Master of Science in Biotechnology or MS Biotechnology is a two year long postgraduate course in Biotechnology. Biotechnology is a field of Science that uses technology to work on living beings and living organisms to develop new products for daily use like detergents, textiles, biofuels etc.
Go through the full list of Top MS Biotechnology Colleges in India.
The eligibility criteria to be admitted into the MS Biotechnology is to have a bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from a recognized institute or college. A minimum aggregate score of at least 50% is required to be considered for admissions.
Admissions is done primarily on the basis of an entrance examination score. After qualifying the examination, a round of counselling is also held. The average course fee charged for the programme is in the range of INR 50,000 to INR 4,00,000. After completion of the course, candidates find employment in Drug Manufacturing Companies, Public Sector Companies, Laboratories and Research Centres, Cancer Research Facilities, Blood Research Facilities etc.
The average placement package is in the range of INR 4,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 per annum.
The job profiles one can expect to be hired onto as are Analytical Chemist, Biomedical Scientist, Healthcare Scientist, Clinical Biotechnologist, Clinical Research Associate etc.
If the candidates wish to study further, they can opt for a PhD in Biotechnology, which is a research based doctoral course.
MS Biotechnology Course Highlights
The major highlights and key points of the MS Biotechnology Course are tabulated below.
| Course Level | Post Graduation |
| Full-Form | Master of Science |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Examination type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exams and Counselling |
| Course Fee | INR 50,000 to INR 4,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 4 lacs to INR 20,00,000. |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Drug Manufacturing Companies, Public Health Entities, Blood Service, Industrial Laboratories, Cancer research institutes, Research Departments, Educational Institutes, Environmental Pollution Control, Agriculture and fisheries, Forensic Science, Hospitals, Public Health Laboratories, Cosmetic Industries, etc. |
| Job Positions | Analytical chemist, Biomedical scientist, Healthcare scientist, clinical biotechnology, Clinical research associate, Forensic scientist, Physician associate, Research scientist (life sciences), Scientific laboratory technician, Toxicologist, etc. |
Details about MS Biotechnology programme are as follows
- Master of Science in Biotechnology is a two year advanced course in Biology and Chemistry while also delving into the make and engineering of both branches of study.
- This is a highly career oriented course that specializes in Plant Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology etc.
- A biotechnologist works on breaking down all biological processes in a human being or a living being to their chemical design in order to gain a better understanding and develop new products.
- The course structure is a mix between theoretical classes and laboratory sessions to practice what is being taught.
- For candidates who wish to develop essential intellectual and research skills to help develop new better products for betterment of human life should look into getting admitted into the programme.
- Biotechnologists gain employment in a variety of fields, from medicine and animal rescue to cosmetics and environmental protection.
Why Study MS Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is a niche area that requires more candidates to work towards creating better products and a sustainable future for human beings. There are plenty of reasons to pursue a MS Biotechnology programme. Each candidate would also have their own personal reasons to be admitted into the programme. Some of the major reasons why this programme must be chosen are as follows.
- Advancements in human life: The major beneficiary of Biotech has been humans. Human life has drastically improved and one can now comfortably lead a long healthy life due to Biotechnology. Biotech has given birth to prosthetics, speech therapy and many other technological advancements over the years.
- Understanding the world: Biotechnology aids people in understanding and knowing more about the world around us. The knowledge bank for animals, plants, environment and the earth can be expanded through Biotech. Using the new knowledge better products can be created that is sustainable and environmentally friendly while also benefiting everyone.
- Better pay and career options: Graduates from this programme gain employment in various fields and industries. They are not restricted to only field and career paths. One can choose to work in Animal Biotech, Plant Biotech, Environmental Biotech etc. The demand and pay grade will change for each specialization.
What is the Admission Process for MS Biotechnology?
Admissions to the programme are either completed on merit basis or through an entrance examination score. Merit based admissions consider the aggregate score secured at the bachelor’s level of education and the cutoffs for admission. The process of admission will depend on the college one is applying to.
