Biotechnology Engineering: Course Details, Admission, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs & Salary

About Biotechnology Engineering

Biotechnology engineering is the research and study of micro-organism, bio-organisms, cell functions in living beings. It is basically the blend of both Biological science and technology. Biotechnology engineering is the field of chemical engineering and applied biology that incorporates the use of living things in technology, medicine, engineering, and other significant applications. 

Biotechnology engineering can be taken up at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels which would be for a duration for 4 and 2 years respectively.

To be eligible for this Biotechnology Engineering course candidates should have passed class 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as main subjects. Many IITs like IIT Delhi, IIT Bangalore, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Mumbai, offer Biotechnology Engineering courses in various specializations. Candidates can also get admission to colleges like Anna University, Delhi Technological University, Amity University, etc. The fees for this engineering programme range between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 11,00,000. Candidates can opt for either online Engineering in Biotechnology course or an offline course.

Candidates can become Biotechnologists, Research Associate, Lab Scientist Process Engineer, Biotechnology Engineer, Lecturers after completing this course. Adding to that, they can also opt to study further in this field by doing some research work, and even become a scientist. The average Biotechnology Engineering salary for fresher falls between Rs. 3,00,000 LPA to Rs. 5,00,000 LPA. And, once candidates gain experience the salary range can hike up to Rs. 14,00,000 LPA. 

Read the full article to get details on Biotechnology Engineering courses, career, eligibility criteria, salary, scope in India and abroad, top recruiters, and other related information

Overview of Biotechnology Engineering

This engineering field is persuaded by many of the Indian students. If you are looking to make a career in this field, check the important highlights of this course, like top colleges, list of popular specializations, entrance exam and salary in the table given below.

Who Should Do Biotechnology Engineering?

If you always wanted to become an engineer and have zeal about biology then you can opt for this excellent profession. Candidates who are passionate and have curiosity about living organisms, microorganisms, and cells should opt for this career.  Biotechnology research is driven by the desire of people to discover answers to new or old problems. Candidates with this skillset and self-motivation to accomplish things that make human existence simpler should opt for this career path. This field of engineering will help you become Biotechnology Engineer, biotechnologist, Lab Scientist, etc. You can also become a scientist and be a part of various research projects. 

Check out the Top Engineering Colleges of India

Why Choose Biotechnology Engineering?

Engineering is one of the most reputable careers.  Many candidates want to become an engineer and earn a handsome salary. Engineering in Biotechnology itself is studied by many Indian students. There are many reasons for choosing this field. 

• The demand for biotechnology engineers will boom as the world's population grows to come back food, fuel, and agriculture issues.
• Many professionals from this stream are needed to work on environmental issues.
• There are several career opportunities available in this field, for diploma holders, graduates, and postgraduates. Candidates will get good salary packages in various government and private sectors. 
• Candidates who pursue a career in biotechnology benefit from the fact that they may contribute to a variety of sectors and industries. For example, they can work in and contribute to the fields of medicine, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, industrial goods, environmental usage, cell biology, chemistry, and many more.
• These are a few modern biotechnology sectors that need a large number of human resources and promise a bright future for the next generation. 
• As a result, biotechnology engineering colleges will undoubtedly play a critical role in determining the country's future, not only in terms of scientific research and development but also in terms of employability.

List of Biotechnology Engineering Courses

Candidates can study diploma programme, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degrees in this engineering stream. One can start with a diploma or bachelor's degree and start working as a professional and if they want to study further they can get admission to a higher degree also. Go through the list of Biotechnology Engineering Courses given below. 

Apart from these degrees, candidates can also pursue a postgraduate degree research-based. An undergraduate degree is required to pursue this. Typically, candidates will select a field of study and collaborate with a professor on a thesis project.

Check out the Best Engineering Courses in India 

List of Popular Biotechnology Engineering Specializations

There are various options of specializations available in this engineering stream. Candidates can choose their specialization as per their interest in the field, subjects, and career options they want to pursue. Check the list of various Biotechnology Engineering courses and specializations that candidates can choose from given below. 

• Protein Science
• Molecular Genetics
• Metabolism
• Genomics and Bioinformatics
• Biological Chemistry
• Plant Science
• Microbiology
• Organic Chemistry
• Environmental Microbiology
• Food Microbiology
• Human Biology
• Structural Biochemistry
• Cell Biology and Biological Systems
• Chemistry
• Immunology
• Physical Chemistry

Note- The Biotechnology Engineering syllabus of these specializations will be different from each other. 

