BIOTECHNOLOGY

If new technology is the key to tomorrow’s job market, Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing fields. It finds application in every aspect of industrial and daily life, from the chemical, medicine, textile industries, environment conservation, animal husbandry to genetics and agriculture. In fact, the use and application of biotechnology spans a wide range of activities including developing new varieties of seeds, improving livestock breeds creating pesticides of various kinds and developing industrial enzymes that hasten the production process. Biotechnology is a rapidly expanding collection of tools and techniques. It holds immense potential in changing the duality of life in years to come.
THE WORK :
The work of biotechnologist is related to medical and health care and aims at the application of technology to the improvement of life. Biotechnologists are therefore involved in research, production and marketing.
COURSES AVAILABLE :
A person with a background in science, especially biology, Chemistry, Physics or Agriculture would do well as biotechnologist. Several industries however, prefer biotechnologists with an engineering background, since the principles of technology would come easily to them.
Graduates in all science/Engineering technology/Medicine are eligible for the postgraudate (M.Sc.)course in biotechnology.
The following Institutes offer Biotechnology courses :-
1) Khaaz, New Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Hauz Delhi-110016.
It offers a five year integrated M.Tech programme. Admission is open after class 12 or 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics Chemistry and Mathematics. Admission is made through a joint Entrance Examination.
2) Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.
It has recently introduced the five and a half years M.Tech. programme in Biotechnology. Students who have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are eligible. Admission is made through a joint Entrance Examination.
3) Osmania University Ofers a three year B.Sc. in Biotechnology Programme. It is open for students who have passed their 10+2.
4) At the post graduate level, there are the two year M.Sc., M.Tech., M.Sc(Agr.) Biotechnology and M.V.Sc.(Animal) Biotechnology as well as one year specialised programmes. About 15 leading universities offering these programme admit science graduate through a combined Biotechnology Entrance Examination organised by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Graduates of Physical, Biological, Agricultural, Veterinary and Fishery Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, Technology or Medicines are eligible for these programmes. These fifteen Universities are :
1. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
2. Pondicherry University.
3. M.S.University, Baroda.
4. Poona University.
5. Devi Ahilya Vishwaviadyalaya, Indore.
6. Goa University.
7. Guru Nanak Dev University.
8. Central University, Hyderbad.
9. Madurai Kamaraj University.
10. Punjab University, Chandigarh.
11. G.B.Pant University of Agrl. and Tech., Panthnagar.
12. Jawaharalal Nehru University, New Delhi.
For M.Sc.(Agricultural Biotechnology) :
(i) Tamil Nadu Agril. University, Coimbatore.
(ii) G.B.Pant University of Agril. And Tech., Pantnagar.
For M.Tech. (Biotechnology) :
(i) Anna university, Madras.
(ii) Jadavpur University, Calcutta.
Other Universities and institutes in the country also offer post graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral programme in Biotechnology with individual admission processes. For instance, the National Institute of Immunology, National Diary Research Institute, Indian Agril. Research Institute and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore offer programme in Biotechnology. The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is offering Ph.D studies in affiliation with JNU apart from its other short term training programme for details one can contact ICGEB, NII Campus, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110067.
These programmes are being promoted by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Keenly aware of the shortage of trained manpower for industry, DBT is promoting the subject in schools and colleges through seminars and conferences. Biotech consortium India Limited (BCIL) a DBT venture, organises short term hands on training for biotechnologists keen to work in the industry.
FOR STUDIES ABROAD :
For those desirous of training abroad entry to Foreign Universities and institutions is easiest at the post-doctoral level. Interested students may contact Department of Biotechnology about research programmes at the TRISTE, ITALY Unit of International centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. The Ministry of Science and Technology awards the Biotechnology overseas Associateships for advanced research in basic molecular biology, RDNA Technology, Microbial Genetics, Virology, Plant Tissue Culture, Animal Tissue Culture, Protein and enzyme engineering, genetic disorders and gene therapy, besides other subjects. For details contact Department of Biotechnology Block-2,7th floor, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003.
PLACEMENTS/PROSPECTS :
A biotechnologist can go in for research activities in Govt. Institution and Organisations. The Department of Biotechnology has openings for Scientific Officers in different Biotechnology disciplines. The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Development of Education, Science and Technology at Thiruvanthapuram recruit Scientists, Technical and Research Staff in diverse Biotechnology disciplines. Besides there are several other Agricultural and Horticultural Institutes that require M.Scs, M. Techs. And Ph.Ds in related fields. Biotechnologists can also work in R & B Units of industries keen to upgrade the quality of their products. Companies like Dabur, Assian Paints, Ranbaxy, Hindustan Lever are a few companies where Biotechnologists can find employment. The biotech business is growing at an accelerated rate and the number of companies in this business is multiplying fast with biotechnology making itself lucrative to the Indian corporate sector, prospects of a career in this field are bright.
N.B.: Given dates are subject to change.