General

What is Bioscience?

Bioscience, as we refer is study of living organisms, which comprises many disciplines and aims to explore living organisms on different scales. Bioscience uses an integrated approach of different fields to study living organisms at cellular, biophysical, biochemical, molecular and ultra molecular level to delineate the complex architecture of a living body. As the scope of biosciences is too vast, biosciences can be categorized as basic sciences and applied sciences. The principle goal of basic sciences is to add to the knowledge of scientific community and increasing the scientific intellect. On the other hand applied science uses the information and tries to use it for technological development. Although it could be classified on these two fronts, both the branches merge at an interface.

How biosciences can be classified as study disciplines in academia?

Biosciences can be studies on different levels, some of which are explained below

Characteristics and behaviors of organisms, the interactions they have with each other and with their environment ---- Behavioral Science, Ecology

Structure and function of cell ---- Cell Biology

Chemical Basis of Biological Reactions ------ Biochemistry

Molecular architecture of biomolecules ---- Molecular biology

Genomic organization of cell--------- Genomic

Characterization of proteins---------- Proteomic

Computational simulation and data analysis----- Bioinformatics

The main study disciplines offered as courses in academia are - Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology and genetics, Virology, Biochemical Engineering and Bioprocess technology, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Zoology, Botany, Biomedical Sciences, Medical technology, Plant Biotechniology ------ etc.

What are the courses available in India and the minimum entrance criteria?

A student can opt courses in bioscience after completion of 10+2 education.

Following are the degree course and their admission criteria

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc): offered in many disciplines like Microbiology, Biochemistry, Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, and genetics, either as a combination of three subjects or as an honors degree. The entrance qualification is biology as one of the subjects at 10+2 level. The CGPA or percentage criteria differ of institute to institute. Normally this course is offered in Colleges affiliated to a university and not directly by the University.

Bachelor of Technology/Engineering (B.Tech/B.E.): This course is offered in disciplines of Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering and Bioinformatics. The entrance qualification is biology and mathematics as one of the subjects at 10+2 level. The CGPA or percentage criteria differ of institute to institute. This course is offered in Colleges affiliated to a university, deemed Universities, Autonomous Institutes, IITs and University Departments. Most of the institutes conduct all India Entrance examinations for admission to their courses.

Masters of Science (M.Sc.): This course is offered in a variety of disciplines line Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Medical Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Zoology and Botany. Entrance criteria are 10+2+3/4. Students who have completed B.SC/B.Tech/B.Pharm/MBBS can join this course. Most of the admissions are thorough entrance examinations.

Integrated M.Sc. Course/ Integrated M.Tech Course: Some of leading Institutes in India like IITs offer such five year program after 10+2. Please refer our database for further information.

MBA (Biotechnology): Department of management Science (PUMBA) offers this 2-year course. This is the only recognized AICTE course in India. Admission is sought through ATMA. Entrance criteria are B.Sc, M.Sc, B.Tech, B.E., M.Tech, MBBS, BAMS, B.Pharm and M.Pharm.

M.Tech: This course is offered in the disciplines of Biotechnology, Biochemical engineering and Bioinformatics.

What is the Syllabus of these courses?

Definite guidelines have been set by UGC for all Bachelor and Masters courses in Biosciences. Please refer ww.ugc.ac.in for more information. You may please contact individual degree awarding body for further clarification. Similarly Department of Biotechnology has formulated syllabus for M.Sc.Biotechnology. Please refer http://www.dbtindia.nic.in for more information.

What are the fees for Bachelor and Masters Courses?

State Universities, central Universities, IITs and nationally important Institutes have a relative stable fee structure. It may vary from institute to institute. However free structure of private institutes and deemed universities are very high. A state University course fee for Masters course (M.Sc) will be 5000-7000 INR per semester. For private institutes it may range between 25000-200000 INR per semester. Please enquire for specific details. Some universities offer scholarships for such courses. Admission for M.Tech are done through GATE and the students are supported with a generous stipend approx 5000 pm.

What is Biotechnology? Please provide more information about the course, course content, and job prospect? Does a course in Biotechnology have an added advantage over other disciplines in Biosciences?

Biotechnology can be viewed as application of biological models and information for commercial and applied purposes. The ultimate goal of biotechnology is commercialization. Other disciplines of bioscience are inclined moreover towards basic research and contribute towards adding information to scientific knowledge. In fact there is a very minor line of differentiation between biotechnology and other disciplines. They are interdisciplinary. A student if biotechnology has to opt courses in basic as well as applied sciences. From an industrial point of view biotechnology may serve as a better option but still the importance of other courses cannot be overlooked.

What is the difference between B.Sc. Biotechnology and B.Tech Biotechnology?

There is certainly a difference between B.Sc Biotechnology and B.Tech Biotechnology.

