Bio-Technology is a research oriented science, it is a combination of Biology and Technology. Bio-technology covers diverse subjects like Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Health and Medicine, Agriculture etc. There is a great scope in this field as the demand for biotechnologist are growing in India as well as abroad.

Biotechnology caters to the industrial sector such as food and beverages industry, textiles industry, biological products, medicines and pharmaceuticals while on the other hand this branch of science also covers the requirements of agriculture, animal husbandry, nutrition and environmental conservation. There is a varied scope in this field. Biotechnology, along with its many sub-fields, finds use in so many applications that many new fields have and are being derived from it.

Biotechnology is a very specialized profession so you need a meticulous planning for such a profession. In this context, the combination of subjects of study at the 10+2 level must primarily include Biology, Chemistry, Physics and even Mathematics. Once you have cleared your plus two you can opt for a suitable undergraduate program (BSc, BE, BTech) in Biotechnology from various institutions across the country.

The duration of a B.Sc. program in biotechnology is three years whereas it is four years for B.E. and B.Tech. courses. The eligibility criteria depends from one institution to another. In some colleges the eligibility criteria includes a 10+2 with 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. In some other institutions, the 10+2 pass percentage required is 55%.

However, for many undergraduate courses in biotechnology you need to sit for common engineering entrance exams, while some other institutes conduct their own entrance exams. Once you have earned a graduate degree in this field you can go for the master’s level (M.Sc., M.E., M.Tech.). It should be kept in mind that a post-graduate qualification in biotechnology is an add on to enter the profitable and ever-expanding field of bio technical applications.

Biotechnology assimilates in itself a number of disciplines. There is a great demand and scope for bio technical experts in countless industries and sectors. Some of the industries where biotechnological techniques are used extensively:

• Agriculture
• Animal Husbandry
• Environment Conservation
• Genetic Engineering
• Health Care
• Medicine
• Industrial Research and Development

If you are postgraduate then you will be exposed to plethora of options and you can easily find a suitable position in a number of industries. Major recruiters include industries engaged in processing and developing agricultural and biological products, bio-processing industries, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. A lot of opportunities also exist in industries producing healthcare products, textile industry, cosmetics and organizations engaged in different types of industrial research and development. The government institutes and organizations, such as Department of Biotechnology (DBT), several agriculture, dairy and horticulture institutes offer employment to Biotechnology professionals.