Degree matters:After completing B.Tech in Biotechnology, students can pursue M.Tech (Biotechnology), M.Tech (Bio-Informatics) or MBA (Biotechnology). A post-graduate degree will improve job prospects further.
I am pursuing B.Tech (Biotechnology) 4th year. I want to know the opportunities provided in the field of Biotechnology after completing B.Tech.
The study of Biotechnology is a blend of subjects related Biology and subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Engineering. A simple definition of Biotechnology can be using the properties of living organisms to produce desired products. It is a research-oriented field. So, most of the work is carried out at research institutes and laboratories.
Biotechnology finds application to a number of fields. Some of them are:
· Medical and Health Care
· Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
· Industrial Research and Development
· Food Processing
· Bio-Processing
· Chemical Engineering
· Drug Designing and Manufacture
· Environment Conservation
After completing B.Tech in Biotechnology, you can either take up a job or study further.
Job opportunities
There are many good job opportunities available after completing B.Tech Biotechnology. After multimedia industry, Biotechnology is ranked second as the growing sector with a tremendous employment potential.
After completing your B.Tech, you can seek employment in leading Indian or multi-national companies. You can apply for jobs in a range of industries dealing with pharmaceutical, chemical, bioprocessing and agriculture products. You are also eligible for opportunities in government research and development organisations.
Some companies that hire biotechnologists are Hindustan Lever, Thapar Group, Indo American Hybrid Seeds, Bincon India Limited, Bivcol, IDPL, Indian Vaccines Corporation, Hindustan Antibiotics, Sun Pharma, Cadila etc.
Some job roles you can assume are Research Scientist, Research Associate, Marketing personnel, Business Development Officer, Sales Representative, Biotech Engineer, and Lab Technician.
On the whole, it is a good career option for bright young people like you.
Higher education
A post-graduate degree will improve your job prospects further.
It will help you gain in-depth knowledge of the subject and provide the confidence required to face the job market. After completing B.Tech in Biotechnology, you can pursue M.Tech (Biotechnology), M.Tech (Bio-Informatics) or MBA (Biotechnology).
M.Tech (Biotechnology) involves study of Biotechnology in great detail.
M.Tech (Bio-Informatics) is the study of application of computer technology to the management of biological information.
Bioinformatics plays a vital role especially in drug discovery and development; computers are used to gather, store, analyse and integrate biological and genetic information
MBA (Biotechnology) provides broad introduction to Biotechnology and focuses on imparting management skills, required in chemical, pharmaceutical or allied industries.
Some of the universities offering these courses are listed below:
SRM University, Chennai offers M.Tech (Bioinformatics) and M.Tech (Biotechnology), both are two-year courses. The eligibility criterion is B.E/ B.Tech in Biotechnology/ Food and Process Engineering. Admission is based on the performance in entrance test conducted by the university.
For further details, please log on to www.srmuniv.ac.in
Vellore Institute of Technology University offers M.Tech (Biotechnology), M.Tech (Bio-Informatics). The eligibility criteria for these courses are B.E./B.Tech in Chemical/ Leather Technology/ Biotechnology/ Industrial Biotechnology/ Bio-chemical Engineering/ Bio-Medical Engineering/ Bio-Informatics. Admission for the Post Graduate Programmes is based on the performance in VIT Master's Entrance Examination (VITMEE) conducted by VIT. For further details, please log on to http://www.vit.ac.in/
Amity Institute of Biotechnology offers MBA Biotechnology Management. The eligibility criterion is graduation in Biological Sciences/ Computer Sciences or equivalent qualification with minimum 55 per cent marks.
The admission is based on the performance in the entrance test (Amity Common Admission Test or CAT or MAT or GMAT) followed by group discussion and personal interview. For further details, please log on to http://www.amity.edu/
The Department of Management Science of the University of Pune also offers MBA Biotechnology Management.
Admission for this course is based on the scores attained in AIMS Test conducted by Association of Indian Management Schools.
If you are selected through the test, group discussion and personal interview will be conducted. For further details, please log on to
T. Muralidharan,
TMI e2E Academy
(Queries for this column can be sent to collegian@thehindu.co.in)