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| Monday, November 12, 2007
Higher studies in genetics
Some of the institutions offering graduate and higher study
programmes in genetics and research.
Genetics deals with the study of genes and heredity. Genetics
comes under the biological sciences and it is related to biotechnology
and microbiology. Genetic engineering is the scientific process
by which the genetic make-up of an organism is manipulated by
introducing or eliminating specific genes. Genetic engineering
involves specialisation related to plants, animals and human
beings. Aspirants for careers in genetics or genetic engineering
should study physics, chemist ry, mathematics and biology at
the Plus -Two level. Students who wish to pursue higher studies
in genetics or genetic engineering should have an aptitude for
scientific research, a probing mind, dedication and team spirit.
High-growth area
Genetics comes under the broad area of biotechnology.
The biotechnology industry depends on genetics to produce
pharmaceutical products such as insulin and other medicines.
Biotechnology plays a major role in industrial production,
especially in biochemical engineering. It involves integration
of many branches of biology such as microbiology, biochemistry,
genetics and molecular biology with chemical and systems engineering.
This field is a high-growth area that has thrown up several
job opportunities. Since genetic engineering is very rare
at the graduate (B.Tech.) level, there are two options for
higher studies in genetics and related subjects.
Study options
After Plus-Two, you can gain admission for the four-year B.Tech.
Genetic Engineering / Biotechnology / Biochemical Engineering
programmes by appearing for the entrance test. Another option
is to undergo three-year B.Sc. degree courses in Genetics
/ Biological Science / Life Science / Biotechnology subjects
and then go for a postgraduation in genetics.
B.Tech. courses
In Tamil Nadu, the SRM Institute of Science and Technology
(SRM University) has introduced a four-year B.Tech. Course
in Genetic Engineering on its Ramapuram campus. Those who
have passed 10+2/ equivalent grade with a minimum aggregate
of 50 per cent marks in biology, physics and chemistry are
eligible for admission. Selection is based on a national-level
entrance test. For more details, either visit www.srmuniv.ac.in
or contract SRM Institute of Science and Technology, West
Mambalam, Chennai - 600033, E-mail: registrar@srmuniv.ac.in
Other B.Tech. courses in genetics / biotechnology / biotechnology
and biochemical engineering include the following:
The Indian Institute of Technology(IIT)-Madras (http://jee.iitm.ac.in):
Four-year B.Tech.- Biotechnology, M.Tech. five-year dual degree
in biotechnology.
IIT-Kharagpur ( http://www.iitkgp.ernet.in/jee): Four-year
B.Tech. and five-year dual degree M.Tech. courses in biotechnology
and biochemical engineering.
IIT- Guwahati ( http://www.iitg.ernet.in/jee): B.Tech. Biotechnology
IIT-Delhi ( http://www.iitd.ernet.in/jee): M.Tech. five-year
dual degree in biochemical engineering and biotechnology.
IIT-Roorkee ( http://www.iitr.ac.in/jee): Four-year B.Tech.
Biotechnology
Admission to all the above programmes is through the national-level
IIT Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE). Meritorious final
year Plus-Two students with physics, chemistry and mathematics
as subjects can appear for the test.
A few universities offer two-year M.Sc. courses in Genetics.
Meritorious graduates in biological science/ life sciences/
biotechnology and related courses can take up a postgraduate
programme in genetics.
M.Sc. courses
Some of the universities conducting M.Sc. Genetics are:
• University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi –
21
• Osmania University, Hyderabad – 500 007.
• Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana – 141004
Some of the Universities that offer related courses include
the following:
• The School of Basic Medical Science, University of
Madras, Chennai - 600 005: M.Sc. Biomedical Genetics.
• The Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore - 632
014: M.Sc. Biomedical Genetics.
• Andhra University, Viskhapatanam - 53003: M.Sc. Human
Genetics.
• Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute,
Porur, Chennai - 600 116: M.Sc. Human Genetics.
• Madurai Kumaraj University, Palkalai Nagar, Madurai
- 625 021: M.Sc. Plant Genetics Engineering; M.Sc. Microbial/
Gene Technology.
Some universities and research organisations offer research
facilities leading to Ph.D. in Genetics / related areas.
Job prospects
To become a scientist, one should obtain a doctoral degree
(Ph.D.) in the relevant field. Job opportunities exist in
research and development organisations, pharmaceutical companies,
biotech industries, academic institutions/ colleges and so
on.
The National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi; The Centre
for DNA Fingerprint and Diagnostics, Hyderabad; Biochemical
Engineering Research and Process Development Centre, Chandigarh;
The Institute of Genomic and Integrative Biology, Delhi, are
some of the institutions that appoint genetic engineers and
genetic/ biotech scientists.
There is an increasing demand for genetic engineers in India
and abroad especially in the private sector.
Courtesy: The Hindu - Education Plus
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