Merit based admission
The general process for admission through merit based admissions are as follows.
- Registration: Registration dates are opened up once a year during April to August. Dates are announced in advance by the institutes. To start the admission process, a profile needs to be created using email id and phone number.
- Fill up details: Login using the credentials to create a profile and start filling up the application form. Fill up details of past educational achievements including projects undertaken, job experience and any other achievements.
- Scan and upload documents: Scan and upload mark sheets, transfer certificates, id proof, photograph etc. to the application portal. Care must be taken to ensure documents are of correct size and format.
- Application fee: A nominal application fee is required to be paid to process the application. Payment can be done using online payment modes like credit and debit card payment, e-wallets, netbanking etc.
- Admission: Upon submitting the application, colleges take a couple of weeks to process the application and then release an offer letter of admission. If one wishes to take admission, it can be done at this stage.
Entrance Exam based admission
The general process for admission through entrance exam based admissions are as follows.
- Entrance Examination: Colleges usually accept national level or state level entrance examinations for admission into MS programmes. The exams are held before admissions start. Register for the exam, prepare for it, download admit card and appear for the exam.
- Registration: If one qualifies the entrance examination and is able to meet the cut offs of the colleges, they can now apply to colleges for the next round. Create a profile to start the process, on the university’s application portal.
- Fill up details: Fill up the application form with all essential details like past educational achievements, projects completed and job experiences.
- Scan and upload documents: Scan and upload mark sheets, transfer certificates, photograph etc. with care taken to ensure the size and format of document.
- Application fee: Pay an application fee while submitting the application. Payment can be done online.
- Personal Interview: Colleges will evaluate all applications received and within a couple a weeks lists will be put up of candidates who are invited for the personal interview round.
- Admission: If one successfully passes the personal interview round, an offer letter will be emailed to the candidate for admission. Admission can now be taken at the college.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for MS Biotechnology?
The eligibility criteria for MS Biotechnology programmes will be different from college to college. However, a general eligibility criteria can be drawn which will be applicable to most of the top ranking colleges. The eligibility criteria to be admitted to the programme is as follows:
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from a recognized university.
- Candidate must have scored a minimum aggregate score of at least 50% to be eligible for the admission round
- A valid MS entrance examination score is required for the final admissions round followed by a round of counselling or a personal interview round.
Which are the Top Entrance Exams for Admission to MS Biotechnology?
MS Biotech programme accepts students primarily through a qualifying score in an entrance examination followed by a personal interview round. Among all the exams, the following are the most popular.
- JAM: JAM or Joint Admission Test for M.Sc. is a national level exam conducted by the IITs on a rotational basis annually. The exam is conducted for admission into the Master of Science programmes offered by IITs.
- BHU PET: Banaras Hindu University conducts an entrance exam for all its postgraduate programmes through an offline pen and paper mode. The exam is held in English and Hindi and other languages. The paper contains objective type questions and is of 120 minutes total.
- Jadavpur University Written Test: Jadavpur University’s Master of Science in Biotechnology programme accepts students through a department conducted entrance test. The test is held in offline format and dates are announced by the university in advance.
Important dates to be noted are as follows:
| Entrance Exams | Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| CUET PG | Check Here |
| BITSAT | Check Here |
| NEST | Check Here |
| IIT JAM | Check Here |
| DUET | Check Here |
| TISS NET | Check Here |
How to Prepare for MS Biotechnology Entrance Exams?
Entrance examinations for admission into MS Biotechnology programme are highly competitive with thousands of students appearing for them annually. To be able to stand out from others, getting a perfect score in the written exam is needed. The following tips will be useful during preparation for the written test.
- Look up the examination’s syllabus and past papers. Both can be found from the organizing college’s website.
- With the syllabus in hand, a timetable can be prepared to understand how much time is required to be allotted to which topic, which topic will need more time etc.
