How to Become A Geneticist?

The job of a geneticist is one of the most prestigious, time-consuming, and difficult careers available to a scientific student. To become a well-known geneticist in a certain subject takes 6-8 years or even more. Around 10,000-15,000 students aspire to be geneticists each year. Only 25% of them are lucky enough to succeed. In this blog, we will see what a Geneticist does, the skills required to become a Geneticist, the steps involved in becoming a successful Geneticist, and we will also look at the list of colleges that offer genetic courses.

Who is a Geneticist?

Geneticists are scientists who research genes from plants, animals, and people to see how they interact, evolve, mutate, inherit and duplicate. Depending on expertise and experience, a geneticist can earn anywhere from INR 3 LPA to INR 6 LPA. The Centre for Human Genetics, hospitals, and other institutions are among the many that recruit graduates seeking a career as a geneticist.

Industry	Science
Eligibility	10+2 and entrance exam
Average Salary	INR 3-6 LPA
Job Opportunity	Clinical Labs, Healthcare centres, Educational Institutions, Research Centers, Human Genome Projects, etc.

Also Read: How to Become s Psychologist

What does a Geneticist do?

Geneticists examine the traits, heredity, and other acquired characteristics of people, plants, and other living creatures over time. Individuals, animals, crops, and microbes are among the live organic things studied. They perform experiments to determine the origins and principles of certain acquired traits, such as illnesses, and to identify factors (such as disease resistance) responsible for these qualities.

A geneticist’s major responsibilities include:

• Performing testing and studies in the lab
• Getting rid of DNA or doing tests to prove it
• Deciphering, analyzing, and defending genetic laboratory findings
• Keeping track of their periods and results
• Dissecting generic data in order to make decisions and publish findings
• Results of discoveries are communicated, for example, in conferences or in scientific publications.
• Managing or directing the efforts of several geneticists, researchers, professionals, or biometricians working on genetics research initiatives.

Related Reads: How to become a Scientist?

Types of Geneticists

A job as a geneticist might be challenging, but it also gives a lot of opportunities to learn new things. Professional certification after completing a bachelor’s degree might help you jumpstart your career as a Geneticist.

The following are some of the most basic types of geneticists.

• Research Scientist

They are experts who can acquire scientific data and set up tests in order to direct scientific experiments in under-regulated settings. In addition, research scientists plan, conduct, and analyze data from laboratory-based studies, tests, and trials. To design and conduct our investigations and offer excellent research and data, numerous specialities are available in various fields like neurosciences, underdeveloped cell research, genomics, microbiology, and so on.

• Genetic Counselor

Genetic counsellors are experts who counsel families, communities, and individuals on genetic disorders and disease treatment choices. They inform them about the dangers associated with an illness. They recognize and understand the risks that come with genetic diseases. Genetic counsellors also assist clients and their families in properly adapting to medical illnesses and difficulties that may arise.

• Plant Breeders

A plant breeder is someone who studies seed properties and tries to enhance plant characteristics. Plant breeders conduct scientific research on plants and crop-based agriculture in order to improve plant breeding techniques and create new crop strains. They use their knowledge of genetic traits to the intersection of plants, guaranteeing that the plants’ yields are disease-free and helping in the control of pests and insects.

Also Read: BSc Forensic Science

How to Become a Geneticist?

In India, becoming a geneticist is a challenging task. Students who want to follow this job should prepare their minds to deal with specific difficulties and begin studying for the entrance examinations as soon as they finish secondary school (10th). They must select the appropriate topics for senior secondary school, prepare for graduation, and pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Genetics or a similar discipline.

• School-level preparation

Students can pursue subjects in the Science stream immediately after passing class 10th, including physics, chemistry, biology, or maths as mandatory subjects. This would assist kids in developing accurate concepts from the start, forming their basics in the Science stream, and learning about genetics through Biology. Students must, however, pass the admission exam in order to enrol in the courses.

• Undergraduate courses

After passing 10+2, students must have a grade point average of 60-65 per cent in order to be accepted into a good institution and complete a three-year

. Following your graduation, it is suggested that you pursue a genetics certification, such as a Certificate in Geneticist.

• Postgraduate courses

After completing your undergraduate studies and before seeking employment or further education, obtaining a professional-level degree coupled with training will help you secure a better salary package.

Skills Required

To work as a geneticist, you must possess a number of important skills. The following are some abilities required for a job as a geneticist.

