BSc Biotechnology

Have you ever wondered how something minuscule can have a huge effect on your life and the world? Biotechnology, a comparatively new field of study, is an intersection of two major branches of Science; Biology and Technology. It is one of those courses in Biology after 12th except MBBS that has taken the world by storm. Want to build a career in Biotechnology? Why not pursue a BSc in Biotechnology! Owing to the fact that this is one of the newest branches of biology, there are many kinds of research and discoveries that need to be made to solve pertinent issues. In this blog, we will provide you with the details pertaining to BSc Biotechnology and its career prospects.

Highlights 

Course Level	Undergraduate
Full-Form	Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology
Duration	3 years
Average Annual Fees	INR 50,000 to 2,00,000
Job Positions	Biochemist, Epidemiologist, Lab Technician, etc
Average Annual Salary	INR 3,00,000 – 8,00,000

What is BSc Biotechnology?

Biotechnology is a discipline of applied sciences which deals with creating processes or products through biological systems and organisms. This is done by applying various scientific principles related to molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, chemical engineering, immunology, medicine, agriculture, etc., and using various techniques to produce drugs, antibiotics, enzymes, etc. Pursuing a BSc in Biotechnology provides students with a deep understanding of subjects like Genetic Engineering, Fermentation Technology, Vaccine Production Immunology, Bioinformatics, Research Design, Epidemiology, and Cell Structure. The course typically spans over three to four years depending upon the course structure as well as the university the students choose. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Depending on the work profile, a graduate in BSc Biotechnology will be required to handle responsibilities like:

• Production of Vaccines
• Developing Drug Delivery Systems
• Rational Drug Design and Improving Efficacy
• Collecting and testing samples of food, tissues, cells, bacteria and other living organisms.

Don’t want to pursue BSc Biotechnology?
Here are other popular Biotechnology courses to consider after the 12th!

BSc Biotechnology Entrance Exams 

Following are the entrance exams for BSc biotechnology 

Exam Name	Exam Date
DUET	June 2022
KIITEE	June 2022
SAAT	June 2022
KCET	July 2022

BSc Biotechnology Subjects

Ranging from core Biology subjects to those related to the field of Genetics and Microbiology, there are scores of subjects that you will study in a BSc Biotechnology degree program. Here is a complete list of BSc Biotechnology subjects:

• Biological Chemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Cell Biology and Genetics
• Biophysics
• Animal and Plant Physiology
• Biomathematics
• Introduction to Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
• Microbial Diversity
• Genetics and Evolution

Check Out – How to Make a Career in Food Biotechnology!

BSc Biotechnology Syllabus

Tabulated below is the year-wise syllabus breakup of the course:

Year	Syllabus
BSc Biotechnology First Year	Biological Diversity; Introduction to Chemistry; Biophysics; Instrumentation Techniques; Microbiology
BSc Biotechnology 2nd Year	Genetics and Evolution; Cellular Metabolism; Microbial Diversity; Bioinformatics; Animal and Plant Biotechnology; Electives
BSc Biotechnology 3rd Year	Immunology; Biochemical Engineering; Bioprocesses; Pharmaceutical Biotechnology; Electives; Research Project/Dissertation

Note: This is for indicative purposes. The BSc Biotechnology subjects, electives, as well curriculum can vary from one institute to another.

Top Universities

The career prospects after pursuing BSc Biotechnology are vast and this has attracted many students towards this course. Further, with the advent of new technologies, the sector is gaining more popularity. Due to this, universities across the world have started offering courses with world-class educational facilities. Listed below are some of the educational institutes: 

• Harvard University
• Technical University Denmark
• The University of Queensland
• Cornell University
• University of Cambridge
• Seoul National University
• National University of Singapore
• University of Toronto
• University of California, Los Angeles
• Ghent University
• University of British Columbia

Top Universities in India

• Indian Institute of Technology, IIT
• Birla Institute of Technology and Science, BITS
• University of Delhi, DU
• Banaras Hindu University, BHU
• Vellore Institute of Technology, VIT
• National Institute of Technology, NIT
• Delhi Technology University, DTU
• Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education
• Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology

Eligibility

In order to be enrolled in the BSc Biotechnology course, you need to fulfill certain eligibility criteria set by the university. Even though the prerequisites set may vary from one university to another, listed below are some common guidelines:

• You need to pass 10+2 level or equivalent in BiPC subjects (Biology, Physics, and Chemistry) along with Maths from any recognized educational board. 
• Minimum percentile in the entrance exam conducted by the university, if any. 
• You need to have a valid IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE score. 
• ACT/SAT exam scores are essential in case you are planning to study in Canada/USA.
• You also need to submit a statement of purpose(SOP), letter of recommendation (LOR), and Academic Transcripts. 

BSc Biotechnology Reference Books 

The books listed in the table below are the most highly recommended for a BSc Biotechnology course:

Book Name	Author Name
Biotechnology	B. D Singh
A Problem Approach	Pranav Kumar & Usha Mina
Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis	T. A. Brown
Principles of Gene Manipulation and Genomics	Sandy B. Primrose, Richard M. Twyman
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry – Fifth Edition	David L. Nelson

BSc Biotechnology Scope

The BSc Biotechnology syllabus imparts knowledge in various concepts related to Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biomolecules, Cellular Metabolism, Genes, etc. Further, the diverse curriculum with practical training equips students with industry-relevant skills. Thus, the BSc Biotechnology graduates can either start their professional careers or can pursue higher studies through programs like MSc Biotechnology where they can acquire advanced knowledge pertaining to the field. A career in Biotechnology opens the door to an array of diverse career options in various industries, some of which have been listed below: 

• Academics
• BioIndustries
• IT Companies
• Research Laboratories
• Government and Private Hospitals
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Food processing industries
• Agriculture Sector
• Breweries

Jobs and salary

The table below lists some of the most common professional occupations accessible to BSc Biotechnology degree holders, along with their related salaries:

Job Profile	Average Salary
Biochemist	INR 5,25,000
Epidemiologist	INR 5,00,000
Lab Technician	INR 2,85,000
Research Scientist	INR 5,45,000
Biotech Analyst	INR 6,85,000
Lecturer/ Professor	INR 6,00,000

Courses After Bsc Biotechnology

If you want to sign up for higher studies after completing BSc Biotechnology then these are some of the popular choices for you:

• MSC Biotechnology
• MSc Botany
• MSc Microbiology
• MSc Biochemistry
• MSC Cell Biology
• MSc Molecular Biology
• MBA in Biotechnology
• Masters in Public Health
• MSc Food Technology
• MSc Bioinformatics
• MSc in Forensic Science
• MSc in Nanotechnology

FAQs

Thus, pursuing a BSc in Biotechnology opens the door to a multitude of career opportunities across industries. If you are planning to study the program in popular study abroad destinations but are not sure about how to get started with it then the experts at Leverage Edu will assist you in completing the admission-related formalities. You can also book a 30 minutes free career counseling session with our experienced professionals who will help you identify your potential and provide answers to your career-related queries.