CSIR-Net Syllabus and my study tips on each Unit

 

 

Hi everyone,

Before we start with the list of best books for CSIR-NET Exam, I just want to tell you, "You've got this. Stay focused and trust yourself". 

"It all depends on you".

A little motivation, will take you a long way. I was fortunate enough to hear these words, and a little hard work and prayers helped me clear the exam. I want you to do it too.

I was exactly like you searching for which books to read, which topics to stress on, and mnemonics to memorize pathways. 

I know there are many sites out there, suggesting you a list of books, but we all, just want that one, which will enrich us with all the concepts...'

Read on, to know that one or two books needed for each topic.

Scroll to the end to know how to get a free pdf of all these books.

XI and XII Biology textbooks
If you have read my earlier post 5 preparatory steps to study at your best, you know how important the basics are. so to start with, I always suggest reading an learning thoroughly your XI and XII NCERT textbooks.

Spend maximum three weeks studying these books. When you start reading, you will realise you have studied a lot back then. I was amazed when I seen the textbook after 5 years (3 years BSc. +2 years M.Sc)

Biochemistry 

• Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry – David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox

                                       

• Principles of Biochemistry – Voet, Pratt and Voet

                                                

Biochemistry forms the basis of your entire syllabus, the depth of your concept understanding is based on this unit.

Even if you plan on skipping this unit, a brief idea of the concepts, is a must.
But yes, it is also a very vast topic, and the questions usually asked are difficult.  While reading these book, stick to the topics recurring every year and don't get carried away.

My experience: I did not go into details of this unit (solving problems, questions), as it is a very vast topic, and questions require thorough concept understanding and time to think and relate.

If you have less time, I would suggest, skip the standard books and hop on to the Pathfinder series, for this topic. 

       Genetics -

iGenetics: A Molecular Approach - Peter J. Russell,

I feel, this book makes Genetics all the more interesting. The concise topics and diagrams help you focus and remember better.

Very few tutors will suggest this book. Most would suggest, Molecular Biology of the gene – James Watson, which is also a very good book, but I found this more helpful so I listed it here.

My experience: Genetics (Classical and molecular) requires a lot of memorizing . Various definitions, mechanisms and enzymes. For example, the headache of remembering the transcription factor in eukaryotic transcription or the process of splicing. I managed to remember this by creating my own short notes of he mechanisms.

      Cell Biology 

Molecular Biology of the Cell – Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, and Peter Walter

This is a book you will fall in love with. It includes various topics beginning from the basics of biochemistry.

You can get lost in this book if you are not focused.

If you glance at previous year’s question papers, you will notice that questions appear from the same topics, so don’t deviate, remember, you are here for one topic, and concentrate only on that.

Study your topic and move ahead with the syllabus.

You can always read this beautiful book, with your NET certificate in hand later. 😉 

      Molecular Biology - 

Molecular Biology of the Gene - James Watson

      Immunology 

Kuby Immunology 

Again, when it comes to immunology, there are very less questions asked every year, check out the topics recurring and learn them thoroughly. Questions are usualy applicatory or relative. You have to think and answer what will happen.

      Developmental Biology 

Developmental Biology – Scott F. Gilbert

If you are a Microbiology student, like me, you would know Developmental biology is nowhere in our syllabus. So we tend to skip this topic. And I feel that is the biggest mistake we do.

Developmental Biology is very interesting, and this unit too has very little important topics to be learnt, which require understanding. No problem solving or difficult here. 

      Plant Physiology 

Plants Physiology – Lincoln Taiz and Eduardo Zeiger

      Animal Physiology - Guyton

Everyone has that one unit which they skip, and we microbiology/biotechnology students usually choose animal physiology for it.

      Ecology 

Basic Ecology: Fundamentals of Ecology – Eugene P. Odum

     Evolution Campbell

A really beautiful Unit, which can be learned as stories and remembered easily, don't skip it. It does have some problem solving like the Hardy Weinberg Principle, but these problems are much simpler than other units.

     Techniques

Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – Wilson and Walker

     Biotechnology

Principles of Gene Manipulation and Genomics – Sandy B. Primrose and Richard Twyman

    Microbiology Prescott

 

     Pathfinder Part I & II

I would suggest buying these books.

This is a great book. It gives you all the above topics in one. 

This is my all time favourite.

If you have less time, I would suggest, skip the standard books and hop on to the Pathfinder series. 

Free Book pdfs

I would not like to share any downloadable pdf links here, due to copyright issues. 

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