What makes Biotechnology a sought-after study option for Science students?

The most critical after Class 12 is to find a promising field for Biology students other than medical. One of the emerging field among these students is Biotechnology that leads to an ocean of opportunities for those who want to live their dreams of contributing to society as well as earn a handsome amount.

Biotechnology is all about using living organisms or biological systems to make or modify products or processes useful to mankind. It is one of the most demanding and popular career options among Biology aspirants who wish to explore the applied aspects of biological science.

The three-year degree programme in biotechnology exposes students to basic subjects such as Biotechnology and Chemistry. Some reputed colleges have an option to take Microbiology or Computer Science or Pharmaceutical Chemistry as one of the subjects with Chemistry and Biotechnology, which one can choose according to interest and career opportunities. Apart from these, the programme offers an opportunity to learn entrepreneurial skills and environmental awareness with knowledge of languages as foundation subjects.

Eligibility for BSc in Biotechnology

Aspirants looking to apply for admission to BSc programme in Biotechnology must have a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent in Class 12 from a recognised board of education with Biology as a core subject.

Scope of BSc in Biotechnology

Biotechnology has a vast scope in diverse sections such as health, agriculture, seed technology, immunology, microbiology and now after Covid-19 outbreak, there has been a great demand for Virologists, Molecular Biology Experts, Vaccinologists, etc. Be it sampling from Covid-19 patients or developing molecular diagnostic kit or finding a remedy in terms of antiviral drugs or vaccines, biotechnologists have their roles. In elucidation of the structure of pathogen, its pathophysiology, understanding prophylaxis and possible treatment, biotechnologists are required. 

Skilled biotechnologists are needed everywhere whether it be industrial sector such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, agriculture, animal husbandry, etc. Environment, food, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals are the prominent fields where one can work after specialisation in the concerned subject. Genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics skilled professionals are in great demand all over the world. Clinical research and pharmacovigilance is another lucrative career option for biotechnologists.

Textile and cosmetic industries are experimenting with biological systems to make their product environment friendly and again biotechnologist comes into the role.

Job Responsibilities of Biotechnologists

1. Cell culture analyst/ Biomedical scientist: Working on mammalian and/or primary cell lines to be used in preclinical experiments or establishment and maintenance of embryonic stem cell lines, for use in therapeutics and regenerative medicine is interesting work for biotechnologist
2. Product/ process development scientist: Manufacturing companies need them to monitor unit operations, develop new ideas for innovative products or improve existing processes for effective and efficient development
3. Research & Development scientist: R&D scientists can work in the public or private sector, in various fields. Talking about them in pharmaceuticals, they work to produce vaccines, antibiotics and other medicinal products against deadly organisms to prevent infections, diseases and disorders, etc.
4. Plant tissue culture scientist: Vast application in forestry and horticulture to maintain the population of endangered and rare species of plants. Development of disease-free plants with superior quality, secondary metabolites production and maintenance of plants with medicinal properties are few job responsibilities that a biotechnologist has to fulfill
5. Food technologists or scientists: Right from food manufacturing to processing, packaging to storage and maintaining quality by analyzing food for the presence of toxic microorganisms to cause food intoxications is the primary responsibility of Food technologist or scientist
6. Forensic laboratory scientist: Forensic laboratory scientists apply a scientific approach to examine the evidence and use the knowledge of molecular biology to get DNA from crime site by blood or other body fluids, hairs, bone, etc., and help to find the criminal by DNA analysis
7. Food safety/ security officers: Food safety/ security officers need to check the food products by inspecting food processing facilities and procedures to ensure proper guidelines and regulations are being followed to ensure the safety of consumers from intoxication

Other than this, there are many more options in Agro-based Industries, Aquaculture, Environment Conservation, Bioprocessing Industry and Genetic Engineering labs for biotechnology professionals.

About the author

Dr Shivani Dubey is Senior Assistant Professor of Biotechnology in Department of Biosciences at Acropolis Institute of Management Studies and Research, Indore. She has over twelve years of experience teaching Biotechnology and Microbiology students.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha