MSc in Plant Biotechnology: Course, Fees, Duration, Syllabus, Career Options

MSc in Plant Biotechnology: Course, Fees, Duration, Syllabus, Career Options

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Nov 02, 2024 01:18 PM IST | #M.Sc.

MSc in Plant Biotechnology is a two-year postgraduate degree programme. Plant Biotechnology is a branch of science that modifies plants for human use using engineering methods. Plant science, plant agriculture, and plant biology are a few of the plant biotechnology specialisations. Students gain knowledge of plant physiology, breeding, and pathology at the molecular level in this MSc degree programme.

This Story also Contains
  1. M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology Course Details
  2. M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology Eligibility Criteria
  3. M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology Admission
  4. M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology Syllabus
  5. Scope of M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology

MSc Plant Biotechnology course offers graduates job opportunities with an average package of Rs. 5 Lakhs. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent are eligible to apply for this course. There are various career opportunities after pursuing M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology such as research scientists, biotechnologists, plant tissue culture specialists, bioinformaticians, and product development scientists.

M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology Course Details

ParticularsValues

Degree Name

M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology

Degree Type

Master of Science

Degree Duration

2 years

Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution in a relevant discipline with a minimum of 50 per cent.

Admission process

Merit-based or can be based on entrance test results

Average Salary

Rs. 5 Lakhs

Job Profiles

Research Scientists, Biotechnologists, Plant Tissue Culture Specialist, Bioinformatician, Product Development Scientist

Top Recruiters

Agriculture and Seed Companies, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Companies, Government Research Institutes, International Agricultural and Biotech Organisations, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Companies

M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who wish to pursue M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology must fulfil the required eligibility criteria of the programme. These admission conditions can be different for various colleges, however, most of the institutes require the same eligibility conditions to be fulfilled. Some basic admission requirements are as follows:

  • Individuals are required to complete their BSc degree in a relevant field like Chemistry or Biochemistry.
  • Students must obtain a minimum of 50 per cent in their respective bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.

M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology Admission

The admission process to pursue M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology varies by institute. Candidates are advised to check the admission process of the programme on the official websites of various colleges to get the exact information. However, a general framework of the procedure to be followed is provided below.

  • Candidates are required to either visit the institute or fill out the application form through the college’s official website.
  • They must submit the relevant documents along with the application form.
  • The candidate's merit is the only consideration in the admissions process.
  • To get admission, applicants must satisfy the cutoff score for admission to certain colleges.
  • Some universities may also choose to conduct personal interviews.
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Cutoff of Top Colleges

The M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology cut-off is dependent on a group of factors such as determining a student's merit and the number of applicants. Admission to the college is provided to those who score above the cut-off percentage, rank, or marks. Each college's cutoff depends majorly on the merit examinations and the number of students who apply for the programme.

Required Skills for M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology

To excel in M.Sc. In Plant Biotechnology, individuals should possess a combination of different skills and qualities. Some key skills that candidates should ideally possess to pursue the degree are:

  • Knowledge of Food Chemistry & Microbiology
  • Attention to Detail
  • Strong Analytical Skills
  • Problem-Solving Ability
  • Technical Proficiency
  • Communication Skills

M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology Syllabus

The MSc in Plant Biotechnology course curriculum varies from one college to another. However, the major subjects in the programme are covered in almost all institutes. In the table below, we have added the M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology syllabus provided by Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam, Kerala.

Semester 1

Semester 2

General Biochemistry

Principles of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology

Microbiology and Immunology

Plant Pathology

Bioanalytical Techniques

Biomass and Bioenergy

Plant Developmental Biology

Laboratory course II

Laboratory course I

-

Basics of Plant Tissue Culture

-

Semester 3

Semester 4

Plant Metabolism

Research Methodology and Biostatistics

Tissue Culture Techniques for Crop Improvement

Genomics and Proteomics

Biotechnology, Environment And Intellectual Property Rights and Patenting

Transgenic Techniques for Crop Improvement

Bioprocess Technology and Engineering

Laboratory course IV

Laboratory course III

Project or Dissertation

-

Viva Voce

Scope of M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology

Biotechnology is becoming important in agriculture, environmental management, and the bio-economy. The scope of an M.Sc. in Plant Biotechnology is vast and expanding. This area of study combines genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology with plant science with the goal of enhancing crop productivity, plant breeding, and resistance to environmental challenges.

