What is Biochemical Engineering?: Course Fees 2025, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions

Biochemical Engineering is an interdisciplinary discipline that mixes biotechnology with the fundamentals of Chemical Engineering, including biochemistry and molecular biology, and apply that to the manufacturing of processes and making new materials and components. Courses in Biochemical Engineering concern with the fact how to translate discoveries in the life sciences into real processes and real products. 

The overall Biochemical Engineering course duration in India differs on the basis of the course level, whether it is a UG, PG, or PhD course. In the case of a UG course in Biochemical Engineering, the course duration will spread across 8 semesters, that is, 4 years. Meanwhile, in the case of a PG Biochemical Engineering course, you need to invest 2 years' time, where the focus will be more on research in the biochemical and biotechnology field and will give you a deep understanding of the overall application of theoretical knowledge. You should think carefully about your interests and passions before planning to pursue a master's degree in the field. The PhD course will go on for 3 to 6 years. 

There are a plethora of skills that Biochemical Engineering students need to have to become successful in their careers. It is not mandatory that one gains these skills in a classroom setting rather they must be acquired through experience.

So, students must always look for opportunities to learn new skills and gain as much experience as possible. Some of the important skills in general include:

• Laboratory Skills
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Aptitude
• Good Research Abilities
• Technical Knowledge
• Critical Thinking and Collaborative Spirit
• Attention to Detail

Hi,

Both of the degrees offer career opportunities that candidates can grab and pursue their career goals. But there are some differences between them which is given in the table below:

Hope this helps !

The major differences between Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering are given in the table below:

You typically have to complete Class 12th from the Science stream (PCM/PCB/PCMB) with aggregate marks ranging from 50 to 60 percent. The marks requirement varies from college to college. The IITs ask for at least 75% marks in Class 12 board exams.

Further, top-ranked colleges require national-level entrance score like JEE Main and JEE Advanced or other state-level exams like WBJEE and KEAM as per state level top colleges. 

Definitely Yes,  candidates who have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics can also pursue Biochemical Engineering course since the requirement of studying Biology generally arises for BSc Biotechnology and not BTech courses. Therefore, candidates will be offered common electives in  the field of Biology which they can pursue while undergoing BTech in Biochemical Engineering. Moreover, PCB students can also study this course but they must have also studied Mathematics in order to appear for JEE.

To study the Biochemical engineering course at a good college in India, you need to start by checking the eligibility criteria for the course and make sure to meet the same. Also, you need to give relevant entrance tests and get excellent marks in the same.

The next important step is to fill out the college application forms before the last date. After the exam results are out and you've got your marks and rank, you need to apply for the college counselling that is meant for seat allotment.

After getting the seat, you need to go to the college to pay the Biochemical Engineering course fee after which you can start attending classes as per the academic calendar.

For colleges that give admission on the basis of Class 12 merit, you need to appear for extra rounds like the GD or PI after getting shortlisted via the merit cutoff list.

Relevant Link: Biochemical Engineering Admission 2025

This cannot be said with any certainty. The time involved varies from one institution to another. Every educational institute has their own procedure that they adhere to for admitting students to a variety of engineering courses. The time involved in the Biochemical Engineering admission process can easily take up to a few months. After you get done with your entrance exam, the general procedure that follows includes the declaration of exam results, applying for the counselling process in the virtual mode, seat allotment on the basis of your exam rank, and admission confirmation from your end by visiting the college and paying the Biochemical Engineering course fee.

Here's the basic list of documents that you will need during the admission process for Biochemical Engineering courses:

·       Graduation or Post graduation Mark sheet (In the case of PG/ PhD courses)

·       Provisional Certificate (if the original is not issued)

·       Class 12th mark sheet with at least 50 to 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/ Mathematics subjects.

·       A valid ID proof like Adhaar Card, PAN Card, etc.

·       Migration and character certificates, if required.

·       Recent passport-size photographs

Some of the popular exams for admission to Biochemical Engineering programs in India include:

National-Level Exams- JEE Main, JEE Advanced, GATE, CUET, etc.

Sate-Level Exams- WBJEE, KEAM, Karnataka PGCET, TNEA Counselling, etc.

Some universities also admit students on the basis of Class 12 marks and take extra assessment rounds like PI or GD rounds in such cases. You should check the admission guidelines for your preferred universities on their official websites. 

There isn't any minimum score required for Biochemical Engineering itself. However, it is recommeneded to score a good rank in JEE Main in order to get a specialisation of your choice. 

Moreover, it also depends from university to university as the eligibility crietria vary. 

JEE Main Rank Predictor is a tool develped on past year percentile and rank data. When any candidate provides their NTA percentile, the rank predictor of JEE Mains will give an estimated rank by analysing the previous year percentile vs rank information. The accuracy of JEE Main Rank Predictor is precisely equal to the actual rank but one major factor will be total number of candidates who take the test. Candidates can also check marks vs percentile JEE Mains 2025 to get analysis of their scores in the exam.

