BSc Biotechnology Syllabus

You will be fascinated to know that Biotechs use fermentation and harness biocatalysts such as yeast, enzymes, etc. to become microscopic manufacturing plants, helping to fuel the world! From breakthroughs in stem cell engineering to disease diagnosis through point-of-care devices, Biotechnology opens the doors to all kinds of new discoveries. The BSc Biotechnology degree program includes a blended curriculum that encompasses the elements of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics combined with lab work, Computer Applications, and Research. But ever wondered what all is covered in this course? Let us take you through a detailed list of the BSc Biotechnology syllabus so that you can understand every aspect of the program.

Course Name	BSc Biotechnology
Full Name	Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology
Course level	Graduation
Eligibility Criteria (Abroad)	10+ 2 qualification from BiPc Subjects and mathematics -A good score in IELTS/ TOEFL-Minimum required score in SAT/ ACT exam
Eligibility Criteria (India)	10+ 2 qualification from PCB Subjects and mathematics with at least 50 % marks
Duration	3-4 Years
Average Salary	3,20,000 – 4,20,000 Per Annum
Popular Job Profiles	Biotechnology Expert, Laboratory Instructor, Senior Research Associate, etc
Majors Employers	National Institute of Immunology, Tata Energy Research Institute, National Botanical Research Institute, Centre of Cellular and Molecular Biology, etc

What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology is one of the branches of Biology that harnesses cellular and biomolecular methods to develop products and technologies that help improve our lives and the overall health of the planet. The concept of this field dates back to the times when biological processes of microorganisms were utilized to make and store useful dairy products such as cheese and bread. But how far has this reached? With the growth in Genetic Engineering and the advancement of research in Biotechnology, the scope of altering DNA to change the characteristics and functions of organisms has increased the chances of finding new alternatives. Not just this, Biotechnology has spread to different disciplines like Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biotechnology, etc where new discoveries are being made through this natural science field. Before we move on to explain the BSc Biotechnology syllabus, let us first understand the degree in general and how has the study of Biotechnology lead to discoveries in medicine, agriculture or industrial biotechnology.

Also Read about a career in Food Biotechnology!

What is BSc Biotechnology?

Biotechnology combines engineering technologies with biological sciences to regulate systems and living organisms. This undergraduate degree program aims to teach advanced lessons in the biological processes meant for industrial and other purposes. Usually, the course spans over 3 to 4 years, however, at some universities the program duration may stretch to 5 years. Students with a scientific aptitude and keen interest in Biology are ideally suited for a career in Biotechnology.

The BSc Biotechnology syllabus generally covers several aspects of Applied Biochemistry and biotechnology industries including entrepreneurship, commercializing technology and intellectual property. Students are exposed to lectures and case studies from business academics and leaders. In the later part of the degree, students can choose to conduct research in an industrial, medical, or biotechnological setting within the campus or a partnered institution. 

BSc Biotechnology Course Structure

Before diving into the BSc Biotechnology syllabus, let’s first get familiar with the course structure of the same. The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology is a 3-year undergraduate degree divided into six semesters that provides an in-depth understanding of biomolecular and cellular processes as well as information on the different technologies used to study them. It covers a wide range of topics, including genetics, molecular biology, and chemistry. The course is structured as follows:

• VI semesters
• Practical
• Project Submission
• Lab experiment

BSc Biotechnology Syllabus

With an aim to create products and technologies that reduce the environmental footprint; combat rare diseases; feed the hungry; use cleaner energy and efficient industrial manufacturing processes, Biotechnology courses impart knowledge in core subjects that helps students prepare for and meet pressing challenges. Here is a semester-wise division of the BSc Biotechnology syllabus and Biotechnology subjects:

Semester 1

• Cell Biology and Genetics
• Biophysical Chemistry 
• Fundamentals of Microbiology
• Introduction to Biotechnology and Cell Biology
• Biochemistry
• Physical and Chemical aspects

Semester 2

• Microbial Chemistry and Physiology
• Fundamentals of Biochemistry, Biocomputing, and Biostatistics
• Biomolecules-Organic Mechanisms in Biology
• Biomathematics
• Cytogenetic Techniques

Semester 3

• Microbial Diversity
• Basic Aspect of Cellular Metabolism
• Fundamentals of Molecular Biochemistry
• Plant Biotechnology
• Principles of Immunology
• Microbial Genetics

Semester 4

• Analytical Techniques and Bioinformatics
• Environmental Biotechnology
• Genes and Genomics-Integrative Cell Biology
• Protein Science
• Biodiversity & taxonomy
• Animal Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology Techniques

