Microbiology
Department of Microbiology
Dept. of Microbiology was established when St. Pius X College, Rajapuram, came to existence in 1995. First academic batch with 24 students, for B. Sc. Microbiology, started in August. The course with Microbiology main, Physiology and Chemistry as subsidiaries was affiliated to University of Calicut. It was the first of its kind in Kerala State. The decision to start such a course at graduate level by our management, Archdsiocese of Kottayam, was much appreciated in the academic circle at that time, since it was an inspiring and model step for others to start such job oriented programs in Arts and Science colleges. It is very much evident from the fact that at least fifteen different colleges affiliated to four different Universities, are now conducting the same course in the state of Kerala.
Regarding our Alumni, more than 30 of them have got excellent academic achievements, 30 of them were awarded Ph.D from various institutions including centers of excellence like Indian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Science, Central Universities of India and from abroad institutions. Many of them are pursuing Ph.D in reputed institutions of CSIR, ICAR and State Government. Around 20 students had been qualified NET and out that 16 of them were awarded with JRF. Some of the former students of this department are serving as Assistant Professors in various colleges and University departments like Punjab Central University, Kannur University, University of Calicut etc. Around ten of them are working as Post doctoral Fellows or Research associates in various foreign institutes with high reputation. Six out of them are working as research associates in various research institutes of India. 125 have got placements in public and private sectors and more than 20 of them work as professional Microbiologists in various Indian and foreign industries. These industries include related fields like Biotechnology, Hospitality, Food and Health, where they serve as quality control officers, hygiene officers, technicians etc.
OUR VISION
It gives an opportunity for hands on training in various applied aspects of the disciplines like analysis of food samples, clinical samples, isolation and identification of microorganisms, their cultivation, preservation etc.
OUR MISSION
To produce skilled graduates who can choose research fields or professional career as Microbiologist in various industries even though the institution is located in Kasaragod, which is one of the backward districts of Kerala.
Faculty - Department of Microbiology
First Rank in National Level Entrance Examination conducted by ICMR -2021
Dr. Sinosh Skariachan secures place again among the World's top 2% scientists
Best Teacher Award
Shreya B K
Third A Grade in Cherukatharachana Kannada in the Kannur University Union Arts Festival 2019-20
Prajin Gopi K
Second A grade in Naadakam (Kannada) in Kannur University Union Arts Festival 2019-20
Sports
Many of our students won prizes in university competitions like athletics, boxing, kabady, swimming, powerlifting etc and some of them represented Kannur University in National level competitions.
NCC
Our students contribute their service in NCC, acquire B level certificates and had achievements like participation in Republic Day Parade at New Delhi.
Academic
More than 30 former students awarded with Ph. D
Academic
Alumni with JRF award , NET, GATE qualifications
University Rank
The department secured 30 university ranks from 1995-2009 and after that grading system was implemented.
Micro-Conclave 2025
The Department of Microbiology is excited to announce the “Probiotics Conclave-Probio Palooza” organized by the Department of Microbiology, St Pius X College, Kasaragod along with MBSI ! The event aims to promote the importance of probiotics and its health benefits among students. We are going to make this program as a mega event with various program and we are going to visit more than 25 plus schools and reaching out to higher secondary students to provide awareness on probiotic food including butter milk. Events (1) Talk by expert on probiotics (2) Competitions for students (3) Probiotic Food Fest (4) District level Probiotic Awareness Program for Higher Secondary students Date: September 29-30, 2025
Probio Palooza – Micro Conclave Fest 2025
As part of the observance of International Microorganism Day, St. Pius X College, Rajapuram, hosted “Probio Palooza – Micro Conclave Fest 2025” on 29 September 2025. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Microbiology and the St. Pius X College Unit of the Microbiology Society of India. The highlight of the programme was the Micro Conclave Special Lecture delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Denoj Sebastian on the theme “Health and Nutritional Benefits of Probiotics.” Following the lecture, a vibrant food fair, “Probio Palooza,” showcased a wide range of probiotic food items, while the exhibition “Petri Party” offered participants an engaging opportunity to explore and learn about microorganisms. In addition, various competitions—including quiz, logo design, and photography contests—were conducted to encourage creativity and participation. The conclave concluded with a strong message highlighting the significance of incorporating probiotic foods into everyday life for better health and well-being.
Program Outcome
PO 1.Critical Thinking:
1.1. Acquire the ability to apply the basic tenets of logic and science to thoughts, actions and interventions.
1.2. Develop the ability to chart out a progressive direction for actions and interventions bylearning to recognize the presence of hegemonic ideology within certain dominant notions.
