What is biotechnology?
Biotechnology is commonly known as ‘biotech’ and is one of the most preferred courses among engineering aspirants. Biotechnology is the branch of science in which RAW materials are transformed into amazing innovations, discoveries and products with an amazing combination of biology and technology. In the year 1919, the Hungarian agricultural engineer Karl Erekya first used the term biotechnology. Whether it is biological substances such as bacteria, yeast or enzymes, after getting the knowledge of biotech, you will be able to use every microorganism for doing work related to industrial or manufacturing processes.
What does a biotechnology engineer do?
There is a famous saying that, “Winners do not do different things, they do things differently.” This adage fits a biotechnologist / biotech engineer. Biotechnology is concerned with finding different aspects to do things differently so that changes can be made in this world. A Biotechnology Engineer performs specialization done at graduation and postgraduate level and works in various fields of interest such as, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Medicine, Genetic Engineering, Environment Conservation, Healthcare and Research and Development.
Types and duration of courses
Biotechnology is a promising course under which many courses and syllabus can be included. Candidates wishing to make a career in this stream can do this course even after completing 10th class (intermediate level). By reading, understanding and analyzing this course, you can get very good information. You can also get a doctoral degree under this course, provided you want to find out the various details and details involved in this branch of science.
Diploma courses
To get a diploma in biotechnology, students can apply for this course in colleges that offer this diploma course to students after passing 10th standard. The duration of this course in India is 3 years.
Undergraduate courses
Those institutes and universities offering undergraduate courses, you can apply for graduation in biotechnology. The duration of this undergraduate course is 4 years and students have to pass an entrance exam to take admission in this undergraduate course.
Postgraduate courses
At the postgraduate level, this course is often known as MTech in Biotechnology or MSc in Biotechnology. It depends on the university or institute that offers postgraduate degree or diploma to the candidates. The duration of this course at postgraduate level is only 2 years.
Doctoral programs
Candidates who wish to pursue a doctoral degree in biotechnology can apply for PhD courses after completing their post graduation. The duration of PhD courses is usually 3 to 4 years, depending on the research work involved to complete the thesis. PhD can be done in full time and part time methods.
Sub-specialization courses under biotechnology
When a student wants to do a biotechnology program, he can choose one of the following specialization courses. These specializations can be done at undergraduate and postgraduate level but, not every institute offers all the following specializations to its students. If you want to start your career in a particular domain, then before taking admission in any institute, check the name of the specialization courses offered by that institute in this institute’s program brochure.
Genetics
Students interested in scientific research related to genetics and cell biology can choose this course. They will be taught about various medical diagnostics, therapies and therapeutics. For example: projects on the sequencing of the human genome.
Virology
This subject is usually taught in the fourth semester of biotechnology. A study of Virology helps you understand the fundamentals of molecular virology and its applications in the real world.
Immunology
This course helps to understand and understand the way the human immune system works so that we can know how technology can help humans to protect the immune system from being vulnerable.
Bio-Statistics
Bio-Statistics is the field of biotechnology through which one can apply concepts of mathematics and statistics in various experiments conducted by researchers. Using this information, bio-statisticians can collect, dissect and summarize data and then, present concrete information.
Pharmacology
Students studying pharmacology learn how to prepare drugs at low cost and to evaluate the effect of these drugs on the tissue and cell function of humans and animals.
Molecular Biology
This specialization helps in understanding their nuances for applications of nucleic acids and proteins in areas such as human and animal health, agriculture and the environment. Students studying this course can use their knowledge to prepare drugs, therapies and diagnostic tests to maintain human and animal health.
Animal husbandry
Biotechnology has become an amazing boon for livestock breeding. This branch of biotechnology helps students learn about embroy transfer, artificial insemination, cloning and many other concepts for the health and well being of the creatures on Earth.
These were some of the specialization courses that students doing biotechnology often choose. There are some other specializations which are becoming popular nowadays.
How to get admission in Biotechnology courses?
