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Biochemical Engineering Courses in India are similar to those of chemical engineering course in India, owing to the similarities between the both. Biochemical engineering is a specialised discipline of engineering. It applies engineering principles in developing, operating or using processes and products based on biological and biochemical phenomena. Biochemical engineering is a branch of chemical engineering that involves chemical processing within a biomass for developing useful biological material. In simple terms, it studies the chemical processes occurring naturally in plants and animals for the development of useful products or raw materials. Biochemical engineering finds varying uses in agriculture, chemicals, energy, food, enzymes, health care, waste treatment etc. Biochemical engineering courses are related to chemical engineering and/or biological engineering. This is the reason that biochemical engineering is generally offered as supplementary subject. Only a handful engineering colleges in India, offer it as an exclusive discipline of study as of 2011. Bipin Chandra Tripathi Kumaon Engineering College appears to be the only institute offering the course at graduate level (as of 2011). A person specialising in Biochemical Engineering is known as Biochemical Engineer. Biochemical engineers work includes culture of mammalian cells, insect cells, plant cells and other genetically engineered versions of these cells.

List of Biochemical Engineering courses in India

Course: Partial Content Overview

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

• Chemical Thermodynamics
• Enzyme Engineering and Technology
• Advanced Biochemical Engineering
• Biophysics & Structural Biology

Biochemical Engineering Course Objectives 

• To develop excellence in innovation for the greater good.
• To inculcate quality consciousness among candidates and motivate them to achieve excellence in their academic performance.
• To motivate student to become entrepreneurs and provide employment to others as well.

Course: Basic Requirements

In order to pursue a B.E. or B.Tech. Course in Biochemical Engineering, a candidate must qualify in the higher secondary examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Since it is a chemical engineering sub discipline one can also study bachelors degree in chemical engineering i.e. B.E. / B.Tech. (chemical engineering).

Percentage requirements vary as per different institutes.

Entrance examination (IIT-JEE) is required to be admitted in any engineering institute in India. Apart from these various state entrance exams viz. EAMCET, KCET, TCET are conducted.  

Some of the Major Biochemical Engineering Schools

• Institute of Technology - Banaras Hindu University
• Amity University
• Indian Institute of Technology - IIT Delhi
• Indian Institute of Technology - IIT Kharagpur

Personal Attributes

A candidate should be very thorough with mathematics and chemistry, as all the fundamentals of these subjects will be constantly required during the study and the career phase.

One should have a good understanding of lab processes and good mechanical knowledge.

Important attributes also include analytical and innovative thinking.

Biochemical Engineering Career & Job Perspectives

Careers in Biochemical Engineering are vey prosperous one’s. Biological and/or chemical process conversion is the basic requirements of any industry. Almost all the industrial sectors need different types of biochemical’s to develop products or raw materials. Therefore, professionals can acquire various jobs in various industries. Most of the demand for biochemical engineers comes from medical, ecological and environmental industries. Biochemical engineers are employed by companies which develop safe pest control products for farmers and distributors. In other organisations they are employed for developing effective and efficient method for disposal of waste and supply clean drinking water to challenging locations. Biochemical experts are employed in construction, food and beverage, textile manufacturing, waste management etc. They also work alongside scientists, mathematicians, technicians and administrators.

Remuneration

Biochemical engineer’s salaries vary depending on the repute of the engineering institute, one has studied and also the company they are working for. As a result biochemical engineering graduates from IIT’s and BITS get higher remuneration as compared to those who have acquired their degree from lesser reputed institutes. The average starting salary of fresh graduates ranges from Rs. 20,000 – Rs. 30, 000 per month. Biochemical engineers get paid more than those employed in other engineering fields.

Job Types

• Associate Staff Technologist
• Research Associate
• Manufacturing Engineer
• Biochemical Process Engineer
• R & D Engineer
• Teacher
• Supervisor

Employment Areas

• Chemical Plants
• Petrochemical Plants
• Pharmaceuticals
• Petroleum Refining Plants
• Mineral Based Industries
• Electronics Industry
• Photographic Equipment Units
• Clothing Units
• Pulp and Paper Manufacturing
• Aircrafts Industry