INTRODUCTION
Master of Science (MSc) Biotechnology is a postgraduate degree in life sciences. It has a duration of two years. Biotechnology is the branch of science that involves the application of biological processes in animals, plants, and micro-organisms in research, engineering, technology, medicine, and manufacturing to produce useful bioproducts. The course is usually taken after a three-year BSc graduate degree in science or life science subjects. The MSc Biotechnology course prepares candidates for application and research-based careers. The course emphasizes on the theoretical and practical fundamentals and applications of Biotechnology. It is an interdisciplinary subject and involves basic concepts of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Important and useful concepts involving the application of biological products and resources in developing and designing new biological techniques, using renewable sources of energy, replacing non-renewable resources, manufacturing important antibiotics and enzymes, developing fast and advanced diagnostic kits, fermentation to produce useful products, and packaging and preservation of food resources are taught in the course. Students are prepared for roles in fermentation processes, antibiotic extraction and manufacture, enzyme extraction, recombinant DNA technology, genetic engineering, pharmaceutical development, and nutraceuticals.
Subjects involved in MSc Biotechnology are core areas related to microbial strain development and improvement, waste water management and treatment, soil purification, nanotechnology, environmental conservation and technology, agricultural development, industrial technology, evolutionary and genetic techniques, strain enhancement and improvement, cell and molecular biology, immunology and diagnostics, genetics and genomes, proteomics, food technology and preservation, clinical standardization, enzymology, and antibiotic extraction and purification.
The course builds personal skills like communication, attention to detail, leadership, teamwork, logic, presentation, public demonstration and speaking, and analysis; and professional and social skills like planning and execution, problem-solving, research, critical thinking, analytical thinking, and reasoning.
SCOPE OF MSC BIOTECHNOLOGY
MSc Biotechnology graduates have many opportunities in the fields of Science, Research, and Technology. Students have many opportunities in different areas and sectors:
- Research Scientist – in national laboratories and organizations like:
- Indian Analytical Testing Laboratory
- National Institute of Immunology
- Indian Institute of Science
- Indian Institute of Technology
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting And Diagnostics (CDFD)
- Central Institute of Cotton Research
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)
- Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre
- All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD)
- Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology
- Central Avian Research Institute
- National Brain Research Centre (NBRC)
- Raja Ramanna Centre for advanced Technology (RRCAT)
- National Centre for Cell Sciences
- Indian Vaccines Corporation Limited
- Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering
- Research Associate/Analyst – in R&D institutes like:
- Institute for Plasma Research (IPR)
- Regional Research Laboratory
- Bose Institute
- National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- Anand Diagnostic Laboratory
- Tuberculosis Research Centre
- Central Agroforestry Research Institute
- Bioline Pharma
- Regional Medical Research Centre
- National Academy of Agricultural Research & Management
- Equinox Pharma
- National Institute of Epidemiology
- Department of Science & Technology (DST)
- Consortium for Scientific Research (CSR)
- Agharkar Research Institute (ARI)
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)
- National Centre for Laboratory Animal Science
- Centre for Research in Medical Entomology
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST)
- National Institute of Virology
- Research Assistant/Consultant – in laboratories and institutes associated with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) like:
- Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB)
- Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB)
- National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST)
- National Institute of Science (NIS)
- Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH)
- National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)
- Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB)
- Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI)
- Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI)
- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM)
- Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS)
- Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP)
- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR)
- National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI)
- National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR)
- National Institute of Science, Technology & Development Studies (NISTADS)
- Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI)
- Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO)
- National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB)
- Research Officer – in agricultural and industrial research services
- Teacher/Lecturer – in secondary and higher secondary schools, degree colleges, engineering colleges, and universities
- Life Science Tutor – in reputed academic coaching institutes
- Counsellor/Specialist – in assisting and guiding national research centers and organisations
- Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) – professional certifications in individual specializations are essential to have Senior Consultants and SMEs:
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Advanced Biological Chemistry
- Genomics and Proteomics
- Nano Biotechnology
- Nutrigenomics
- Industrial Biotechnology
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Stem Cell Technology
- Genetic Engineering
- Fermentation Technology
- Biochemical and Biophysical Techniques
- Regenerative Medicine
- Enzyme Technology
- Food Technology
- Medical Biotechnology
- Cancer Biology
- Further Studies – higher education in individual specializations ensures increased exposure and work experience. This can be achieved through:
- MPhil in Biotechnology
- PhD in Biotechnology
- Fellowship in Biotechnology
- MBA in Biotechnology or Health (Pharmaceuticals) or Consultancy
- PGDM
- Diploma in subjects like Genetic Engineering, Medical Biotechnology, or Agricultural Biotechnology
- Increased work experience ensures high-paying salary and job satisfaction. With work experience, an individual’s salary increases to 15 LPA to 18 LPA with added benefits.
