B. Sc Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology is an UG course that is offered by only a few colleges in India and this course extends to a period of three years like other Bachelor of Science courses. The course is designed for students who wish to study biology with an emphasis on applications. As most of us know, biotechnology is technology based on biology particularly when used in medicine, food science and agriculture and plant biology. On the other hand, biotechnology deals with the study of biology of plants.

As mentioned earlier, this course is being offered only in a few colleges in India and the names of government colleges offering this course in India are given below:

Government Colleges:

• Government Arts College for Men, Nandanam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

• Government Thirumagal Mills College, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu

• Queen Mary’s College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

• Presidency College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

• Government Arts College, Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu

• Women’s Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

In addition to these government colleges, some of the popular private colleges are also offering Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology as a full-time three-year course.

Eligibility requirement for seeking admission to the B. Sc Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology course:

For seeking admission to the B. Sc Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology course in the afore-mentioned colleges, candidates must have completed their higher secondary examination with chemistry, biology/botany subjects. In addition, candidates should also have secured good percentage of marks in these subjects.

Subjects covered under B. Sc Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology course:

In most of the colleges offering B. Sc Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology, the following subjects are offered as major core subjects:

• Applied Biotechnology

• Molecular Genetics & Genetic Engineering

• Plant Physiology

• Industrial microbiology

• General microbiology

• Genetics

• Cell biology

• Embryology and plant breeding

• Anatomy of Angiosperms

• Taxonomy and Economic Botany of Angiosperms

• Bryophytes, Pterdiophytes and gymnosperms

• Algae, Fungi and Lichens

Higher studies after B. Sc Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology:

After successful completion of this UG course in Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology, students can go for M. Sc Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology, which is being offered by some government and private colleges in India. In addition, students with interest towards research activities can also take up Ph. D in Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology after completion of their Master’s degree course in the same subject.

Career opportunities after B. Sc Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology:

In India, a number of organizations are engaged in research activities in the field of biotechnology and B. Sc Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology graduates can find employment opportunities in these organizations. In addition to these research organizations, candidates with plant biology & plant biotechnology graduation can find employment opportunities in Pharmaceutical companies and in companies engaged in other areas of biotechnology like marine biotechnology, plant biology, national bioresource development, biofertilizers, etc…