Biotechnology Engineering Eligibility Criteria

Candidates should fulfill all the factors of the eligible criteria like educational qualification, age limit, minimum marks, and subjects, before taking admission. Go through the generic Biotechnology Engineering eligibility criteria given below. This may vary from institute to institute.

Eligibility Criteria for UG Programme

One of the best ways to become an engineer in this specialization is to get a bachelor's degree. Candidates can study the bachelor's programme after class 12th. Go through the eligibility criteria to study UG degree in this field given below. 

• The candidate must have passed 10+2 examinations from a recognized board in the science stream, with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) as the main subjects. Some of the institutes also considered Mathematics a compulsory subject to be eligible.
• Candidates must have received at least 75% aggregate marks in class 10+ 2.
• The minimum age of candidates should be 17 years old.
• In the 12th grade, English must be a compulsory language.
• It is mandatory to take the JEE Mains or some similar admission test.

Eligibility Criteria for PG Programme

Candidates can pursue a master's program in this field after getting the UG degree. Candidates who want enroll to in master's programmes in this field should fulfill the following eligibility criteria to apply for the master's colleges and institutes. 

• Candidates should hold an undergraduate degree in this field. 
• Candidates should have passed B.E. or B. Tech degree in the relevant field with a minimum of 60% marks or 6.0 (out of 10.0) Grade Point Average (GPA) in the disciplines.
• Candidates should have also cleared a valid entrance examination and scored a rank. 

Check out the JEE Main Eligibility Criteria here!

Types of Biotechnology Engineering

There are several types in this engineering stream that candidates can study as per their interests. The various types of  Engineering in Biotechnology are categorized as colors. The four main types of Biotechnology Engineering are

1. Medical Red Biotechnology: Human health and medicine are at the heart of medical biotechnology. Medical biotechnology comprises the development of novel pharmaceutical medications, vaccines,  antibodies, and other medical products. The pharmaceutical sector and the medical profession both benefit from red biotechnology. 
2. Industrial White Biotechnology: Industrial biotechnology has an impact on a variety of industries, including textiles, food, and energy.  Its main goal is to employ technology to develop innovative processes that consume fewer natural resources and energy than traditional techniques.
3. Environmental and Agricultural Green Biotechnology: Green biotechnology focuses on agricultural technologies, such as discovering new ways to grow stronger crops or developing new biopesticides to minimize the number of chemicals needed by farmers. The basic purpose of environmental biotechnology is to combine biology and engineering. 
4. Marine Blue Biotechnology: Marine Biotechnology is a study of marine creatures with the goal of exploiting them for different human uses, such as the development of novel medications or dietary supplements to improve human health. For diverse purposes, blue biotechnology uses a broad array of marine animals and resources, such as shellfish, algae, and other things. Marine biotechnology has a significant impact on the industrial sector.

Check out the B Tech admission process here!

Difference Between Biotechnology Engineering and Biomedical Engineering

There are various engineering streams available for candidates to study and make a career. But, many candidates get confused and puzzle between these many options and can't decide what to choose. Biotechnology Engineering and Biomedical Engineering are one of the two engineering streams that candidates often find similar. But, there is a huge difference between these two streams. To get a fair idea, check the basics differences between these two engineering streams given below. 

Quick Link: Top B Tech Biomedical Engineering Colleges in India

Biotechnology Engineering Admission Process

The admission process is different as per the level of the programme (diploma, UG, PG, doctorate)  you want to study. The Biotechnology Engineering admission process is done via entrance examination with the condition that candidates fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria. For the diploma program, candidates should pass the class 10th and entrance exams. Similarly, for the undergraduate program candidates should have passed class 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects. Some institutes also considered mathematics as the main subject to be eligible. Similarly, for admission to the master's programme, candidates should hold a bachelor's degree and clear an entrance examination. 

Check out about the VIT Vellore Admission

Entrance Exam For Biotechnology Engineering

The admission process for this engineering field is done through an entrance examination. Different colleges and universities have different entrance examination sets that candidates need to pass and score a rank to get admission. Go through the list of the most popular Biotechnology Engineering Entrance Exam.  

JEE Main:Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is conducted to select candidates for the engineering program in NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. If candidates want to pursue Engineering in Biotechnology in these institutes need to clear the JEE Main entrance examination. 

JEE Advanced: JEE Advanced is the next stage of JEE Main exam. Candidates who clear JEE Mains are eligible for advanced. The JEE Advanced exams are conducted to select qualified candidates for admission to IITs. Candidates who want to pursue this engineering stream at the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) should clear the JEE Advanced examination. 

