I think you are doing or you have
completed your PG in Biotechnology. Most often majority of the students join
this course without the knowledge of opportunities they have. Do you have any
advantage over other life science students? If so what are those, exactly. I
think this post will give a fair idea about the best options, best
opportunities (exams) you have after your PG in biotechnology?
After PG, majority of exams consider
you as a student of Life Science (LS) (not as MSc in Botany, Zoology,
Biotech ..). The most important thing is you have to learn some Botany/Zoology
topics (ie. Basic Science) that will definitely increase your chance of
qualifying an exam in Life Science and remember in most exams you can expect
many questions from basic sciences.
The first and the best option, I think,
you should prepare for BET and CSIR UGC JRF/NET from the very beginning of your
PG, why?
1) DBT-Biotechnology Eligibility Test
(BET)-JRF
Highlight: The only exam where you
don’t have competition from other life science students across India. Syllabus
comprises of only biotechnology topics.
Drawbacks: Mostly questions are from
hardcore biotechnology.
Only 2 chances and one during your
final semester (refer eligibility section).
How 2 get it? : Prepare as early as
possible during your PG itself. Collect syllabus and prepare accordingly.
CONDUCTING AUTHORITY: University
of Pune / DBT
Notification: Jan-Feb
Exam : April every year
The candidates will be selected based
on a written admission test.
JRFs will be selected according to merit under two categories: Category A and B.
JRFs will be selected according to merit under two categories: Category A and B.
- Category A fellowship (Top 100 in
number): the students can register for Ph.D in any University/Institute in
India.
- Category B fellowships (150 in number)
can register for PhD only at the 70 DBT-Supported Teaching
University/Institute running DBT-supported masters Programme, and 10 DBT
Institute.
For further details please visit http://oasis.mkcl.org/bet/.
ELIGIBILITY
- Those who have passed after Jan.1, 2010 or
will appear (till August, 2011) for Masters in Biotechnology and
Bioinformatics (M.Sc./M.Tech./M.V.Sc.) Molecular Human Genetics offered at
BHU, and Jiwaji University and Neuroscience offered at Jiwaji University,
NBRC and TIFR, and B.Tech. Biotechnology (4year course) recognized by
UGC/AICTE are eligible for this award.
- The applicants should be below the age of 28 years, and 33 years in case of reserved categories, and women candidates.
- Candidates with 60% (55% for reserved categories) of the total marks (equivalent in grade) are eligible.
Fellowship:
Exam Pattern:The nature of questions is multiple
choices only. Total marks: 300
There are two sections :
Section A: Core Courses- 50
questions (Compulsory) (50x3marks: 150 marks) .Questions which cover Basic
Physics, Chemistry and General Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology,
Immunology, Microbiology etc.
Section B: Specialization
courses-200 questions of which 50 questions are to be answered (50x3marks: 150 marks). Questions
from hardcore Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry and other advanced
topics. For every wrong answer 1 mark will be
deducted.
2) CSIR/UGC-NET JRF exam in Life
Sciences
Highlight: eligible for
lectureship (NET only). NET-JRF :lectureship eligibility+fellowship for 5 years
for your PhD (a complete package where your career is almost safe)
Drawbacks: high competition from
students from all streams of Life sciences across India. Mostly questions are
very tricky and definitely the best exam you can have in your academic life.
Questions from Botany/Zoology/Ecology....
How 2 get it?: you can
appear for the exam under result awaited category (RA category) during your
last semester. Prepare as early as possible during your PG itself. Study
botany/zoology topics along with biotechnology. In this exam remember you are a
student of life science.
a) NET JRF (NET-JUNIOR RESEARCH
FELLOWSHIP): apart from lectureship, you can do PhD in research institutes
or Universities with five year fellowship.
b)NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY TEST (NET) only: minimum
eligibility for Lecturer / Assistant Professor in colleges and Universities
across India. You are eligible for doing PhD in most of the universities and
will be exempted from University entrance.
Exam Pattern
Time: 3
Hours Max Marks: 200
Single Paper Test having Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) consists of 3 parts
Part A: Answer 15 MCQ
questions out of 20 questions in General Science.
Each question shall be of 2 marks (15x2=30 Marks).
Part B: Answer 35 MCQ questions out
of 50 questions (of topics in the syllabus).
Each question shall be of 2 marks
(35x2=70 Marks).
Part C: Answer 25 MCQ questions
out of 75 questions (application level questions).
Each question shall be of 4 marks
(25x4=100 Marks).
Negative marking: ¼(25%) for each
wrong answer
Exam : June & December (twice a
year)
3. INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL
RESEARCH (ICAR) ARS NET EXAM
I think the only exam that provides you
a chance to become a scientist after your MSc.
