Q.  What is the scope for M.Sc. in bioinformatics & which are the best institutes for it?

Ans .Bioinformatics deals with methods for storing, retrieving and analyzing biological data. Bioinformatics as a field of study is becoming increasingly important due to the interest of the pharmaceutical industry in genome sequencing projects, which comprise a key segment of the discipline. Bioinformatics uses computer software tools for database creation, data management, data warehousing, data mining and global communication network. For admission into Bio-informatics course, a postgraduate degree in Biotechnology, Physics, Mathematics, chemistry, Microbiology, Botany, zoology, Agriculture or Veterinary Sciences is required. Those with an MCA degree or Engineering degree can also apply. One needs to be either a biologist with a certain degree of computer knowledge edge or a computer professional with a serious interest in biology.

For increased career opportunities, possessing both skill-sets is a good idea though employers usually desire knowledge in computer applications. Some of the institutes who offer advanced courses are: Madurai Kamraj Univ., Madurai; Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi, Mumbai, Kharagpur, Kanpur); University of Pune, Pune; Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh; Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; B.H.U. Varanasi; Bose Institute, Kolkata; Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad; Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi; Bioinformatics Institute of India, Delhi; CCS Univ., Meerut; Pondicherry Univ., Pondicherry, Instt. of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology G-05, Tech Park Mall, ITPL, Whitefield Road, Bangalore-560066. For M.Sc. the requirement is B.Sc. (Biology Group) and for P.G. Diploma, the eligibility is generally M.Sc. in any branch of Biological Sciences e.g. Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, M.B.B.S., M.E., M.C.A., M.V.Sc.

Bioinformatics as a profession is coming into wave in various developed as well as developing countries. Persons trained in Bio-Informatics are welcome especially in companies related to drug development, chemicals, hybrid plants, petroleum derivatives. Bio-Informatics plays a key role in arising new research outputs. There are enormous prospects in R D Organisations, software companies and Govt. organizations. Bio Informatics Industry requires experts from various fields like Micro Biology, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Bio-statistics, Maths, Graphics designing and Genomics etc.

Q. Please give me information about medical transcription course. I am interested in naturopathy give guidelines ?

Ans. Medical transcription is the process of converting a health care provider’s dictated (or handwritten) notes into accurate, readable records. Medical transcription requires a practical knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, disease processes, and the internal organization of medical reports. Thus, the medical transcriptionist must be conversant with the language of medicine and surgery, but this relates to allopathic medicine, not naturopathy. Medical Transcription as a business is classified as an IT enabled service in India and is also part of BPO (Business Process Outsourcing). Advertisements of medical transcription training appear in the prominent dailies and may also be tracked on the internet. You could find out about the Naturopathy courses and other related information from the website of the National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune (http://www.punenin.org/faq.htm). Normally, the Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences is the formal training for naturopathy. You can find out more by contacting the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, 61-65 Institutional Area, Janakpuri, New Delhi-110058 (www.ccryn.org).

Q. I did my BSc in zoology from Mumbai university and am hoping to get a admission in M.Sc Environmental Science. Does the feild have scope here in India ?

Ans. The field has scope in India, but unless the university offers direct placement from campus, you would have to be responsible for the job search. It may not be easy to locate jobs for fresh post graduates. Pursuing a PhD or MTech would enhance employment potential and provide long term prospects. You could also pursue MSc Biotech or MSc Bioinformatics, etc but the choice of employment from these courses would also tend to be in research or academia. Hence you have to be sure that you have the passion, enthusiasm and ability to pursue such careers.

Q. Dear Sir, I am doing B.Sc Microbiology 1sy Year. I want to know the best Universities/Institutes for doing M.Sc Microbiology. Also please guide about the career options other than teaching, after doing M.Sc OR Graduation.

Ans. University of Mumbai, Delhi University, Madras University, M S University of Baroda, Madurai Kamaraj University, etc. Microbiologists are employed by diagnostic laboratories public health laboratories, or they may pursue research in universities, medical institutes, pharmaceutical companies, research and development laboratories in the private sector, as well as in government departments relating to animal health, community health, environment, agriculture and allied areas. Microbiologists may perform quality control as well as undertake clinical research.

Q. kindly give me details regarding M.Sc courses which can be pursued after B.Sc in microbiology particularly in the field of genetics, immunology and other related areas. kindly give me the details of institutions offering the courses throughout India. Thanking you?