1.3. Develop self-critical abilities and the ability to view positions, problems and socialissues from plural perspectives.
PO 2.Effective Citizenship:
2.1. Learn to participate in nation building by adhering to the principles of sovereignty of thenation, socialism, secularism, democracy and the values that guide a republic.
2.2. Develop and practice gender sensitive attitudes, environmental awareness, empathetic social awareness about various kinds of marginalisation and the ability to understand and resist various kinds of discriminations.
2.3. Internalise certain highlights of the nation’s and region’s history. Especially of the freedommovement, the renaissance within native societies and the project of modernisation of the postcolonialsociety.
PO 3.Effective Communication:
3.1. Acquire the ability to speak, write, read and listen clearly in person and through electronicmedia in both English and in one Modern Indian Language
3.2. Learn to articulate, analyse, synthesise, and evaluate ideas and situations in a well- informed manner.
3.3. Generate hypotheses and articulate assent or dissent by employing both reason and creativethinking.
PO 4.Interdisciplinarity:
4.1. Perceive knowledge as an organic, comprehensive, interrelated and integrated faculty of the human mind.
4.2. Understand the issues of environmental contexts and sustainable development as a basicinterdisciplinary concern of all disciplines.
4.3. Develop aesthetic, social, humanistic and artistic sensibilities for problem solving andevolving a comprehensive perspective.
Program Specific Outcome
B.Sc. MICROBIOLOGY Programme offered by St. Pius X college is a language reduced pattern UG programme under the KUCBCSS (Kannur University Choice Based Credit and Semester System).
- Critical thinking & Analytical skills: Students are expected to acquire, articulate, retain and apply knowledge in the field of Microbiology
- Competency in unique & general laboratory skills: Students will acquire competency in unique and general microbiological laboratory skills, which augment their observational and analytical skills.
- Safe handling of clinical specimens: Students are expected to achieve training in safe handling and processing clinical specimens.
- Spreading scientific concepts to community: Students will spread scientific concepts in the community, and share experimental results and analytical arguments clearly, both verbally and in writing.
PSOS (2019 admission onwards)
PSO1: Understand general characteristics and classification of microorganisms
PSO2: Understand the physiological and environmental adaptations of microorganisms and the molecular aspects of microbial cells
PSO3: Understand the applicability and significance of microorganisms in the field of health, food, industry, agriculture and environment.
PSO4: Carry out standard laboratory techniques in the field of environmental, medical, agricultural and industrial microbiology
Course Outcome
1B01 MCB GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY
1. To gain a preliminary understanding about the history and developments in Microbiology
2. To familiarize with Microbiological techniques
3. Understand the principle of work,energy and power
4. To develop interest in control measures of pathogens and other microbes
2B02 MCB MICROBIAL TAXONOMY
1. To gain a preliminary understanding about the classification methods in Microbiology
2. To familiarize with different groups of micro organisms
3. To develop interest in systematics
3A11 MCB BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MICROBIOLOGY
1. To gain an understanding about essential Biochemistry required for Microbiology students
2. To develop interest in the chemistry of life.
3A12 MCB BIOPHYSICS AND BIOINFORMATICS
1. To gain an understanding about essential Biophysics required for Microbiology students
2. To develop interest in the biophysical chemistry of life.
3. To gain an understanding about introductory and applied Bioinformatics
3B03 MCB MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY
1. To gain a preliminary understanding about the microbial nutrition.
2. To familiarize with energy production in micro organisms
4A13 MCB MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
1.To gain an understanding about essential Molecular Biology required for Microbiology students
2. To develop interest in the chemistry of life.
4A14 MCB MICROBIAL GENETICS & GENETIC ENGINEERING
1.To gain a preliminary understanding about the genetic changes in micro organisms