Examination conducting authority: Agricultural
Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB)
a) AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE (ARS): Direct
Scientist recruitment in ICAR institutes throughout the country (pay scale of
Rs.15,600 – 39,100 plus Research Grade Pay (RGP) of Rs.6,000/).
b) NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY TEST (NET): for
determining eligibility for Lecturer / Assistant Professor in the State
Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and other Agricultural Universities (AUs). Now
recognised by UGC and CSIR.
ARS-NET EXAM at a glance
A) For Prelim – ARS Examination
TIME: 2 hours
MAX
MARKS:150
150 objective type multiple choice
questions (MCQ)
Each question carries one mark
B) For ARS – Main Examination (Subjective
type)
(Answer books for only those
candidates who pass the Prelim ARS/NET Examination will be evaluated)
TIME : 3 hours
MAX MARKS:240
The questions from each discipline will
be subjective with expectations of descriptive answers. The ARS –Main
Examination shall be conducted in the disciplines selected.
C). Viva – Voce : For only those
who have qualified ARS MAIN Examination.
MARKS:60
Month: Examination will be conducted
depending on the vacancy.
For more details log on to: http://www.icar.org.in/files/ARS-2012-Notification
How to Prepare for ICAR - ARS - NET Exam
(4) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) only: You
can do PhD in research institutes or Universities with five year fellowship
(Rs.16,000/month for 1st two years,Rs.18000/-for the next 3
years).
120 Fellowships would be awarded
for work in the field of medical sciences with emphasis on Life
Sciences (like microbiology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics,
human biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, biochemistry, biophysics,
immunology, Pharmacology, zoology, Environment Science, Botany, veterinary
sciences, bio-informatics etc.).
Exam pattern
Single Paper Test having Multiple
Choice Questions (MCQs) consists of 2 sections
The Aptitude Section (Section
A):
- 50 questions (compulsory questions carrying 1
mark) on (i) scientific phenomenon in everyday life; (ii) general
knowledge in sciences; and (iii) common statistics.
Section B:
·
The subject Specific Section in Life
Sciences.
Answer 75 questions out of 100
questions. Each question carries one mark.
Negative marking @ 0.25 for each of the
wrong answer.
Notification:March/April
Exam: July
Log on to: http://www.icmr.nic.in/jrf.htm
5. GATE(Graduate Aptitude Test in
Engineering)
GATE-BT (BIO-TECHNOLOGY)
Conducted by : IISc&IIT
Examination: Second Sunday of February
Notification: September/October
Log on to :http://www.iitk.ac.in/gate/
1. GATE –BT (Bio-Technology) for B.Tech
/ MSc Bio-Technology students
· In
all the papers, there will be a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks.
- General Aptitude (GA) questions are
of multiple choice type, and carry a total of 15 marks. The GA section
includes 5 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub-total 5 marks) and 5
questions carrying 2-marks each (sub-total 10 marks).
· In
the paper bearing the code BT (Bio-Technology), the Engineering Mathematics
will carry 15 % of the total marks, the General Aptitude section will carry 15
% of the total marks and the remaining 70 % of the total marks is devoted to
the subject of the paper.
- The above are the best options
available. You can also enroll for PhD or M.phil programs in life sciences
conducted by prestigious institutes in India like IISC, TIFR, BARC, JNU by
qualifying their entrance exams. I will share the details in my next post.
You can also appear for MPhil or PhD
entrance conducted by Universities.
As a teacher, I just want to tell you that,
Biotechnology is a research oriented course where your best options and
opportunities are in the research field. You should know the competition is
intense as many colleges offer this course (mostly self-financing) and hundreds
of students pass out each year. So you should have a clear cut objective once
you have joined this course. AFTER STUDYING A SUBJECT FOR 5 YEARS, IF YOU
ARE OPTING SOME OTHER JOB NOT RELATED TO YOUR SUBJECT I THINK THAT’S NOT AT ALL
A FAIR IDEA. MY SUGGESTION IS If you love your subject and if you have faith in
your subject knowledge, try your BEST FOR QUALIFYING ANY OF THE ABOVE EXAMS.
Most often that idea may change your life.
Related posts:
- Books to refer for
CSIR-UGC-NET-JRF Exam (Syllabus wise)
- Books to refer for ICAR -ARS-NET Exam
- Exams (Opportunities) after post graduation in Life Sciences
Your suggestions, queries, comments are most welcome.
Begin your preparation as early as possible
Wishing the very best
Tags:
after MSc in biotechnology
Agricultural Research
BARC
Biotechnology Eligibility Test
CSIR-UGC
DBT-BET
GATE-BT
ICAR ARS-NET
ICMR-JRF
IISC
Indian Council of Medical Research
JNU
M.phil
NET-JRF
PhD
TIFR
