Introduction

The post graduate department of Microbiology of Mangalore University started in 1997 initially with two lecturers and with an annual syllabus scheme. The Microbiology post graduate department (commencing in the year 1997) of Mangalore University had been situated within the premises of the Field Marshal K.M Cariappa College, Cauvery campus at Madikeri, Kodagu district, Karnataka.  The annual syllabus scheme was replaced by the semester scheme from 2004 onwards.A good number of students were trained, and they obtained post graduate degree from the department. The department actively involved in various academic activities under the supervisions of the eminent faculty members of the department. The University took pioneering steps towards shifting the Department of Microbiology to a new Post Graduate Centre at Chikka Aluvara, Kodagu district in January 2014. The department with 23 years of establishment is full-fledged with five dedicated faculties.  All of them with diverse research specialization work with the fullest of their capacity to assure quality teaching and research in various branches of Microbiology are serving in the department of Microbiology in various capacities. Around ten Ph.D candidates have obtained their doctoral degree from the department and presently nineteen Ph.D., research scholars are pursuing research studies towards doctoral degree.The department has supported the studies on microorganisms on varied aspects applicable to the society. The department has achieved in bringing Government funded projects and as Centre of Innovative Science & Engineering Education (CISEE) under the Vision group of Science and Technology project scheme from the Govt. of Karnataka. With these support the department have established Molecular Research laboratory and Food Microbiology Laboratory equipped with major equipments such as CO₂ incubator, -80^oC Freezer, Type II Class A Biosafety cabinet, Multi sky scan Spectrophotometer, Inverted Microscope, Refrigerated centrifuges, Rotary evaporator, Muffle furnace thus, facilitating research studies among scholars and nurturing with knowledge of the young minds of post graduating students.