Biochemical Engineering

What is Biochemical Engineering

Biochemical engineering is a highly interdisciplinary field combining biotechnology and chemical engineering. It involves the study of how basic raw materials are converted to the finished products by means of rigorous processes. Many industries rely on biochemical engineering and there is a vast scope in both domestic and foreign job markets. 

Biochemical engineering course provides you with strong training in various engineering concepts like process engineering, biochemistry, material balance, thermodynamics, reaction kinetics to name a few. As the name suggests, biochemical engineering blends elements of both biotechnology and chemicals and deals with natural raw materials or life processes used for manufacturing purposes. So, at the end of the degree, certified biochemical engineers usually get employed by various manufacturing companies in industries ranging from fertilizers to pharmaceuticals. They are offered exciting on-field job opportunities with billion-dollar corporations not just in India but globally. The following article is a quick snapshot for you to check out all the available options and the excitement of pursuing a professional career in biochemical engineering. 

Biochemical (BCE) Engineering Course Highlights

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Biochemical Engineering Courses- Degrees and Levels:

Undergraduate level (4-year courses)
An introductory level of study. You can pursue multiple undergraduate degrees that can lead to a career in biochemical engineering. One takes up undergraduate after class 12. An undergraduate degree in biochemical engineering equips you with beginner to intermediate skills in biological science and Biochemical Engineering that enable  students to pursue basic technical jobs in the Biochemical Engineering and related industries. The following are the options available in most of the renowned (biochemical) engineering colleges.  

• B.Tech or B.E. in Biochemical Engineering (BCE)

• B.Tech or B.E. in Chemical Engineering

• B.Tech or B.E. in Biotechnology Engineering

Postgraduate level (2-year courses) 

• M.Tech or M.E. in Biochemical Engineering 

• M.Tech or M.E. in Process Engineering

• M.Sc or Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering

Dual degree (5-year course)- Specialised B.Tech + M.Tech or BS + MS courses in biochemical engineering provide dual degree exits with a specialization in a sub-field of Biochemical Engineering.

Postgraduate level (Research-based)- A research-based Master of Science (M.S) in Biochemical Engineering or related fields is the right choice for you if you want to specialize in the field and also uncertain of taking up a PhD right away. It requires an undergraduate degree and is research-intensive with the minimum course load. You will typically choose your area of specialisation and work with a professor on your thesis project. 

Doctoral program (Research-based)- As we briefly mentioned, a doctorate in philosophy (PhD) in biochemical engineering is being able to study a sophisticated area in Biochemical Engineering with the focus to produce a novel research output. One takes up a research and academic career after a PhD or sometimes industries also take in PhD scholars as few experts in the field. Doctoral research in biochemical engineering is an indication of expertise and in-depth knowledge in the field for any professional. Aim for this if you find your passion in biochemical engineering and want to focus your career in research. 

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Biochemical Engineering

Looking at the eligibility for the undergraduate programmes, the minimum criteria to qualify for admission into government colleges is 75% in class 12 with the subjects Maths, Physics and Chemistry. Some of the private colleges have the eligibility as 60% in both class 10 and 12 from a recognised examination board in Central or State level. In the case of government colleges, the eligibility is reduced by 5% for SC/ST/PwD category. 

The postgraduate (M.S and M.Tech) biochemical engineering course has the minimum requirements of B.Tech or B.Sc for admission. The eligibility criteria include an undergraduate B.E or B. Tech degree with a minimum of first-class (60%) marks or 6.0 (out of 10.0) Grade Point Average (GPA) in the disciplines of Biochemical Engineering.

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Admission Criteria for Biochemical Engineering Courses after Class 12th

Biochemical engineering programmes at different levels have qualifying requirements to be eligible for admission. For Master's, the basic criterion is an undergraduate degree in Biochemical Engineering or related disciplines from a biotechnology engineering or chemical engineering college. Apart from this, valid entrance examinations scores are also required for admission.

Entrance Examinations for Biochemical Engineering

The following are the different types of entrance examinations you have to clear to get admission into a biochemical engineering (BCE) course. It is classified on the basis of the level you want to get into. 

Undergraduate level: One of the key evaluators that can decide the admission scenario is the score and rank of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main. It is widely considered valid by many colleges and universities across public and private institutions. While the reputed National Institutes of Technology (NITs) across India in all the states directly offer admission based on the exam, some other institutes offer admission by considering the percentage of marks in class 12t. The JEE Advanced is for getting admission in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc). It is to be noted that very few IITs have an undergraduate program in Biochemical Engineering while almost all IITs and NITs have a postgraduate course.

Postgraduate and research: For postgraduate programmes, Jawaharlal Nehru University Combined Entrance Examination for Biotechnology (JNU CEEB) along with the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) are the two major entrance examinations for securing admission into Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Biochemical Engineering courses, where the score of these two is used by almost all reputed colleges. For the Master of Science admission, the IIT Joint Admission Test (JAM) is a crucial examination. Other major universities and colleges often have their own department level examination for admission. The CSIR-JRF/NET examination is the exam for getting a fellowship to pursue research and it is often required for admission into PhD. 

Fees and Expenses of Biochemical Engineering Courses: Minimum and Maximum

The tuition fee and college expenses for popular biochemical engineering courses are as follows:

Undergraduate level: It typically ranges between Rs. 45,000-Rs. 11,00,000 for a 4-year biochemical engineering course. However, the total fee entirely depends on the college and it varies a lot.

Postgraduate and research: The fees structure at the postgraduate level is determined by the institution you choose. It is in the range of Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 3,00,000 for the entire duration of 2 years. There is a decent stipend allocated for MS and PhD students of Biochemical Engineering; it can be anything between Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 45,000 per month.

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Required Skillset for Biochemical Engineering

Strong technical skills- For any engineering course, technical skills are indispensable. Biochemical engineers often work with basic engineering problems which requires a solid foundation in core engineering areas like mechanics, thermodynamics and physical chemistry.  

Problem-solving skills- In order to pursue any core engineering-related courses, the ability to analytically think and solve problems is very essential. Many situations demand you to be able to identify and solve problems. It is a necessary skill that can be nurtured with practice.

Numerical and analytical skills- As an engineer, the routine tasks often involve rigorous mathematical computations which need one to be quick and accurate over numerical calculations. Complex problem solving often requires strong analytical skills.

Attention to detail- The heavy industrial nature of the biochemical engineering industry requires one to be very observant and aware of tiny details. Many processes in the factory can rely on paying attention to the right problem. It is a skill that can be developed over time.

Passion and dedication- Biochemical engineering is a profession that is very focused to industrial process related areas. It is essential to have the passion and dedicate yourself to the cause of the profession in order to excel.

Ability to work under pressure- Most jobs for a biochemical engineer remain in the industrial environment, they are often field assignments and they require the ability to cope up the pressure and on-field requirements. The field tasks can be often very demanding and it is required to be ready to face challenges and be able to solve problems under pressure.

Communication and Teamworking skills-  Complex problems in engineering always require the tasks to be broken down into small components and handled by team members. Teamworking skills become very important when solving engineering problems that are hard to crack individually. 

Scientific temper- The very nature of the mixed theoretical and practical courses like biochemical engineering requires a scientific approach to problem-solving. You need to be aware of and follow the procedures in order to obtain a solution. It is a skill that can be grown.