BSc Biotechnology Course & Admission Details, Subjects & Eligibility

Biotechnology is one of the most important branches of modern science. As the name suggests, it can be defined as the combined study of biology and technology, opening the doors to a number of new discoveries. It involves the development of new products, methods, and organisms intended to improve human health and society.

There are several biotech courses available, with B.Sc. Biotechnology being one of them. This is a 3-year graduation course that allows the candidates to learn more about biotechnology and its applications. Graduation in biotechnology includes advanced study of biological processes meant for industrial and other purposes.

Let’s dive deeper and discuss some important details about the B.Sc. Biotechnology course:

Why Choose B.Sc. biotechnology as a Career?

In recent years, the Indian biotechnology industry has been growing at a fast pace. As a result, biotech courses gained huge traction. This is one of the most progressive and innovative branches of modern science. Biotechnology covers subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and mathematics. It also includes the development of new products and technologies with the ultimate aim of ameliorating human lives.

This is an industry with enormous learning opportunities, as new innovative ideas surface every day. Other than this, there are endless employment opportunities as well for individuals with a B.Sc. degree in biotechnology. Owing to all these reasons, B.Sc. Biotechnology is definitely a career worth pursuing.

Mode of Admission in B.Sc. Biotechnology

Generally, an eligible candidate can obtain admission to a B.Sc. Biotechnology course on the basis of a merit list. The marks scored in 10+2 are the key factors. However, there are a few universities and colleges that conduct their own entrance exams for the screening of applicants.

B.Sc. Biotechnology vs. B.Tech. Biotechnology

Here is a comparison of both the biotechnology courses in detail:

Duration: B.Sc. Biotechnology and B.Tech. Biotechnology are both graduation courses. The main difference is that the duration for B.Sc. is 3 years while for B.Tech is 4 years.

Subjects: The syllabus of B.Tech has subjects covering both the biological sciences as well as the engineering aspect of biotechnology. On the other hand, B.Sc. is focused on biological sciences. There are only a few subjects related to industrial processes, but the main emphasis remains on R&D in the biological sciences fields.

Career Scope: After obtaining a B.Tech. degree in biotechnology, students can find jobs in pharmaceutical companies, research labs, etc. Similarly, individuals with a B.Sc. in biotechnology can also find well-paying jobs in various industries, including agriculture, animal husbandry, environment conservation, genetic engineering, health care, etc.

Course Fee: Despite having somewhat similar job opportunities, B.Tech. biotechnology is way more expensive as compared to B.Sc. Biotechnology courses. This is one of the main reasons why more students opt for B.Sc. instead of B.Tech.  

How to Get Admission in B.Sc. Biotechnology?

Here are the admission-related details of the B.Sc. Biotech course: -

• Merit-Based Admission: Some colleges accept candidates solely on the basis of merit. This is determined by the marks one scored in 10+2 or its equivalent course.
• Entrance-Based Admission: There are some universities and colleges that conduct an entrance test for students who want to take admission to a B.Sc. Biotechnology course.

Popular BSc Biotechnology Entrance Exams

There are a number of renowned universities and colleges in India that offer several biotechnology courses including B.Sc. Biotechnology. Some of the popular entrance exams for B.Sc. Biotechnology held by these institutions are:

• JMI Entrance Exam
• BHU UET at Banaras Hindu University
• AMUEE at Aligarh Muslim University
• IISER Aptitude Test
• JEE for IIT
• ICAR AIEEA- UG
• CG PAT
• JCECE
• DUET
• KCET
• KIITEE and many more

B.Sc. Biotechnology Eligibility

If you are planning to B.Sc. Biotechnology admission , you should know important course details, like eligibility criteria. The following are the eligibility requirements to enroll in a graduation course in biotechnology:

• The candidate must have passed 10+2 or any other equivalent course in either biology or mathematics. Students with agriculture as their elective subjects can also apply for B.Sc. Biotechnology.
• He/she must have scored at least 50% marks in 10+2. However, the minimum % can vary from one college to another.
• Universities hold entrance exams for admission to renowned colleges. A candidate must pass those exams in order to be considered for admission.
• Reservations for ST/SC, sports and physically handicapped individuals will be applicable as per the norms.

B.Sc. Biotechnology Syllabus

The entire B.Sc. Biotechnology course has been divided into 6 semesters, with each one having 5-6 subjects on average. These subjects mainly cover different topics, including biophysics & instrumentation, cell structure & dynamics, principles of microbiology, molecular genetics, etc.

BSc Biotechnology Subjects

The course of B. Sc. Biotechnology includes both theoretical and practical subjects and the last year includes generic elective courses. The syllabus of Biotechnology in the respective semesters is-

B.Sc. Biotechnology Fees Structure

The average annual fee for a B.Sc. course in biotechnology ranges between INR 50,000-INR 2,00,000. However, this fee may vary depending on the college or university.

B.Sc. Biotechnology Scope

Candidates who have completed their biotech graduation courses like B.Sc. Biotechnology have plenty of job opportunities. They can either start working or go for higher studies. There is the option of pursuing a master's degree in biotechnology as well. After completing the post-graduation course, they can find several employment opportunities in the research and development field.

B.Sc. Biotechnology Jobs and Salary

There are several industries that are offering jobs to candidates who have completed a B.Sc. in biotechnology. Some of these are agriculture, animal husbandry, environment conservation, genetic engineering, health care, medicine, etc. Government hospitals, bio-industries, and research organizations are also among the top recruiters of these candidates. An individual's salary is determined by the role they are working on and their industry experience.

The common roles offered to them are:

• Lab technician
• Project manager
• Teacher
• Microbiologists
• Epidemiologists
• Bio-production Operators
• Bio-manufacturing Specialists

Frequently Asked Questions about BSc Biotechnology Course

1. What are the jobs after B.Sc. in Biotechnology?

Some of the common job profiles offered after completing B.Sc. Biotechnology are:

• Research Executives      
• Bio-informist     
• Lab Assistant
• Clinical Researcher         
• Biotech Specialist            
• Biostatistician   

• Microbiologists
• Epidemiologists
• Bio-production Operators

2. Is it necessary to have Mathematics as a subject in 12th to apply for B. Sc. Biotechnology?

No, mathematics is not necessary for B. Sc. Biotechnology. It is necessary only if you’re applying for B. Tech.

3. Can I work in a hospital after B.Sc. Biotechnology?

Yes. You can definitely find a job in government and private hospitals after B.Sc. Biotechnology. Hospitals offer a number of job roles for biotech graduates.

4. Which field of biotechnology has the highest salary?

The salary of an individual who has a B.Sc. degree in biotechnology majorly depends on the role they are working on and their industry experience. However, clinical researchers, biotech specialists, and microbiologists are some of the job profiles with a better pay scale.

5. Which is better, B.Sc. Biology or B.Sc. Biotechnology?

Biology is a branch of science that includes the study of living organisms. Biotechnology, on the other hand, is a branch of biology itself but includes several technical aspects. It involves the study of living organisms with the purpose of developing products for human beings. Both the courses have their own advantages and offer good job opportunities.

6.What are the benefits of B.Sc. Biotechnology?

B.Sc. Biotechnology is a graduation course that focuses on the applications of biology in the industry for the benefit of human beings. This is a field with an immense career scope. Some of the major job opportunities after B.Sc. Biotechnology include forensic science technicians, medical scientists, microbiologists, environmental biotechnologists, epidemiologists, R&D scientists, and biochemists, etc.