You have to apply on the official TNEA website - tneaonline.org. Admission to the engineering colleges in the state of Tamil Nadu offer admission based on the results of class 12. The candidates will be selected based on their performance in the prescribed subjects, which will be scaled down to a total of 200 marks (Mathematics: 100, Physics: 50, Chemistry: 50) in the qualifying examination. The marks provided by the candidates through the TNEA 2025 application form will undergo normalization, and a merit list will be published based on the normalized scores.

GATE exam is conducted only once a year to offer admissions to master's and PhD programs at top institutions, such as IITs and NITs. Qualifying GATE exam also paves the way for technical jobs in in PSUs. This year, IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026 exam. The GATE 2026 exam dates are OUT. The GATE 2026 EXAM DATES are February 7, 8, 14, and 15. The GATE will be held on different dates in two shifts. Candidates are advised to keep checking the website for the GATE 2026 official notification. 

GATE qualifying cutoff is the institute eligibility cutoff, and on the other hand, the GATE admission cutoff ensures a call for admission at IITs, NITs, IITs, and CFTIs. Check below in detail:

GATE Qualifying Cutoff: It is the minimum mark a candidate must score so that he or she is eligible for admission. But this does not mean that a candidate is selected for admission. Actually, it is fixed before the announcement of GATE results. It is announced by the conducting IIT and available on GOAPS. It includes qualifying marks for each paper.

Admission GATE Cutoffs: It is the final opening and closing rank score fixed by the participating institutes for the selection of candidates. It is to be noted here that meeting the admission GATE cutoff does not mean that the candidates will be selected for admission. It is fixed after the GATE result date. It is declared by the individual participating institutes and available on their respective counselling portals (CCMT/ COAP).

If you are very passionate about making an impact on society via the production and optimization of biological processes, you must go for a BTech degree in Biochemical Engg. You will get to explore the different facets of bioprocesses, using living organisms and molecular cells, which can be used in food production, medicine manufacturing, biofuels, etc.

B Tech Biochemical Engineering is a 4-year course spanning 8 semesters and is offered across popular colleges in India. You can check the college websites of your preferred colleges for the eligibility and admission-related information.

Well, for this, you need to indulge in some self introspection and think about your interest areas and career plans in life. Both the choices have their own perks and benefits. If you feel like you want to go into the research field and learn advanced level knolwedge and concepts related to Biochemical Engg, you can definitely opt for an MTech degree in the field.

But, if you are satisfied with your 4-year BTech Biochemical Engineering academic ride, you must look for a job. Top recruiters are ready to offer decent salary packages to Biochemical Engineering graduates with the right skill set and knowledge.

Absolutely, yes. You can opt for a PhD in Biochemical Engineering course after completing an M.Tech in the same or related field with at least 55% marks in your final PG exams and clearing relevant entrance tests. The PhD Biochemical engineering course duration will be around 3 to 6 years, depending on your research topic and institution coursework module. You need to be mentally prepared, as a doctorate degree requires a lot of dedication and hard work. 

Main subjects in Biochemical Engineering courses are as follows:

• Biology and Biochemistry
• Chemical engineering Principles
• Microbiology
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Maths and Statistics
• Bioinformatics
• Bioreaction Engineering

Courses in Biochemical Engg can be studied at the UG, PG, and doctorate levels in India. The syllabus for the course differs on the basis of the course level and the instituion where you plan to pursue the course. The coursework pattern includes core subjects, elective subject choices, and laboratory work. Some general electives for Biochemical Engineering are given here:

• Physical and Chemical Properties of Biomolecules
• Environmental Biotechnology
• Advanced Bioprocess Control
• Metabolic Regulation and Engineering
• Plant Cell and Animal Cell Technology
• Genome Engineering

The coursework for BTech Biochemical Engineering is an interesting mix of theoretical knowledge as well as practical lab work. Biochemical engineers have to work together with the team of technologists and biologists, the people who discover a drug component, for instance, and look at how it can be manufactured and scaled up so that there is enough of the pharmaceutical to give to the patients.

For this, it is very important for students pursuing this course to apply their understanding by engaging in hands-on lab work as it will help them do well in the business world.

There are 19 government Biochemical Engineering colleges in India. Some of the most well-known colleges along with their course fee for the course are given below:

There are 41 private Biochemical Engineering colleges in India. You must go through their course fee structure before taking the final call. Some of the popular colleges along with their course fee for the course are given below:

Various colleges offer MTech course in Biochemical Engineering on the basis of GATE scores. Candidates can prepare for IIT Delhi

The scope for biochemical engineering in India is quite promising, driven by several factors:

Thriving healthcare and pharmaceuticals: India is fast emerging as a hub for healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, and there is a demand for dedicated workers who can come up with drugs and vaccines, or design medical instruments. Some large products of biochemical engineering include the invention of bioreactor technology in the large scale production of these products with a positive spin on the accessibility of health facilities.

Growing food and beverage sector: The growing food industry including processed and packaged food gives biochemical engineers the opportunity of employment in food processing, preservation and quality analysis.

