B.Tech.
(BIOTECHNOLOGY)
Biotechnology is a
frontier and cutting-edge technology with immense potential
for application in several fields such as medicine,
agriculture, horticulture, veterinary, fisheries,
environmental and forensic sciences. Biotechnological tools
are applied to practical agriculture in order to improve
agronomic traits of crops and for value addition of end
products. India, largely an agricultural economy has more
to gain from this technology. Thrust is now given in
developing human resource with knowledge and practical
skill in this discipline by both State and Central
Government agencies in the recent past. However, more such
human resource needs to be generated to meet the food
security of the burgeoning population of this country.
Newer approaches based on molecular biology are needed to
further increase crop productivity, especially in
less-favourable ecosystems. With this objective in mind,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), one of the
premier agricultural institutes in India and a forerunner
in agricultural biotechnology research, is offering a
four-year degree program in B.Tech (Biotechnology) since
2002-2003 in the Department of Biotechnology, Centre for
Plant Molecular Biology, TNAU, Coimbatore. This is the
first of its kind (an undergraduate degree program in
Agricultural Biotechnology) in India. The course curriculum
has been designed in such a way to empower the students
with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in
molecular biology techniques to keep pace with latest
developments in biotechnology. The degree program aims to
create a knowledge society of young scientists and
entrepreneurs in the field of biotechnology. This group of
budding biotechnologists will cater to the needs of the
educational and industrial needs of the country. They will
be the leaders in this field who will find opportunities to
apply their knowledge for the benefit of the
society.
Infrastructure facilities
and the teaching faculty:
The Department of Biotechnology, TNAU has well-established
laboratories spread over 15,000 sq.ft. laboratory area for
carrying out research experiments in various fields of
biotechnology viz., gene identification, isolation and
characterization, transformation, marker-assisted
selection, tissue and anther culture, algal biotechnology
etc. With generous support from various State and Central
and other agencies such as the Rockefeller Foundation,
World Bank several equipments have been installed and are
routinely used by faculty and students. It has a
state-of-the-art transgenic greenhouse for contained
screening of plant transformants. This department is one of
the most sought-after for M. Sc and Ph. D programs in Agrl.
Biotechnology by students from all over India as well as
abroad. Many students of this Department are pursuing their
higher education in Universities abroad and in National
Institutes of Excellence. It has a multi-disciplinary
faculty with expertise in various disciplines with training
in biotechnology from leading Universities around the
world. Several of the faculty have post-doctoral training
in various techniques of molecular biology and have
published research articles in journals of international
repute.
Salient
features of the program: The course aims to bring
out the leadership and entrepreneurial skill of the
students. Each student undertakes a project work as a part
of core curriculum. This involves carrying out experimental
work, either in the departmental laboratories, or in
another research institute/industry. Students are exposed
to various biotech industries/ institutes for first-hand
knowledge on the use and applications of biotechnology. In
addition students are exposed to various guest lectures
offered by eminent scientists/technocrats/entrepreneurs of
national and international fame.
Placement
cell: TNAU has a Placement Cell
under the Directorate of Students’ Welfare, which
arranges for campus interviews by private and public sector
companies.
Sponsored
Seats
Five seats are allotted to
the members of the of Agri Business Consortium. A certificate to this effect should be furnished
along with the application. For details regarding
consortium membership, contact the Dean(Agriculture) and
Chairman Admissions, TNAU, Coimbatore-641 003. Candidates
from all over India are eligible to apply for industry sponsorship.
NRI
quota:
Five seats are allotted under NRI quota. The minimum
qualification for admission under this quota is as follows:
1. Upper age limit: 25 years
2. Minimum marks: pass in qualifying examination.
3. Fee: US$ 2100 per semester
For more information:
Dean(Agriculture) and
Chairman Admissions
Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University
Coimbatore-641003,
India.
Email: ugadmissions
@tnau.ac.in
Phone: 91-422-6611210, 410