|
|
|
|
|
| Monday, Sep 08, 2008
A niche study area
Genetic engineering provides many career options and specialisations.
For those seriously interested in taking up genetics, there
are many universities that offer programmes both at the graduate
and postgraduate levels. 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. Those aspiring to study genetics
or genetic engineering should study physics, chemistry, mathematics
and biology at the Plus Two level and should have an aptitude
for scientific research, a probing mind, dedication and team
spirit.
Genetics comes under the broad area of biotechnology. The biotechnology
industry depends on genetics to produce pharmaceutical products
such as insulin and other medicines. In the medical field, genetics
focuses on diseases. It strives to understand the molecular
basis of diseases and their cure. Genetic tests also help in
identifying culprits in criminal cases.
Biotechnology plays a major role in industrial production, especially
in biochemical engineering. It involves the 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. Most universities offer genetics not as a
separate discipline, but as a subsidiary in the biotechnology,
microbiology and biochemistry streams.
Study options
At the B.Tech.-level genetic engineering courses are very rare.
So after Plus Two, students can also opt for
B.Tech. courses in biotechnology or biochemical engineering.
Another option is to undergo a three-year B.Sc. degree course
in genetics, biological sciences, life sciences or biotechnology
and then go for post graduation in genetics.
B.Tech.
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRM University), Chennai,
has introduced a four-year B.Tech. course in genetic engineering
on its Ramapuram campus. Those who have passed 10+2 or equivalent
with at least 50 per cent marks in aggregate for biology, physics
and chemistry are eligible for admission. Selection is based
on a national-level entrance test.
Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi will be among the test centres.
For more details, visit www.srmuniv.ac.in or contact SRM University,
West Mambalam, Chennai – 600 033. (e-mail: registrar@srmuniv.ac.in)
Some of the other institutes offering B.Tech. courses in genetics,
biotechnology or biochemical engineering are:-
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras (http://jee.iitm.ac.in)
– four-year B.Tech. biotechnology and five-year dual degree
M.Tech. programme in biotechnology
• IIT Kharagpur ( www.iitkgp.ernet.in/jee) – four-year
B.Tech. and five-year dual degree M.Tech. courses in biotechnology
and biochemical engineering
• IIT Guwahati ( www.iitg.ernet.in/jee) – B.Tech.
biotechnology
• IIT Delhi ( www.iitd.ernet.in/jee) – five-year
dual degree M.Tech. in biochemical engineering and biotechnology
• IIT Roorkee ( www.iitr.ac.in/jee) – B.Tech. biotechnology
Admission to these programmes is through the national-level
IIT Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE). Plus Two holders with
physics, chemistry and mathematics as subjects can appear for
the test.
In Kerala, SCT College of Engineering, Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram;
Mohandas College of Engineering and Technology, Anad, Nedumangad,
Thiruvananthapuram; MET’s School of Engineering, Mala,
Thrissur; Sree Budha College of Engineering, Nooranadu, Alappuzha;
and Sahrdaya College of Engineering and Technology, Kodakara,
Thrissur offer B.Tech. courses in biotechnology and biochemical
engineering..
The AWH Special College Kallai, Kozhikode – 673 003 conducts
a B.Sc. course in genetics.
A few universities also offer two-year M.Sc. course in genetics.
Meritorious graduates in biological sciences, life sciences
or 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
• Bharkathulla Viswavidalaya, Bhopal – 426 026
• Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana – 141
004
• Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana – 141
004
• Chowdhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University,
Hissar – 125 004
• Rajendra Agricultural University, Samasthipur –
848 125
Some of the universities offering related courses include:
• Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Kariavattom,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695 581: M.Sc. genetics and plant
breeding
• The School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras,
Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005: M.Sc. biomedical genetics
• The Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT University),
Vellore – 632 014: M.Sc. biomedical genetics
• Andhra University, Visakhapatanam – 530 003: M.Sc.
human genetics
• Gurunanak Dev University, Amritsar – 143 005: M.Sc.
human genetics
• Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute,
Porur, Chennai – 600 116: M.Sc. human genetics
Courtesy: The Hindu - Education Plus
|
| << Back |
|
|
