Biotechnology

Biotechnology is one of the most revolutionary and beneficial scientific advances of the last quarter century. It is an interdisciplinary science including not only biology but also subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering and many more.

It is also a conglomeration of various combined technologies applied to living cells for production of a particular product or enhancing its quality according to our preferences.

Its application varies from agriculture to industry - food, pharmaceutical, chemical, bio-products, textiles, medicine, nutrition, environmental conservation, animal sciences etc., all this makes it one of the fastest growing fields.

Biotechnology combines disciplines like genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology and cell biology, which are in turn linked to practical disciplines like chemical engineering, information technology and robotics.

An individual aspiring for career in Biotechnology should have a scientific aptitude and a keen interest in the biological sciences. Some other aspects like problem solving skills, information technology skill, analyzing and interpreting skills are also essential for a successful career in this field.

The candidate should be methodical and patient by nature, able to work neatly and accurately and have a flair for laboratory work. The ability to work independently is another important aspect. The knowledge of computers is a must.

Biotechnology Eligibility Criteria

Candidates having a background in science at the 10+2 level are eligible for the B.Tech course in biotechnology as well as the integrated M.Tech program at IIT Delhi. Graduates in all sciences/engineering technology/medicine are eligible for the post-graduate course in biotechnology.

Admission to the integrated five year M.Tech program offered by IIT Delhi and Kharagpur is through the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE).

Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi conducts a combined all India level entrance examination for MSc Biotechnology program. Candidates with Bachelor's degree under 10+2+3 pattern of education in Physical, Biological, Agricultural, Veterinary & Fishery Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, Technology 4-Years BS (Physician Assistant Course); OR Medicine (MBBS) OR BDS with at least 55% marks are eligible to apply for MSc (Biotechnology) offered by JNU and several other universities all over the country.

In order to meet the long-term requirement of trained personnel in the multidisciplinary field of biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) also supports courses at postgraduate level in selected universities/ institutions.

In addition, DBT also supports two-year post-doctoral programs in four leading research institutions with the objective of training young scientists in frontier research areas of biotechnology and in advanced research methodologies.

One year post MD/MS training course in medical biotechnology covering areas like vaccines, therapeutic hormones and enzymes, immuno-diagnostics, gene therapy etc. is also supported by DBT in two institutions.
 
Like in IT sector, Biotechnology in India is also throwing up tremendous scope for growth and is contributing to the total biotech market worth US $100 billion. The country has a global market worth $91 billion and there is scope for cheap R&D through bio-partnering and co-developing technologies mainly with Chinese and American companies. More and more global pharma companies are seeking India to set their research and development centers here.

A biotechnologist may find jobs in various quarters. In India Students can mainly explore job options in the following fields:

• Drug and pharmaceutical research
• Public funded laboratories
• Chemicals
• Environment control
• Waste management
• Energy
• Food processing
• Bio-processing industries

The government institutes and organizations, such as Department of Biotechnology (DBT), several agriculture, dairy and horticulture institutes offer employment to Biotechnology professionals.

In private sector, there are tremendous job openings for biotechnologists. Drug companies in biotechnology like Dabur, Ranbaxy, Hindustan Lever, Dr Reddy's Labs that have their R & D units offer Biotechnology professional with handsome pay-package. There are also ample opportunities available for biotechnologists in the food processing industry, chemical industry and the textile industry.

Some industries employ biotechnologists in their marketing divisions to develop business in sectors where their products would be required. There are many opportunities in government labs as well.

The major companies, which hire biotechnologists, are Hindustan Lever, Thapar Group, Indo American Hybrid Seeds, Bincon India Ltd., IDPL and Hindustan Antibiotics etc.

The Government of India provides large-scale employment to most biotechnologists in its research laboratories. Those employed as researchers in government sector can have a starting salary of Rs.9000 per month along with government perks/allowances.

Private sector pharmaceutical companies generally offer Rs.12000- Rs.20000 per month to an entry-level postgraduate. A skilled and experienced biotechnologist can get salary beyond his expectations.

Institutes Offering M.Sc Biotechnology

• University of Allahabad, Allahabad
• Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu
• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
• Calicut University, Kerala
• Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, lndore
• Goa University, Goa
• Gulbarga University, Gulbarga
• Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar
• Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
• Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
• University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
• University of Jammu, Jammu
• Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
• Kumaun University, Nainital
• University of Lucknow, Lucknow
• MS University of Baroda, Vadodara
• Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai
• University of Mysore, Mysore
• University of North Bengal, Siliguri
• Pondicherry University, Pondicherry
• University of Pune, Pune
• Punjabi University, Patiala
• R.T.M. Nagpur University, Nagpur
• Sardar Patel University, Gujarat
• Tezpur University, Tezpur (Assam)
• Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala
• Utkal University, Bhubaneswar
• Visva-Bharati University, Sanliniketan

Institutes Offering B.Tech/M.Tech/PhD

• Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

Courses Offered: B.Tech., M.Tech. in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, M.S. (Research) in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology and Pre Ph.D. Courses
 

• National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal

Courses Offered : M.Sc and M.Tech degree in Animal Biotechnology

• Indian Institute of Technology, kharagpur

Courses Offered : B.Tech.(H) in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, B.Tech.(H) and M.Tech. in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, MS (Biotechnology), M.Tech. - Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, Ph.D. (Biotechnology)

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

Courses Offered : M Biotech
 

• Amity Institute of Biotechnology

Amity Noida Campus, Sector - 44
Noida - 201303 (U.P.)
Phone : 1800-11-00-00 (Toll-Free)