Genetic Engineering Courses

5 minute read
Genetic Engineering Courses

Medical Science is a significant spectrum that has been heavily impacted by the advancements in technology. When researchers combined Biology with the progressing technologies, it gave birth to the wide-ranging field of Biotechnology and revolutionized the science of medicine. With new emerging fields, Biology has sprouted into several branches that are thriving to bring inventiveness to the world of Medical Science. One such lesser-known branch of Biology is Genetic Engineering which blends the science of Biotechnology and Genetics. It utilizes Biotechnology for facilitating direct manipulation of a particular organism’s genes. If you are passionate about how genetics and technology can revolutionize the way we perceive medical science, you can choose from the several Genetic Engineering courses offered around the world. In this blog, we will discover the world of Genetic Engineering, its central elements along with the programs offered in this field across the globe.

Overview 

Genetic Engineering is a field of Biology that deals with the manipulation of DNA and genes of an organism through Biotechnology in order to alter or modify a certain characteristic of an organism. An organism’s genes are manipulated through artificial synthesis or entering a new DNA strand to the already existing genes of an organism in order to change a specific function or characteristic of that organism. These genetically modified organisms are then used for various purposes, for example, a plant can be genetically modified in order to produce fruits that have a longer shelf life. Genetic Engineering has done some groundbreaking research in the field of Agriculture and was one of the key factors in the green revolution.

Credits – Fuse School

Syllabus of Genetic Engineering Courses

Pursuing a course in Genetic Engineering, you will get to learn about the theoretical as well as the practical aspects of both biology and technology. Before selecting a course, it is important to know its central elements that you will be studying. So here are the major subjects covered in Genetic Engineering Courses:

Biochemistry

Biochemistry can be referred to as the branch of Biology that deals with the chemical aspects of any biological process. Biochemistry is an important branch of science in contemporary research because of the advent of synthetic substitutes instead of organic materials. This substitution has affected the health sector as well as the Microbiology sector and brought significance to the field of Biochemistry.

Immunology

Immunology is the study of the immune system of an organism and how it defends itself from parasites and other disease-causing organisms. Immunology is an essential part of Microbiology because some of the fatal diseases that the human body suffers from, are caused by bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. Immunology helps in determining the damage caused by these organisms and works on developing a cure for these diseases and preventing them in the future.

Bioinformatics

This is an interdisciplinary subject that combines Biology, Computer Application and Mathematics to understand biological data. This field is used mainly to assess biological data and identify the valid and necessary elements required to conduct a research. This field is extensively used for the identification of candidate genes to be used in an experiment.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is another interdisciplinary field that is a crucial part of Genetic Engineering and is concerned with the manipulation of matter at a molecular or atomic scale. This field is used in Genetic Engineering to look at various processes involved in healthcare. Nanotechnology and Genetic Engineering are two core fields that have worked intensively to improve the health sector.

Genetic Engineering Courses: Eligibility Criteria

An individual aspiring to pursue a professional degree in Genetic Engineering can begin the BTech course after his/her 10 + 2 science with Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology. Admission to BTech in Genetic Engineering is made through entrance tests conducted in-house by various universities or through the scores of the national engineering entrance examination like JEE for IITs/NITs & CFTI’s across the country. 

Specializations Offered in Genetic Engineering 

Here is a list of key specializations offered in the varied programs in the field of Genetic Engineering:

  • Biophysics
  • Plant Tissue Culture
  • Gene Therapy
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Biostatistics

Top Genetic Engineering Colleges in the World

Before we delve deep into the salient features of different colleges and shed light on their courses, let us take a quick look over the best Genetic Engineering colleges in the world:

Genetic Engineering CollegesLocationUS News & World Report Rankings 2021
Harvard UniversityUSA1st
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUSA2nd
Stanford UniversityUSA3rd
University of California—San FranciscoUSA4th
Johns Hopkins UniversityUSA5th
University of Oxford and University of WashingtonUK/USA6th
University of PennsylvaniaUSA7th
University of California—San DiegoUSA8th
University of CambridgeUK9th
University of TorontoCanada11th
Columbia UniversityUSA12th
Baylor College of MedicineUSA13th
Washington University in St. LouisUSA14th
University of California–Los AngelesUSA15th
Cornell UniversityUSA16th
Karolinska InstituteSweden17th
Yale UniversityUSA18th
University of California–BerkeleyUSA19th
University of Michigan–Ann ArborUSA20th
University College LondonUK21st
University of Queensland Australia27th
University of CopenhagenDenmark28th
Sorbonne universitéFrance32nd 
National University of SingaporeSingapore33rd
University of Groningen Netherlands 37th
University of TokyoJapan 38th
King Abdulaziz UniversitySaudi Arabia 39th
Catholic University of LeuvenGermany 40th

