‘Plant Cell and Tissue Culture’ in general, is the growth of individual plant cells or isolated tissues on a nutrient medium, under aseptic conditions in glass or plastic vessels under artificial light. Also referred to as ‘in vitro’ culture, it is an important and essential technique used for plant regeneration and micropropagation, particularly in modern plant biotechnology and agriculture. Today tissue culture techniques are used throughout the world as a tool both in research and in commercial production and are being applied to a great extent in agriculture, horticulture, and related industry. Applications of plant cell/ tissue culture techniques 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. The programme structure has been revised in 2021 to bring it on par with the current Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF 2015) of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council of the UGC, Sri Lanka. The curriculum and the syllabi have also been revised to accommodate the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of study and to facilitate the degree holders to be conversant in skills and knowledge to respond to contemporary needs of the profession and industry.

• 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)

• Call for applications: October / November 2021
• Closing date of applications: 22 November 2021
• Selections: December 2021
• Date of commencement: January 2022

The programme is advertised for the 2022 intake (to commence in January 2022).

Program brochure, the advertisement and the application form can be downloaded from the following links:

Apply:

MSc in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture:  Total duration – 24 months (Parts I + II)

MSc (Res.) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture: Total duration – 36 months* (Parts I + II + III)

• 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.

Duly completed application form together with the paying-in-voucher for Rs. 1500/- paid using the Application Fee code 314011700009 to the University of Colombo account at the People’s Bank, Thimbirigasyaya Branch, (payment can be made at any branch) should be submitted online using the following Google Form on or before 22 November 2021.

The programme structure has been revised according to the Master of Science By-Laws No. 8 of 2021 of Faculty of Science, and the guidelines issued by the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF 2015) to fulfill the criteria of Postgraduate Diploma / Masters Degree programmes at SLQF levels 8, 9 & 10.
The Master of Science (MSc) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture programme consists of two parts (Parts I & II), whereas the MSc (Research) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture programme consists of a third part (Part III) in addition to Parts I and II:

• Part I: Course Work (25 credits; equivalent for Postgraduate Diploma; SLQF Level 8)
• Part II: Directed Study (5 credits)
• Part III: Research Project (30 credits)

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

The MSc program is conducted in two parts: Part I consists of coursework (25 C) and Part II consists of an independent guided project (5 C). Part I (Course work) includes theory modules, practical modules and field lessons of total 25 credits and is equivalent to Level 8 of the SLQF.

In order to proceed to Part II (Directed Study; 5C), a student must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for Part I. 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 in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture (25C; SLQF Level 8), upon request.

Part II of the MSc programme consists of a directed study equivalent to a guided mini research project (5C) of three to six months duration (based on the time spent on the project by individual student). The mini research project shall be carried out at an institution where necessary facilities are available, and a report shall be submitted on the research carried out. Evaluation of Part II will be based on the written report, a presentation, and a viva-voce examination. The students who successfully complete Part II with a GPA 3.0 or above 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 (MSc (Res.) in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture) includes Part III, Research Project (30C), in addition to Parts I & II described above for the MSc programme. To proceed to Part III leading to MSc (Res.) degree, a student should achieve a GPA of 3.00 for Part II and complete parts I and II within three years from the date of initial registration. Part III consists of an individual independent research project of 30 credits, which, with prior approval of the faculty, shall be carried out at an institution where necessary facilities are available. Part III will be evaluated through a written research proposal, progress presentations, a dissertation, a viva-voce examination, and a manuscript. 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 (60 C; 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 NOTIONAL HOURS – 1250
TOTAL CREDITS FOR PG DIPLOMA (PART I) – SLQF L8 25C

• Part I (Course work) lectures and practicals will be conducted on Friday evenings (3 – 6 pm) and Saturdays (8 am to 5 pm) during two semesters, each approximately of 20 weeks.
• Theory modules, (and some practical component where applicable), will be conducted in a blended mode with both online and face-to-face lectures, 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.

• Part I (Course work) lectures and practicals will be conducted on Friday evenings (3 – 6 pm) and Saturdays (8 am to 5 pm) during two semesters, each approximately of 20 weeks.
• Theory modules, (and some practical component where applicable), will be conducted in a blended mode with both online and face-to-face lectures, 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.

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

Contact details of the programme coordinators are as follows.