Biotechnology Subjects List 2026: Check Semester-wise Subjects & Syllabus

Updated on May 20, 2025 05:58 IST
Diya Nihalani

Diya NihalaniContent Author

Biotechnology is a vast subject built on the foundation of biology. With its knowledge, professionals create technologies and products that enhance human life. Depending on your preference and subject to your eligibility conditions, you can study Biotechnology as an undergraduate, diploma, certification, or postgraduate major. As a career in Biotechnology is not industry-specific, students prefer to take this course. Students who have studied PCMB and PCB can undertake undergraduate courses in Biotechnology. B.Sc. and B.Tech in Biotechnology are preferred courses by students.

List of Subjects in Biotechnology

Typical Core Subjects for Biotechnology

Subject title

Subject details

Introductory Biology

The syllabus of this subject is a unification of life sciences, engineering, and physical sciences. Students understand the basic principles of Biology and develop new solutions using engineering for the environment, industry, and other fields. The objective of this subject is to provide the basic knowledge of biological sciences and study its applications.

 

Some parts of the syllabus are:

  • Evolution of life

  • Origin of life

  • Biodiversity

  • Three domains of life

  • Nutrients

  • Genes and chromosomes

  • DNA replication

  • Transcription and translation

  • Biological Systems

Biochemical Process Calculations

Through this subject, students learn the basic principles of energy and material balances that are required in biochemical engineering. The main focus of this course is on solving the material or energy balances for selected unit operations and processes that are available in the biotechnology industry. You can establish the mathematical methodologies that help in computation in biochemical engineering. You can also get an overview of the industrial biochemical processes.

 

Some parts of the syllabus are:

  • Dimensions and units

  • Basic biochemical calculations

  • Material balances without biochemical reaction

  • Material balances involving biochemical reaction

Genetics

The subject helps in understanding classical, modern, and quantitative genetics. You will learn the rate at which the members of a population are likely to develop a particular disease. Accordingly, you will be able to manage the risks. Understanding developmental pathways will help you know the genetic causes behind the disease.

 

Some parts of the syllabus are:

  • Genes, chromosomes, and heredity

  • Cell division and cell cycle

  • Chromosome mutations

  • Linkage, crossing over, and chromosome mapping

  • Sex determination and sex-linked characteristics

Biochemistry

This subject helps in understanding many processes in plants and animals. It helps in crop improvement and drug discovery. Students are introduced to the basic concepts of Biochemistry and metabolism in plants and animals.

 

Some parts of the syllabus are:

  • Structure and function of biomolecules

  • Basic concept and design of metabolism

  • Nitrogen fixation

  • Integration of metabolisms

Typical Elective Subjects for Biotechnology

 

Subject title

Subject details

Human Biology and Diseases

You will understand the structure of the human body and its function. The subject will also introduce the preliminary concepts of common diseases and the modern therapeutic aims and advancements. With the knowledge of the human body and diseases, you will be encouraged to think of engineering solutions for the problems in the healthcare field.

Plant Biotechnology

Students learn about the basic concepts of the plant cell system, genetic engineering, plant transformation, and bioprocess technology. The subject also teaches the applications of these concepts to help them meet the challenges of the new areas of the biotechnology industry.

Systems Biology

The subject introduces students to the ideas and mathematical tools of Systems Biology. It teaches the mathematical aspects of the course in three categories:

  • Deterministic models,

  • Stochastic models, and

  • Graph theory-based analysis of biological networks

Detailed Syllabus for Biotechnology

See the Biotechnology subjects in details in the following table.

Semester

Core/Elective

Subject title

Subject Details

1 & 2

Microbiology

Microbiology I and II

Students learn to identify microbes and study their structure, metabolism, and industrial applications. They also learn multiple sterilisation techniques and their effects. With the foundation received from this subject, advanced-level understanding becomes easier. Then, students can carry out microbiological techniques like isolation and staining.

3

Cell Biology

Cell Biology

The subject aims to provide the basic knowledge of cells, cell organelles, structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, different compartments of a cell organelle, cell division, and cell events like respiration and photosynthesis. By the end of the semester, students will understand cancer, the types of cancer, and its etiology.

4

Immunology

Immunology

Students will learn the anatomy and physiology of the human body. The subject teaches you the basic terminologies in immunology. It describes the interaction of antibodies in cell-mediated immune responses. You will also learn about the principles and types of vaccines. Once completed, you will describe the production of recombinant vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.

5

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics

The subject helps you learn the most techniques used with biological data. It helps in studying the databases of DNA and proteins in parallel to the current concepts of bioinformatics and their implementation. Students get to learn more about protein structure, and equipped with this information, they can handle proteins with ease. Once completed, you will know about the storage, retrieval, use, and sharing of biological tools, information, and data.

5

Bioreactor Analysis and Technology

Bioreactor Analysis and Technology

With the knowledge of chemical kinetics, integration, and differentiation, you will be learning the basic concepts of a bioreactor design through this subject. It teaches you about the types of ideal and non-ideal reactors. You can design reactors for different processes. Also, you will be able to select the relevant data and apply the right principles for practical process engineering.

