Patna University will start three postgraduate courses — PG diploma in bio-informatics and MA in journalism and women studies — from the next academic session (2012-13).

Sources in the university on Monday said the three new courses are being introduced keeping in mind the students’ demand, popularity of the subjects and job prospects. PU would be the second university, after Central University of Bihar, to introduce post-graduate diploma in bio-informatics in the state.

PU computer in-charge and faculty member of bio-informatics K.P. Singh said: “The university has decided to introduce the diploma course in bio-informatics because many prefer to pursue the subject and find jobs with bio-tech and pharmaceutical com-panies in India and abroad.”

He added that the course would be divided in three semesters and has been designed in a way that it would help the students acquire necessary knowledge on bio-informatics. The 18-month course would be run from the PU computer centre building and teachers from the university’s biology, computer and statistics departments would guide the bio-informatics students. Singh said: “Besides the regular faculty, visiting professors from CUB will teach the students.”

Admission would be done on the basis of a test scheduled on June 24. Undergraduate students from physical science, biological science, medicine and agriculture can apply for the course. The test paper would consist of 100 objective questions of multiple choices. Each question will carry a mark from basic sciences, computer knowledge, environment and general studies.

The two-year MA in journalism will be in addition to the existing nine-month postgraduate diploma course offered by the university in the subject. Both the courses will run from the Hindi department. The head of the Hindi department, Amar Kumar Singh, said: “Students with MA in journalism will be eligible to apply for PhD. They can also find jobs in the media.”

The entrance test for the course will be held before June 30. The final date would be decided in a couple of days.

The university has announced a two-year masters programme in women studies. Many feel a PG degree in the subject would help students find jobs in government agencies, self-help groups and non-government organisations.