Biotechnology is highly multi-disciplinary, dependent not only upon scientists in biology and chemistry, and engineers, but also upon financial, legal, and managerial experts. In its purest form, the term "biotechnology" refers to the use of living organisms or their products to modify human health and the human environment. It is also a conglomeration of various combined technologies applied to living cells for production of a particular product or enhancing its quality according to our preferences. Its application varies from agriculture to industry - food, pharmaceutical, chemical, bio-products, textiles, medicine, nutrition, environmental conservation, animal sciences etc., arguably making it one of the fastest growing fields.
Course Information
The post graduate course lays emphasis on practical laboratory training with industrial course forming part of the course. Some of the subjects covered during the course of the study are genetic engineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, biomolecules, microbiology, plant biotechnology, animal biotechnology, envioronmental biotechnology ,cell biology and genetics, immunology , bioinformatics and computer applications.
Entry Requirement
BSc degree with 50% aggregate marks in all the three optional subjects and should have chemistry /biochemistry compulsorily along with at least one of the following optional subjects microbiology / botany /biotechnology / zoology / envioronmental science / applied zoology / applied botany / genetics / lifescience / biochemistry / diary science / agricultural science /horticulture / forestry / fisheries.
Assessment
The students are assessed based on their practical laboratory work and term end examination.
Job Prospects
Successful candidates can look forward in joining research nstitutions, agricultural research institute, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organization, food processing companies etc.
Biotechnology is gradually entering into a wider and wider range of industries, including:
• DNA fingerprinting - a key technique in forensic science
• Traditional brewing and distilling industry
• Food industries employing new strains of microorganisms to produce fermented food products and synthetic microbial meat substitute
• Bioremediation technologies for the treatment of residues/wastes
• Health care for treatment and diagnosis
• Biotransformation of chemical and drugs in the Pharmaceutical industr.