GATE: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level engineering exam conducted to test candidates' knowledge of undergraduate subjects. Candidates who desire to enroll in master's programs in IITs and NITs should qualify this examination. The GATE exam score is valid for recruitments purposes of Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). 

VITEEE: Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Examination (VITEEE) is a single entrance exam for VIT Vellore, VIT Chennai, VIT Bhopal, and VIT Andhra Pradesh. This test is held on two campuses, one in Chennai and the other in Vellore. The admissions process is entirely based on the results of the VITEEE entrance exam. Candidates who want to take biotechnology engineering admission in these colleges should clear this entrance exam. 

KCET:Karnataka Common Admission Test (KCET) is a state-level entrance test administered by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). The purpose of this entrance test is to select qualified candidates for admission to various undergraduate programmes in Karnataka.

Biotechnology Engineering Colleges in India

There are many engineering colleges in India that offer courses in this field. Candidates can choose the engineering college as per their liking, specialization they want to pursue, fee structure, etc. Go through the list of top Biotechnology Engineering colleges in India given below. 

Study Biotechnology Engineering abroad

The scope of engineering is fast in global countries also. There are many Biotechnology Engineering Colleges in abroad that will offer you a dignified degree. And after completing you will get a handsome salary package in any international company. Adding to that, you will also get the options of various specializations that might not be offered in India. If you studied this program overseas, your experience working in high-tech laboratories will be beneficial to you. With a master's degree in biotechnology, you can work as a laboratory manager, biopharmaceutical specialist, plant biotechnologist, clinical research coordinator or biomedical engineer, etc

These are a few modern biotechnology sectors that need a large number of human resources and promise a bright future for the next generation. As a result, biotechnology engineering colleges will undoubtedly play a critical role in determining the country's future, not only in terms of scientific research and development but also in terms of employability.

Biotechnology Engineering Colleges in abroad

Globally, Engineering in Biotechnology course is offered in various top-notch universities and colleges. Candidates who want to pursue this course abroad have several options for Biotechnology Engineering Colleges. 

Check out the Delhi Technological University Course Fees here!

What is Biotechnology Engineering Fees?

The Engineering in Biotechnology fees vary as per the course type, college, scholarship (if any), the specialization you are an option for, and many others. The Biotechnology Engineering fees on average are between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 11,00,000. Candidates can check the Biotechnology Fees structure given below for various course types. 

Note- The Biotechnology Engineering fees can be higher or lower depending upon the colleges you are selecting. 

Quick Link: IIT Delhi Course Fees 

Required Skill Set for Biotechnology Engineering

There are certain skills that a candidate must pertain to become an outstanding Biotechnology Engineer. To pursue a degree in Engineering in Biotechnology, candidates must be well equipped with the following skillset.  

• Teamwork
• An investigative mind
• Innovative thinking
• Analytical skills
• Complex problem-solving
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail

Find out the IIT Kharagpur Course Fees here!

Biotechnology Engineering Course Curriculum

The course curriculum of Engineering in Biotechnology specialization basically combines fundamental biological science topics with rigorous engineering. In a typical UG curriculum, the following major Biotechnology Engineering subjects are taught during the program.

• Basic engineering courses: thermodynamics, materials science
• Introduction to Process Engineering
• Computational biology 
• Genetic engineering 
• Basic science courses: Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry
• Energy balance
• Chemical biology 
• Environmental science and engineering
• Clinical engineering
• Drug design 
• Human physiology 

The postgraduate biotechnology engineering course curriculum is mostly made up of advanced-level studies and subjects that provide an in-depth understanding. 

Note: The Biotechnology Engineering course curriculum might differ from one college to the next.

Quick Link: JEE Advanced Syllabus

Biotechnology Engineering Syllabus

The syllabus of this programme varies as per your course type (diploma, degree, doctorate). Throughout the programme, you will be taught various subjects like sciences, a Foundation courses in organic chemistry, cell biology, etc, If these Biotechnology Engineering subjects interest you then this career is the right choice for you. Candidates can check the  B Tech in Biotechnology Engineering Syllabus with the topics given below.  