2. To familiarize with applied aspects of genetic engineering
3. To create interest in various aspects of development of GMO
4B05 MCB IMMUNOLOGY
1. To gain a preliminary understanding about various immune mechanisms.
2. To familiarize with Immunological techniques
3.To develop interest in serodiagnosis of infectious diseases
5B07 MCB MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
1. To gain preliminary understanding about fermentation technology.
2. To familiarize with microbial products by fermentation process.
3. To develop interest in bioinsecticides
5B08 MCB BACTERIAL DISEASES
1. To gain understanding about various pathogenic micro organisms.
2. To familiarize with symptoms of common infectious diseases and their diagnostic procedures and to develop interest in prophylactic measures of infectious diseases
5B09 MCB ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY(ELECTIVE)
1. To gain a preliminary understanding about Environmental Microbiology
2.To enhance awareness about xenobiotic pollution
3.To develop interest in bioremediation
5B 12 MCB VIROLOGY, MYCOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY
1. To gain a preliminary understanding about viral, fungal, protozoan and helminth pathogens
2. To develop interest in noting infectious diseases other than bacterial infection
6B15 MCB FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
1. To gain a preliminary understanding about Food Microbiology
2. To enhance awareness about food borne diseases, microbial pathogens responsible and food safety
3. To develop interest in advanced food preservation techniques
4. To gain an understanding about food quality standards
6B16 MCB SANITATION MICROBIOLOGY
1. To gain a preliminary understanding about Sanitation Microbiology.
2. To enhance awareness about waste management.
3.To develop interest in Biogas production and its use.
6B17 MCB AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY
1.To gain a preliminary understanding of Agricultural Microbiology
2. To enhance awareness about plant diseases and microbial pathogens
3. To develop interest in biofertilizers and organic farming
5 D03 MCB MICROBES AND ENVIRONMENT (OPEN)
1. To gain an understanding about Environmental Microbiology
2. To enhance awareness about xenobiotic and other pollutions.
COs (2019 admission onwards)
CORE COURSE I: FUNDAMENTALS OF MICROBIOLOGY
CO 1: Understand the history, development & scope of microbiology
CO 2: Understand the principle and procedure of microscopy
CO 3: Understand the detailed structure of bacteria
CO 4: Explain the techniques for visualization of microorganisms
CO 5: Explain various media and components for cultivation of different microorganisms
CO 6: Understand various techniques used for isolation and preservation of bacteria
CO 7: Understand the principle and methods for controlling microorganisms and attain knowledge in controlling microbes in day today life.
CORE COURSE II: MICROBIAL DIVERSITY
CO 1: Understand the basics and tools in Microbial taxonomy
CO 2: Explain classification and diversity of bacteria
CO 3: Understand general characteristics and taxonomy of viruses.
CO 4: Understand general characteristics and taxonomy of fungi
CO 5: Understand general characteristics and taxonomy of microscopic algae & Protozoa
CORE COURSE III:MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY AND METABOLISM
CO 1: Understand the nutritional diversity among microorganisms, the different macro and micronutrients required for microbial growth and understand the physical factors affecting microbial growth.
CO 2: Describe the pattern of growth, reproduction, death and growth kinetics of microbes and measure population growth by different methods.
CO 3: Understand the phototrophic nutrition in microorganisms, different mechanisms seen in different microbial groups and their ecological importance.
CO 4: Understand the unique nutritional type among microorganisms- the chemolithotrophs-, their types, use of different inorganic sources for energy production, ecological importance and role in biogeochemical cycles.
CO 5: Understand how carbohydrates, proteins and fats are metabolized in the microbial cells and the diverse metabolic pathways leading to energy production.
CORE COURSE IV: MICROBIOLOGY PRACTICAL I
CO 1: Understand the basic rules and regulations in Microbiology lab and the procedure of cleaning & preparation of materials for lab experiments
CO 2: Understand the working and understand how to operate major microbiology lab instruments
CO 3: Understand and carry out the preparation of various media for cultivation of microorganisms
CO 4: Carry out the techniques for isolation and cultivation of bacteria
CO 5: Understand the procedure of comparing the efficiency of disinfectants commonly used
CORE COURSE V: BASIC IMMUNOLOGY
CO 1: Understand various immune mechanisms
CO 2: Describe various immune cells and organs involved in immunity
CO 3: Understand different immunological techniques used and serological diagnosis of infectious diseases
CO 4: Understand the basis of allergy reactions, auto immune mechanisms, transplantation and cancer immunity.
CORE COURSE VI:MICROBIOLOGY PRACTICAL II
CO 1: Understand the principle, parts of Compound light microscope and carry out the procedure of using Microscope
CO 2: Carry out the techniques of visualizing bacteria
CO 3: Understand and carry out the procedure of differentiating bacterial populations
CO 4: Carry out the techniques for visualizing different parts of bacteria
CO 5: Understand the procedure of separating compounds by using chromatography
CORE COURSE VII:MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
CO 1: Describe about fermenter and fermentation technology.
CO 2: Understand microbial products by fermentation process.
