semesters (one year). Broad areas for research could include tradi�onal knowledge based public health (water purifica�on and quality enhancement, Iron deficiency anemia, malaria), health and wellness in Ayurveda (metabolic diseases, holis�c nutri�on, Ayurvedic nootropics, Ayurvedic Nutraceu�cal), pharmacology (Ayurvedic pharmacognosy, Ayurvedic pharmaceu�cs, tradi�onal knowledge based drug discovery, quality control and standardiza�on of herbal drugs) and Omics in Ayurveda biology

Partners Ÿ Ins�tute of Genomics & Integra�ve Biology (IGIB), New DelhiŸ Ins�tute of Bioinforma�cs and Applied Biotechnology Ÿ Na�onal Centre for Biological Sciences, BangaloreŸ Centre for Cellular And Molecular Pla�ormsŸ St. John's Na�onal Academy of Health Sciences

Opportuni�es for students The students trained through this programme will have opportuni�es in the academic/research sector as well as in Ayurveda, nutra- and pharmaceu�cal industries.

FeesTransDisciplinary University wishes to ensure no eligible student aspiring to excel will be deprived of an opportunity to study due to economic reasons. To this end, the following op�ons are available to meritorious student.

TDU's Merit ScholarshipApplicants who apply under this category will be ranked in order of merit. Scholarships ranging from 30% - 40% will be awarded as an incen�ve to high performers. Candidates who have secured 90% aggregate marks in the qualifying examina�ons, 40% waiver on tui�on fee will be provided. For those who have secured 85% aggregate marks and 80% aggregate marks, a scholarship of 35 % and 30% waiver of tui�on fee will be provided respec�vely.

TDU's Need based ScholarshipApplicants are requested to meet the financial counselor at TDU during the admission process. This mee�ng will help TDU to understand the gap between what the aspiring students can “pay” to what ought to be “paid”. Scholarships to the tune of 25 % to 100% will be awarded under the scheme.

Bank LoansTDU will connect the applicants with banks for educa�onal loans

TDU Work Study Assistance This scheme is offered to needy students. It enables them to supplement their finances through part-�me work at or as assigned by TDU

For further Details and Applica�on processvisit: tdu.edu.in/application