MSc Biotechnology

MSc Biotechnology is a two-year postgraduate degree programme that focuses on the use of biological processes to create new products and technologies in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, food, energy, and the environment. The use of living organisms or their products to improve and develop processes, products, and technologies is known as Biotechnology.

MSc Biotechnology syllabus includes Molecular Biology, Immunology, Cell Biology, Bacteriology and Virology, Environmental Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, Plant Biotechnology, and Biological Chemistry and other topics. Such intricate knowledge of the biological world and understanding of how to apply that knowledge would frequently lead to extremely lucrative job roles across various industries, not only in India but also around the world. Graduates will find jobs in large pharmaceutical companies or a variety of healthcare and medical institutions in India and around the world. 

To be eligible for MSc Biotechnology, applicants must have a bachelor's degree in Science with a specialisation in any biological sciences. Graduates of BAMS, BHMS, BPT, and BPharm are also eligible for MSc in Biotechnology admission. Applicants must have at least 50% in aggregate at the undergraduate level. MSc Biotechnology admissions are made either on merit or through an entrance examination. Exams are held once a year, usually in May. When candidates pass the entrance examination, they are invited to a personal interview. Some of the MSc Biotechnology colleges are University of Calcutta, BHU, JNU, etc. Top MSc Biotechnology Colleges fees ranging from INR 2,000 to INR 60,000 on average. 

Candidates with an MSc Biotechnology degree can work in healthcare or pharmaceutical companies. For those interested in biology and its applications, an MSc in Biotechnology is an option. They can pursue a career in research after earning a PhD in Biotechnology. MSc Biotechnology is an applied science field concerned with bioprocesses in Engineering, Medicine, Technology, and other fields. MSc Biotechnology job positions include Research Biochemist, Biotechnology Researcher, Associate Engineer, Quality Controller, and others. The starting salary for an MSc in Biotechnology is between INR 3.50 - INR 5.40 LPA.

The following are the major highlights of the MSc Biotechnology programme:

Students who have completed their BSc Biotechnology degree are eligible, and they should pursue an MSc Biotechnology degree for better career opportunities. However, it is recommended that students who possess the following characteristics enrol in the MSc Biotechnology programme.

• Students should be interested in Biological Sciences and living organisms, as well as technological advancements
• In the field of biological science, one must be willing to research and explore new things using technology
• In order to implement technological processes, students must understand the genetics of plants and animals as well as be familiar with the genetics of organisms

In almost every field today, a postgraduate degree is necessary for career advancement. Students can therefore consider the benefits of enrolling in the MSc Biotechnology course that is listed below.

• For MSc Biotechnology graduates, there are numerous top companies in the Food Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical, Environmental Control, Waste Management, Public Funded Laboratories, Chemical, Food Processing, and other related industries 
• After earning their MSc in Biotechnology, students can find employment in a variety of bioprocessing sectors in positions like Production, Management, and Planning. After receiving an MSc in Biotechnology, students who want to dive into technological advancements can look into positions as research associates
• Students can learn a variety of experiments under the guidance of experienced scientists and make novel discoveries
• At prestigious universities that provide BSc and MSc Biotechnology courses, students may also be able to work as assistant professors. They can also work in Management, Quality Assurance, Research Administration, Sales and Marketing, and Technical Support, among other positions

Some of the MSc Biotechnology courses available to students are listed below. 

Full-time MSc Biotechnology

The most commonly available and opted among aspirants, the full-time MSc Biotechnology is a 2-year research-based degree programme. Students will be expected to attend classroom lectures, clear semester-wise examinations and present projects or research thesis either at the end of their course programme or at regular intervals throughout the course.

Part-time MSc Biotechnology

Universities also offer part-time options to students who would otherwise be unable to attend full-time classroom lectures. Such a programme would see the completion of the programme within 3-4 years and would entail nearly similar targets and course requirements as that seen in a full-time course.

Distance-Learning MSc Biotechnology

Some institutions also offer distance learning as an option for aspirants as well. Such courses would usually last over 4 years and would require students to present dissertations or research projects, appear for examinations and attend lectures online.