1.    B.Sc is there year course and B.Tech is a four-year course. B.Sc falls in the category of basic sciences while B.Tech falls in the category of technical/technological/applied sciences.
2.    The course content of B.Sc biotechnology is more over inclined towards theoretical sciences. B.Tech course will take only few courses in theoretical sciences, and most of the contents are from technological background.
3.    After competing B.Sc you can register for M.Sc, B.Tech will offer you the same choice but on an advantageous front you may directly apply to M.Tech course. This will save your one-year of study. After doing B.Sc you will have to register for a masters course to get admitted to M.Tech.
4.    After doing B.Sc employment is not that encouraging but B.Tech will offer you a good salary especially in industry. M.Sc is must to enter in industry for a good position.
5.    In Govt sector to enter in research field you will have to complete Masters degree for a research position. M.Sc will do that. After doing B.tech, M.Tech will be compulsory.
6.    If you are planning for education in USA 10+2+4 is the requirement. B Tech course satisfies this. After completing B.Sc you will have to opt for M.Sc for education abroad.
7.    The major difference is all about your own way of looking towards science. A basic science background will nourish you as a scientist while a technological background will nourish as engineer. One thing is sure technical degree always yields a better salary. PHD is the best thing to look out for after PG.
8.    It’s all about what you are looking for.
9.    Most important there is a huge difference of getting degree from a private and govt institute. The most imp thing is to check the recognition of the college of institute by UGC and AICTE. Doing a degree form a non-recognized college may land you in trouble in near future.

What is the difference between Bioinformatics and Biotechnology? Which course gives better job opportunities and career prospects? What is better Bioinformatics or Bioinformatics?

It is all ones choice whether he/she want to select a course in Biotechnology or Bioinformatics. Both courses have their own prerequisite to become a successful professional after completing the course. Basically Bioinformatics is a course totally involving Computers. One gets training in Biology but only at theoretical basis. However to feel the science of biology, laboratory training, i.e. actually doing experiments with biological system is very important. Bioinformatics course has a very little to offer at this end. Bioinformatics course have to arms computational biology and Information Technology. However to make sense of these both branches experimental knowledge of biological system is very important. Secondly while doing experiments with sequence data, one thing is noteworthy that whenever a research laboratory publishes sequences and opens it to public domain, most of the research on that front is already done.

Then where is the place of a bioinformatician? Yes definitely he has his own value in biological research. Developing newer algorithms for achieving accuracy in computatational approaches is a must. And a bioinformatician can do it well. Secondly a great pool of information is now being generated; Management of such information is a great business. Here comes the Bioinformatician. There are many cases, which can be considered. Developing new software for biological research is one of them. But to be a good bioinformatician (what I define from my point of view) should be a person having good knowledge of biological system and computer languages and programming.

A student who possesses skills in both the fronts go for this course. Otherwise a degree in Biology followed a good course in Bioinformatics will be a good option. The other issues come after this is where to do this course. Since Bioinformatics and Biotechnology both are booming in Market colleges are coming up like mushrooms. It is most important to check course contents of these courses. It is advised to all of the readers if someone want to enter in either field get your degree from a good and reputed university.

Consequently a student is always open to the option of higher education (PHD) in Bioinformatics. By this time it is better to choose a course in Biotech. Understand the basics completely. Improve your understandings in the field of Bioinformatics. Possibly do a diploma course in Bioinfo. Test yourself where you would like to work thereafter, and then opt your profession.

In fact the most important thing is ones’ own interest. So choose what you have an attitude and aptitude for.

What Should You Know While Choosing a Course and University/Institute?

To choose a University/ Institute for a course in Biosciences the most important thing to check is its recognition by University Grants Commission (UGC) www.ugc.ac.in or All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) www.aicte.ernet.in UGC and AICTE are the statutory bodies established by govt of India for monitoring educational standards. These bodies are responsible for evaluation and certification of colleges, institutes, deemed universities, foreign universities in India and national universities for running technical and non-technical courses in India. Importantly while taking admission to any college or university it is advised to all the students to check their approval either by UGC or AICTE. Please find more information about the state wise list of approved universities in India by UGC at http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/university.html Please find more information about the state wise list of approved colleges in India by UGC at http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/college.html These links provides general information about the recognized universities and colleges by UGC. The course, admission criteria and other details can be found out from the respective web links. Please find more information about list of approved Institutes for technical courses (B.Tech, M.Tech, B.E) by AICTE at www.aicte.ernet.in Apart from state and central university either recognized or funded or in case both, there are some other categories of school and colleges where admission can be sought. Broadly the categories are as follows.

Deemed Universities: These are the colleges/institutes which are given a status as university and the governing body is authorized to run various degree programs. Some of them are private and some are national bodies run by govt of India. The status as University is granted by UGC.

Autonomous Institutes: These are very similar to Deemed Universities. As the names suggests they are complete autonomy for running educational programs. The degree is awarded by the institute and carry equal weight.

Institutes of National Importance: These are the institute's set up by govt of India with a special purpose. Each institute is established taking into consideration national policies for economical. Technical and scientific development.

Institutes established under state legislature: These institutes are established under state legislature. However the courses are either recognized or supported by UGG. Sometimes many courses are funded by one of the national scientific bodies.