Biotechnology Engineering - Careers, Salary, Jobs, Scope

Brief Summary

Why Biotechnology Engineering?

Biotechnology engineering is basically the study of various biological elements, like microorganisms, and their use in research and development to devise new technology and techniques.

This discipline combines the elements of engineering, biology, genetics, chemistry and microbiology. It is used in various fields such as agriculture, animal husbandry, vaccine development, fertiliser manufacture, disease resistance research, etc.

Biotechnology Engineering is offered at the diploma level (3 years), undergraduate level (4- year B. Tech) and postgraduate level (2- year M. Tech). The course can cost anywhere between Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 10 lakhs.

Top colleges offering Biotechnology Engineering are as follows:

• Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
• Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
• Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati
• Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Noida
• School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi
• Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore
• Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi

Biotechnology engineering graduates are usually employed in government and private research labs, pharmaceutical companies, analysis labs, etc.

BIO TECHNOLOGY Courses

Jobs and Career Opportunities

People who have studied biotechnology engineering have a wide variety of fields of work they can go for. They can also work in research and analysis labs, pharmaceutical companies, etc. Positions that can be held after studying biotechnology engineering are as follows:

• Lab Technician: A biotechnology lab assistant’s main work is to provide technical assistant to biologists. They help scientists in experiments dealing mainly with living organisms, including setting up and maintaining equipment. Training is mainly provided on the job. In assisting biologists, technicians typically assemble, maintain and operate the lab equipment. Technicians may also assist other scientists in observing experiments and calculating and recording results from those experiments.
• Biotechnologist: Biotechnologists, work in a variety of industries, including environmental biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology and pharmaceutical biotechnology.
• Sales Representative: Sales representative is a good job option for people with good marketing and people skills, as well as an interest in biotechnology. A sales representative needs to stay abreast of scientific trends for their business. Sales representatives generate revenue by preparing and implementing sales plans for biotechnical products, identifying and qualifying customers, and initiating and closing the sales.
• Quality Control Officer: Quality control technicians test materials before, during, and after production to measure the characteristics of materials and ensure that they conform to specifications. They are responsible for inspecting and testing the raw materials and products to make sure they meet required levels of quality. People in these positions need to be detail oriented, willing to keep excellent records, and have good communication skills.
• Research Scientist
• Teacher/Professor
• Research Associate
• Science Writer

BIO TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING: Salary

The average salary of a biotechnology engineer is Rs. 5, 75,000. A fresh graduate who is just entering the field will be offered a starting salary which, on average, is Rs. 2, 40, 000 per annum. Highly experienced individuals in the industry can be paid as high has Rs. 13, 71, 000 per annum.

An entry-level Biotechnology Engineer with less than 5 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of Rs 4, 16,000. An Biotechnology Engineer with mid-career experience which includes employees with 5 to 10 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of Rs 8, 15,000.

BIO TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING: Recruiters

The major recruiters for biotechnology engineers are analysis labs and pharmaceutical companies. The major recruiters are listed below:

• Hindustan Lever Ltd
• Thapar Group
• Indo-American Hybrid seeds
• Biocon India Ltd
• Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• India Vaccines Corporation
• Hindustan Antibiotics
• NCL
• Tata Engineering Research Institute

Specialisations

Biotechnology engineering comes up with a lot of options for elective papers, in which a student can determine his or her further area of study as per their interests. These electives are generally offered in the second half of the course. Some options include:

• Genetics
• Virology
• Ecology
• Immunology
• Biophysics
• Bio-statistics
• Fisheries
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Animal Husbandry

These are broad categories, and specific elective papers and their syllabus differ from college to college.

BIO TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING: Syllabus

The following subjects and topics are covered during the course on biotechnology engineering. These do not include general papers like communication and language skills, industrial design, Yoga, NCC, etc.:

Popular Colleges offering BIO TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING

Below is a list of top college in India offering Biotechnology Engineering–

Requirements for BIO TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING

UG Eligibility Criteria

For seeking admission to Biotechnology Engineering course, the candidate must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. In some cases, either Mathematics or Biology is required. Candidates who have completed diploma in Engineering/ Technology or higher education in science with Physics and Mathematics / Biology are also eligible to apply.

Most colleges accept scores of nationalised entrance exam like IIT-JEE.  The admissions are most often granted on basis of JEE Mains scores, with each institute releasing its own cut offs. Some institutes, for example the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), also conduct their own entrance examinations i.e VITEEE.

Why should you choose BIO TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING?

Biotechnology is one of the most upcoming and growing fields in today’s times. Research biotechnologists is one of the most highly paid professionals in the present times.

Various pharmaceutical companies, government & private research labs, analysis laboratories, agricultural research labs, clinical research bodies and various reputed and related organizations are hiring biotechnology engineers, according to the current employment scenario.

Many pharmaceutical companies hire postgraduates in biotechnology as research scientists. The rise in the production of genetically modified crops has increased the demands in the market. This has increased the scope of employment for students pursuing Biotechnology.

FAQ’s

Q1: How can I take admission in this course?                                 

Ans. There is no one place you can apply. The candidate will have to check admission procedures on the websites of the institutes they are interested in. However, taking the JEE exam is compulsory.

Q2: What is the eligibility for this course?

Ans. The candidate must have passed Class 12 with PCMB, and have a valid JEE score.

Q3: What are the job roles I can perform once I graduate in this course?

• Lab Technician
• Biotechnologist
• Sales Representative
• Quality Control Officer
• Research Scientist

Q4: What is the salary I can expect after graduating with this degree?

Ans. The starting salary will be around Rs. 2 lakhs, which can increase to 4 lakhs as the candidate gains experience of up to 5 years.

Q5: Is this course offered in the distance mode?

Ans. Currently, there are no reputed/approved institutes in India which offer this course in the distance mode.