Genetics is an important area of life science with a trans-disciplinary approach requiring close interactions between specialists in various disciplines including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Informatics, Medicine and Agriculture. Keeping in view the urgent need for developing state-of-the art teaching and research programs in Molecular & Human Genetics, the Faculty of Science introduced, under the auspices of the Center for Advanced Studies in Sciences, a two year M.Sc. course in Molecular & Human Genetics in 1999 in the Department of Zoology. The early nodal group of teachers of this course comprised of teachers from Cytogenetics and Biochemistry sections of the Department of Zoology. Since August 2004, a separate Department of Molecular and Human Genetics has been established in the Faculty of Science. This young department continues to believe in the principle of integrative teaching and thus maintains close interactions with other departments in the university. Its five regular teaching staff joined in 2006. It takes pride in having a teaching network of best faculty from within and other departments like Zoology (cytogenetics and biochemistry sections), Center for Genetic Disorders, Institute of Medical Sciences (both Modern medicine and Ayurveda) and Mahila Mahavidyalaya of the University, a combination of expertise that makes it one of the best teaching programmes in this field of specialization. The core group of faculty members have diverse expertise and research interest. Major areas of the active research in the department includes but not limited to cancer genetics (molecular mechanisms of genetic and epigenetic regulation of tumorigenesis in multiple tumors), developmental genetics (cell signalling), clinical genetics using model systems (genetic and molecular mechanisms responsible for neurodegenerative diseases and neuronal development), reproductive genetics (genetics of the male and female infertility; recurrent pregnancy loss), and immunogenetics (the immunopathogenesis and regulatory mechanisms in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)). Due to its trans-disciplinary nature, the course is open to students holding Bachelor's degree in any branch of Science, Agriculture, Medicine, Pharmaceutics or Bioscience-related Technology/Engineering. Admissions are made on all-India basis through CEEB (Common entrance examination for biotechnology).