CAREER IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

INSTITUTES AND COLLEGES IN INDIA OFFERING COURSE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

An interdisciplinary subject biotechnology encompasses diverse areas of study, be it molecular biology, tissue culture, agricultural engineering, fisheries, genetics or even medicine, Biotechnological procedures apply themselves to a very wide variety of spheres more so because of a clearer understanding of DNA & Genesis. Hence students from a wide range of academic backgrounds can do postgraduate studies in this very specialized field. The growth areas of this discipline are M.Tech/M.Sc. Biotechnology or Biochemistry with focus on Chemical Engineering or Agri Engineering. M.Sc.

Biotechnology is a 2 year course after graduation (10+2+3) pattern of education in Physical, Biological, Agricultural, Veterinary and Fishery Sciences. Graduates in Pharmaceutical Sciences Engineering, Technology or Medicine can also do a post graduation in Biotechnology. For studying and applying Biotechnology to Agriculture or Animal Science, graduation in Agriculture / Horticulture / Forestry / Fisheries /Veterinary Sciences /Agricultural engineering is required.

M.Tech. in Biotechnology can be done after Chemical/Bio-chemical engineering, Leather technology, Pharmaceutical technology, Food Technology, B.Pharma and Dairy technology, Post graduates in life sciences, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Physiology, Pharmacology and Biophysics can also study for an M.Tech. in Biotechnology. The IIT's at Kharagpur and Delhi conduct a 5 year integrated biotechnology course for the school leaver. A number of educational and research institutions like the National Institute of Immunology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology etc. (see courses and Institutions) offer academic and research facilities.

All India Biotechnology entrance examination

Combined Entrance Examination for admission to M.Sc./M.Sc. (Agri.)/M.V.Sc. (Animal) Biotech/M.Tech. Biotechnology is conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University at various participating Universities as per details given against each programme at the undermentioned Centres :

Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Baroda, Bhubaneshwar, Mumbai, Calcutta, Calicut, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi, Dharwar, Guwahati, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Lucknow, Chennai, Madurai, Pant Nagar, Pondicherry, Danapur Cantt (Bihar), Pune, Ranchi, Shillong, Shimla, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi and Vijayawada.

Programme of study

M.Sc. Biotechnology-candidates with bachelor's degree under 10+2+3 pattern of education in Physical, Biological, Agricultural, Veterinary, Fishery Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, Technology or Medicine (MBBS) with at least 55% marks are eligible to apply for M.Sc Biotechnology at : (1)Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; (2)Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi,; (3)Calicut University, Kerala; (4) Central University, Hyderabad; (5)Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyala, Indore; (6)G.B. PantUniversity of Agriculture& Technology, Pant Nagar; (7) Goa University, Goa; (8)Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; (9) Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla; (10) Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; (11) M.S University of Baroda, Baroda; (12) Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai; (13) Punjab University, Chandigarh; (14) Pondicherry University, Pondicherry; (15)Poona University, Pune;(16) Punjabi University, Paitiala, Tezpur University, Assam (17)Jammu University. 

M .Sc. (Agri .) Biotechnology  /M . V Sc. Animal Biotechnology-Candidateswith Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Fisheries, Veterinary Sciences or Agricultural Engineering and (only B.V.Sc, degree for Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai) with 70% marks or CGPA of at least 3 out of 4; or 7 out of 10 in the grading system in case of Tamil Nadu Agricultural, University of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences (10+2+4) and 55% marks in case of G.B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology are eligible to apply (10+2+3 pattern).

M. Tech. Biotechnology- Candidates possessing B. Tech degree with minimum 60% marks or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Industrial Biotech (BE), Leather Technology, Pharmaceutical Technology, Food Technology, B.Pharma, and Dairy Technology or Master's Degree (Biotech) with minimum 60% marks or equivalent in Life Sciences, Botany, Zoology, Bio-chemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Physiology, Pharmacology and Biophysics are eligible to applyj for M.Tech, Industrial Biotech (BE), Biotechnology offered at Anna University, Chennai & Jadavpur University, Calcutta.

MSc/ MVSc in Veterinary Biotechnology is a 2 year course at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (UP)

Postgraduate course in biotechnology

Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral Research in Biotechnology : JNU, Delhi; IIT, Delhi; National nstt. of Immunology, Delhi; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Delhi; National Instt, of Immunology, Delhi, Indian Instt. of Science, Bangalore, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi; Bose Instt., Calcutta. Besides these courses, post-graduate teaching programmes are available at the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Madras, Pondicherry University; Punjab University, Chandigarh. These three universities receive a one-time grant from the DBT.

Biotechnology requires intense hard work, preservance and challenge for achieving results. A very bright academic profile with scientific bent of mind is required. This is a growing field and hence requires people with the urge to lead innovative research. Interest is human welfare, agriculture, drugs, environment and other areas of work will determine the field range of work for the scientists. Interest in achieving satisfaction through intense academic research rather than material gains is at the core of genuine scientific temper.

Employment Avenues

Biotechnology is ranked second as a growth sector after multimedia industry with a tremendous employment potential. Major contributions in areas such as environment, health, agriculture and pharmaceuticals is envisaged.

Most biotechnologists are employed in research and development, departments of institutions and industries involved in biotechnological work. From the production of antimicrobial agents, reagents and consumables to the marketing of instruments used in biotechnological applications and research the opportunities for biotechnologists are on the increase. Biotechnologists work extensively in the production departments of these industries. Generally Biotechnology students from engineering stream are given preference for production jobs.

Biotechnologists work in industries producing food, chemicals, bio-processed products etc. They are involved in research in genetics, biochemistry and biochemical engineering and all areas where these processes are implied. Industrial R&D covers areas such as chemical processes, increase in productivity, waste and pollution management. Some industries employ biotechnologists in their marketing department to develop business in the sector where their product would be most required. They also help to identify biotechnological development opportunities for the industry in India and abroad.

A steep rise in employment is envisaged in environmental biotechnology. Spending to the tune of $ 600 billion by the turn of the century will open up vast avenues in this sector, as biotechnologists are expected to resolve crisis related to marine life, depletion of the atmosphere etc. In the area of drugs and pharmaceutical there are new ventures both in the government and private sectors coming up to provide for the latest R&D facilities as the sector envisages a global market share of almost Rs35,000 crores. Pharmaceutical industries are offering lucrative pay packets to biotechnologists, microbiologists, molecular biologists and biochemists. Government labs such as CDRI in  Lucknow is constantly employing research workers/scientists. The private sector placements are in both technical and managerial positions. The management levels match those of a business firm and the task relates to industrial, production and marketing management. In academics biotechnologists (Doctorates) are working in departments of marine biotech, biomedicine, earth sciences biomedical engineering, agricultural and environmental biotechnology etc.

Industries employing biotechnologists : Hindustan Lever, Thapar group, Indo American Hybrid Seeds, Bincon India Limited, Bivcol, IDPL, Indian Vaccines Corporation, Hindustan Antibiotics, Sun Pharma, Cadila etc.

Laboratories and Institutes employing Biotechnologists : These include the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Botanical Institute, National chemical laboratory, Tata Energy Research Institute, Central Aromatic, Plants Institute, Indian Institute of Science, Agricultural Research Institute, CSIR, National Environment Research Institute-Nagpur, National Institute of Immunology-New Delhi, CDRI- Lucknow, IIT-Mumbai, Delhi.