Admission process is very challenging but important step to start any excellent career. When a student wants to take admission in a particular course in a college, then it is necessary to follow different steps in order. In this whole process, the first step is to understand the eligibility criteria for a particular course. Once you know the eligibility criterion, then you want to apply for that course, then the next step of this process is to find out about the exams prescribed for getting admission in the desired college.
First, we obtain information about the eligibility criteria required for biotechnological courses at various levels:
Eligibility Criteria at various levels for taking admission in Biotech
Any student must know about eligibility to take admission in Biotechnology. If a candidate does not fulfill the eligibility criterion, he / she will not get admission in the college. In this regard, institutes and institutes taking examinations have issued some guidelines. Candidates wishing to do biotech must have complete knowledge in this context to get a seat in any of the best biotechnology institutes in India.
Diploma
Students who have passed 10th class with Mathematics and Science Subject can apply for a diploma course in Biotechnology.
Graduation
To apply for undergraduate course, the student must have passed 12th class along with Physics, Maths, Biology and Chemistry. Students who have obtained diploma after passing 10th class can also take admission in undergraduate courses. Students receiving diplomas are given more importance than students who have passed 12th class. Diploma holders will be given direct entry into the 2-year B.Tech./BE course of biotechnology.
Post graduation
It is very important for the students applying for MTech in Biotechnology to get a graduation or similar qualification with at least 50% marks. According to the reservation quota and the admission policy of the institute, the recommended percentage of each institute can vary.
Doctoral programs
A master’s degree in biotechnology is very important for taking admission in a doctoral program. Some universities may also ask for Master in Philosophy (MPhil) for admission to their PhD program.
Entrance exams for courses in Biotechnology
At the undergraduate level, JEE Mains and JEE Advanced Exams are the most well-known entrance exams for taking admission in BTech courses. Those who are preparing to take admission in higher education i.e. post-graduate level, often prepare entrance exams like GATE and IIT JAM. In order to get admission in IITs and other good engineering colleges in India, students work very hard for engineering entrance exams, given the difficulty level of these exams.
For Diploma courses:
Generally, the institutes shortlist the students for ‘Diploma in Biotechnology’ based on the engineering diploma entrance exams at the state level. Some popular engineering diploma entrance exams are:
- Delhi Polytechnic Common Entrance Exam (Delhi CET)
- Joint Entrance Examination Council, Uttar Pradesh (JEECUP)
- JEXPO and VOCLET Polytechnic Entrance Exam (West Bengal)
- Punjab Joint Entrance Test (Punjab PET)
- Haryana Diploma Entrance Test (HSTES DET)
For Undergraduate courses:
National level exams:
JEE Main 2018 organized by CBSE
JEE Advanced 2018 for taking admission in IITs and NITs
State Level Exams:
AP EAMCET 2018
TS EAMCET 2018
KCET 2018
MAH-CET 2018
University level exams
VITEEE 2018
For Postgraduate courses:
National level exams:
Gate 2018
IIT JAM (Joint Admission Test for MSc)
State Level Exams:
Joint Graduate Entrance Examination (JGEEBILS) organized by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Graduate School for Biology and Interdisciplinary Biology
University level exams
AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) MSc Biotechnology
JNU CEEB Combined Biotechnology Entrance Exam
Top 10 Biotechnology Institutes in India
Biotechnology is an important course that various institutes offer in India. Among them, the following are the names of the top 10 biotechnological institutes recognized by the UGC, which have also been highly praised, giving them a prominent position in the NIRF rankings for the year 2018:
Serial Number Institute Location
1 Indian Institute of Technology Madras
2 Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering (BSBE), IIT Bombay
3 Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology New Delhi
4 Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
5 Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur
6 Department of Biotechnology, IIT Roorkee
7 Department of Biotechnology, IIT Guwahati
8 Center for Biotechnology, Anna University Chennai
9 Department of Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad
10 Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai
The said biotechnological institutes have been selected on the basis of excellent placement record, state of the art infrastructure, highly qualified faculty and strict admission process followed by them. We hope that the above list will help you choose a good biotechnological institute for your excellent career.
