Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit

INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOTECHNOLOGY UNIT

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY, ALIGARH

IBU was established by ordinance No. C/1808/Reg dated 3.1.1985 to function as a semi autonomous institution and carry out interdisciplinary teaching and research in biotechnology. Since the year 1990 the M.Sc. Biotechnology program is supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology. The DBT also supports the Distributed Information Sub-Centre (DISC) attached to the Unit.

Presently the faculty of IBU comprises 4 Professor and 1 Associate Professor IBU received research funding from various agencies including DBT, DST, CSIR, UGC, DST-FIST, DBT-BUILDER, DST-PURSE and AYUSH. Since the year 2001, the Unit has been recognized by the Department of Science and Technology under FIST program. The UGC has funded IBU under the SAP (DRS-I &II).

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary science that includes not just biology but also subjects like mathematics, chemistry, physics, and engineering. It is one of the broad areas of biology, involving organisms to recreate and produce. It harnesses bio-molecular and cellular process to develop product and technologies aiding in the betterment of human lives and our planet.

Since it involves understanding how living organisms function at the molecular level, it combines a number of disciplines including biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, science and technology. Modern biotechnology continues to make very significant contributions to extending the human lifespan and improving the quality of life through numerous ways, including providing products and therapies to combat diseases, generating higher crop yields, and using biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Biotechnology is seeing a huge growth in recent years and even more beneficial scientific advancements are made with time. Biotechnology is the most fast-growing field and popular among youth for their career perspective because of its extensive application in various industries majorly in medicines, chemicals, food, textiles, animal science, environment, and the list goes on. With literally tons of industries involved in biotechnology, the field has ample opportunities for students with M.Sc. in Biotechnology for their better career options.

M.Sc. Biotechnology program; The main idea of M.Sc. Biotechnology program is to provide exceptional courses or curriculum serving students with strong professional skills development. M.Sc. syllabus is not just theory but the syllabus also emphasizes providing practical knowledge to students in their chosen specialization. It also aims at training students in the field of Biotechnology such as Genetic Engineering, Agricultural Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Applied Microbiology, and Bioprocess Technology.

Admission to M.Sc. Biotechnology; M.Sc Biotechnology is a postgraduate Biotechnology course running in this University since academic year 1984-85. The University admits 14 students to the M.Sc. Biotechnology course through an All India Entrance Test. The students are offered courses in various disciplines of modern biology, biotechnology, lab courses, project work and seminar lectures.

Admission to Ph.D. Biotechnology; Admissions to Ph.D. Biotechnology program are also done through an All-India open admission test and interview. The number of seats is announced every year as per the available vacancies.

Currently, there are 38 research scholars working in the Unit for their Ph.D. The existing infrastructure of the Unit offers facilities for research in the areas of Molecular Biology, Cellular Immunology/Immunochemistry, Membrane Biology/ Biotechnology, Enzyme Engineering, Structure and Function of Macromolecules and Drug Targeting.

Scope after M.Sc./Ph.D Biotechnology Courses; The major application of biotechnology is in 4 industries, including health care, crop production, agriculture, non-food industries, and the most important one, environment. Biotechnology is a research-oriented field. One must possess some sound technical skills in biotechnology along with some behavioral skills such as team spirit as well as good communication and analytical skills, to get a good job.

Biotechnology has good scope in India. Major fields where biotechnology students work as professionals are Agricultural, Medicine and health care, Industries trial research, Environment Research and development, and animal husbandry, etc.

Also, M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree holder in Biotechnology, are eligible for most of the Research Jobs in various research and development department of companies. In India, few big organization takes student only who have qualified any of the national level entrance exams like DBT BET, CSIR NET, GATE, ARS NET, ICMR JRF, etc.

Qualified Bio-technologists mostly get into jobs with different drug (pharmaceutical) companies, chemical, bioprocessing industries, agriculture-related industries, and pollution control industries in India and abroad as well.  

Career of Biotechnologist:

·        Pharmaceutical Companies

·        Clinical Research Centers

·        Medical Device Manufacturers

·        Colleges and Universities

·        Further studies / Job Opportunities Abroad