A. Postgraduate degree in genetics/ allied subjects may be pursued at some of the agricultural universities, University Of Delhi, Somalia University , Hyderabad, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, University of Kerala, ,Thiruvananthpuram, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, West Bengal  University of Technology, Kolkata, etc. M Sc in Human Genetics is offered in only a few universities like Jiwaji University Gwalior (http://www.jiwaji.edu/sos/zoology.htm), Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam(www.andhrauniversity.info/science/humangenetics/default.aspx), Mani pal University, Maniple (www.manipal.edu), Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai (www.srmc.edu), Guru Nanak Dev University,Amritsar(http://www.gnduonline.org/department/human.asp) and at National Centre for Human Genome Studies & Research,PanjabUniversity, Chandigarh (http://nchgsr.puchd.ac.in/). Immunology is usually offered as a PhD programme after a biological science (including medicine, veterinary science and pharmacy) post graduation. It would not be possible for you to apply for universities across the country because the admission norms and entrance exam (where required) schedules would be difficult to coordinate. Hence, the best course of action would be to focus on the universities which offer admission based on a national level entrance test.

Q. I am studying in B.Sc. Microbiology I wanna do my post graduation in M.Sc biotechnology am i eligible for it or not. If I am kindly send me detail of colleges?

Ans. In most cases, you would be eligible for M.Sc Biotech. If you appear for the Common Biotechnology Entrance Examination by the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi you would be able to apply for M.Sc Biotech across many of the participating universities. Other universities may have their own selection process. The JNU website would provide links to the various participating universities and give you a choice of universities where your BSc background would enable you to apply for the MSc Biotech programme.

Q. Sir, I have done B.Sc.(Bio). I want to know about clinical research programme. plz tell me the name of institutions providing the course and the future prospects?

Ans.  Academy for Clinical Excellent (www.aceindia.org), Altair Institute of Communication & Management Studies, Mumbai (www.aicmsindia.org), Institute of Clinical Research (India) (www.icriindia.com), International Center for Training in Clinical Research, (ICTCR) (www.ictcr.org) Clinical Research Education & Management Academy (CREMA) (www.cremaindia.org), MGM University of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai (www.mgmuhs.com), Inter-Ed Faculty of Clinical Research, Kochi (www.ifcr.in or www.ifcr.info) , Bilcare Research Academy, Pune (www.bilcareacademy.com), Nucleus Institute of Clinical Research (NICR) (www.nucleuspune.org) and Reliance School of Life Sciences, Dhirubhai Ambani Life Sciences Center, Navi Mumbai (www.rsls.ac.in) are among the institutions providing clinical research courses.Future prospects are projected to be good. Your decision to pursue clinical research should be based on a clear understanding of the nature of work and the fact that you possess the right abilities and personality traits for success in this field.

Q. What are the opportunities for Environmental Science Students especially in agricultural background?

Ans. On completion of your education in the field of environmental sciences, you may get jobs in the areas of teaching research and development, pollution control etc. Some of the possibilities considering your background in Agricultural are listed below:-

Lecturers Those who have a post- Graduate degree in any field of Environmental Sciences and with a Doctoral work may take up the teaching profession as a lecturer in the pay scale of Rs. 35000-40,000 as per the Govt. pay scales. They are supposed to take graduate or post-graduate classes of environmental related subjects such as air water quality management, environmental ecology, industrial waste treatment, environmental chemistry etc. They are also expected to guide students that are involved in environmental related research. Lecturers are also appointed in Research Institutes that impart education in this field. Ecologists study environmental influences such as temperature, rainfall, altitude, kind and quality of food etc. and their effects on plant or animal growth and development. They run experimental farms or laboratories under natural and artificial conditions to watch effects of climatic conditions on crops, plants and animals. The industries that deal with synthetic dyes, pesticides, metals, minerals, plastic dust or plastics etc. employ environmentalists to comply environmental control provisions in the plant.

They are designated as Manager (Ecology), Environmental Planner etc. One should be a graduate in Environmental Eng. or a post graduate in Environmental Science for these posts. Scientists involved in toxicity testing and evaluation of industrial chemicals and products are supposed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of pollution control systems. They are involved in applied research in order to develop new concepts relevant to the Environment sector. They also promote research and development in the related areas such as Wild Life Science, Social Forestry etc. One should be a post-graduate with a doctoral degree in the concerned field for being eligible for the posts of Scientists Research Officers/Project Officers/Consultants Those who have academic excellence in the field of Environmental science may work as project officer, research officers or as consultants. They are concerned with educating masses and making them aware about natural environment. For the purpose they conduct training programme for teachers and other concerned persons.

