A Guide to Pursuing a B.Sc. Biotechnology Degree

Tracking attendance with the biometric system in the office, developing recyclable plastics with synthetic organisms or creating artificial intelligence for the medical field. All these inventions are the gifts of biotechnologists. 

If you can also make a career in this field then doing a BSc Biotechnology course is the right choice for you. 

With the CAGR rate of 8.7% the biotechnology market will only rise in success. To make a great career in this area, you need to start with a bachelor’s education in biotechnology, which opens.

Here you will get to know all about the BSc Biotechnology course and the career paths you can choose after this.  

What is BSc Biotechnology? 

Biotechnology is a branch of applied Biology. It is defined as a deliberate and controlled manipulation of biological systems (cell components or living cells) to efficiently develop or process various valuable products and technologies. 

The BSc Biotechnology course is a 3-year undergraduate course. Under this course, students are taught how to use technology to develop necessary and proper products from living organisms. 

Each year, almost 40,000 students enrol themselves in this undergraduate course. To apply for a bachelor’s in biotechnology course, one must pass the 10+2 level exam from any recognized board of education. A BSc Biotechnology course aspirant must have Biology, Physics, and Chemistry as compulsory subjects in their 10+2 exam. 

BSc Biotechnology: Course Highlights 

Now, let’s look at the biotech course details in the table below.

Course Level	Undergraduate
Course Duration	Bachelor of Science Biotechnology
Full Form	3 years
Eligibility	Candidates must clear the 12th or an equivalent exam with a minimum of 55-60% marks. Some colleges also conduct an entrance admission test to admit freshers to the course.
Subjects	Plant Biotechnology, Principles of Immunology, Genetics, etc.
Top Colleges	JMI New Delhi, Mount Carmel College, St. Xavier College, Fergusson College, etc.
Average Annual Fees	Rs. 25,000 to 7,00,000
Top Recruiting Sectors	Chemical Manufacturers, Biotechnology Consultation Agencies, Animal Husbandry, Hospitals, etc.
Job Positions	Lab Technician, Research Scientist, Biotech Analyst, Epidemiologist, etc.
Average Annual Salary	Around Rs. 5.7 lakhs

Also Read:
BTech Biotechnology – Course Details and Jobs
BSc Courses and Jobs in India

BSc Biotechnology Syllabus and Subjects 

A Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology course is generally three years. These three years are divided into six semesters. The entire curriculum is divided into a series of 6 semesters. BSc biotechnology subjects for each semester are different. This is the list of semester-wise distribution of subjects.

Semester 1 

Chemical and Physical Biology

Introduction to Biotechnology and Cell Biology

Biochemistry

Fundamentals of Microbiology

Introduction to Computer Science

Biophysics and Instrumentation

Macromolecular Analysis and Structure

Cell Dynamics and Structure

Biophysical Chemistry

Biomathematics

Genetics and Cell Biology

Semester 2 

Principles of Transmission Genetics

Introduction to C-Programming and Digital Logic.

Principles of Microbiology

Organic Mechanisms in Biology

Fundamentals of Biocomputing, Biostatistics, and Biochemistry

Chemistry and Microbial Physiology

Cytogenetic Techniques

Semester 3

Principles of Immunology

Microbial Genetics

Plant Biotechnology

Animal and Plant Tissue Culture- Techniques and Applications

Fundamentals of Molecular Biochemistry

Microbial Diversity

Cellular Metabolism

Semester 4 

Molecular Biology Techniques

Biodiversity and Taxonomy

Animal Biotechnology

Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

Protein Science

Molecular Genetics

Introduction to Computer Networking, Numerical Analysis, and DBMS

Environmental Biotechnology

Bioinformatics and Analytical Techniques

Genomics – Integrative Cell Biology

Semester 5 

Recombinant DNA Technology

Industrial Biotechnology

Environmental Biotechnology

Immunology

DNA Typing and Proteomics

Semester 6 

Model Organisms in Human Genome

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Medical Biotechnology

Element Management

Applications of Biotechnology (Animals and Plants)

Biotechnology – Ethical, Social, and Legal Issues

Advanced Molecular Techniques

Analytical Techniques

Bioinformatics

Difference Between BSc Biotechnology and BSc Biology 

Both Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and BSc biology are 3-year-long undergraduate courses with few other similarities. Nevertheless, there are certain differences between the two courses. 