Semester 5

• Bioprocess and Biochemical Engineering
• Genetics & Molecular Biotechnology
• Immunology
• Recombinant DNA Technology
• DNA Typing, Proteomics & Beyond-Environmental Biotechnology

Semester 6

• Medical Biotechnology
• Biotechnology
• Social, Legal & Ethical issues
• Principal of Biotechnology Applied to Plants and Animals 
• Analytical Techniques in Biotechnology
• Advanced Molecular Techniques & Bioinformatics

BSc Biotechnology Subjects

The blog on the BSc Biotechnology syllabus is incomplete without revealing the core subjects of the course along with lab subjects and electives: 

Core Subjects 

The following is a list of core subjects covered in the BSc Biotechnology syllabus:

• Introductory Biological Chemistry
• Animal and Plant Physiology
• Recombinant DNA Technology
• DNA Typing, Proteomics and Beyond
• Biodiversity and Taxonomy
• Microbiology and Macromolecule
• Biostatistics

Lab Subjects 

The following is the list of lab subjects for the BSc Biotechnology syllabus: 

• Plant tissue culture lab
• Sterilization techniques for glassware
• Genomic DNA isolation from plants
• Paper Chromatography
• Estimation of purity of DNA

Elective Subjects

The following is the list of elective subjects for the BSc Biotechnology syllabus: 

• Nanotechnology
• Biofertilizer Technology
• Ecology
• Biotechnology for Forensics
• Scientific Writing

BSc Biotechnology Syllabus by UGC

Refer to the given PDF to know about the BSc Biotechnology syllabus as per the UGC:

BSc Biotechnology Recommended Books 

As indicated in the table below, the following are the most recommended books for a BSc Biotechnology syllabus:

Name of the Book	Links to buy
Biotechnology by B. D Singh	Buy here
A Problem Approach by Pranav Kumar & Usha Mina	Buy here
Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis by T. A. Brown	Buy here
Principles of Gene Manipulation and Genomics by Sandy B. Primrose, Richard M. Twyman	Buy here
Molecular Biology of the Gene by J D Watson	Buy here
Molecular Cell Biology by Harvey Lodish	Buy here
Kuby’s Immunology by Barbara A. Osborne and Janis Kuby	Buy here
Biochemistry by Lubert Stryer	Buy here

Scope of Biotechnology

BSc Biotechnology is one of the most prominent courses in Biology after 12th except MBBS. After completing your graduation, you can definitely go for an MSc in Biotechnology. The program is best for students who have a strong inclination to learn through practical education and explore new possibilities in the field of Biotechnology. From being employed as research agents and qualified professors to genetic engineers in clinical research and diagnostics; there are ample opportunities for students to consider after completing BSc Biotechnology.

Career Scope and Salary

Jobs for BSc Biotechnology graduates are available in medicine, bioinformatics, and computer-aided research. There are several job prospects for BSc Biotechnology graduates in both the public and private sectors. Just a few of the top job options for graduates of this course are biophysicist/biochemist, research associate, epidemiologist, lab technician, and others. The following are the available BSc Biotechnology job opportunities for graduates, along with their average salary:

Job Prospects	Average Estimated Salary in INR
Biochemist	5.2 lakhs per annum
Lab Technician	3 lakhs per annum
Biotech Analyst	6 lakhs per annum
Epidemiologist	6 lakhs per annum
Biostatistician	5.5 lakhs per annum
Clinical Research Manager	9 lakhs per annum
Medical Coder	4.5 lakhs per annum
Research Associate	3.5 lakhs per annum
Associate Biotechnologist	3.2 lakhs per annum
Biotechnology Instructor	5.4 lakhs per annum

Explore more Biotechnology Jobs and Career Scope here!

Top Areas of Recruitment

Research and development positions are among the most rewarding for BSc Biotechnology graduates. They must cope with a variety of new challenges and innovate on a regular basis. Jobs after a BSc Biotechnology can be found in a variety of sectors. Some of the top areas of recruiting includes:

• Research firms
• Hospitals
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food production firms
• Clinical research firms
• Laboratories
• Consultation agencies
• Chemical manufacturers
• Educational institutes
• Fertilizer manufacturers
• Soil biology
• Animal husbandry
• Cosmetics
• Ecology

FAQs

This was all about the BSc Biotechnology syllabus, course structure and scope. It’s time to find you the perfect study abroad destination and what it’s like to learn in one of the top universities in the world! Take the opportunity to talk to our experts at Leverage Edu and we can help you with the course information and career advice in choosing the right university that can provide a base to sharpen your research and development skills.