Biotechnology

Biotechnology, as the name suggests, is a branch of science that amalgamates biology and technology in order to derive productive results from biological organisms through technological applications. Along with Biology, it includes subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, and many more. It is vastly applied in the fields of agriculture, medicine, chemicals, bio-products, textiles, nutrition, environment, animal science, among others. Biotechnology is most prominently present in the field of genetic research and drug designing. The Indian subcontinent is known to house some of the world’s best biotech parks, therefore, the scope of biotechnology in India will only get better with time. Biotechnology is applicable in the following fields:

• Medicine and Health Care
• Industrial Research
• Agriculture
• Animal Husbandry
• Environment

Courses and Eligibility:

Students willing to make a career in biotechnology can avail the following courses:

• BTech in Biotechnology
• MSc Biotechnology
• MSc (Agriculture) Biotechnology
• MVSc (Animal) Biotechnology
• MTech Biotechnology
• MSc/MVSc. Veterinary Biotechnology
• MSc (Marine) Biotechnology
• Medical Biotechnology
• MTech Biomedical Engineering/Biotechnology

The minimum educational qualification for applying to a BE or BTech course is a 10+2 pass. The All India Board of Biotechnology Education and Training under the AICTE conducts entrance exams at various national and state levels for admission to these courses. For a postgraduate course one has to specialize in the field of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Marine Biomedicine, and Agriculture. Advance courses such as PhD and postdoctoral research are also available.

Career Prospects:

A Biotechnology student has a wide range of jobs opportunities, starting from sales and manufacturing, to research and development and quality control. Many national and international companies employ biotechnologists. Some of the topmost companies recruiting Biotechnology students are Hindustan Lever, Thapar Group, Indo-American Hybrid Seeds, Hindustan Antibiotics, National Botanical Institute, and Tata Engineering Research Institute. The Government of India is making a special effort in providing employment to biotechnologists in its research laboratories.

Remuneration:

Biotechnologists working in public sectors receive a salary package according to the current government norms and rules. An experienced biotechnologist may earn up to Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 60,000. Scientists working in research labs can earn even more.