Note: While these are the various types of MSc Biotechnology courses, keep in mind that the number of courses available in each type will vary. Because the full-time programme is the most popular and commonly chosen by aspirants, it will be the most common degree type from which students can choose; however, seats at each institution will be limited and highly competitive. Part-time MSc Biotechnology courses will have less competition and more seats, while distance learning courses will have even more.

MSc Biotechnology syllabus is a combination of both theoretical and practical knowledge. MSc Biotechnology  syllabus has been divided into four semesters and it is a mixture of theory classes, assignments, practical classes, internship, project work, and examination. MSc Biotechnology subjects are properly covered during the two years of course duration.

MSc Biotechnology Subjects

The students can check the MSc biotechnology subject list taught during the course tenure.

 Candidates must ensure that they are eligible for MSc Biotechnology admission before applying for the course. The following are the MSc Biotechnology eligibility criteria:

MSc Biotechnology admission is granted based on both;

• Merit 
• Entrance Exam

However, MSc Biotechnology admission is granted by recognised institutes in India through an entrance exam mostly. Candidates must first look up the admissions process for the respective institute before applying for MSc Biotechnology admission. Students must ensure that they meet the minimum eligibility requirements in order to take the entrance exam. The candidate will be shortlisted for MSc Biotechnology admission in the respective institute based on their performance in the entrance exam.

But some colleges in India also provide direct admission, or admission without taking an entrance exam, for MSc Biotechnology. In this situation, the applicant must apply directly to the institute and make sure they are meeting the cut off to be eligible for direct admission.

Since different colleges and universities look for different kinds of entrance exams, the MSc Biotechnology admissions process varies from college to college. However, there are some basics that students must take in order to be admitted to MSc Biotechnology courses. The steps listed below can be checked by students. 

Step 1- The students need to select the MSc Biotechnology college from where they want to pursue MSc Biotechnology. They must look for the dates of application and admission. 

Step 2- Once the application process starts and there is a link for applying online/offline, the students must apply for the examination and cross check other details. 

Step 3- The students must prepare for the examination and sit for the same. The students must go through the past examination papers and syllabus in order to prepare well. 

Step 4- The students can check results on the official website and if they have qualified the examination, they need to attend the counseling session organised by the respective colleges or universities. The students also need to pay a minimal fee in order to attend the counseling session. 

Step 5- The final admission list of the selected students are released by the colleges after all other steps have been completed. The lists of the student’s name are released on the official website. The students are provided an offer letter to take admission in MSc Biotechnology courses. 

Step 6- The students need to accept the offer letter and pay the required MSc Biotechnology fee structure in a stipulated time frame. The MSc Biotechnology admission process gets over once the students have paid their fees. 

Most of the colleges that offer MSc Biotechnology courses take entrance examinations for MSc Biotechnology admission. The students must check the list of some of the popular MSc Biotechnology entrance examinations. 

• BITSAT - BITSAT is conducted by Bits Pilani for the undergraduate engineering students to offer admission in postgraduate for campuses in Goa, Pilani and Hyderabad. The exam is conducted in 2 sessions and in an online mode. Almost 3 lakhs students apply for this exam.

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• TISS NET - TISS NET is conducted by Tata Institute of Social Sciences to offer admission in 52 masters degree programme. It is a national level entrance test.It is located in Mumba but it has varius campuses in India.

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• IPU CET - IPU CET stands for Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test which is conducted annually for admission into UG and PG programmes. It is a university level examination and conducted at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.

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• CUET - CUET stands for Central University Entrance Test and it is conducted annually to offer admission in various UG and PG programmes. NTA conducts the CUET exam every year. Delhi University conducts a PG Entrance exam for various courses. 

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Below are the differences between the MSc in Biotechnology and other courses:

MSc Biotechnology vs MSc Biochemistry

Even though the duration of both the courses is two years, there are some basic differences between MSc Biotechnology and MSc Biochemistry. It is important for the students to keep a note about the differences in these two courses to decide the course of their choice wisely. The table given below represents the difference between these two courses. 