CO 3: Understand enzyme technology and its application
CORE COURSE VIII: BACTERIAL DISEASES
CO 1: Describe about infection, its types, transmission of infection & virulence factors
CO 2: Understand the details of causative agent of major human bacterial infection
CO 3: Understand the diagnostic & treatment methods of various bacterial infections
CO 4: Understand prophylactic measures of different bacterial diseases
CO 5: Understand epidemiological aspects of bacterial diseases
CORE COURSE IX : ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
CO 1: Understand the concept of ecosystem and its components and concept of biogeochemical cycles and N, S and P cycles.
CO 2: Explain the principles of microbial interactions and its importance with suitable examples.
CO 3: Describe microorganisms in air, methods by which they reach and remain in air and its medical importance. Air sampling methods and its use in agriculture.
CO 4: Describe microorganisms in aquatic environment, various factors that can influence their survival and distribution in different aquatic systems. Their role in aquatic eco system as biotic factor- producer, consumer and decomposer.
CO 5: Understand the concept of xenobiotics, xenobiotics as pollutants of environment, concept of biomagnification, concept of persistence and recalcitrance of various xenobiotics. Concept of bioremediation of environment and microbial degradation of various xenobiotics.
CO 6: Understand the concepts of leaching, corrosion and microbial biofilms. Involvement of microorganisms in metal leaching and corrosion.
CORE COURSE X: VIRAL, FUNGAL AND PARASITIC DISEASES
CO 1: Understand the architecture of animal viruses, its classification, methods for studying viruses and the multiplication strategies of animal viruses
CO 2: Understand the most prevalent viral diseases of human beings including the emerging viral diseases and to understand the preventive measures to be taken by studying the pathogenesis and mechanism of survival of pathogens.
CO 3: Describe overview of fungal infections affecting human beings and the treatment strategies against fungal infections
CO 4: Understand important protozoan and helminthic infections of human beings
CORE COURSE XI: MICROBIOLOGY PRACTICAL III
CO 1: Perform basic laboratory techniques in Microbiology to detect bacterial motility and use of special media in order to differentiate pathogenic microorganisms
CO 2: Understand the isolation and identification of normal flora
CO 3: Determine the effect of environmental factors influencing the growth of microorganisms
CO 4: Perform basic laboratory experiments in Biochemistry, Genetics and Bioinformatics
CORE COURSE XII : MICROBIOLOGY PRACTICAL IV
CO 1: Determine the microbial load and diversity in soil
CO 2: Determine the microbiological quality of drinking water and air
CO 3: Understand the laboratory procedure for the growth of fungi and identify thefungi by macroscopic and microscopic examination
CO 4: Isolate microorganisms with special metabolic capacities from the Environment
CORE COURSE XIII : FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
CO 1: Understand the role of microorganisms in food fermentation, food processing, food spoilage and foodborne diseases
CO 2: Understand the significance of microbes in spoilage of different varieties of food and the role of intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting the growth and survival of microbes in food.
CO 3:Describe ways to control the growth of microbes in foods and know the principles involved in methods of food preservation.
CO 4: Understand the beneficial role of microbes in fermented foods and the microbiology of fermented dairy products and other indigenous fermented foods and understand the basis of food safety regulations.
CO 5: Understand the role of microbes in foodborne illnesses and their characteristics and their preventive measures
CORE COURSE XIV : SANITATION MICROBIOLOGY
CO 1:Understand the concept of Sanitation and its importance in public health and UN actions
CO 2:Describe the importance of water quality, methods of water quality analysis, water quality standards & the basic principles of water purification and disinfection.
CO 3:Understand the concept of sewage and its microbiology, methods and steps involved in waste water treatment.
CO 4: Explain the principles of solid waste management and methods.
CO 5: Explain sanitary land filling, Composting and biogas plants.
CO 6: Describe principles of air sanitation, methods of air sanitation and air quality standards.
CORE COURSE XV : AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY
CO 1:Understand the role of microbes in agriculture
CO 2:Explain the production and application of biofertilizers
CO 3:Understand plant disease mechanism and how to control plant diseases and also to get awareness on the impact of chemical fertilizer
CO 4: Understand various plant diseases commonly found.