Top Genetic Engineering Colleges in India

Here is yet another list of top genetic engineering colleges that can be found in India. 

  1. SRM University Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  2. Bharath University Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  3. Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna, Bihar
  4. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka
  5. Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
  6. Bharath Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  7. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka
  8. Kuvempu University, Karnataka
  9. Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu 
  10. School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida

Course Fees 

Following are the minimum and maximum fees for UG, PG, and Doctoral levels: 

Private Institute – Average FeesGovernment Institute – Average Fees
UG6 lakhs-10 lakhs 
PG99K-7.5 lakhs1.54 lakhs-1.54 lakhs
Doctoral3.6 lakhs-5.04 lakhs

Required Skillset

Following are the required skillsets for Genetic engineers or Geneticists include: 

  • Strong understanding of scientific methods and rules
  • PERL, Python
  • Ability to use computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Complex problem solving and critical thinking
  • Graphics or photo imaging
  • Word processing software programs
  • Excellent mathematical, deductive and inductive reasoning, reading, writing, and oral comprehensive skills
  • Ability to use lasers spectrometers, light scattering equipment, binocular light compound microscopes, etc. 

Top Recruiters

Some of the major industries offering recruitment to Genetic Engineering are: 

  • Aurbindo Pharma
  • Lupin
  • Fresenius Medical Care
  • The National Institute of Immunology
  • Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. 
  • Aspen Pharma

Job Profiles & Salary

Below are the job profiles with the given amount that is estimated and may differ depending on the experience, organization, or level of education: 

Job ProfileAverage Salary (in INR)
Professor5 – 7.5 lakhs approx
Genetic Engineering4 – 5.7 lakhs
Geneticist 5 – 8.5 lakhs
Genomics 3.5 – 6.5 lakhs
Medical Writer2.5 – 6 lakhs
Information Security Engineer4 – 8 lakhs

FAQs

Is JEE required for Genetic Engineering?

NITs and IITs across India do not offer genetic engineering. But there are 2 – 3 colleges that take admission on the basis of JEE Main.

Which country is best for Genetic Engineering?

Switzerland, the USA, England, and Scotland are the few countries best for genetic engineering. 

Does IIT offer Genetic Engineering?

No, IIT directly does not offer genetic engineering. Candidates have to take life sciences in graduation or Biotechnology from any engineering college in India. 

Thus, Genetic Engineering is a field that possesses the potential to change the future of Biotechnology and Medical Science. If you are planning to pursue Genetic Engineering courses, Leverage Edu experts can help in choosing an ideal course with the best-fit university with the help of our AI Course Finder. Book your free 30-minutes free consultation today!

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12 comments
    1. Yes, you can apply for genetic engineering courses with Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects. You will also need Mathematics as a subject for some genetic engineering courses.

    1. Hi Apeksha,

      Certain universities that offer Genetic Engineering require you to pass an entrance exam like JEE Mains. In engineering courses, maths become a crucial part. However, at universities for BSC Genetics (3 years), you just need high grades in PCB in your 12th grade.

  1. im in 12th and I dont have Biology as a subject, I have PCM and I am prepping for JEE. Can I pursue Biotecnology/Genetic Engg in bachelors even without bio in 11th and 12th?

    1. Hey Purwa,
      To proceed with pursuing a professional degree in Genetic Engineering you can take the BTech course after your 10 + 2 science with Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology. Admission to BTech in Genetic Engineering is made through entrance tests conducted in-house by various universities or through the scores of the national engineering entrance examination like JEE for IITs/NITs & CFTIs across the country.

    1. Yes, you can apply for genetic engineering courses with Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects. You will also need Mathematics as a subject for some genetic engineering courses.