- Revise the basics of Biotechnology covered in the bachelor’s level. Advanced topics can be skipped but the basics must be clear.
- Keep track of the topics that are the weak points and will need more revision time. Help from mentors and seniors can be taken at this stage.
- For papers with a general knowledge section, read through newspapers and the daily affairs on a regular basis.
- Take care of diet and sleep before the exams. Keeping good care of health before the exam day is important.
How to get Admission in a Good MS Biotechnology College?
To gain the most from the programme and from the fees paid, one has to make sure they are admitted into the best college. It can be hard deciding which colleges to take admission in during peak admission season. To make matter easy, the following pointers will make it easy to choose a good MS Biotechnology college]
- Securing a high aggregate score at the bachelor’s level is necessary for admission on merit basis. A minimum score of 60% and above is sufficient to meet cut offs.
- For admission through entrance examinations, practice must be started early. Cover basics of the subjects taught at the undergraduate level. Take help of exam syllabus and past papers for practice.
- Keep track of application deadlines for entrance examinations and colleges. Any changes are announced through university websites.
- Have practice sessions for the personal interview round. Basic interview questions can be looked up for practice.
- Read through the latest developments and news in the field of Biotechnology. Keeping up to date with new research and advancements will help during the written test and personal interview round.
Read more on IIT JAM cutoffs.
Which Subjects are Taught in MS Biotechnology?
The syllabus for the MS Biotechnology programme will be different from university to university. There are variations on the courses offered and the specializations to choose from. The following syllabus has the common subjects that can be found in most college’s syllabus.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Advanced Biochemistry | Immunology and Immunotechnology |
| Advanced Molecular Biology | Advances in Plant Biotechnology |
| Advanced Genetic Engineering | Bioinstruments |
| Animal Cell Technology | Fermentation Technology |
| Language/ Biostatistics | Bioinformatics |
| Biochemistry Lab | Immunotechnology Lab |
| Molecular Biology Lab | Plant Biotechnology Lab |
| Genetic Engineering Lab | Bioinstrumentation Lab |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Enzyme Technology | Food Microbiology |
| Intellectual Property Rights and Ethical Issues | Medical Biotechnology |
| Genomics | Cancer Biology |
| Enzyme Technology | Dissertation Part II |
| Environmental Microbiology and Waste Management | --- |
| Enzyme Technology Lab | --- |
| Genomics and Bacterial Genomics Lab | --- |
| Dissertation Part I | --- |
Which are the Top Colleges for MS Biotechnology
National Institutional Ranking Framework or NIRF for short releases annual ranking lists on behalf of the Ministry of HRD. For its Universities Ranking list for 2020, the following ten universities offered MS Biotechnology programmes.
| College Name | City | Average Annual Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | INR 3,557 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore | INR 1,41,300 |
| Jadavpur University | Kolkata | INR 2,140 |
| University of Hyderabad | Hyderabad | INR 20,860 |
| Calcutta University | Kolkata | INR 2,400 |
| Savitribai Phule Pune University | Pune | INR 3,250 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi | INR 7,700 |
| Bharathiar University | Coimbatore | INR 19,280 |
| Vellore Institute of Technology | Vellore | INR 1,10,000 |
| Andhra University | Visakhapatnam | INR 12,200 |
Source: College Websites
MS Biotechnology College Comparison
MS Biotechnology is a programme that is high in demand and is offered in many universities in India. To make admissions easy, a comparison between the top three universities that offers the programme has been done in the table below.