Biotechnology Engineering Subjects

In this field of engineering candidates, basically studies about living organism and microorganisms. The major Biotechnology Engineering Subjects are Biochemistry, which is concerned with the chemistry of living creatures: gene technology, which is concerned with the manipulation of organisms' genetic architecture and molecular biology, which is concerned with the study of biology at the molecular level; 

The Biotechnology Engineering subjects and topics involve: 

• Human Biology
• Cell Biology and Biological Systems
• Chemistry
• Structural Biochemistry
• Biological Chemistry
• Plant Science
• Microbiology
• Protein Science
• Molecular Genetics
• Metabolism
• Immunology
• Physical Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Environmental Microbiology
• Genomics and Bioinformatics
• Food Microbiology

Biotechnology Engineering Scope in India

Engineering is one of the most pursued professions by Indian students. And, there are several career options available in the Engineering in Biotechnology field itself. Many private companies are researching and spending extensively on this subject.

India is one of the world's top pharmaceutical producers, and as a result, it employs the most people in this sector. There are many other businesses that provide work opportunities to candidates who have completed their education in this sector of engineering. There are plenty of career prospects in the private sector for B E or B Tech Biotechnology graduates. 

Healthcare, the chemical industry,  Pharmaceuticals, agriculture, technology, food processing, and research are just a few of the areas where Biotechnology specialists can find work. 

Check out the IIT Kharagpur Placements

Biotechnology Engineering Salary

Candidates who are skilled and trained gets a good salary in this career. The experience of candidates also matters as the type of company, position, they are working in. The Biotechnology Engineering salary in India for fresher is around Rs. 2,00,000 LPA to Rs, 3,00,000 LPA.  Most of the biotechnology engineers get a salary of around Rs. 8,00,000 LPA on average. And once candidates get experience in this field the salary is around Rs. 10,00,000 LPA to Rs. 14, 00,000 LPA. 

Check out the IIT Kanpur Course fees 

Technical Skills for Biotechnology Engineering

Candidates who want to stand out from the crowd in this field should also adapt and learn technical skills. If you get expertise in these technical skills, it will enhance your resume. Adding to that,  you will find a reputable jobs with handsome salaries in top recruiting companies. Some of the top technical skills for Engineering in Biotechnology students are 

• Tissue Culture 

Tissue culture is the process of growing cells or tissues (isolated from tissues or multicellular creatures) in a liquid, semi-solid, or solid growth media, such as agar or broth. Tissue culture is often used to describe the growth of animal cells and tissues, whereas plant tissue culture is used to describe the growth of plants. In any biological or biomedical research facility, tissue culture is one of the most extensively utilized procedures. 

• Molecular (Gene) Cloning

Molecular cloning, often known as gene cloning, is a molecular biology technique for assembling recombinant DNA molecules and controlling their replication in host organisms. 

• Western Blot

It is a common molecular biology method for detecting and analyzing proteins that may bind to certain antibodies. Western blot is a technique for demonstrating distinct features of proteins isolated from cells from a complicated mixture of proteins depending on molecular weight.

• Flow Cytometry

It is a laser- or impedance-based technique that involves suspending cells in a stream of fluid and passing them through an electronic detection system. It is used in cell counting, cell sorting, biomarker detection, and protein engineering.

Besides these technical skills, other similar kinds of skills for are 

• Confocal Microscopy
• Mass Spectrometry
• Gel Electrophoresis
• ELISA

Also read: Reasons to pursue M Tech after B Tech

Biotechnology Engineering Career Options and Job Prospects

Job opportunities in the Engineering in Biotechnology field abounding. A lot of environmental departments, healthcare services, pharmaceutical companies, drug and vaccine companies, etc. offer a good number of jobs to biotechnology engineering graduates. 

Biotechnology engineers deal with responsibilities like making use of biological systems to produce new products. They also work at universities or commercial labs and assist in various researches. 

Companies like Samsung Healthcare, Stryker, Toshiba Medical Systems, Drager, etc. recruit biotechnology engineers every year and the scope for Biotechnology students has only grown in recent years. 

A few of the job roles/positions that one can expect after completing Engineering Biotechnology are:

• Research Assistant
• Technical Assistants
• Scientists

Check out the List of Government Jobs after B Com

Biotechnology Engineering Recruiters

Both private sector and government sector companies hire candidates that specialize in Engineering in the Biotechnology field. Candidates who are meritorious and have skills get placed in good companies with decent pay.  Some of the reputed organizations that hire biotechnology engineers are 

• Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd
• Dr Reddy’s Laboratories
• AstraZeneca. 
• Department of Biotechnology 
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 
• Academic Institutions: NITs/IITs/Central universities 
• Ranbaxy 
• Avesthagen Technologies Pvt Ltd
• Bharath Biotechnology
• Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited
• Aventis Pharmaceuticals.

Also read: Merchant Navy career

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