Biotechnology is the study where technology is applied to various living organisms for the benefit of human life. Although the name itself says ‘Bio’, it is an amalgamation of multiple streams like biology, chemistry, mathematics, and technology. The sub-fields of Biotechnology are Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Stem cells and Regenerative Medicine, Immunology, Environmental Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Nano-biotechnology, Food, and Animal Biotechnology, etc. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Biotechnology has played a significant role in its prevention through vaccine development.
Applications of Biotechnology for human welfare −
Agriculture − Use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) for better crop yields, enhanced nutritional value, pest resistance, use of bio-fertilizers and pesticides for better yields, and soil health. Medicine: Vaccine/ Drug development are the major working area of biotechnologists, Recombinant DNA technologies, Gene Therapy, and Targeted drug delivery have made healthcare advanced and affordable. Advances in Stem cell therapy have changed the face of world medicine, making treatment of once impossible diseases like cancer possible and affordable.
Diagnosis − Constant advancements are being made in the field of rapid and early-disease diagnosis. The most recent example is the testing for COVID-19 where scientists developed easy-to-use kits to enable mass testing of this highly communicable disease.
Biochemical Engineering − It has opened up the gates for mass production of high-demand products in an economical manner. This has increased industrial productivity greatly, saving time and effort while maintaining product quality.
Biofuels Development − The thrust on the use of renewable energy sources has provided opportunities for biotechnologists to explore and produce various biofuels (biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel, etc.) from waste biomass. They have enabled the efficient conversion of waste to energy thus paving way for a sustainable future.
Environmental remediation − Environmental Biotechnology is a potential field where remediation of toxic pollutants could be carried out using either naturally occurring or genetically modified organisms. It offers various advantages over chemical or physical methods of being cost-effective and non-polluting.
Given the various advantages that Biotechnology offers and its widespread applications, it is one of the most sought courses worldwide. If you are trying to figure out which course to enrol in, here are a few pointers for why you should pursue Biotechnology −
It provides you with a strong educational base since you learn emerging technologies and deals with the latest and most sophisticated tools.
It provides you with incalculable career growth given its wide range of applications in the healthcare, agricultural, biofuels, and nutrition fields.
It is not limited to any one sector and you can pursue your career in diverse fields as it is an interdisciplinary course.
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Biotechnology is everywhere. Its scope ranges from healthcare, nutrition, environment, biofuels, ‘high-value, low volume’ and ‘low-value, high volume’ products to food and nutrition. Biotechnology courses open up gates to various carer roles, namely, biomedical engineer, biochemist, bioprocess engineer, process development scientist, medical scientist, clinical technician, microbiologist, food technologist, environmental scientist, etc.
Since Biotechnology is a highly skilled field, it is always advisable to pursue higher studies and gain cutting-edge knowledge for a long-lasting and fruitful career in this field. But if you feel like getting exposure before pursuing higher studies, you can get any of the following jobs according to your interests −
Since B.Tech is a technical course as opposed to B. Sc which is a science-based course, it offers some more opportunities in addition to those offered by B.Sc.
M.Sc in Biotechnology offers more or less similar job profiles as B.Tech in biotechnology. However, the salary varies slightly for the candidates from these two backgrounds. Additional training might also be required for M.Sc candidates.
After completing the appropriate educational course, you can apply for both government and private sector jobs in Biotechnology. Few companies/organizations hiring biotechnologists are listed below −
Biotechnology is a fast emerging field. A career in Biotechnology is deeply rewarding as it is the most innovative field in science and technology. If you have a nick for research and development and are not afraid of failures before tasting success, Biotechnology is the field to be explored. It serves the more significant cause of human welfare too. Considering the level of expertise required in this field, it is advisable to pursue higher studies in Biotechnology like M.Sc/ M.Tech, Ph. D, and Post-doctrate to achieve a highly rewarding career.
Q1. Can I pursue M.B.A after B.Sc. in Biotechnology?
Ans. MBA in Biotechnology can be pursued after bachelor's in Biotechnology. It is a 2-year course aimed to horn the managerial and business skills of the students necessary for the Biotechnology industry.
Q2. What are the eligibility criteria for admission in B.Sc. Biotechnology?
Ans. Those who have completed 10+2 in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with a minimum of 50% marks from any recognized board/ institute are eligible for admission to B.Sc. Biotechnology.
Q3. What are the eligibility criteria for admission in B. Tech Biotechnology?
Ans. Those who have completed 10+2 in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with a minimum of 55% marks from any recognized board/ institute are eligible for admission to B.Sc. Biotechnology. Additionally, students need to qualify for either country-level tests like JEE or state-level entrance tests to get admission to reputed institutes.
Q4. What are the eligibility criteria for admission in M. Sc Biotechnology?
Ans. Those who have completed their bachelor’s in any of the following Biotechnology, biology, microbiology, food science, or Pharmacy with a minimum of 55% marks from any recognized board/ institute are eligible for admission to B.Sc. Biotechnology. Additionally, students need to qualify for either country-level tests like Graduate Aptitude Test- biotechnology (GAT-B) or the institute’s own entrance tests to get admission to reputed institutes.
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