All about Biotechnology

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary science including not only biology, but also subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering. It is a blend of various technologies applied together to living cells for production of a particular product or for improving upon it. Its use and application ranges from fields like agriculture to industry (food, pharmaceutical, chemical, bioproducts, textiles etc.), medicine, nutrition, environmental conservation, animal sciences etc. making it one of the fastest growing fields. The work is generally carried out in the laboratories, as it is a scientific research oriented field.

#Nature of Work:
The nature of work of biotechnologists, being interdisciplinary, requires working together of people from different fields such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, engineering, food science, agriculture etc. Some of the fields where biotechnology studies are applicable are as follows.

>MEDICINE AND HEALTH CARE:
Biotechnology's application in this area has helped in the development of various medicines, vaccines and diagnostics.

>INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT:
Both the government and the private sector employ biotechnologists. They conduct research and development work, for increasing productivity, improving energy production and conservation, minimizing pollution and industrial waste etc.

>Environmental biotechnology has become another area of extensive work due to the dangers brought about by increasing levels of environmental pollution.

#Professional Courses:
Candidates having background in science at the intermediate level can take up:

B.Tech in Biotechnology.
P.G. courses available are
M.Sc. Biotechnology
M.Sc. (Agriculture) Biotechnology
M.V.Sc. (Animal) Biotechnology
M.Tech. Biotechnology,
M.Sc./ M.V.Sc.
Veterinary Biotechnology
M.Sc. (Marine) Biotechnology
Medical Biotechnology
M.Tech. in Biomedical
Engineering/Biotechnology.

Depending upon the aptitude and necessity, more advanced courses such
Ph.D. and Post- DoctoralResearch in Biotechnology can also be pursued.


fresh IIT pass outs may get anything in the range of Rs. 70,000 p.a. to Rs. 85,000 p.a. and fresh B.Sc./ B. Tech. graduates from other universities may get anything in the range of Rs. 50,000 p.a. to Rs. 70,000 p.a. Those workimg in the research institutes can expect something around Rs. 60,000 p.a.