Four terms. One transformation.

An 18-month full-time programme structured into four terms — a progression from quality fundamentals through food industries and pharmaceuticals, culminating in two real-world internships graded by industry.

Course Objectives & Outcomes

Objective

Started with the prime objective of training science graduates as quality professionals, the course seeks to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Students are exposed to various aspects of Quality as applied to Foods, Pharmaceuticals and Allied Industries — enhancing their career prospects.

Outcome

Students completing the course develop a sensitivity to quality and integrity in every aspect of work and professional conduct. They acquire the soft-skills required to function in industry, are able to apply quality concepts in any food, pharmaceutical or allied industry, and are ready to begin their careers.

Syllabus 2026–27

The four-term structure.

Each of the four terms is structured around three taught papers (100 marks each) and a graded laboratory component, with industry exposure built into every stage.

Term I

Quality Assurance

Foundations · 3 papers + laboratory + PTL training

PGDSQA101 Management Systems Standards 100

PGDSQA102 Quality Concepts, Audits and Statistics 100

PGDSQA103 Instrumentation & Basics of Microbiology 100

PGDSQAP1 Laboratory Practices (including practical) Grade

Industry exposure: Four weeks training in Public Testing Laboratories.

Term II

Foods Industries

Applied · 3 papers + laboratory + outstation visit

PGDSQA201 Food Technology 100

PGDSQA202 Food Quality, Packaging, Laws and Regulations 100

PGDSQA203 Food — Nutrients, Additives, Preservation and Adulteration 100

PGDSQAP2 Laboratory Practices (including regular practical) Grade

Industry exposure: Outstation industrial visit to food and allied facilities.

Term III

Pharmaceuticals & Allied Industries

Applied · 3 papers + laboratory

PGDSQA301 Basics of Pharmaceutics 100

PGDSQA302 Key Concepts and Quality in the Fields of Pharmaceutical and Allied Industries 100

PGDSQA303 Theoretical Basis of Pharmaceutical and Allied Industries 100

PGDSQAP3 Laboratory Practices (including regular practical) Grade

Covers human anatomy and physiology, drug classes, pharmacopoeia, pharmaceutics, bioequivalence and bioavailability, chemical and microbiological analysis, packaging, FDA regulations, regulatory affairs (including medical devices) and IPR.

Term IV

Internships

Industry-graded · 2 + 2 months

FOOD-2m Food Industry — two months internship Graded by host

PHARMA-2m Pharmaceutical / Allied Industry — two months internship Graded by host

Each student undertakes two two-month internships. Internship performance is assessed and graded directly by the host industry — adding a real-world, performance-based dimension to academic evaluation.

Across Terms I–IV

Skill Enhancement

Continuous · Graded

MGMT Basics of Management Studies Grade

ICT Essentials of Information and Communication Technology Grade

SOFT Development of Soft Skills Grade

Skill Enhancement runs through every term. The curriculum is subject to revision based on changing needs of industry.

Assessment

Multi-modal. Year-round. Industry-validated.

Assessment is multi-modal, encompassing weekly laboratory work, seminars, periodic tests and term-end examinations. This approach ensures that students develop both theoretical understanding and practical competence over the duration of the course.

Additionally, each student's internship performance is assessed and graded directly by the host industry — lending a real-world, performance-based dimension to their academic evaluation.

The five assessment modes

Weekly laboratory work
Seminars
Periodic tests
Term-end examinations
Internship performance — graded by host industry

Ready to begin?

Apply for the 2026–27 cohort. Selection is by aptitude — written test, group discussion and personal interview. No cut-off percentage.

Request Pre-admission Form Admissions details