Post graduation in Botany deals with the detailed study of plants, and its ecology. Bioinformatics, on the other hand deals with the study of biological network data, protein interaction etc. Since both are post graduation programmes, they provide plenty of job opportunities to aspirants. Comparatively a course in Bioinformatics has got a slight edge over Botany in terms of career opportunities as well as future prospects since there is a technology component added to it.

M.Sc Botany- Nature and Scope

Master of Science in Botany deals with the detailed study of topics such as plant-diversity and plant bio-technology. It offers scope for research as well as job opportunities too. Candidates having post graduation in Botany can start their career as Environmental consultants in firms like ABC Environ Solutions Private Ltd.

Botanical survey of India (BSI), Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), and National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) are some of the well known organizations which recruit post graduates in Botany as Technical Assistant, Field Assistant or Project Assistant etc. Job opportunities are comparatively less for them in the private sector than in public organizations. Candidates having aggregate marks of at least 55% can apply for National eligibility test for junior lectureship. Interested candidates can become research fellows in Council of Industrial and Scientific Research. Candidates after this course can find employment as Ethno botanists, Palynologists, Plant ecologists Pathologists, and Palaeobotanists etc. Experienced candidates can earn up to Rs. 4, 00, 000/- to Rs. 5, 00, 000/- per annum.

M.Sc Bioinformatics- Nature and Scope

This is the branch of science that deals with advanced use of technology to analyze the biological data. It is considered as one of the emerging fields of study with great scope as it has immense application of technology. It has wide application in the fields of human health, environment, agriculture, and medical research. Job opportunity in this field has been increasing due to the advancement in technology.

Career opportunities are plenty in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, hospitals and in research institutions. Candidates can find their positions as informatics developer, clinical pharmacologist and geneticist. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Questar Bioinformatics, Tata Consultancy Services are the major recruiters in this field. In addition to this, career opportunities are also available in organizations abroad. Candidates can start their career in pharmaceutical firms with remuneration of Rs. 12000/- to Rs. 20000/- per month. Research scientists can earn up to Rs. 16, 00, 000/- per annum.

Which course is better?

It is obvious from the above mentioned discussions that both courses have its own value but Bioinformatics course has a slight edge over Botany in terms of future prospects and job opportunities. Employment is limited in M.Sc. Botany as teachers, professors or research analysts with a limited pay scale of Rs. 4, 00, 000/- to Rs. 5, 00, 000/- per annum. Bioinformatics provides career opportunities as informatics developer, clinical pharmacologist and geneticist etc. where professionals can earn more than Rs. 8, 00,000/- per annum. More over this field provides much more job opportunities abroad than Botany.