| Parameters | Banaras Hindu University | Jadavpur University | Calcutta University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Previously called the Central Hindu College, BHU is a public central university. | Jadavpur University is a public university that is top ranked from the state of Kolkata. It was established in 1955. | Established in 1857, Calcutta University is a public state university that is one of the oldest in the country. |
| Rank | NIRF Overall Rank 2020: 10 NIRF University Rank 2020: 3 | NIRF Overall Rank 2020: 12 NIRF University Rank 2020: 5 | NIRF Overall Rank 2020: 11 NIRF University Rank 2020: 7 |
| Admission Process | Entrance Based | Entrance Based | Merit Based/Entrance Based |
| Eligibility criteria | Minimum 50% in Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology | Minimum 50-60% in Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology | Minimum 50% in Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology |
| Average Fee | INR 3,557 | INR 2,140 | INR 2,400 |
| Average Placement Package | INR 4,50,000 | INR 7,90,000 | INR 8,34,000 |
| Top Recruiters | Amazon, Wipro, IBM, ICICI Bank, Infosys, etc. | Amazon, Adobe, Microsoft, Samsung, Salesforce, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, etc. | Wipro, TCS, IBM, etc. |
Source: College Websites
Course Comparison: MS Biotechnology vs MTech Biotechnology
MS Biotechnology is often talked about with MTech Biotechnology. There are however differences between both programmes in terms of the course structure and focus areas.
To gain a clear understanding between what each programme offers and how different they are from each other, a comparison has been done in the table below.
| Parameters | MS Biotechnology | MTech Biotechnology |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Master of Science in Biotechnology | Master of Technology in Biotechnology |
| Overview | This is a three year long PG course in Biotechnology with emphasis on the detailed theory part of the Biotechnology subjects. It is mainly theory based course with some laboratory based subjects. | This is a PG course of two years duration that is more detailed oriented with emphasis on the tech part of Biotechnology. It includes Biological laboratory skills that are career ready skills. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelors in Biotechnology from a recognized university with at least 50% aggregate score. | Bachelors in Technology in Biotechnology specialization with at least 50% aggregate score |
| Admission Criteria | Merit basis or entrance examination followed by interview | Admissions is through a national or state level entrance exam and a round of counselling. |
| Average Course Fee | INR 50,000 to INR 4,00,000 | INR 25,000 to INR 5,00,000 |
| Average Placement Package | INR 4,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 | INR 4,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 |
Source: College Websites
Which Course Specializations are Available under MS Biotechnology?
Biotechnology has a long list of specializations to choose from for the second year of MS Biotechnology programme. While the list of specialization offerings will differ from institute to institute, a short summary can be made of the mode popular specializations. The list below are the most popular Biotech specializations.
- Animal Biotechnology: Animal Biotechnology conducts research to better human health, improve the life of animals, create better animal based products while also conserving the environment. Applications of Animal Biotechnology are in fields of animal genomics, animal cloning and genetic engineering of animals among others.
| Average Fees | INR 2,00,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3,50,000 - 10,00,000 |
- Industrial Biotechnology: Industrial Biotechnology applies the principles of Biotech into industrial processes to create products. It combines the branches of Biology and Chemistry to aid in Industrial production and processes.
| Average Fees | INR 3,50,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4,00,000 - 15,00,000 |
- Medical Biotechnology: Medical Biotechnology uses Biotechnology in the medical field and creates medical products. It uses living cells and cell materials to do so.
| Average Fees | INR 1,50,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4,00,000 - 15,00,000 |
- Plant Biotechnology: Plant Biotechnology is the branch of Biotechnology that is used to create genetically modified plants. This is done to create a stronger and better strain of the plant that is also environmentally friendly.
| Average Fees | INR 1,00,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 5,00,000 - 12,00,000 |
Which Job Profiles and Salary Trends are Available for MS Biotechnology Candidates?
After graduating with a MS Biotechnology degree candidates can choose to either seek employment in the field or go into higher studies.
- Job employment can be found in both private and public sector companies.
- The areas of industries where jobs can be seeked out are Medical Instrument companies, Biotechnology, Food and Drink industries, Research Companies and Laboratories, Sales and Marketing Firms, Chemical manufacturing companies, Health and Beauty Care, etc.
- The most popular job profiles candidates are hired onto are Analytical chemist, Biomedical scientist, Healthcare scientist, clinical biotechnology, Clinical research associate, Forensic scientist, Physician associate, Research scientist (life sciences), Scientific laboratory technician, Toxicologist etc.