BSc Biotechnology	BSc Biology
Biotechnology is a branch of biology	Biology is a branch of science
Biotechnology deals with the study of living organisms	Biology deals with using living organisms to develop various products for human benefit.
Biotechnology is based on botany and zoology.	Biology is based on modern advancements in medical procedures and medicine.
Biotechnology has more scope because it is a technical field.	Biology has less scope than Biotechnology because it isn’t a technical field.

Top Colleges for BSc Biotechnology 

In India, there are about 1268 colleges that offer BSc biotech courses to aspiring candidates. But these 5 are top BSc Biotechnology colleges in India. 

Institute Name	No. of Seats	Mode of Admission	Estimated Fees (in INR)
Fergusson College, Pune	45	Merit-list based	26,355
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysore	40	Merit-list based	1.15 lakhs
St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad	45	Merit-list based	29,995
JMI, New Delhi	35	Merit-list based	24,000
Loyola College, Chennai	70	Merit-list based	34,680

Jobs After BSc Biotechnology in India 

Job Profile	Average Salary (in INR)
Lab Technician	2.1 LPA
Microbiologist	2.4 LPA
Biostatistician	4 LPA
Epidemiologist	6 LPA
Biochemist	2.4 LPA
Clinical Research Analyst	4 LPA
Medical Representative	2.5 LPA
Medical Writer	4.6 LPA
Biotechnology Instructor	4.9 LPA
Quality Controller	2 LPA

1. Lab Technician 

A Lab Technician, also known as a Laboratory technician, works in laboratory settings. They usually work on behalf of various healthcare facilities. A biotechnology laboratory technician also assists scientists in conducting various research activities.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

The roles and responsibilities of a Lab Technician are as follows: 

• Collecting, preparing, and analyzing body samples, such as tissues and blood. 
• Maintaining laboratory equipment 
• Procuring laboratory supplies 

2. Microbiologist 

A Microbiologist studies various microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Microbiologists try to understand how such microorganisms grow, interest, and live in their environments. A microbiologist might work in laboratories, universities, or research institutes.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

The roles and responsibilities of a Microbiologist are as follows: 

• Tracking the development of environmental microorganisms 
• Growing microbe cultures 
• Writing research papers, reviews, and reports. 

3. Biostatistician 

Biostatisticians collect and analyze data for public health purposes using statistics and math. They determine the factors influencing the health and overall well-being of animals, humans, and ecology. Using this knowledge, they deliver studies, predictions, and statistics on diseases and other health risks.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

The roles and responsibilities of a Biostatistician are as follows: 

• Develop various methodologies for collecting data. 
• Design clinical trials to evaluate new drugs 
• Provide biostatistical consultation to clients 

4. Epidemiologist 

The job of an epidemiologist is to find the source of the outbreak of various infectious diseases. They also try to recognize those at risk from such outbreaks and figure out ways to prevent such contagious diseases from spreading. They might work in hospitals or teach in universities, it is a good career option after BSc Biotechnology.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

The roles and responsibilities of an Epidemiologist are as follows: 

• Create and manage various public health programs. 
• Analyze data and then find conclusions by performing laboratory tests. 

• Trace the root causes of multiple diseases/infections 

5. Biochemist 

Biochemists study various physical, chemical, and biological properties of living organisms, such as cell development, heredity, and growth. They attempt to understand how certain types of chemical reactions happen in the tissues of various living organisms and the effects of medicines on the tissues of organisms. 

A biochemist aims to improve the quality of human life by trying to understand living organisms at the molecular level.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

The roles and responsibilities of a Biochemist are as follows: 

• Writing scholarly articles about the research findings. 
• Raising funds for research projects. 
• Studying the chemical processes, functions, and composition of living organisms. 

