Date:07/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/edu/2009/07/07/stories/2009070750100300.htm

Q & A

Courses in genetics

I am a Plus One student and would like pursue a course in genetics. Kindly let me know more about courses in genetics and the related career prospects.

SHEETHAL JOSE

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Genetics deals with the study of genes and heredity, and is part of the biological sciences. Genetic engineering is a scientific process by which the genetic make up of an organism is altered by introducing or eliminating specific genes. Those students who aspire to pursue a course in genetics/genetic engineering should study physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics at the Plus Two level.

Options

At the B. Tech. level, genetic engineering courses are very rare. So after Plus Two, students can opt for B.Tech. courses in biotechnology or biochemical engineering. Another option is to pursue a three-year B.Sc. degree course in genetics, biological sciences, life sciences or biotechnology, and then go for a post-graduation in genetics.

B.Tech.

SRM University (Kattankulathur, Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu) has introduced a four-year B.Tech. course in genetic engineering. Selection is based on a national-level entrance test. Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi will be among the test centres. Admission may be notified in March/April every year. SRM is a private engineering university and its engineering entrance test will be held during May every year. For more details can be obtained from www.srmuniv.ac.in.

Some of the leading institutes offering B.Tech. in biotechnology/biochemical engineering/genetics related courses are the following:

•IIT Madras: four-year B.Tech. in biotechnology and five-year dual degree M.Tech. programme in biotechnology.

•IIT Kharagpur: four-year B.Tech. and five-year dual degree M.Tech. courses in biotechnology and biochemical engineering.

•IIT Delhi: Five-year dual degree in M.Tech in biochemical engineering and biotechnology.

•IIT Roorkee: B.Tech. in biotechnology

Admission to these programmes is through a national-level joint entrance examination. Plus Two holders with physics, chemistry and mathematics can apply.

In Kerala

In Kerala, Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering (Pappanmcode, 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. Admission to the merit seats in these colleges are based on the rank obtained in the State engineering entrance examinations. Details can be obtained from www.cee_kerala.org.

The AWH Special College (Kallai, Kozhikode) offers a B.Sc. course in genetics for Plus Two holders with science subjects. A few universities also offer two-year M.Sc. courses in genetics. Graduates in biological sciences, life sciences or biotechnology and related courses can pursue postgraduate programme in genetics.

M.Sc.

Some of the universities that offer M.Sc. Genetics courses are the following:

•University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi - 21

•Osmania University, Hyderabad – 500007

•Barkathulla Viswavidyalaya, Bhopal – 426026

•Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141004.

•Chowdhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar – 125004

•Rejendra Agricultural University, Samasthipur- 848 125

Some of the universities offering genetics-related courses include:

•Department of Botany, University of Kerala (Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram)—M.Sc. in genetics and plant breeding.

•The School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras (Chepauk, Chennai)—M.Sc.in biomedical genetics.

•VIT University (Vellore)—M.Sc. in biomedical genetics.

•Andhra University (Visakhapatnam)—M.Sc. in human genetics.

•Gurunanak Dev University (Amritsar)—M.Sc. in human genetics.

•Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (Porur, Chennai)—M.Sc. in human genetics

•Banaras Hindu University, (Varanasi, UP)—M.Sc. in molecular and human genetics.

•Madurai Kamaraj University (Palkalai Nagar, Madurai)— M.Sc. plant genetics engineering and M.Sc. in microbial gene technology.

Some universities and research organisations offer research facilities leading to Ph.D. in genetics or related areas. One among them is the Centre for DNA Finger Printing and Diagnostics, Hyderabad. It offers Ph.D. programmes in genetics, molecular and cellular biology, molecular pathogenesis and computational and structural biology. Masters degree holders in any branch of science, technology or agriculture who have cleared CSIR/UGC/DBT/ICMR/ICAR/NET-JRF or MBBS degree holders are eligible for admission.

List of more universities offering B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. courses in genetics can be obtained from the university handbook available at the university employment information and guidance bureaux functioning under all universities in Kerala.

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.

GOPAKUMAR KARAKONAM