Plant cell/tissue culture (or ‘in vitro’ culture) involves culturing of plant cells, tissues, protoplasts etc. on special nutrient media in glass / plastic vessels under aseptic and controlled environmental conditions, and has broad applications globally, in research and commercial applications. It is an essential tool for plant regeneration and micropropagation, particularly in modern biotechnology, agriculture, horticulture, and related industry. Applications of this technology include elimination of viruses from plant tissues to obtain virus free plants, micropropagation, clonal propagation, induction of genetic variability, crop improvement through genetic engineering, production of haploids, production of secondary metabolites through cell cultures etc. The Department of Plant Sciences has been conducting the Master of Science (MSc) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture for more than two decades.

• to enhance the capacity of participants to advance their knowledge and research skills, and other abilities for higher degrees and to provide a post-graduate qualification 
• to produce experts in the field of Plant Cell and Tissue Culture for specialized professional employment, technological capacity, or entrepreneurship 
• to enhance employment opportunities in the areas of biotechnology/ agrobiotechnology, horticulture, and related research and/or training institutes
• to generate skilled human resources, thereby assisting the development of biotechnology industry in the country

• Graduates who are expecting to pursue M. Phil/Ph.D. studies in a related field. 
• Research officers/scientists, extension officers, and educators in public and private institutions who require advanced training in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture.
• Qualified entrepreneurs and enthusiast with an interest in the field

The applicant should have a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university*, with Botany/ Plant Sciences/ Plant Biotechnology/Biotechnology/ Agriculture as a subject 

or 

Any other equivalent qualification acceptable to the Senate of the University of Colombo. The candidates will be selected based on academic merits, and an interview.

* Links for information on UGC recognized Universities/Higher Educational Institutes:

• Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/universities.html )
• University Grant Commission (UGC) recognized foreign Universities (http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-andinstitutes/recognized-foreign-universities.html )
• UGC recognized other Universities (http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/other-recognizeddegrees.html)

Application deadline Extended: 15th May 2024

Date of commencement: July 2024

(The application form will be available soon)

Make sure you have scanned copies of the following documents before applying

• Copy of the bank slip (application fee of Rs. 2500/-)
• Scanned copies of relevant educational certificates
• Passport size photograph

Payment details:

• Bank: People’s Bank
• Branch: Thimbirigasyaya
• Name of account: University of Colombo
• Account No: 314012500008

MSc in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture:   24 months

MSc (Res.) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture:  36 months**

• **The duration of Parts I and II of the MSc programme is 24 months while that of Part III leading to MSc (Res.) is of a further 12 months. 
• Students who fail to complete Part I and Part II within 3 years from the first registration will not be allowed to register for Part III.
• The maximum period allowed to complete the degree is five (05) years from the date of first registration.

The programme structure has been revised according to the Master of Science By-Laws of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, and the guidelines issued by the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF 2015) of the UGC, Sri Lanka, to fulfill the criteria of degree programmes at SLQF levels 8, 9 & 10. The curriculum too has been revised to provide the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of study and facilitates graduates to be conversant in skills and knowledge to respond to contemporary needs of the profession and industry.

The Master of Science (MSc) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture programme consists of two parts (Parts I & II), whereas the Master of Science with Research [MSc (Res.)] in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture programme consists of an additional research project (Part III): 

Part – I:    Course Work (25 credits)

Part – II:   Directed Study (5 credits)

Part – III: Research Project (30 credits)

MSc in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture (30 Credits; SLQF Level 9)

Part I (Course work) of the programme includes theory modules, practical modules and field lessons. A student must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for Part I in order to proceed to Directed Study (Part II).  Students who fail to obtain a GPA of 3.0 but maintain a GPA of not less than 2.7 in Part I will be eligible* for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip.) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture (25C; SLQF Level 8), upon request.

Part II (Directed Study) of the MSc programme is an independent, guided mini research project or a case study of 5 Credits. The students who successfully complete Part II with a minimum GPA 3.0 will be eligible* for the award of the degree of Master of Science in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture (30C; SLQF Level 9). 

MSc (Res.) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture (60 Credits; SLQF Level 10)

This programme includes Part III (Research Project; 30C), in addition to Parts I & II described above. To proceed to Part III, a student should achieve a GPA of 3.00 for Part II. Part III is an individual independent research project, which, with prior approval of the faculty, shall be carried out at an institution where necessary facilities are available. Students who obtain a GPA of 3.00 or above for Part III will be eligible* for the award of the degree of Master of Science (Research) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture (60C; SLQF Level 10). 

A student who fails to achieve a GPA of 3.00 or above for Part III will be eligible* to be awarded the degree of Master of Science (MSc) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture, upon request.  

* In addition to the GPA requirements, to be eligible for the award of the MSc (Res.)/ MSc Degree or the PG Diploma in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture, a candidate must have fulfilled any other general requirements as prescribed by the relevant By-Laws and Rules and Regulations of the University of Colombo. 

Total credits for Part I (equivalent for SLQF Level 8) – 25C

• Lectures and practicals will be conducted on Friday evenings (3 – 6 pm) and Saturdays (8 am to 5 pm). 
• Blended mode (both online and on-site) will be used to deliver the theory lessons (and some practical component where applicable), discussions and tutorial classes. Practical modules will be conducted mainly through laboratory work and some field visits.  
• In a theory module fifteen lecture hours is considered as one credit (1C) and in a practical module thirty hours of laboratory/ field work is considered as 1C.  
• The estimated amount of study time or the commitment expected (= 'Notional learning hours') from an average student to achieve the intended learning outcomes of a 1C theory or practical module is ~ 50 hours. For a research module 1C is equivalent for ~ 100 notional hours.  

• The medium of instruction as well as that of assessments/examinations shall be English, and the medium for correspondence shall also be English.

• Theory modules – written examinations and assignments
• Practical modules – practical assessments, assignments/ continuous assessments
• Seminars – presentations
• Directed Study – written report, presentation and viva-voce examination
• Research Project – written research proposal, progress presentations, dissertation, viva-voce examination, and manuscript

Further information regarding the MSc Program can be obtained by contacting the programme coordinator.

Contact details of the programme coordinators are as follows.