MSc Biotechnology vs MSc Microbiology

These two courses are similar nature courses with some basic differences. While one talks about cell biology and immunology with the advancement of technology, the other deals with the study of the smallest level of organisms. The students must check the details about the differences in order to select the right choice of the course they want to pursue. The duration of the course is same for both the courses. The students can refer to the table given below to check the details of the differences with reference to the criteria mentioned. 

Most of the colleges that offer BSc Biotechnology admission also offer MSc Biotechnology admission for postgraduate students. MSc Biotechnology is a popular course and its demand is also increasing among the students because of better career opportunities. The students can check the list of top leading MSc Biotechnology colleges and universities that offer MSc Biotechnology course. The MSc Biotechnology fee is also mentioned for the MSc Biotechnology top colleges. 

Note: The figures mentioned above are subject to change.

MSc Biotechnology Top Private Colleges in India

There are many private MSc Biotechnology colleges in India that offer MSc Biotechnology admission. It is not very easy to get admission in the best private MSc Biotechnology colleges as the competition is very high and the students have to appear for entrance examinations and personal interviews in certain cases. One of the major drawbacks of private colleges is that the tuition fees of these colleges are very high as compared to the government colleges. Some of the best private MSc Biotechnology colleges are listed below. 

Note: The figures mentioned above are subject to change.

MSc Biotechnology Top Government Colleges in India

There are prestigious government colleges that offer MSc Biotechnology admission. The students have to go through a rigorous process of selection by appearing in different competitive entrance examinations. The good part of government colleges is that it can be afforded by everyone irrespective of their financial condition. The government colleges consider education as right and hence the tuition fees are very nominal. The list of best government MSc Biotechnology colleges are given below. 

Note: The figures mentioned above are subject to change. 

The students can check the few MSc Biotechnology books that are referred by top colleges for teaching the MSc Biotechnology subjects. The students are advised to refer to books during the MSc Biotechnology course tenure so that they can properly learn things and grasp the course knowledge effectively. 

Being a research-based programme, universities and colleges offering MSc Biotechnology in India will follow a similar course structure across the board with slight changes. Considering the type of programme it is, students will also be required to take part in research projects, dissertations or thesis work, as part of their curriculum. Here is the basic course structure for MSc Biotechnology followed by universities and colleges offering the course:

• Core Subjects
• Elective Subjects
• Practical/Laboratory Sessions
• Research Projects
• Dissertation
• Thesis Projects
• Internships

Each university reserves the right to define the course structure it wishes to offer candidates applying for the programme. This includes whether students will be required to complete a dissertation or thesis as part of their curriculum as well as the number of credits each student needs to complete to be considered qualified as an MSc Biotechnology graduate.

It is important for the students to possess specific skills in order to excel in any field. Any students who wish to purse MSc Biotechnology course must have other skills along with inclination to learn the course. Some of the skills that the students should have to get a postgraduate degree in MSc Biotechnology are listed below. 

The students mostly look for a suitable MSc Biotechnology job after completing the MSc Biotechnology course. Some students also opt for higher education in the research area and they complete their PhD in the relevant field. There are many areas in biotechnology where students can work and get jobs such as pharmaceutical company, food processing sector, colleges and universities, agricultural sector, engineering, animal husbandry, research sector and many other similar areas. The students can check the Job profiles and their details after pursuing MSc Biotechnology course.

• Sr. Associate Scientist

This profile requires examination of the engineered T-cell expansion where the candidates need to produce perfect essays. They also examine immune phenotype and form SOPs which will be used to collect samples and process them. All the collected essays are then transferred by them to the clinical locations and CROs. Apart from collection and examining, they also do data analysis and result communication to the other functional teams of the project. 

• Research Biochemist

The job of biochemist is to study the chemistry of all processes that are living in nature. They are involved in research activities and are responsible for transferring specific characteristics from on organism to another. For example- resistance to disease. 

• Sr. Regulatory Affairs Associate

As the organization related to food industries and processing requires ISO certifications, all these activities related to certifications are managed by them. They also manage the compliance as needed by the ISO and FDA and helps in providing support for Quality System Manual and Quality Policy.  They also manage the training activities such as quality control, regulatory policies, audit management, processes, etc. for the employees

• Associate Engineer

The work of the associate engineers is to provide assistance to the project engineers. They look after all maintenance related to the routine engineering works. They work under Senior Engineer’s supervision and learn the processes actively. 

