Tips for youngsters: How to be a virologist in India

Virology is the scientific study of viruses. Virology is a wide term, covering studies dealing with viruses of animals, humans, plants, independent bacterial and fungal growth, and viruses in natural and agricultural environment. You will need to complete M.Sc. in Virology to become a virologist and obtain a license for it. The career opportunities are wide and rewarding, with placement across several sectors with a good pay.  

Eligibility to study Virology  
Here are the eligibility criteria for becoming a virologist in India: 

• You should complete 10+2 from a recognized school of any board 
• You should score at least 55 to 60% marks in the examination 
• You need to have studied Science in your 11th and 12th standards, including Biology, Physics and Chemistry subjects 
• This will make you eligible for B.Sc. in Virology 
• If you have got a B.Sc. degree in a science subject such as Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Zoology, MBBS, Medical lab technology, and 55% marks, you can switch to Virology and study in the M.Sc. programme 
• You can also opt for a Ph.D. course in Virology  

It’s not easy to get into Virology. Ideally, only focused students should try for it, because it is really fulfilling for them.  

Academic career opportunities after studying Virology 
A license form the government is needed to practice as a virologist in India. It can be obtained only after you have completed 3 to 6 years of research work. Virologists can diagnose and treat viral infections, and conducting related tests. You can also move on to become an Assistant Professor or Research Guide after your Ph.D., depending on your results. If you study till the Masters level, you can become a Research Associate, and Bachelor’s level degrees allow you to be a Lab Assistant.  

Corporate career opportunities after studying Virology 
Students get placement in corporates after finishing their Bachelor or Masters programs also, so if they do not want an academic career, they can start working in pharmaceutical, chemical and healthcare sectors. Bright students are picked up for an industrial research, where a company funds their research project and absorbs them as employee.