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M.Sc. Biotechnology Syllabus and Subjects: Course Details, Entrance Exam Guide and Scope
17-03-2025
M.Sc. Biotechnology Syllabus and Subjects: Course Details, Entrance Exam Guide and Scope
The Indian biotechnology industry ranks among the top 12 globally and is the third largest in Asia. As of 2023, its market value was $83 billion, with projections indicating growth to $150 billion by 2025. Additionally, India's biologics market is expected to reach $12 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 22%.
Postgraduates with an MSc in Biotechnology have diverse career opportunities in Research and development (R&D), Education, Healthcare, Information Technology, Pharmaceuticals, and more. Due to its strong career prospects, MSc Biotechnology has become one of the most sought-after postgraduate programmes.
The MSc Biotechnology syllabus is structured to enhance students' understanding of Science and Technology. The course involves Life Sciences experiments that integrate technology-based applications. The blog covers more information on the topic in detail:
MSc Biotechnology Courses Details
The MSc in Biotechnology is a two-year postgraduate programme that combines Biology and Chemistry with fundamental concepts of Design and Engineering. It enhances problem-solving ability and critical thinking, allowing the students to solve real-world problems.
The Biotechnology syllabus for MSc includes key subjects like Immunology, Environmental Biotechnology, Advanced Biological Chemistry, Molecular Biology, and Animal Biotechnology. The MSc Biotechnology subjects list helps students develop innovative solutions and products for various industries. The table summarises the MSc Biotechnology courses details:
| MSc Biotechnology Full Form | Master of Science in Biotechnology |
| MSc Biotechnology Duration | 2-year |
| MSc Biotechnology Eligibility | Passed BSc in Biotechnology or relevant field (Zoology/Botany/Microbiology/Biochemistry) from a recognised university with at least 50% marks |
| MSc Biotechnology Admission Process | Merit or entrance-based |
| MSc Biotechnology Common Entrance Exams |
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| MSc Biotechnology Scope of Work | Healthcare, Agriculture, Food, Energy, and Environmental Science |
| MSc Biotechnology Average Salary (Entry-Level) | INR 3 – 6 LPA |
MSc Biotechnology Entrance Exam Syllabus
Several top-rated universities and colleges offer admission to MSc Biotechnology programmes through entrance examinations. Candidates should carefully review the MSc Biotechnology entrance exam syllabus details provided in the table below before preparing for the exam.
| Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
| Structure and Function of Biomolecules | Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry | Properties of Matter |
| Enzymes and Intermediary Metabolism | Solutions | Gases |
| Anatomy and Physiology | Atomic Structure | Thermodynamics and Thermometry |
| Cells and Organelles | Electrochemistry | Oscillations and Waves |
| Genetics | Organic Chemistry | Electricity and Magnetism |
| Molecular Biology | Equilibrium | Electromagnetic Waves |
| Microbes | Bioenergetics | Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents |
| Defence System | Analytical Chemistry | Optics |
| Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | Solid State | Communication Systems |
| Radiochemistry | Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation | |
| Properties of Liquids | Semiconductor Physics and Digital Electronics | |
| Chemistry of Biomolecules | Units and Measurements | |
| Coordination Compounds | Mechanics | |
| Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure | Atomic Structure and Radioactivity | |
| Gaseous State | ||
| Chemical Kinetics | ||
| Classification of Elements |
MSc Biotechnology Syllabus
The MSc Biotechnology syllabus is structured to enhance students’ understanding in key areas such as Biology, Immunology, Cell Engineering, and Fermentation. Below is a breakdown of the MSc Biotechnology subjects semester wise for better understanding:
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Basic Mathematics and Biostatistics | Molecular Biophysics |
| Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics | Biological Chemistry |
| Molecular Biology | Immunology and Immunotechnology |
| General Microbiology | Genetic Engineering |
| Learning Labs: | Learning Labs: |
| - Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology | - Biological Chemistry |
| - General Microbiology | - Immunology, Immunotechnology, and Genetic Engineering |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Plant Biotechnology | Regulatory Requirements in Biotechnology (Bioethics, Biosafety, and IPR) |
| Animal Biotechnology | Research Methodology, Clinical Research, and Database Management |
| Computer Applications and Bioinformatics | Industrial Biotechnology |
| Elective (anyone): | Fermented Food Technology |
| - Environmental Biotechnology | Genomics and Proteomics |
| - Enzyme Technology | Medical Biotechnology |
| - Elementary Methods in Computational Biology | Project Work: |
| - Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy | - Project |
| Learning Labs: | - Presentation |
| - Plant and Animal Biotechnology, Computer Applications, and Bioinformatics | - Viva-Voce |
| - Environmental Biotechnology | |
| - Enzyme Technology | |
| - Elementary Methods in Computational Biology | |
| - Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy |
Scope of MSc Biotechnology
MSc Biotechnology offers a wide range of career opportunities in different fields. Graduates can pursue higher education and research or enrol in a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) programme to contribute to leading research organisations. Students interested in pursuing a career in Academia can pursue a doctorate and become university professors.
Depending on their interests, students can specialise in areas such as Immunology, Biology, Cell Engineering, and Fermentation. The biotechnology sector is also evolving with advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Data Automation. These innovations have expanded career prospects and created new opportunities for MSc Biotechnology graduates.
With the increasing demand for biotechnology professionals in India and globally, MSc Biotechnology graduates can explore career roles such as:
| Job Title | Job Description |
| Biochemist | Studies chemical processes and substances in living organisms to develop medical and industrial applications. |
| Clinical Data Manager | Manages and analyses clinical trial data to ensure accuracy, compliance, and regulatory approval. |
| Clinical Research Associate | Monitors and conducts clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of medical treatments. |
| Medical Writer | Creates scientific documents, regulatory submissions, and research publications for healthcare and biotech industries. |
| Biotech Product Analyst | Evaluates biotech products, market trends, and competitive landscapes to optimise product development strategies. |
Wrapping Up
The rapid expansion of India's Biotechnology sector reflects its increasing importance in global science and industry advancements. With the increasing prospect for careers and multidisciplinary usage, an MSc in Biotechnology is the gateway to innovation and research-based advancements.
As technology continues to shape the future of biotechnology, professionals in this field will play a crucial role in addressing global challenges and driving scientific breakthroughs.
FAQs
Q1: What is the scope of Biotechnology?
A1: Biotechnology has a broad scope, including applications in Healthcare, Agriculture, Food Production, and more. Biotechnology is a rapidly growing field with many career opportunities in Pharmaceutical and Drug Development, Bioprocess Engineering, Bioinformatics, Environmental Biotechnology etc.
Q2: How to prepare for MSc Biotechnology entrance exam?
A2: To prepare for the MSc Biotechnology entrance exam, the students must solidify their basic concepts in biology, chemistry, and mathematics at the 10+2 level. They should also revise the BSc syllabus in detail, solve last year's question papers, and take mock tests to get used to the exam pattern and the important topics.
Q3: What is the syllabus of Biotechnology?
A3: The syllabus of a biotechnology course includes subjects like Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, And Genetics.