Master of Science in Biotechnology Courses, Syllabus, Scope and Salary

M.Sc. Biotechnology is a 2-year long course divided into 4 semesters. The minimum eligibility criterion needed to be fulfilled for pursuing the course is graduation in any of Biology, Math and Chemistry. Biotechnology is a research- oriented subject which combines the disciplines of technology and Biology.

Top Institutes offering this M.Sc. Biotechnology are:

• Loyola College, Chennai
• St. Xaviers College, Mumbai
• Christ University, Bangalore
• Stella Marris College, Chennai

The average tuition fee charged in India for the course ranges between INR 40,000 to 2 Lacs. Admission to the course is based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance exam such as JAM, GATE, JNU CEEB etc.

Such postgraduates are hired in capacities such as Sr. Associate Scientist, Research Biochemist, Sr. Regulatory Affairs Associate, Biotechnology Researcher, Associate Engineer, Quality Controller and Regional Manager and in industries such as Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing, Biotechnology, Research Organizations, and FMCG besides colleges and universities as teachers.

M.Sc Biotechnology in Maharashtra

M.Sc Biotechnology in Tamil Nadu

M.Sc Biotechnology in Karnataka

M.Sc Biotechnology in Uttar Pradesh

The average annual salary offered for these positions varies between INR 2 and 9 Lacs annually.

Organizations such as Abbott Laboratories, Baxter, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Biocon, IFGL, Bioceramics Limited, Orbees medical, Invitrogen, Glaxosmithkline, Reliance life sciences, CTS life sciences, Dr.Reddy’s labs, Cipla, Jubilant life sciences, Wockhardt, Torrent pharma, Cadila healthcare and Ranbaxy and Pfizer etc. hire such postgraduates

M.Sc. Biotechnology: Course Highlights

Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.

Course Level	Post Graduate
Duration	2 years
Examination Type	Semester System
Eligibility	B.Sc. in any of Biological Sciences, BAMS, MBBS, BHMS, BPT and B.Pharm.
Admission Process	Based on entrance exams such as JAM, GATE, JNU CEEB entrance exam etc. and graduating score.
Course Fee	INR 40,000 to 2 Lacs
Average Starting Salary	INR 2 to 9 Lacs
Top Recruiting Companies	Abbott Laboratories, Baxter, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Pfizer etc.
Job Positions	Sr. Associate Scientist, Research Biochemist, Sr. Regulatory Affairs Associate, Biotechnology Researcher, Associate Engineer, Quality Controller and Regional Manager etc.

M.Sc. in Biotechnology: What is it About?

Biotechnology is the branch of science that applies Biology for purposes of research and development. Biotechnology involves a wide range of subjects such as Engineering, Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Chemistry.

Biotechnology finds application in a variety of fields such as Animal Husbandry, Growth of Vaccines and Medicines, Agriculture, Pollution Control, Energy Production And Conservation, Healing Of Prolonged Disease and Ecological Conservation, and in development of insecticides, fertilizers and quality of seeds.

M.Sc. in Biotechnology: Top Institutes 

Listed below are some of the top institutes offering the course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by each:

Name of Institute	City	Fees
Punjabi University	Punjab	INR 53,000
University of Mysore	Mysore	INR 34,000
Loyola College	Chennai	INR 5,950
Banasthali University	Jaipur	INR 1.2 Lakh
Christ University	Bangalore	INR 77,500
Jawaharlal Nehru University	Delhi	INR 50,000
Vellore Institute of Technology	Vellore	INR 2 Lakh

M.Sc. Biotechnology: Eligibility 

As a minimum criterion of eligibility, aspiring candidates are needed to have attained a Bachelor’s degree in any of Physics, Biological Sciences, BAMS, BHMS, BPT and any other related discipline, with a minimum aggregate score of 50%.

Indian nationals can apply under the General Category, while foreign nationals or Non- Resident Indians or Indian nationals supported by NRI relatives can apply under the Foreign/ NRI Category.

M.Sc in Biotechnology in Rajasthan

M.Sc in Biotechnology in Kerala

M.Sc in Biotechnology in Andhra Pradesh

M.Sc in Biotechnology in Punjab

M.Sc. Biotechnology: Admission Process

Admission to the course is based on the candidate’s performance in the Joint Admission Test for M.Sc. (JAM) conducted across 52 centers in the country, usually in the month of May. Centralized admission to the IITs is made on the basis of the rank obtained in the Joint Admission Test and the choices entered by the candidates. 