Scope in Biotechnology for Students
Biotechnology has made a significant place in India. All possible fields such as, pharmaceutical, food manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, education and research related works have been included under this field. Apart from the above fields, the contribution of biotechnology in many other fields cannot be ignored. Whether it is issues related to biofertilizers, biopesticides, green revolution or bioinformatics bringing revolution in the field of IT, biotechnology is providing a lot of employment opportunities for the youth of India. Now we mention the various areas in which there is a lot of potential for the unprecedented development of the careers of students studying biotechnology.
- Medical Writings
- Colleges and Universities
- Pharmaceutical companies
- IT Companies
- Health Care Centers
- Agriculture Sector
- Animal Husbandry
- Genetic Engineering
- Research Laboratories
- Food Manufacturing Industry
Career Options for Biotechnology Students
The field of biotechnology is developing at a rapid pace and there is no dearth of opportunities for students pursuing diplomas / BTech / MTech or doctoral degrees in biotechnology. Whether it is a private sector or a government job, biotech candidates can get excellent job profiles in various companies. The following is a list of some of the most popular job profiles commonly offered to biotech candidates:
Job profiles
Job profiles available after obtaining diploma
Freshers pursuing diplomas in various polytechnics biotechnology in India get the following job offers after completion of the course:
- Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Biological Supplies Manufacturer
- Environmental Technician
- Food Safety Technician
- Pharmaceutical Research Technician
Job profiles available after BTech
Students doing BTech in biotechnology usually get the following job offers from Indian and multinational firms:
- Laboratory Assistant
- Professor / Associate Professor
- Biotechnology Expert
- Business Development Executive
- Sales Manager
- Marketing Executive Trainee
Job profiles available after MTech
Students pursuing MTech in Biotechnology get opportunities to work in excellent and rewarding job profiles for their illustrious careers:
- Bacteriologist
- Molecular Biologist
- Ambrologist
- Geneticist
- Immunologist
- Microbiologist
- Bio-Informatician
- Pharmacologist
- Bio-analytical chemist
- Food Chemist
- Environmental Chemist
- Medical Biochemist
Job profiles available after doing PhD
Studying a doctoral degree is a difficult task. However, once you have obtained PhD or doctoral degree, you are offered leading roles in the industry. Following are some of the special job roles:
- Biotechnology researcher
- Process Engineer
- Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research Analyst
- Lead Biotechnology Consultant
- Clinical Project Manager
- Patent Search Analyst
- Research Scientist
- Medical Technologist and Laboratory Technologist
- Quality Assurance / Quality Control Executive
- Biotechnology Expert
Salary prospects
According to the Make in India.com report, India is one of the top 12 biotech destinations in the world and ranks third in the Asia Pacific. This shows that the demand for professionals from the field of biotechnology is increasing. There are more than 350 biotechnological companies in India and now doing a specialization course in biotech can prove to be very beneficial.
Salary expectations of this field are being presented here, which you should know before starting your career in this field. These salary expectations vary according to your seniority level in any company, whose details are seen below:
Level Salary Expectations (Rs. Lakh)
Freshers 2-3
Mid-Level 4-6
Senior Level 7-10
Top level <10
Source: Pescale.com
Famous firms for biotech engineers
According to the recommendations of the Indian Brand Equity Foundation, ie IBEF, the following top 10 firms offer growth opportunities for the excellent growth of the career of biotech engineers:
- Biocon Limited
- Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) operated by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
- GlaxoSmithKlin Pharmaceuticals Limited
- TransAsia Bio-Medicals
- Wockhardt
- Piramal Group
- Serum Institute of India Limited
- Rasi Seeds (P) Limited
9 Shantha Biotechnics Limited
- Krebs Biochemicals and Industries Limited (KBIL)
Companies listed by IBEF include agriculture, dairy, chemicals, pharmaceutical and many other fields. These companies not only provide tremendous job opportunities to well-known biotechnologists as well as emerging biotechnologists, but also provide them opportunities for special innovations and these innovations can bring positive changes in the way we work today.