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.

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:

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. 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.

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.

Candidate must have passed Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline of life sciences and have obtained at least 55% marks (50% in case of candidates belonging to reserved category) are eligible for this course.