Listed here are the main entrance exams conducted in the country for admission to the course.

• JNU CEEB
• IIT JAM
• GATE
• Central Universities
• Manipal University Online Entrance Test 

M.Sc. Biotechnology: Syllabus and Course Description

A semester- wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.

Semester I	Semester II
Advanced Biological Chemistry	Genetic Engineering
Molecular Biology	Immunology
Environmental Biotechnology	Principles of Bacteriology and Virology
Cell Biology	Plant Biotechnology
Exercises in Advanced Biological Chemistry	Exercises in Genetic Engineering
Exercises in Molecular and Cell Biology	Exercises in Immunology
Exercises in Environmental Biotechnology	Exercises in Plant Biotechnology
-	Exercises in Bacteriology and Virology
Semester III	Semester IV
Animal Biotechnology	Genomics and Proteomics
Bioprocess engineering &Fermentation Technology	Biochemical and biophysical techniques
Data Base Management and IPR in Biotechnology	Exercises in Biochemical and Biophysical techniques
Advanced Genetics	Nano biotechnology
Bioinformatics	Stem Cell Technology and Regenerative Medicines
Exercises in Animal Biotechnology	Agricultural Biotechnology
Exercises in Bioprocess Engineering	Bio-entrepreneurship
Exercises in Bioinformatics	Project
Seminars, Term paper writing	-
Scientific Research and Communications	-
Food Technology and Nutrigenomics	-

M.Sc. in Biotechnology: Career Prospects

In India, successful postgraduates of the course are hired in fields of Medical Biotechnology and Agricultural Biotechnology. Medical Biotechnology is an emerging sector in India, and accounts for nearly 70% of the total revenue of the biotech sectors. The companies that populate this sector could be divided into three broad categories- small startup companies that have indigenously developed biotech products, e.g., Shantha Biotech and Bharat Biotech, large pharmaceutical firms such as Dr. Reddy Laboratory (DRL), Ranbaxy Laboratories and Wockhardt Ltd., and start-ups, which are all set to emerge as Contract Research Organizations (CROs), mainly working for transnational corporations. 

The average annual starting salary offered to such postgraduates ranges between INR 10,000 and, 20,000 varying based on the candidate’s skillset and experience. 

Some of the popular professional avenues open to such postgraduates are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.

Job Position	Job Description	Average Annual Pay Scale in INR
Sr. Associate Scientist	They develop robust, fit-for-purpose assays used to interrogate engineered T-cell expansion, immune phenotype, and create SOPs for sample collection and processing, and transfer assays to clinical sites and CROs. They also analyze data, communicate results and conclusions to cross-functional project teams.	6,40,634
Research Biochemist	They study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, and living energy changes, such as growth, aging, and death. Also, they research methods of transferring characteristics, such as resistance to disease, from one organism to another.	5,75,329
Sr. Regulatory Affairs Associate	They manage ISO Certification requirements and ensure compliance with ISO and FDA regulations, and maintain Quality System Manual & Quality Policy. They are also responsible for conducting training on quality and regulatory policies and procedures, managing internal and external audits, and reporting all non-conformities to QA & RA Management. They monitor, implement, and improve critical quality elements, such as document/ design control, risk management, supplier qualification, materials management, QC testing and acceptance criteria review, deviations/ rework, customer-related processes, internal audits, and regulatory affairs filings.	3,06,316
Biotechnology Researcher	They may work for laboratories in the pharmaceutical industry or elsewhere, or for public institutions, including universities and organizations such as the National Institutes of Health. Biotechnology Research Scientists often investigate the DNA and RNA of bacteria and viruses, as well as the genetic makeup of animals, plants, and people.	5,75,329
Associate Engineer	This is often a mid-level position, under the supervision of a Senior Engineer. Associate Engineers perform routine engineering work, assisting senior-level engineers on major projects.	5,50,000
Quality Controller	Quality Controllers perform laboratory tests in order to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific investigations. They carry out routine tasks accurately and follow strict methodologies to carry out analyses.	2,54,328
Regional Manager	The generate revenue through creating leads for inquiries, develop and implement marketing plans for new and existing business plans. They manage and coordinate all marketing and promotional activities at various institutes, and execute marketing strategies & campaigns, meeting, seminars, promotional events & exhibitions.	9,97,728

Aspirants seeking admission to 2-year Full-time M.Sc Program should meet the following criteria as specified by the institute.

Academic Requirement:

Candidate must have completed graduation from recognized College/University.