COLLEGE PLACEMENT AND RECRUITMENT
Different colleges offer placement opportunities to candidates to ensure that every deserving candidate receives recognition. This ensures that qualified graduates transform into important resources for the development and success of the country’s economy. Excellent placement opportunities are provided:
- Keeping in mind the dynamic future needs of India
- Careful selection processes to ensure that the IDEAL candidate is provided an opportunity
- Continuous Education, Research & Development areas to identify talent and apply them in the perfect career opening
- Skills and certifications in addition to academic record to ensure a balance between education and practical research
- Diverse real-world internships and projects to guarantee practical exposure
- Inter-disciplinary exposure – to provide a variety of experience and practical knowledge
- Counsellors that effectively strike a match between recruiter expectations and student potential
- Student employability enhancement through workshops, alumni talks, guest lectures, and certification courses
- Pre-Placement Talks to ensure prior preparation and methodical Placement procedure
- Resume Verification – to ensure that a student’s CVs and resumes are of high standard
- Group Discussion/Personal Interview workshops – to ensure thorough preparation before campus interviews
- Mock Interviews – to ensure students are prepared to face important CEOs and Managers
CAREER AREAS
Multiple career opportunities are available in public and private academic institutions, research laboratories, atomic and space organizations, clinical research centers, meteorology departments, telecommunication organisations, manufacturing companies, pharmaceutical marketing companies, CROs, corporates, MNCs, and medical industries. Potential career roles:
- Teacher
- Research Scientist
- Lecturer/Professor
- Biotechnologist
- Research Analyst
- Consultant
- Online Tutor
- Subject Matter Expert (SME)
- Biotechnology Project Mentor
- Lab Assistant
- Training Manager
- Auditor
- Research Associate
- Junior Research Fellow
- Research Scientist
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Quality Control Manager
- Research Biochemist
- Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
- Clinical Reviewer
- Clinical Data Manager
- Medical Coder
- Biomedical Scientist
- Medical Technologists
- Food Technologist
- Regulatory Affairs Associate
- Scientific Laboratory Technician
- Physician Associate
- Lab Technician
- Marketing Manager
- Medical Representative
- Capitalist Analyst
- Business Development Manager
- Chemical Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Industrial Engineer
- Safety Specialist
- Medical Device Manufacturer
RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITIES
MSc Biotechnology post graduates can find employment opportunities in many public and private companies, hospitals, academic institutions, pharmaceutical MNCs, manufacturing companies, product packaging centres, nursing homes, diagnostic centres, and clinical testing centres. Popular recruiters are:
- Schools
- Colleges
- Research Centers
- Abbott Laboratories
- Baxter Research
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Johnson & Johnson
- Infosys
- Zydus Cadila
- Accenture
- Cipla Inc.
- Biocon
- Dr. Reddy Laboratory (DRL)
- Ranbaxy Laboratories
- Wockhardt Ltd.
- Roche Diagnostics Corporation
- Quintiles Inc.
- Boston Scientific Corporation
- Lupin Limited
- Sciformix
- Emcure
- Cognizant
- Merck
- Bioceramics Limited
- Invitrogen
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Reliance Life Sciences
- Torrent Pharma
- Pfizer
- Syngene
- Wipro
- Syneos Health
- Capgemini
- Novartis
- Tata Consultancy Services Limited
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
- Siron Technology Pvt. Ltd.
- Lakshmi Life Sciences Ltd.
- Jubilant Life Sciences
CONCLUSION
An MSc Biotechnology degree is a popular and renowned natural science post graduate course recognized throughout the world. The two-year course is structured to prepare students for a career in research and development. The course curriculum consists of theoretical concepts, practical experiments, skill-building programs, and certification courses that create a balance between academics and practical exposure. This degree is available for students all over India and admission depends on Bachelor’s degree performance, previous academic record, qualifying entrance examinations, and additional certifications. Multiple assistant, internship, project, and career opportunities are available in different public and private sector departments, businesses, and companies after successful completion of the course.