CORE COURSE XVI: MICROBIOLOGY PRACTICAL V
CO 1:Perform Antigen – Antibody reactions for the Serodiagnosis of infectious Diseases
CO 2:Identify bacterial species from clinical samples by microscopy, Cultural characteristics and biochemical reactions
CO 3:Determine the antimicrobial spectrum of the given bacterial species
CORE COURSE XVII: MICROBIOLOGY PRACTICAL VI
CO 1:Determine the microbial count of fish, milk and fermented milk samples
CO 2:Understand the production of wine using yeast
CO 3:Analyze the microbiological quality of milk sample
CO 4:Perform experiments for the isolation of nitrogen fixing bacteria
GENERIC ELECTIVE COURSE I: FOODBORNE DISEASES
CO 1:Understand etiological agents of important foodborne infections and intoxications
CO 2:Explain the sources, symptoms and preventive measures of foodborne illnesses
CO 3:Understand the preventive and prophylactic measures of foodborne diseases.
GENERIC ELECTIVE COURSE II: MICROBES AND ENVIRONMENT
CO 1:Understand the basic concept of Ecology and factors influencing the growth of microorganisms in the environment
CO 2:Understand biogeochemical cycling in the environment and microbial interactions in the soil
CO 3:Explain the role of microorganisms causing diseases transmitted through water and the importance of indicator organisms in determining the microbiological quality of drinking water
CO 4:Understand steps involved in waste water treatment
CO 5:Explain the methods to resolve important global environmental problems
GENERIC ELECTIVE COURSE III: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
CO 1:Understand the magnitude of health risk and other socio economic problems of solid waste.
CO 2:Explain methods of disposal of solid waste , hazardous solid waste and e waste
CO 3:Understand the methods for reduction of solid waste
GENERIC ELECTIVE COURSE IV: MUSHROOM CULTIVATION AND PROCESSING
CO 1:Understand and identify the edible and poisonous mushrooms and their significance
CO 2:Create skills in mushroom cultivation methods
CO 3:Understand the marketing trends of mushroom
CO 4:Train and help students to learn a means of self employment and income Generation
GENERIC ELECTIVE COURSE V: FERMENTED FOODS AND BEVERAGES
CO 1:Understand the role of microorganisms in the production of fermented foods and beverages
CO 2:Understand the production of important fermented foods, beverages and single cell proteins
GENERAL AWARENESS COURSE I: BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MICROBIOLOGY
CO 1:Understand the aspects of different types of bonding in biomolecules and the concept and importance of pH and redox reactions in living systems.
CO 2:Describe the detailed structure of carbohydrate with different bonding patterns, their properties, classification and functions in cells.
CO 3:Explain the structure, classification, properties of amino acids and the structure , levels of organization, types, conjugate forms and functions of protein in cells.
CO 4:Understand in detail the properties, classification, mechanism and kinetics of enzyme action and the principles of enzyme regulation.
CO 5:Describe the components, structure and organization of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and their functional importance in living systems.
CO 6:Understand the structure, types and properties of fats, fatty acids, lipids, their conjugate forms and their functional importance.
GENERAL AWARENESS COURSE II: BIOINFORMATICS AND BIOINSTRUMENTATION
CO 1:Understand the basic concepts in Bioinformatics and its applications in various fields
CO 2:Describe biological databases available online and sequence alignment using bioinformatics tools
CO 3:Understand bioinformatics tools for phylogenetic analysis, structure prediction and drug designing.
CO 4:Explain the principle, working and applications of biological techniques such as chromatography, electrophoresis, spectrophotometry and centrifuge.
CO 5:Understand basic molecular techniques.
GENERAL AWARENESS COURSE III: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
CO 1:Understand the history of molecular biology, the experiments that proved the role of DNA as genetic material, physical and chemical properties of DNA, and organisation of genetic material in cells.
CO 2:Explain mechanisms and molecules involved in replication of DNA and different models of replication.
CO 3:Describe molecular mechanisms of recombination.
CO 4:Understand chemical nature and types of RNA , transcription mechanisms and different types of molecules involved and processing of RNA
CO 5:Understand concept of genetic code and concept of translation, steps involved and post translational modification.
CO 6:Understand concept of gene regulation in prokaryotes using lac and trp operon as examples.
GENERAL AWARENESS COURSE IV: MICROBIAL GENETICS AND rDNA TECHNOLOGY
CO 1:Understand genomic organization of prokaryotes including bacterial chromosome, plasmids and transposable genetic material
CO 2:Understand gene transfer mechanism in prokaryotes, its applications and genetic make-up of bacteriophage and yeast briefly
CO 3:Explain molecular mechanism underlying mutations and useful phenotypes of bacterial mutants.
CO 4:Explain the basics and molecular techniques involved in recombinant DNA technology and the role of microbes in rDNA technology
CO 5:Describe the applications of transgenic plants and animals.
