What is Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering is a part of modern genetics that is used at a global level for numerous purposes. It is a combination of various technologies and scientific concepts using which scientists can change the genomic data like DNA of a naturally occurring cell to make it commercially useful.
Also called genetic modification, it allows humans to take complete control over the genetic material of any organism. Although currently it is mostly being used to modify the genes of vegetables to make them more resistant to insects and going bad, it can be used in near future once we have enough knowledge about genes to write out genetic conditions like diabetes or increased chances of blood pressure, or even cancer and the hundreds and thousands of other genetic conditions.
Genetic Engineering is a rather new and less explored field of science all over the world, but with the increasing advancement in science and technology, the course is present in almost every major science university. The B.Tech in Genetic Engineering course deals with multiple types of problems related to the medical field, agriculture, and industrial consumption. The resulting organisms are used for various factors such as increasing production, quality enhancement, mineral addition, and hormone production.
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Genetic Engineering
For Undergraduate Genetic Engineering Courses
The students need to have at least 50% marks during their 10+2 from a recognised national or state level education board.
The core subjects in 10+2 class should be Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics.
Students need to clear national level entrance exams or the entrance exam of the respective institute based on the requirement of the respective college(University).
For Postgraduate Genetic Engineering Courses
Aspirants must have a bachelor's degree in Genetic Engineering with at least 50-60% marks from a reputed institute.
The most common basis of admission into genetic courses is the national level entrance exam scores or the in-house exams of the university based on the requirement of the respective college(University).
Genetic Engineering Entrance Exams
Candidates who wish to pursue genetic engineering, both at UG and PG level will have to appear for entrance exams conducted at state, national and University level.
Joint Entrance Exam (JEE)- JEE is one of the most common entrance examinations for admission into various engineering courses all over India. This is a national level examination, and students can opt for it after completing their 10+2 education. This exam is divided into two phases, JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)- GATE is also a national level entrance exam conducted to grant admission in postgraduate courses. It is conducted online in February.
Birla Institute of Science and Technology Admission Test (BITSAT)- Conducted in May, it is an institute level examination for admission in graduate-level courses. This online exam is considered one of the most competitive engineering entrance exams.
VITEEE- The computer-based test is conducted by VIT Vellore for admissions into various undergraduate engineering courses like B.Tech in genetic engineering offered by its participating campuses.
SRMJEEE- SRM Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed University) conducts SRMJEEE for admission to UG engineering programs (B.E./B.Tech).
KEAM- The Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala conducts the Kerala Engineering, Architecture and Medical (KEAM) entrance exam to offer admission into various engineering colleges in the state.
Scope of Genetic Engineering in India and Abroad
Genetic engineering is one of the most widely pursued courses in India, with numerous career aspects in both private and government sector at various entry levels, wherein an undergraduate or postgraduate student can easily find work as a research assistant or as lab manager, PhD scholars can join the university as lecturers while continuing their postdoctoral training alongside.
To be a genetic engineering scientist, you just need a doctoral degree in biological sciences. On the completion of the program, one can get work in the R&D departments of various Government Institutions.
India being a hub of generic medicines, there are tons of job opportunities in medical and pharmaceutical industries, genetic engineering firms, and chemical industries with salaries varying anywhere between Rs. 8-12 lakhs p.a. (Approx.). If anyone chooses to work in research labs of various reputed universities, one day, you may even be administering a whole research project fully funded by the state.
Course Fees Genetic Engineering
|
Minimum Fees |
Maximum Fees |
|
Private |
Government |
Private |
Government |
| UG |
6.00 Lakhs
B.E /B.Tech in Genetic Engineering at Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
|
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Data not available
|
10.00 Lakhs
B.E /B.Tech in Genetic Engineering at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
|
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Data not available
|
| PG |
99.00 K
M.E /M.Tech. in Genetic Engineering at NIMS University, Jaipur
|
1.54 Lakhs
M.Sc. in Genetic Engineering at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
|
7.50 Lakhs
M.Sc. in Genetic Engineering at Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Jaipur
|
1.54 Lakhs
M.Sc. in Genetic Engineering at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
|
| DOCTORAL |
3.60 Lakhs
Ph.D in Genetic Engineering at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara
|
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Data not available
|
5.04 Lakhs
Ph.D in Genetic Engineering at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara
|
---
Data not available
|
Course Subjects
The B.Tech/B.Sc the course in Genetic Engineering is offered by most of the well-reputed science universities across India. The course is 4 years long and is divided into 8 semesters.
The diverse range of subjects present in the curriculum of this course are –
The post graduation course in Genetic Engineering is also less explored, but it is offered by most of the universities in India. The course is 2 years long and is divided into 4 semesters. Some of the major subjects included in the curriculum are-
Genetics of Bacteria
Bioprocess Engineering
Gene Expression and Regulation
Bio-separation Technology
Drosophila Genetics
Molecular Plant Breeding
Animal Cell Culture Techniques
Plant Genetic Engineering
Functional Genomics Technology
Human Genetics
Careers in Genetic Engineering
In the past few years, India has become a global hub for the production of generic medicines at a lower price. Due to an increase in demand for medicines, biotech firms in India are increasing day by day, Genetic Engineering sector has a huge scope of expansion and job opportunities.
Investment in this sector increased threefold due to the pandemic. One can also opt for teaching as a career in this field, as more and more colleges and institutions are including genetic engineering in their curriculum, for which they are hiring research scholars and professionals in the field.