They are also employed to look after a specified research project relating to environmental issues. Highly qualified persons who work as consultants get very handsome salaries which are negotiable. Jobs are available in Research Institutes and Government Departments that deal with environmental problems. The private organisations that are concerned with these issues also employ these people. Technicians/ Research Assistants Technicians help Engineers and Scientists in their day to day working. Lab Assistants, for example, look after the equipments/chemicals in the laboratory. They perform testing of chemicals etc. as directed by their supervisors. They are also responsible for cleaning the apparatus. ResearchAssistants in this field collect, compile and analyse the scientific data pertaining to multidisciplinary aspects of environmental protection. One should have a Master’s degree in any branch of Environmental Sciences or Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering. Those who have experience get preference. Since the subject of environmental science is a multidisciplinary subject, jobs are available in several other fields also. These may be the jobs of Environmental planner in Housing and Town Planning Sectors, Foresters in Forestry Sector etc.

Q. Please let me know the vacancies for a fresh B.Sc. Graduate with First Class in Biotechnology?

Ans. In recent times, biotechnology as a subject has grown rapidly. And as far as employment is concerned, it has become the second fastest growing sector after multi-media. Candidates with postgraduate degree in biotechnology get absorbed in corporate and government sector, both. Qualified biotechnologists are employed in leading Indian business houses and MNCs including pharmaceutical companies, chemical industries, bio-processing industries, agriculture related industries and pollution control activities of the major industries etc. They can even join government and corporate run research and development organizations. On the whole making it a good career opportunity for the bright young people. Internet should be your primary source of search for job positions in the biotechnology field apart from the vacancy circulars in newspapers, Employment News and placement agencies. You may also access http://www.trajectory.in for the relevant information

After a B.Tech or a B.Sc. in biotechnology there are various opportunities for students in India , You can either go for higher studies like M.tech, M.Sc. or PhD degrees for improving your skills and up gradation of your degree or you can go for jobs in the biotech companies, research institutes ,Pharmacy companies ,even universities and colleges.

There is a big scope in sales department of biotech companies making tools and machines for research, these companies’ hire graduates for their marketing and sales. Here salary ranges from 15-25 thousand.

Media technician: performs experiments as required and outlined, and develops and maintains record keeping for procedures and experiments performed.

Green house assistant: helps in determining optimal cultural requirements and perform tasks related to disease and pest prevention; they often are required to collect, record, and analyze data, as well as interpret result.

Plant breeders: work in labs performing mating mechanisms in plants and helps in developing new varieties.

Quality control analyst: at pharmacy companies are used to test the diagnostic kits for their functioning checking expiry dates and quality of results of a lot of supplies .test can be immunological where handling of blood serum samples is done, ELISA etc are also used

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist: has to develop plan and implement industrial safety procedures within a company.

Clinical data specialist: is required to design implement and test clinical data studies, making records and statistical reports etc

Clinical coordinator: one who supervises all the lab activities ,and arrange meeting and prepare other schedules needed for functioning of labs, The clinical coordinator is responsible for project staffing requirements and tracking drug supply to outside vendors, as well as providing ongoing, objective updates on progress and problems with projects, tracking and following up on action items.

Various veterinary research institutes employ animal handler, Technicians and laboratory assistants for their work E.g. at India veterinary research institute, Izzatnagar up.

Career Prospects in Biotechnology after Post-Graduation:

After post graduation in biotechnology students generally go for PhD through net gate JRFs or MBA for establishing themselves in business industry.

After M.Sc. in biotechnology students are hired to work as project assistants at research institute or research fellows ,they are generally paid from 20,000-30,000 in govt. Institutes. Here they are required to assist and work on a particular project this makes them gain experience and move ahead in research field.

In corporate sector student with higher capabilities are selected for deserving positions e.g. Biocon .These companies also do campus recruitment where students get a better chance to demonstrate their skills.

Various positions for postgraduates are:

Research assistant: is responsible for carrying out the research projects ,it involves working out the plan of project carrying out experiments ,ordering research materials ,results interpretation etc .