Focus on renewable energy: Specifically, biochemical engineers can help India achieve its clean energy policy by utilizing feedstocks of Agricultural residues, other renewable raw materials for the production of bio-fuels.

Environmental concerns: In dealing with environmental concerns, biochemical engineers are capable to incorporate the necessary measures in the design of wastewater treatment and bioremediation of contaminated sites and designing of environmentally friendly manufacturing processes to reduce pollution production.

Biochemical engineers get involved in things like developing new vaccines against diseases, cleaning up pollution using microorganisms, designing new chemicals, or new fuels that benefit in sustainability as well. They engineer microorganisms to produce such a variety of molecules to make the world better.

For instance, a Biochemical Engineer might work with people who discover a drug component and work with them to look at how it can be manufactured and scaled up so that there is enough of the pharmaceutical to give to patients. Biotechnology has the capacity to design organisms, produce a variety of components, make new biomaterials, or manufacture pharmaceuticals. This gives biochemical engineers a lot of projects to work on.

 Placement for Biochemical Engineering in IITs varies but tends to be strong, with graduates securing jobs in diverse fields:

Positives:

• High average salary: Graduates often enjoy competitive salaries,  averaging well above national averages.
• Top recruiters: Leading companies in healthcare,  pharmaceuticals,  food and beverage,  and renewable energy actively recruit from IITs.
• Research opportunities: Many pursue postgraduate studies or research positions due to the strong academic background offered by IITs.

Variations:

• Specific IITs: Placement records differ between IITs,  with older and more established ones generally having stronger placements.
• Specialization: Graduates with specialised skills in high-demand areas like biofuels or biomaterials often see even better placement prospects.

Choice of B.Tech degree in Biochemical Engineering makes a lot of sense as being a combination of Engineering and Biotechnology it offers immense opportunities in numerous fields. Here are some exciting possibilities you can explore after graduating:

Further Education-

Master's Degree: To advance one’s career, one can consider enrolling for a Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering or Biotechnology or any related field to get a further degree and specialty.
MBA: MBA together with your degree in BTech would provide you with knowledge and skills in business management coupled with knowledge in the bio-industry that will make you the best person for management jobs.

Employment in Diverse Industries-

• Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology: This is something biochemical engineers can easily relate to. Career opportunities in this field can include fine-tuning pathways to manufacture drugs at various capacities, engineering structures known as bioreactors, or enhancing techniques commonly referred to as fermentation.
• Food and Beverage Industry: It is useful in food processing, providing solutions to methods of fermentations as in brewing or yogurt-making, food quality assurance or even creating new foods.
• Biofuels and Renewable Energy: Work towards India’s commitment of providing clean energy to its citizens by modeling and analyzing the bio-refineries for deriving fuel from agricultural residues or any other renewable feedstock.
• Chemicals and Petrochemicals: The rules of biochemical engineering can be useful to invent bio-similar materials for conventional chemicals, improve production cycles or design equipment for biochemical transformations.
• Environmental Engineering: Tackle the environmental problems by developing the processes to treat the wastewater, remove pollutants from the contaminated sites or to invent the environmentally friendly industrial processes to reduce amount of wastes produced.

Hi,

Biochemical engineers are like "chefs" for biological processes, using microorganisms and enzymes to produce valuable products like drugs, food, and biofuels. Moreover,  Biomedical engineers are like "mechanics" for the human body, designing and building technologies to diagnose, treat, and improve human health. To understand the key differentiation refer to the table given below:

Hope this helps !

Here are some tips for shaping your career in biochemical engineering in India:

• Academics: Focus on core subjects like biochemistry,  microbiology,  thermodynamics,  and process engineering.
• Internships: Gain practical experience in research labs,  food processing plants,  or pharmaceutical companies.
• Projects: Participate in research projects or industry-linked projects to apply your knowledge and develop technical skills.
• Emerging areas: Consider specializing in high-demand areas like biofuels,  biomaterials,  or synthetic biology.
• Personal interest: Choose a specialisation that aligns with your research interests and career goals.
• Read industry publications and journals: Keep abreast of the latest advancements in the field.
• Attend continuing education courses: Update your skills and knowledge through professional development programs.

Bonus tip: Consider pursuing higher education like a Master's degree or Ph.D. to advance your career and open doors to research and academia.

Hi,

The Biochemical Engineering course can be challenging and rewarding both at the same time:

• It merges chemistry, biology, and engineering needs to master various concepts and adapting between sub-fields.
• New developments in biotechnology can be time-consuming, requiring patience and perseverance through setbacks.
• Keeping up with advancd biotechnologies and advancements can need continuous learning and adaptation.
• Bioengineering generates ethical concerns such as GMOs and synthetic biology, requiring careful navigation and responsible practices.

Hope this helps to resolve your query !

Candidates can pursue PhD in Biochemical Engineering after completing MTech in Chemical Engineering or any other related specialisation. Candidates need to clear the Research Eligibility Test as well as interview in order to secure admission to PhD course. A handful of colleges offer PhD courses in Biochemical Engineering such as:

• Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur
• Indrashil University