• Analytical skills
• Perseverance
• Critical-thinking Skills
• Problem-solving Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Time-management Skills
• Mathematic Skills
• Communication Skills

Courses to Become a Geneticist

Aspirants can pursue a career as a geneticist by enrolling in one of the undergraduate or postgraduate programmes listed below.

Course	Duration	Eligibility	Average Salary
B. Tech. in Genetic Engineering	4 years	10+2 Level (Physics, Chemistry, Maths), at least 50% aggregate score.	INR 3-6 lakhs
B.Sc. in Genetics	3 years	10+2 Level (Physics, Chemistry, Maths), at least 50% aggregate score.	INR 2-5 lakhs
B.Sc. Biology	3 years	10+2 Level (Physics, Chemistry, Maths), at least 50% aggregate score.	INR 2-8 lakhs
M.Sc. Biology	2 years	Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% from a recognized university.	INR 3-5 lakhs
M.Sc. Genetics	2 years	Graduates in Genetics, Botany, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Life Sciences, etc. with at least 55% from a recognized university	INR 3-6 lakhs
M.Sc. Genetics & Plant Breeding	2 years	Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% from a recognized university	INR 3-6 lakhs
Ph.D. in Human Genetics	3-5 years	Candidates who have completed their graduate degree/M.Phil in science from a recognized university.	INR 4-8 lakhs

How to Become a Geneticist Abroad?

Apart from India, several countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia offer genetics courses and the opportunity to pursue a career as a geneticist.

Education Requirements:

• For entry-level work as a Geneticist, a Bachelor’s degree in Genetics is required, while higher roles require a Master’s degree or an M.Tech with a specialization in Genetic Engineering.
• A bachelor’s degree usually takes 3-4 years to finish.
• To work as a geneticist in another country, you must take English proficiency exams like the IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.
• A Letter of Recommendation is required in addition to your degree, transcripts, résumé, and required tests.

Top Colleges in India

The following are the top colleges in India to become a geneticist:

Name of College, City	Tuition Fees
The Oxford College of Science, Bangalore	INR 82k
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar	INR 1.25 lakhs
Bangalore City College, Bangalore	INR 85k
Institute of Genetic Engineering, Kolkata	INR 1.75 lakhs
Bangalore City College, Bangalore	INR 1.70 lakhs
Institute of Genetic Engineering, Kolkata	INR 1 lakh
Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra	INR 1.4 lakhs
University of Calicut, Calicut	INR 1.23 lakhs

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Top Colleges Abroad to become a Geneticist

The following are the top colleges to become a geneticist:

Name of College, City	Tuition Fees
University of Oxford	INR 28 lakhs
University of Cambridge	INR 28 lakhs
University College London	INR 27 lakhs
Imperial College, London	INR 30 lakhs
University of Edinburgh	INR 24 lakhs
Western University, Canada	INR 21 lakhs
The University of York, UK	INR 24 lakhs
Curtin University, Australia	INR 17 lakhs

Also Read: Top Colleges for Forensic Science

Average Salary of a Geneticist

A geneticist’s beginning pay in India ranges from INR 3 lakhs to INR 6 lakhs. The worth of a person’s pay may vary depending on the business and their level of expertise.

Why Becoming a Geneticist a Good Option?

Hiring a Geneticist adds value to the company after observing the expansion and globalization of genetics over the years. Some of the advantages of working as a geneticist include the following.

Job Security

A geneticist’s career is one of the most secure, and they may work in their field of speciality from any laboratory in the world.

Positive Impact

The positive influence of a Geneticist’s profession in the business will assist in the development of new knowledge about genes in plants and living beings.

Salary

Being a geneticist is not only a challenging task, but it also has its advantages, such as good pay, flexibility, learning opportunities, people-oriented work, and, most importantly, the ability to discover new things about organisms.

A Unique Experience

A career as a geneticist is quite demanding. Developing unique experiences through recognizing, analyzing, and managing risks as well as gaining a diverse set of skills can help you advance in your profession.

Societies and Organizations for Geneticists

The following are the popular societies and organizations for geneticists:

• The Genetics Society of America
• The American Genetic Association
• The Society for Conservation Biology

In this blog, we saw the various steps and requirements on how to become a Geneticist. We hope the information provided was helpful. If you are confused about your career goals, connect with our Expert Consultants at Leverage Edu and book your FREE Educational Consulting session today!