Graduates can look for jobs in fields such as Research and Development, Agricultural Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals and Food Security and Nutrition. This field is quite dynamic, constantly evolving and forward-looking, with opportunities to work in.

Career Options after M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology

Graduates have a wide range of employment options in plant biotechnology. Promising opportunities exist in academia and research and in the public and private sectors. We have provided below major career options that they can opt for right after successful completion of M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology

Job ProfilesDescription

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research on genetic modification, plant breeding, and molecular biology to develop new plant varieties with improved traits like disease resistance, drought tolerance, or enhanced nutritional value.

Biotechnologist

Biotechnologists develop genetically modified crops with enhanced traits such as pest resistance, higher yield, or improved nutritional content.

Plant Tissue Culture Specialist

Plant Tissue Culture Specialists develop plant propagation techniques through tissue culture, micropropagation, and in-vitro plant regeneration for commercial plant production and conservation of endangered species.

Bioinformatician

Bioinformaticians utilise bioinformatics tools and computational biology techniques to analyse plant genomes, study gene functions, and assist in crop improvement programmes.

Product Development Scientist

Product Development Scientists work with biotech or agritech companies in developing new plant-based products such as biofertilizers, biopesticides, plant-based vaccines, or other plant-derived pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products.

Top Recruiters

MSc Plant Biotechnology graduates are in high demand across various sectors. Some of the top recruiters in the field of Plant Biotechnology include:

  • Agriculture and Seed Companies
  • Biotechnology and Life Sciences Companies
  • Government Research Institutes
  • International Agricultural and Biotech Organisations
  • Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Companies

Benefits of M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology

M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology gives an improved understanding of the Plant Biotechnology field who are interested in using cutting-edge science and technology to enhance plants, agriculture, and sustainability. The candidates gain in-depth knowledge in subjects like molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, and plant physiology. This equips graduates with a broad understanding of the science behind plant development and genetic manipulation.

With an increasing global population comes a growing need for biotechnology solutions to combat pests, illnesses, and environmental challenges (such as salt and drought) as well as to increase agricultural yields and improve nutrition. Recent graduates can help address these important issues. Plant biotechnology plays a key role in promoting sustainable agriculture by reducing the need for chemical inputs.

Expected Salary after M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology

The salary offered to M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology graduates vary depending on their skills and knowledge. Employers seek candidates with previous relevant experience. Those who have done internships in the same are preferred over freshers. Below are some of the high-paying job profiles and their corresponding yearly average salaries:

RoleAverage Salary

Research Scientists

Rs. 10 LPA

Biotechnologists

Rs. 4.5 LPA

Plant Tissue Culture Specialists

Rs. 13.4 LPA

Bioinformaticians

Rs. 5.16 LPA

Product Development Scientists

Rs. 6.5 LPA

Source: Glassdoor

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Plant Biotechnology is a graduate-level programme that focuses on using biotechnology methods on plants. Students who complete this course will be prepared to handle issues related to agriculture, food security, environmental sustainability, and the creation of bio-based goods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the minimum required eligibility to enrol in a M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology course?

Individuals are required to complete B.Sc. in any relevant field with a minimum of 50 percent of marks from a recognised university.

2. What is the average salary offered to graduates of M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology?

The average M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology salary that a graduate can earn is Rs.  5 LPA.

3. Who are the top recruiters after completing M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology?

Agriculture and Seed Companies, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Companies, Government Research Institutes, International Agricultural and Biotech Organisations, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Companies are some of the top recruiters.

4. What are the various career options for graduates of M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology?

The various career options for graduates of M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology are Research Scientists, Biotechnologists, Plant Tissue Culture Specialist, Bioinformatician, Product Development Scientist and various other roles.

5. What are the various skills required for graduates to pursue M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology?

The various skills required for graduates to pursue M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology are Knowledge of chemistry & microbiology, attention to Detail, Strong analytical skills, problem-solving Ability, technical proficiency and good communication Skills.