6

Food technology

Food technology

With the support of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, you can easily learn more about different areas in connection to Food Science and Technology. The subjects help you learn about the composition of food. They go into detail to understand the microbiological, nutritional, and physiochemical aspects of food. Students are made familiar with the preservation techniques and processing methods of food items.

7

Enzyme Engineering

Enzyme Engineering

It provides a valuable insight into the working of enzyme molecules, gives their structure, constructions, and interactions with cellular molecules, along with the idea of the process of catalysis. Deeper learning of the subject will help you in engineering enzymes that are durable. You will also know how to troubleshoot problems and monitor in-vitro and in-vivo activities.

8

Environmental Biotechnology

Environmental Biotechnology

The subject stands on the foundation of Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology. It serves as an introduction to the current biotechnological techniques and approaches implemented using microbes.

Specialisations offered in Biotechnology

Biotechnology is an umbrella term that we use for covering expansive topics like genetics, microbiology, engineering, biochemistry, and chemistry. The applications of this study spread far and wide to industries like agriculture, animal husbandry, pollution control, energy production and conservation, disease research, eco-conservation, vaccines, insecticides, the development of medicines, and fertilizers.

Specialisation

Subjects

Details

Plant Biology

  • Algology and Bryology

  • Mycology

  • Cell Biology and Evolution

  • Animal Diversity

  • Microbiology

  • Plant Anatomy

  • Plant Biotechnology

  • Phytochemicals

  • Agriculture and Horticulture

  • Microbial Technology

Students interested in plant biotechnology often choose this Specialisations. You will be studying plant life and applying technical methods to living organisms and the environment.

Virology

  • Basic Virology

  • Basic Immunology

  • Tissue Culture and Cell Biology

  • Basic Epidemiology and Biostatistics

  • Virology Methods

  • Virus/Antigen Detection

Specialisations in Virology allows students to learn in detail about human viral diseases, the definition and evolution of viruses, and the mechanism of viruses. Upon completion, students get involved in the research of viruses and the diseases related to them.

Ecology

  • Physiological Ecology

  • Community Ecology

  • Population Ecology

  • Geographic Ecology

  • Landscape Ecology

The Specialisations offers a deep insight into the relationships among various organisms. It talks about the mutual influence of the environment in which organisms are living and the organisms themselves.

 

Books and Authors Related to Biotechnology

As Biotechnology is a highly versatile field with many Specialisations students follow a wide range of books during their graduation or post graduation. Listed below are some books that are highly referred to.

Subject

Book title

Author

Description

Cell Biology

Molecular Cell Biology

H Lodish et al

Molecular Cell Biology explains the link between human diseases and cell biology using relevant medical examples.

Biochemistry

Principles of Biochemistry

Lehninger, and Cox, and Nelson

Using resources and icons for each principle, the authors identify and explain the most important principles of Biochemistry.

Genetics

Genetics

MW Strickberger

This acclaimed book for classical genetics covers the basic theoretical information and the study of heredity through experiments and reasoning.

Immunology

The Elements of Immunology

Khan F. H

The author expertly breaks the confusing concept of complex molecular mechanisms into easy-to-understand steps in this book.

Biochemistry

Chemical Process Principles

Ragatz, Hougen, and Watson

The authors help students strengthen their ability to calculate chemical solutions by providing many problems at the end of every chapter.

Syllabus for Distance Programme in Biotechnology

Students who cannot afford full-time courses can get their degrees through distance education. Also, students who are unable to meet the eligibility requirements for full-time courses, opt for part-time or distance B.Tech in Biotechnology programs. The syllabus of distance education programs is remarkably similar to the regular programs. The evaluation format (30% for internal assessment and 70% for the end semester examination) is nearly the same as the regular courses.

The top colleges for distance education in Biotechnology courses are GCT Coimbatore, SIT Darjeeling, UEC Ujjain, PMIST Thanjavur, GCE Salem, IIMT University Meerut, and SRM Institute of Science and Technology.

Table of contents
  • Popular Biotechnology Course Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Biotechnology Course Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Biotechnology Course UG Courses
  • Popular Biotechnology Course PG Courses

Popular Biotechnology Course Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Biotechnology Course Colleges in India. Learn more about these Biotechnology Course colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
3 Courses
20.95 K - 42.7 K
6 - 9.25 LPA

#3 NIRF

1 Course
432
9.5 LPA

#7 NIRF

#2 NIRF

1 Course
12 K
7.2 LPA

#6 NIRF

1 Course
5.0
8.3 LPA

#23 NIRF

1 Course
8.65 LPA

#28 NIRF

Popular Private Biotechnology Course Colleges in India

3 L - 13.2 L
6.5 LPA

#38 NIRF

Biotechnology Applications open. Apply Now

4.02 L - 5.36 L

Biotechnology Applications open. Apply Now

1.86 L - 2.85 L
3.9

#101-150 NIRF

1.2 L - 2.8 L
4.0

Biotechnology Applications open. Apply Now

2.02 L - 2.71 L
3.9
1.1 L - 3.6 L
3.7

#11-50 NIRF

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Biotechnology Course. Students interested in pursuing a career on Biotechnology Course, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

To Be Notified:

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Popular Biotechnology Course UG Courses

Following are the most popular Biotechnology Course UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Biotechnology Course PG Courses

Following are the most popular Biotechnology Course PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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