Recommended Read: Best Career Options for You After BSc Biology  

6. Clinical Research Analyst 

Clinical research analysts work on various medical research projects to evaluate the efficiency and safety of various medical devices and drugs. They might work with clinical trial coordinators, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

The roles and responsibilities of a clinical research analyst are as follows: 

• Recording research findings in a notebook or database for future reference. 
• Conducting laboratory tests such as urinalysis and blood work. 
• Coordinating clinical research studies by identifying and interacting with patients, collecting data, and tracking inventory. 

7. Medical Representative 

BSc Biotechnology graduates can also work as medical representatives. Medical representatives promote and sell pharmaceutical companies’ medications, medical equipment, and prescription drugs. They work as mediators between pharmaceuticals, healthcare professionals, and medical companies.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

The roles and responsibilities of a medical representative are as follows: 

• Researching the performances of rival companies’ medications in the market. 
• Developing and maintaining strong business relationships with customers to encourage them to purchase repeatedly. 
• Scheduling appointments with various healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists and doctors, to promote a particular company’s medications. 

8. Medical Writer 

BSc Biotechnology graduates with a flair for writing can become medical writers once they finish their biotech course. A medical writer creates well-structured documents that include content for healthcare websites, clinical research documents, health magazines, news, and journals. 

Medical writers write both non-regulatory and regulatory articles. Regulatory materials include documents written for various regulatory agencies to seek approval for multiple drugs, devices, and biologics. Such documents include study reports, clinical trial protocols, etc. Non-regulatory materials include promotional content and educational content.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

The roles and responsibilities of a medical writer are as follows: 

• Liaising directly with authors/speakers and clients on various projects 

• Monitoring deadlines to ensure that projects are delivered on time 
• Assisting junior writers 

9. Biotechnology Instructor 

After obtaining a degree in Biotechnology, one can become a Biotechnology instructor. Biotechnology instructors are tutors who deliver engaging lectures on various concepts in the field of biotechnology. A biotechnology instructor works in various educational institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

The roles and responsibilities of a Biotechnology instructor are as follows: 

• Maintain lab equipment for inventory purposes. 
• Conduct skill assessment tests. 
• Develop course material. 

10. Quality Controller 

After completing a bachelor’s in biotechnology, one can become a quality controller. Quality controllers ensure that various companies’ quality of drugs and goods comply with the set organizational standards. They ensure that manufactured drugs and other products are safe and therapeutically active.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

The roles and responsibilities of a Quality Controller are as follows: 

• Resolving various quality-related issues 
• Training the quality assurance team 
• Preparing documentation of the process of inspection. 

Top Recruiters of Biotechnology Graduates 

1. Biocon 

2. Serum Institute of India 

3. Bharat Biotech 

4. Cadila Healthcare 

5. Lupin Limited 

6. Wockhardt Limited 

7. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories 

8. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries 

9. Reliance Life Sciences 
10. Syngene International 

Scope After BSc Biotechnology in India 

Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology graduates have a vast career scope other than doing the job.  Some of the areas of scope for BSc Biotechnology graduates are: 

1. Agriculture: BSc biotechnology graduates have great demand in the agriculture field. As biotechnology is used in agriculture to improve crop yields, develop new crops, and protect crops from pests and diseases. 

2. Medicine: Biotechnology course graduates are required in the medical field to develop new drugs, diagnose diseases, and treat injuries. 

3. Food production: Your BSc biotechnology knowledge can be used in food production to improve the safety and quality of food, and to develop new food products. 

4. Environmental protection: Biotechnology is used to clean up pollution, develop new ways to conserve energy, and develop new ways to grow food. 

Recommended Reads:
How Much You Can Earn After BSc Agriculture? 
Career in BSc Nutrition and Dietetics in India 

Boost Your Career with Biotechnology Course 

BSc Biotechnology is fast emerging as one of the most lucrative fields in which one can build a career. A BSc in Biotechnology graduate would not find it difficult to bag a lucrative job opportunity. There are several career prospects like quality controller, lecturer, biochemist, and medical writer.

And if you don’t want to do a typical job then you can explore the career scope in fields like agriculture, food production, environmental protection and many more.  

Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice. 

Frequently Asked Questions