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Questions related to M.Sc.

Have a question related to M.Sc. ?

Hi,

An MSc in Medical Biochemistry is a 2 year duration postgraduate degree program that studies the biochemical processes in the human body and how they relate to disease. The eligibility criteria require applicants to have completed their B.Sc. in either subject of Botany, Zoology, Nutrition, Food Sciences or any among Animal Science, Medicine and Veterinary Science with minimum marks of 55% and above from a recognized university.

The application for the CUET PG 2025 entrance exam for admission to an MSc in Medical  Biochemistry is expected to be released in the first week of January 2025. The official notification for the exam is already released in November 2024 on the official website, pgcuet.samarth.ac.in.

Some other entrance exam for the admission in Msc in Medical Biochemistry  are AP PGCET, ICAR AIEEA, CPGET, and URATPG for which application form will be released in 2025.

Hope this information will help you



Hello,

The entrance exam conducts the entry procedures of M.Sc. programs, conducted at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, along with that of the M.Sc. Biotechnology program. Mostly, their selection criteria range between both entrance exams along with marks obtained. In M.Sc. Biotechnology, it is based on:

  • Score in Entrance Examination 70%
  • Qualifying B.Sc. Examination Percentage: 30% weightage.

The cutoff scores for entrance exams are not declared because they change every year considering the number of applicants, the complexity of the entrance exam questions, and the number of seats available. For securing admission, it is a good idea to score higher in the entrance exam and undergraduate degree. For the most accurate information available and latest updates, refer directly to the St Xavier's College admissions office or its website.

Hi Shubhradev,

MSc students can indeed crack GATE and potentially land PSU jobs, though opportunities may be more limited compared to engineering graduates. Some PSUs do recruit MSc graduates with valid GATE scores, but eligibility criteria vary among organizations. Hence..

Yes, you can apply for PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) jobs with a valid GATE rank, even if you are pursuing an MSc in Electronics and Communication. While many PSUs primarily prefer candidates with a BTech or BE, several PSUs accept MSc graduates in specific disciplines like Electronics, Communication, and related fields.

The eligibility criteria can vary by PSU, so it's important to check the specific requirements for each organization. Some PSUs may allow MSc graduates to apply, especially if the GATE exam is in the relevant engineering discipline (like Electronics and Communication).

Keep an eye on PSU job notifications, as they often list specific qualifications and degree requirements. If you meet the criteria and have a good GATE score, you could have opportunities in various PSUs. You can check more on the given website of Careers360. All the best!

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-eligibility-criteria

Hello Prasad,

Here are some colleges in Kerala that offer M.Sc. in Emergency Medical Technology or related fields, which you can explore for eligibility with a Pharm.D degree:

  1. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi
    Offers M.Sc. in Emergency Medical Technology. Pharm.D graduates may need to verify eligibility directly with the admissions office.

  2. Aster Medcity, Kochi
    Provides specialized healthcare courses and programs in critical care. Direct confirmation of eligibility is recommended.

  3. Government Medical College, Kozhikode
    Offers advanced medical programs. While some courses may require an MBBS background, it's worth inquiring for Pharm.D eligibility.

    Recommendations:

  • Contact Colleges: Directly confirm eligibility for M.Sc. programs with your Pharm.D degree.

  • Explore Options: Look into related healthcare or clinical research postgraduate courses.

  • Stay Updated: Admission policies can change, so regularly check college updates.

Reach out to these institutions for accurate details and guidance.

For more details Click Here .

I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.


it is true that many Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) recruit candidates based on their performance in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) exam, meaning you can get a PSU job through the GATE exam with msc electronics and communication essentially, a good GATE score opens doors to various PSU recruitment opportunities.

If you have high ranks like in top 300,than only you can get job in PSUs(Powergrid,BHEL,ONGC,NTPC etc.)

If your rank is under 2000 you can do masters from IITs/NITs with 12400 stipened per month. I addition with this Many private companies also consider if you are gate qualified for their recruitment.so its a win win situation if you crack gate with good rank.

You can use GATE TIPS AMD TRICKS to achieve good rank for PSUs recruitment.

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