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Job Profiles After Genetic Engineering Course
The easiest way for students to decide their future degree is to analyse the placement options available in that sector. Due to the establishment of the field of Genetic Engineering in recent times, it is less popular than other relatively old science fields, but the career opportunity in this domain is higher.
The advancement of the Genetic Engineering sector has taken place very quickly, and the introduction of many new technologies and lab techniques has risen the recruitment. The industry seeks students who have the vision to improve this field and contribute to the advancement of the sector. Having a proper education from a good university or institute along with the required skills allows the candidates to get a good job position with a handsome salary.
Some of the highest recruiters include many government agencies as well as other private sectors like pharmaceutical research, and the prosthetics industry. The recruitment is often done every year, and the main factors for selection included the experience, skills, and field knowledge exhibited by the candidates.
Some of the highly preferred job profiles present in the field of Genetic Engineering are mentioned in the following table. The given job description can tremendously help aspirants to choose a specific field to apply for.
Job Profile | Job Description |
Professor | A Professor of Genetic Engineering teaches graduates at the university level regarding their respective specialisation. |
Genetic Engineer | A Genetic Engineer is responsible for using their field knowledge and innovating new health systems or products essential from the commercial and scientific perspective. They play a major role in managing artificial organs to instrumentation involved in the field. |
Geneticist | The role of a Geneticist is to examine patients with hereditary genetic disorders and provide them with suitable and relatively safe treatment procedures. |
Genomics | A Genomics' job is to identify the presence of any type of alteration in their genomic sequences to predict the possibility of acquiring or transferring genetic disorders in the future. |
Medical Writer | A Research Writer, as the name suggests, is involved in proofreading, editing, and publishing various scientific research papers that contain data from clinical studies to statistical reports. |
Information Security Engineer | An Information Security Engineer creates and monitors security protocols to secure any type of research data and systems from security breaches. |
Biophysicist | A Biophysicist carries out experiments to identify the effect of various substances like preservatives, hormones, or other commercial products onto living organisms and the environment. |
Top Recruiters in Genetic Engineering Sector
The field of Genetic Engineering combines multiple specialisations and sectors which overall results in diversifying the job profiles. Major sectors like medical, pharmaceuticals, education, and even military offer recruitment to qualified candidates.
And with the involvement of government organisations and NGOs, the employment rate for professionals is increasing steadily. Some of the major institutes and industries offering recruitment to Genetic Engineering students are –
The National Institute of Immunology
Aurobindo Pharma
Fresenius Medical Care
Biochemical Engineering Research and Process Development Centre
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
Aspen Pharma
Lupin
Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc
The Institute of Genomic and Integrative Biology
Required Skillset for Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering is not merely a theoretical field in which students can easily learn and excel in their performance. The field is highly practical; thus, it has a very high demand for professionals who are not only good in the academic part but as well as have the ability to handle the practical aspect of the field. Some of the technical yet crucial skills demanded in the field of Genetic Engineering includes-
Patience- Most of the techniques and methodologies involved in Genetic Engineering require substantial amounts of time and precision so aspirants should be able to perform these techniques without any error.
Lab Handling skills – The work of a genetic engineer takes place mostly in a lab where they are supposed to handle sensitive equipment and having an idea about lab equipment along with their handling is an essential component.
Computer skills – Much computer-aided design (CAD) programs are used in these experiments and research methods, so knowing about the basic use of CAD improves the selection chances of a candidate.
Research skills – Genetic Engineers often work on projects which are completely new and unexplored. One should be able to identify the type of information required and have the research skills to collect data.
Course Curriculum for Genetic Engineering
The course of Genetic Engineering introduces the study of genes at a broader level. Students are taught about living organisms from plants to human beings at a genetic level.
From advanced lab equipment to modern gene-editing techniques, the curriculum covers all the aspects to make aspirants ready for the field of Genetic Engineering.
The course not only takes the concepts from science but other subjects also have a major part in this field such as mathematics, and chemistry. The curriculum also equips students with theoretical as well as practical knowledge via lab experiments, including all the essential technology of today's time.
Popular Genetic Engineering Entrance Exams in India
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Declaration of Result: 25 May, 2021
Popular Genetic Engineering Colleges in India
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Questions related to Genetic Engineering
Showing 251 out of 251 Questions
9 Views
what is the scope of doing a ph.D.
is there scope. to do oh.d which
uG course I should pursue will I be able to do ph.d when I pursue genetic engineering?
Hello,
will have plenty of relevant experience in is an academic job, such as university lecturer or researcher. Now minimum qualification get a job as professor in college is Phd. candidate must complete a Bachelor’s degree in Science with specialization in Biophysics/ Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology/ Genetics or B.tech in genetic engineering . After attaining the relevant Bachelor’s degree, the candidates can either go for M.Sc in any of the above subjects or M.Tech or Master’s degree in Genetic Engineering. Obtaining an M.Tech degree will not be enough for the position of researcher or scientists. Therefore, a Ph.D in the respective field is mandatory.
11 Views
what is about genetic engineering.
does it have scope?
Hello aspirant,
Genetic Engineering is that field which is related to genes & DNA. Genetic engineering is used by scientists to improve or modify the traits of an individual organism .
yes it has a good scope.
After pursuing courses in genetic engineering , you can work in medical and pharmaceutical industries, research and development departments, agricultural sector, genetic engineering firms, chemical companies, etc. ... With the increasing number of biotech firms in India, the future scope in genetic engineering is good.
Hope this helps you
All the best for your future
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