Career in Biotechnology Engineering Course in India: A career in Biotechnology shines brightly, as it essentially combines Biology and Technology. Biotechnology continually evolves, generating intriguing technologies and products aimed at promoting the well-being of living organisms.
Biotechnology exerts influence across nearly every biological field, including agriculture, where it aids in developing products to deter insects and pests, thereby boosting yields. It also serves a crucial function in maintaining a cleaner and safer environment.
In today’s world, Biotechnology has become indispensable for powering, feeding, and healing the planet. Biotechnologists have successfully developed healthcare products and vaccines for diseases previously considered untreatable. This article will explore various aspects of a career in Biotechnology Engineering.
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Quick Facts
The following is a summary of a career in biotechnology engineering. Let’s take a look.
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Course Name | B.Sc. in Biotechnology B. Tech. / B.E. in Biotechnology M. Tech. in Biotechnology M.Sc. in Biotechnology M.Phil. in Biotechnology PhD in Biotechnology |
| Course Duration | UG: 3-4 Years PG: 2 Years PhD: 3 years |
| Eligibility | UG: 10+2 PG: Bachelor’s degree in biotechnology |
| Types of Biotechnology Engineers | Biotechnological Technician, Biomanufacturing Specialist, Biopharma Sales Representative |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Department of Biotechnology Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Academic Institutions: NITs/IITs/Central universities Ranbaxy Dr Reddy’s Laboratories AstraZeneca. Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited Aventis Pharmaceuticals. Avesthagen Technologies Pvt Ltd Bharath Biotechnology Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. |
What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is a broad discipline that covers the exploitation of biological processes, organisms, cells or cellular components for industrial and other purposes. It is an aggregate of fields such as Bioinformatics, Bioprocess Engineering, Biorobotics and Chemical Engineering. A career in Biotechnology Engineering involves transforming biological systems or organisms with the aid of technological applications for specific uses. Biotechnological applications are nicknamed for using colours based on where it is used. The colours and the corresponding applications are as follows:
| Colours | Explanation |
| White Biotechnology | It involves everything related to industries for finding solutions to processes happening around an industry. |
| Red Biotechnology | It is centred around medical fields and helps produce value-added healthcare products. |
| Green Biotechnology | From the name itself, it is understandable that it involves agriculture seeking solutions to various agricultural problems and processes. |
| Grey Biotechnology | It is related to the environment to find ways to keep the surroundings safe and clean. |
| Blue Biotechnology | It is connected to oceans, and they seek to leverage oceans to develop products for the industry. |
Who is a Biotechnologist?
The one who practices Biotechnology is known as a Biotechnologist. They harness cellular and biomolecular processes to develop new products and technologies to improve the lives of human beings and other living organisms. They modify or manipulate biological processes and organisms such as plants, animals, microbes etc., to develop and improve products in fields related to medicine, agriculture, ocean, insects, environment etc., by conducting experiments and research in private or public laboratories.
Various Biotechnology Courses in India
If you wish to pursue a college degree in Biotechnology, you can go for either a four-year (B.Tech. or B.E.) or a three-year (B.Sc.) degree course. Even though students who have pursued these two courses can work in the same industry, there is a slight difference in the subjects covered. A B.Tech. or B.E. in Biotechnology is more centred around the technological aspects, whereas a B.Sc. in Biotechnology is more focused on fundamental science than the technological side.
| Biotechnology Course | Duration |
| Diploma in Biotechnology | 3 years |
| Certificate Courses in Biotechnology | A few months to one year |
| B.Sc. in Biotechnology | 3 years |
| B. Tech. / B.E. in Biotechnology | 4 years |
| M. Tech. in Biotechnology | 2 years |
| M.Sc. in Biotechnology | 2 years |
| M.Phil. in Biotechnology | 1 year |
| PhD in Biotechnology | 3 years |
Admission Procedure
The following is the admission procedure for a career in biotechnology engineering:
- Admission seekers must pass 10+2 in the science stream with chemistry, maths and biology as core subjects and should score a minimum of 50% of aggregate marks in 12th.