Quality control engineer: has to develop, apply, revise, and maintain quality standards for processing materials into partially finished or finished products. Helps in designing and implementing methods and procedures for inspecting, testing, and evaluating the precision and accuracy of products and prepares documentation for inspection testing procedures.

Clinical programmer: is required to coordinate and monitor the tasks in the laboratories ,implementing data management plans designed to meet project and protocol deadlines, and consults in the design and development of clinical trials, protocols, and case report forms, analyzes and evaluation of clinical data, recognizes inconsistencies, and initiates the resolution of data problems.

Biochemical Development Engineer: has to carry out design and scale-up of processes, manage instruments and equipment from the laboratory through the pilot plant and manufacturing process. Assists the manufacturing operations in problem solving with regards to equipment and systems and participates in the design and start-up of new manufacturing facilities and equipment. Develops and recommends new process formulas and technologies to achieve cost effectiveness and product quality.

Lectureships and assistant professorship: these position grant a easy life and simple teaching job which is clean and respectful job, these position can be seen in all the major Universities, colleges and even private tuition centres, these pay more and require less work input.

Career Prospects in Biotechnology after Doctorate

Professor and readers: A full-fledged doctor is usually given higher positions in the colleges and universities; this is also very respectful job and involves giving lectures to students and helping to shape their career.

Scientists: this post is present both in Govt research institutes and private companies for carrying out research and development, discovering new procedures, species drugs etc for the benefit of mankind, also to get patents for their work which gives them a right to get paid for their discovered products, many companies are also indulged in this field and offers best packages to their R and D personnel eg Ranbaxy, biocon etc. They can work in any field from biochemical procedures to stem cell research and cancer and aids treatment research etc .There is a huge demand of India scientist worldwide. This position is present for all fields including Pharmacy, clinical research, Bio-organics etc.
Various fields include:

Drug Discovery – These scientists often have backgrounds of molecular biology, cell biology, and exposure to todays hot biotech technologies like gene therapy or antisense.

Receptor Biology – it includes post of Receptor Biochemists, Molecular Biologists with experience in receptors and their ligands, and Cell Biologists with experience in G protein-coupled receptors.

Cell Biology – New fields of research in the cell therapy and tissue engineering sectors combine with the continuing need for mammalian cells as a production system for proteins. Cells are the engines and brains of many processes, and the biologist who understands these new frontiers is on the cutting edge of the job market.

Bioinformatics – this include work in Structural biology, genome annotations like that of human genome project ,computational chemistry, mathematics used in modelling complex structures or processes, bio computational specialists may learn to make simpler molecules that produce the same end results

Bio analytical Chemistry – For those who develop and validate the critical assays needed by both R & D and clinical manufacturing.

Formulations and Drug Delivery – Another career for both chemists and engineers are. Having a Ph.D. Pharmaceutical Chemist or Biochemist with experience in formulation chemistry and/or drug delivery technologies (i.e. controlled release) this is relatively new and not much exploited so have more openings for deserving candidates.

Clinical Research – a very promising field where in a good job a guaranteed in any clinical research company.

Bioprocess Engineering – Like fermentation products, bioactive foods biochemical’s, bio pesticides, enzymes, etc. This has growing daily needs in the market

Career Prospects in Biotechnology after Post-Doctorate:

Post Doctorate: During a post doctorate people generally are getting paid for their skill and knowledge so it is itself a kind of job, You get the highest position in markets of both research and development and corporate sector .Since you already have experience after PhD there is just the maximum amount you can fetch from industries for you research work be it in stem cell, cancer, HIV diabetes or any other disease, some tool or technique in bioinformatics, creating own web servers.

There is always a teaching position and that of Head of the departments and Directors of institutes who require to take lectures, perform research works, train other PhD students under them and contribute to the developments in their fields and represent their institutes etc.

In any field of drug discovery, modelling, clinical research, pharmacy, molecular and cell biology, immunology etc. there is always a need for these highly qualified and experienced personnel who can take their company to new heights and make the earn huge profits.

(The baseline is that there is no necessity of a Ph.D degree. With an M.Sc., M.Tech., B.Tech degree, one is equipped to do the routine activities like quality control, quality assurance, processing, production, downstream processing and fermentation, marketing and sales, regulatory sector, technology transfer, clinical trials and in the bioservices segment (CROs). Where as if one is looking at developing IPR for a company or go into innovative research, then it is preferable to have a PhD degree. Finally, it is your mindset, which is important and not the degree.)