Biotechnology Courses in India

Biotechnology courses in India are counted amongst the profitable engineering courses owing to their application in developing various medicines, vaccines and diagnostics, increasing productivity, improving energy production and conservation. Biotechnology is the application of scientific knowledge in the field of biology in order to supply goods and services to the agriculture, food science and medicine sector. It is mainly research-oriented and is an interdisciplinary science encompassing not only biology but also other subjects including physics, chemistry, mathematics and Engineering. Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing fields as it finds applications in areas as varied as medicine, food technology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and environmental conservation. In fact, the use and application of biotechnology spans a wide range of activities, including developing new varieties of seeds, improving livestock’s breeds, creating pesticides of various kinds, formulating cures for genetically inherited diseases and developing industrial enzymes that hasten the production processes. Biotechnology's intervention in the area of animal husbandry has improved animal breeding. It also helps to improve the quality of seeds, insecticides and fertilizers. Environmental biotechnology helps for pollution control and waste management. Biotechnologists are therefore involved in production as well as marketing and research.

Some of its specialized fields of Biotechnology Engineering are -

1. Genetics
2. Biochemistry
3. Microbiology
4. Immunology
5. Virology
6. Agriculture
7. Animal Husbandry
8. Ecology
9. Soil science and Soil Conservation
10. Bio-statistics
11. Molecular Biology
12. Biophysics
13. Pharmacology
14. Fisheries

Content Biotechnology Engineering Courses

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

• Technical English
• Engineering Mathematics
• Engineering Physics
• Engineering Chemistry
• Engineering Practices Laboratory

Objectives Biotechnology Engineering

1. To create affordable marketable technology to meet the global challenge for the benefit of humanity as a whole
2. To apply the principles of biotechnology to solve problems encountered in medicine, public health, research and development, agriculture, industrial and commercial production and environmental science
3. To provide supportive activities for the development of industries based on agriculture, plant and animal resources
4. To carry out applied research with a focus on the tranfer of modern technology in lieu of the traditional one

Basic Requirements

A course in biotechnology requires a background in science i.e. Physics or agriculture, chemistry and biology at the intermediate level for B. E.
Some universities offer B.Sc. biotechnology which one can join after class 12 or equivalent examination, with physics, chemistry and mathematics.Graduates in all sciences/engineering technology/medicine are eligible for the postgraduate - M.Sc. course in biotechnology.

P.G. courses available, include:

M.Sc. (Agriculture) Biotechnology
M.V.Sc. (Animal) Biotechnology
M.Sc. / M.V.Sc. in Veterinary Biotechnology
M.Sc. (Marine) Biotechnology
M.Sc. Medical Biotechnology
M.Tech. Biotechnology

Depending upon the aptitude and necessity, more advanced courses such PH.D. and Post-Doctoral Research in Biotechnology can also be pursued.

Biotech Colleges in India

• IIT, Kharagpur
• IIT, Delhi
• National Institute of Immunology
• Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
• Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology

Biotechnology Universities in India

• Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Delhi Technological University
• Shivaji University
• Anna University - Tirunelveli

Scope of Biotechnology in India

Jobs in biotechnology in India can range from research, sales, marketing, administration, quality control, breeders, technical support etc. Armed with this powerful combination of fundamental cell and molecular biology and applied science, graduates are well placed to take up careers in plant, animal or microbial biotechnology laboratories or in horticulture, food science, commerce and teaching. There is a large scale employment in research laboratories run by the government as well as the corporate sector. Biotechnology students in India may find work in a government-based entity such as universities, research institutes or at private centres as research scientists/assistants. Some major organizations employing bio-technologists in India include Hindustan Lever Ltd, Thapar Group, Indo-American Hybrid seeds, Bincon India Ltd, Bivcol, IDPL, India Vaccines Corporation, Hindustan Antibiotics, National Botanical Institute, National Chemical Laboratories, Tata Engineering Research Institute etc.

Some Job Types

• Lab Technician
• Research Scientist
• Research Associate
• Teacher
• Marketing Manager
• Science Writer
• Bioinformists
• Quality Control Officer
• Production In-Charge In The Food, Chemical And Pharmaceutical Industry
• Analyst (Venture-Capitalist) Environmental / Safety Specialist
• Corporate Executives
• Sales Representative
• Biotechnologist (Chemical, Electrical, Environmental And Industrial)

Some Employment Areas

1. Universities And Colleges
2. Research And Development
3. Research Facility
4. Medical Institutions
5. Marketing
6. Pharmaceutical Companies
7. Chemical Industries
8. Agriculture Companies
9. Food Manufacturers
10. Aquaculture