- Candidates should appear for entrance exams like JEE Mains, JEE Advance, GATE etc for admission to the biotechnology course.
Eligibility Criteria
The following are the eligibility criteria for a career in biotechnology engineering:
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | The minimum age limit is 17 years. |
| Qualification | Admission seekers must pass 10+2 in the science stream with chemistry, maths and biology as core subjects. |
| Qualifying Marks | Candidates should score a minimum of 50% of aggregate marks in 12th. |
Top Colleges for Biotechnology Engineering
The following are the top colleges for a career in biotechnology engineering:
Job Opportunities for Biotechnology Engineering
A Biotechnologist can find multiple job opportunities in pharmaceutical companies, agriculture, environmental science and research labs. One can grab a teaching position in colleges or universities offering Biotechnology. Since Biotechnology influences many other areas, this field is really vast and diverse. Compared to any other field, Biotechnology is highly research-oriented, and hence most Biotechnologists end up inside a laboratory. Having a PhD degree in Biotechnology will help you own a laboratory for research and conduct experiments on your own.
Job Profile
Some of the leading job profiles offered to a biotechnology engineer are:
| Biotechnological Technician | Biomanufacturing Specialist |
| Biopharma Sales Representative | Medical and Clinical Lab Technologists |
| Biomedical Engineer | Business Development Manager |
| Biomanufacturing Specialist | Process Development Scientist |
| Bioproduction Specialist | Medical Scientist |
Roles of a Biotechnology Engineer
- Create, conduct and monitor experiments using live organisms or biomolecular processes in a laboratory setting to solve problems, improve processes and develop new products
- Use scientific knowledge to follow different methodologies to achieve results
- Perform data analysis on your experiments and interpret findings to support scientific investigations
- Record and disseminate results accurately in reports and via presentations
- Set up, maintain and operate standard laboratory equipment and computers
- Work independently and collaboratively with other scientists
- Work to health, safety and environmental regulations and meet quality standards
- Keep up to date with new advances in biotechnology to develop new techniques, products or practices.
Skills of a Biotechnology Engineer
- Talent for bioscience
- An enquiring mind and the ability to work with abstract concepts
- Organisational and planning skills
- Problem-solving skills and Patience
- Good hand-eye coordination and the ability to use technical equipment with accuracy
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- The ability to analyse and interpret statistical and technical data
- The initiative to work well as both part of a team and independently
- Good computer skills to record data and write scientific reports
- Attention to detail
Average Salary
The following are the average salary for biotechnology engineering:
| Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist | INR 3 LPA |
| Clinical Researcher | INR 4 LPA |
| Medical Representative | INR 2.50 LPA |
| Production Manager | INR 9.70 LPA |
| Lab Technician | INR 3.60 LPA |
Top Recruiting Companies for Biotechnology Engineering
The following are the top recruiting companies for biotechnology engineering:
| Ranbaxy | Dr Reddy’s Laboratories |
| Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited | Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. |
| Aventis Pharmaceuticals | Council for Scientific and Industrial Research |
| Avesthagen Technologies Pvt Ltd | Bharath Biotechnology |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is biotechnology a good career?
Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that combines biology and technology to develop products and technologies that improve the quality of life for humans, animals, and plants.
What does a bio-technologist do?
Biotechnologists study the genetic, chemical and physical attributes of cells, tissues and organisms and identify practical uses for this knowledge.
What are the career prospects in Biotechnology?
Career opportunities in Biotechnology include roles in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food production, environmental science, research and development, healthcare, and bioinformatics, among others.
What qualifications do I need for a career in Biotechnology?
Generally, a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Biology, Chemistry, or related fields is required for entry-level positions. Advanced degrees such as master’s or Ph.D. may be necessary for higher-level roles or research positions.