• Quality Controller

They maintain the quality by ensuring the production of precise and reliable data for all the tests conducted in the laboratory. These tests can further be used for scientific and clinical investigations. They strictly adhere to methodologies for performing routine tasks in order to ensure perfect outcomes as part of their job. 

• Regional Manager

It is one of the important profiles as they are responsible for generating leads for revenue generation. They are also responsible for implementing and executing business plans for the organization. They also make market strategies and execute them. Their jobs include conducting campaigns, seminars, meetings, exhibitions and promotional events. 

MSc Biotechnology is a very relevant course for the students as there are large areas of employment opportunities. The students can choose their preference from multiple areas of employment. MSc Biotechnology gives students an opportunity to make a career in various fields. Some of the job roles that an MSc Biotechnology candidate can choose are as follows:

Top Companies Hiring After MSc Biotechnology

The students of MSc Biotechnology are hired by many leading organizations and multinational companies. The students can check the list of top companies that offer jobs after doing MSc Biotechnology degree course. 

• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited
• Serum Institute of India
• Wockhardt
• GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited
• Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited
• Shantha Biotechnics Limited
• Panacea Biotech Limited
• Biocon
• Indian Immunologicals Limited 

There are multiple scopes after completing MSc Biotechnology but there are two prominent sectors where students get most of the opportunities. The sectors are medical biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology. Medical biotechnology is more fascinating and is growing rapidly as compared to agricultural biotechnology. Medical Biotechnology field employs maximum students who have completed MSc Biotechnology as medical biotechnology generates about 70 percent of the total revenue in the biotechnology sector. There are primarily three categories of companies that are prevalent in this sector. 

• Small Startups- These startups make biotech products in India. They are made primarily for Indian market and facilitate these products at a lesser cost. For Example, Bharat Biotech, Shantha Biotech, etc. 
• Large Pharmaceutical Groups- These are those organizations that supply drugs all across the nation and at global level also. For Example- Dr. Reddy Laboratory (DRL), Ranbaxy Laboratories, and Wockhardt Ltd. 
• Emerging Startups- These organizations are ready to start their operation as Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and they function for the transnational corporations. 

The starting salary for MSc Biotechnology students ranges from INR 3 - 6 LPA but after gaining experience, they typically earn between INR 6 - INR 8 LPA. Students can look up the typical salary and job descriptions they can expect to find after completing an MSc in Biotechnology.  

MSc Biotechnology Starting Salary

After the completion of MSc Biotechnology course, a candidate can expect a starting salary ranging between INR 3 - 6 LPA. The pay scale increases with years of experience and varies according to the job role.

The students after completing MSc Biotechnology can easily get a job in different areas as mentioned above. Apart from jobs in different pharmaceutical organizations, the students of MSc Biotechnology can explore advanced courses to further their career. Some of the common advanced courses are mentioned below.

PhD or Research Program- The highest degree in the same field is an option for MSc Biotechnology students. They can choose to conduct biotechnology-related research in the area of their choice of specialisation, finish their PhD within 3 to 5 years, and continue to work as instructors. Admission to PhD programmes is not very straightforward. The chosen students must go through the entrance exam and personal interview processes of the chosen college. 

Management Program- For better career prospects, students can also choose to enrol in a management programme and earn an MBA or PGDM. Students who are interested in managing biotechnology organisations can enrol in MBA programmes in the relevant fields. Competitive entrance exams like the CAT, MAT, XAT, and GMAT are required for admission to reputable MBA colleges. However, some colleges also grant admission to MBA programmes based on merit. Additionally, the students must participate in group discussions and individual interviews. 

Government Jobs- Along with working in their primary area of specialisation, students have the option of sitting for the civil services examination if they meet the age requirements and eligibility requirements for the same. They must adequately prepare for the entrance exam. The career options and scope is huge in this field as the competition is little less as compared to other popular domains.