Studying Biotechnology

Eligibility, Courses, Specialisations, Syllabus, Scope

What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology is the interdisciplinary science of employing biological and molecular systems and substances for the creation of various useful products and commodities. Biotechnology is a promising field with applications in the industrial, medical, technological, and food & nutrition sectors.

Biotechnology comprises several types and specialisations depending on its application in various fields and sectors, such as agricultural biotechnology, medical biotechnology, food biotechnology, plant and animal biotechnology, and biomanufacturing.

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Undergraduate Biotechnology Degrees Offered

Candidates aspiring towards a career in biotechnology can opt for the following undergraduate degrees-

Bachelor of Science (BSc)- 3 years
Bachelor of Technology (B Tech)- 4 years
Bachelor of Engineering (BE)- 4 years
Undergraduate Diploma
Certificate Courses

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Specializations in Biotechnology

Specializations offered in biotechnology include the following-

Bioinformatics
Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
Biotechnology and Microbiology
Biotechnology, Biochemistry, and Genetics
Biotechnology, Chemistry and Botany
Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Microbiology
Biotechnology, Chemistry and Zoology
Biotechnology, Chemistry
Biotechnology Engineering
Biotechnology, Environmental Science, and Chemistry
Cellular/Molecular Biotechnology
Environmental Biotechnology
Fermentation Biotechnology
Food Biotechnology
Genetic Biotechnology
Industrial Biotechnology
Medical/Clinical Biotechnology
Nanobiotechnology
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Plant Biotechnology
Process Technology

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Eligibility and Requirements for Biotechnology

Students can enroll in biotechnology colleges and courses after appearing for entrance exams held across the country. The eligibility criteria are as follows-

Candidates enrolling on biotechnology programmes and entrances must have passed their 10+2 (or equivalent) examinations from a recognised Indian board with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
Candidates must have chosen the science stream in their 10+2 with Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.

Admission Procedure for Biotechnology

The admission procedure for biotechnology colleges and courses in India is as follows-

Candidates applying for biotechnology courses must qualify for the minimum eligibility to appear for the respective entrance exams. Candidates can apply for the entrance examinations by registering in the online portal and submitting the required documents.
After appearing for the entrance exams, candidates will be shortlisted based on scores, ranks, and merit lists in the counseling session for the respective colleges/entrances.
In the case of merit-based admissions, candidates will be shortlisted based on their 10+2 examination scores.
Shortlisted candidates may then finalize their admission at the concerned college by paying the fees and submitting the required documents for verification.

Entrance Tests for Biotechnology Courses

Some of the important entrance tests offering admission into undergraduate biotechnology courses include the following-

JEE-Main and Advanced Exams- conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
Common Universities Entrance Test (CUET)- conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
All-India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Biotechnology Entrance Test- conducted by AIIMS
All-India Biotechnology Entrance Examination (DPU AIBTCET)- conducted by the Dr DY Patil University
Jawaharlal Nehru University Combined Entrance Examination for Biotechnology (JNU CEEB)- conducted by JNU
University of Delhi (DU) Biotechnology Entrance Examination- conducted by DU
Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT)- conducted by BITS Pilani

Aptitude for Biotechnology

Students with an interest in biological and cellular processes and their applications in sustainable health and product development will find biotechnology the ideal study goal for them. Students may gauge their aptitude for biotechnology with the following criteria:

Problem-solving skills
Attention to detail
Analytical and investigative thinking
Innovation and creative-solutions
Technical and technological proficiency
Data interpretation
Research propensity
Organisational skills
Laboratory management
Diagnostic skills
Application-based thinking

Biotechnology Subjects

Biotechnology courses comprise subjects and topics such as:

Molecular Biology
Macromolecular structures
Cell Biology
Bioinformatics
Molecular and Microbial Genetics
Biodiversity & Taxonomy
Biomedical Instrumentation
Bio-analytical Techniques
Medical Imaging Technology
Structural Biology
Bioengineering Graphics
Data Structure and Interpretation
Organic Mechanisms
Biomathematics
DNA Technology
Medical Biotechnology
Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
Life Sciences

Top Biotechnology Specialisations for the Future

Biotechnology is a promising sector for research and development. Top biotech specializations for the future include-

STEM Cell Technology
Nanobiotechnology
Vaccine Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Plant Biotechnology
Bioinformatics
Epidemiology

Post-graduate Study/Research Opportunities in Biotechnology

After completing undergraduate degrees, candidates can further their biotechnology study goal through postgraduate and research degrees.

The eligibility criteria for pursuing postgraduate courses is completing an undergraduate biotechnology degree in the specialization/course of choice from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.

Popular postgraduate degrees in biotechnology include-

Master of Science (MSc)- 2 years
Master of Technology (M Tech)- 2 years
Master of Engineering (ME)- 2 years
Post-graduate Diploma
Master of Philosophy (M Phil)- 2 years
Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Important entrance exams for admission into postgraduate biotechnology programs include-

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)- conducted by the Indian Institutes of Science (IISc) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Admission test for Masters (IIT-JAM)- conducted by IIT Guwahati
Common Universities Entrance Test (CUET-PG)- conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA)
Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE) / Graduate Aptitude Test -Biotechnology (GAT-B)- conducted by JNU
Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance Test (BHU PET)- conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test (TISS-NET)- conducted by TISS

Career Prospects/Placements in Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a promising study goal and offers several career avenues and job prospects in both, the public and private sectors. Biotechnology graduates receive placement offers from prominent and reputed companies visiting their college during campus placement programs organized by the training and placement cell.

Popular and coveted career prospects in the biotechnology sector include the following-

Biomedical Engineer
Microbiologist
Epidemiologist
Biomedical Equipment Technician
Biopharma Sales
Biomanufacturing Technician
Bioproduction Specialist
Biochemist
Clinical Researcher
Process Development Scientist
Biotechnical Product Strategist
Pharmaceutical Biotechnician

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Starting Salaries in Biotechnology

Starting salaries in biotechnology agriculture range between INR 3 to 8 LPA, and can go as high as 50 LPA for experienced senior officials.

Subjects Similar to Biotechnology

Candidates with an interest in biotechnology also might be interested in similar subjects like

Biochemistry
Biophysics
Botany
Dairy Science
Biology
Food and Nutrition
Microbiology
Bioinformatics
Biosciences
Biomedical Engineering

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