- Graduates with this degree have opportunities for industries like Drug Manufacturing Companies, Public Health Entities, Blood Service, Industrial Laboratories, and Cancer research institutes, Research Departments, Educational Institutes, and Environmental Pollution Control etc.
| Name of Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Biotechnologist | Biotechnologists work in laboratories in the biopharmaceutical industry conducting research to create medicines and other products for human use. Their work also extends to animals, plants, environmental protection etc. | INR 3,00,000 |
| Research Assistant | Research assistants are hired onto private and public labs of Governmental organizations, medical companies, hospitals etc. They create hypotheses, conduct experiments and analyse the results to arrive at a conclusion. | INR 4,00,000 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologist | They work primarily with samples, conduct tests and experiments, while also working with chemicals and maintaining the laboratory equipment. Their work is with bacteria and viruses on human blood etc. to identify how each other react. | INR 4,00,000 |
| Professor | Teaching is a noble profession and the first choice of employment of many. Biotechnology professors are hired in engineering and technology institutes to teach undergraduate and postgraduate classes in both private and public universities. | INR 9,50,000 |
| Medical Research Scientist | As the name says, Medical Research Scientists are hired to work on developing new medicines and drugs. Work is also on old medicines to better them. | INR 4,50,000 |
| Medical Biotechnology Technician | Technicians in clinical labs can perform routine tests and sample analysis, then communicate the results to doctors. They work with physicians and help them to identify and prevent diseases. | INR 8,50,000 |
| Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | A pharmaceutical sales rep works with clients or patients and prescribes products to meet their needs. They work for large pharma companies and work with large hospitals. Candidates need to have interpersonal skills and strong communication skills to excel in this field. | INR 5,50,000 |
What is the Future Scope and Further Studies Option After MS Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is an in demand that is constantly hiring candidates. Pay rate is high and there is scope of widening skills too. To expand the skill base, one can choose to go for higher studies post completion of MS Biotechnology degree. The most popular degrees one can choose are as follows.
| Parameters | Ph.D. Biotechnology | M.Phil Biotechnology | MBA/PGDM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | PhD Biotechnology is a 3 to 5 year duration doctorate level programme in biotechnology. This is the highest level of degree one can achieve in a chosen field. Candidates conduct fresh and new research to bring about advancements in the field. | MPhil Biotechnology is a one year duration course in Biotechnology. The programme uses other people’s research to work on to earn a degree. | MBA and PGDM programmes are sought out to work in the management sector in the higher management department. One can specialise in Finance, Human Resources, Hospitality, Marketing etc. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Masters in Biotechnology from a recognized university with a high aggregate score. | Masters in Science in a related field from a recognized institute. | Masters in any stream with at least 60% aggregate score. |
| Admissions | Entrance examination and a counselling round | Entrance exam score | Entrance exam score followed by group discussion and personal interview. |
| Average Course Fee | INR 2 lac | INR 1 lac | INR 15 lacs |
| Average Placement Package | INR 12 LPA | INR 11 LPA | INR 14 LPA |
| Top Colleges | St. Xaviers College Kolkata, Stella Maris College Chennai, Women’s Christian College Chennai | Apeejay Stya University, Assam University, AKS university. | IIM Madras, IIM Delhi, IIM Ahmedabad |
MS Biotechnology FAQs
Some of the frequently asked questions on MS Biotechnology are discussed below.
Ques. What is the minimum duration of the programme?
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for the programme?
Ques. What are the entrance exams that are accepted?
Ques. What is the difference between M.Sc.Biotechnology and M.Tech Biotechnology?
Ques. What is the average course fee for the programme?
Ques. What is the admission process for the programme?
Ques. What is the average placement package?
Ques. What are some job profiles one can get hired into with a MS Biotechnology?
Ques. What are the top colleges for Ph.D. Urban Planning?
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