B. Tech Biotechnology vs B.Sc. Biotechnology Biotechnology is a highly interdisciplinary field that combines biological sciences with engineering technologies to manipulate living organisms and biological systems to produce products that advance healthcare, medicine, agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals and environment control. Some of the best innovations and developments that have come out of Biotechnology are genomic sequencing technology, natural alternatives to pesticides, production of biofuels and developments in stem cells technology. B. Tech degree in Biotechnology encompasses both the biological sciences as well as engineering aspects of Biotechnology. The B. Tech curriculum covers life sciences subjects such as Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology etc. and engineering subjects like Bioprocess Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Thermodynamics, Mass Transfer etc. B.Sc. degree on the other hand focuses more on the biological sciences aspect of Biotechnology. There will be a few subjects (1 or 2) related to industrial processes, but the main emphasis will be on R&D in biological sciences fields such as Biochemistry, Plant and Animal Biotechnology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Microbial Genetics, to name a few. A broad suggestion: There is no such thing as a B.Tech being better than a B.Sc. or vice versa. Students must choose a course that aligns with their long-term goals. Do you want to pursue a research careenin areas such as Stem Cells, Genetic Engineering, Plant Biotechnology, Molecular Biology etc,? If yes, choose B.Sc./M.Sc. Biotechnology or 8.Sc. Biotechnology and M.Sc. in any specialized field of Biotechnology and pursue your PhD if interested. If you want to keep your options open, then go for B.Tech Biotechnology. Many B.Tech students who do not find jobs in the biotech sector shift to software, management etc. So, this is a bonus for biotech students and this kind of transition will be tougher with a B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree in Biotechnology.After a B.Tech degree, students can find jobs in pharmaceutical companies, research labs and institutions in India. However, most students tend to go abroad to pursue their masters or doctorate studies in Biotechnology and allied fields. Some also shift to MBA and enter the world of business, finance and banking as their engineering background gives them the required quantitative skills to excel in these sectors. Many shifts to software through on-campus placements. Regarding on-campus placements, since the number of job openings is very less in Biotechnology, the number of companies coming for placements will be few. Core companies only hire students from universities such as IITs, NITs etc. If your university is not reputed nationally or state wise, chances of any biotech or pharmaceutical company coming for placements sessions will be below. Since this field is highly research-oriented, vast and diverse, it is highly recommended that students pursue their graduate studies in Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Biological sciences, Bioprocess Engineering etc. Scope in Biotechnology for B.Sc. students: If you are a B.Sc. student in Biotechnology or any other, it is highly recommended that you pursue your M.Sc. The job opportunities for B.Sc. graduates in a highly research-oriented field such as Biotechnology is limited. Most students tend to pursue their MSc. in Biotechnology. India is home to some excellent institutes for M.Sc. programs such as JNU, DU, IISc, TIFR, IITs etc. With an M.Sc. degree, most students tend to work in research labs and industries as research assistants. It is highly recommended that you do your M.Sc. in a reputed institution for good campus placements and job opportunities. Many M.Sc, students tend to pursue their PhD degrees in Biotechnology or related fields as a PhD degree opens more avenues both in India and worldwide. A PhD degree will give you the ability to start your own research lab, become a professor or HOD in universities or lead a team of research scientists. Companies in the Biotechnology sector in India Pharmaceuticals: Biocon, |FGL Bio ceramics 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.