Biotechnology is the branch of science which deals about the benefits and application of plants, animals and microbial cell cultures at the technological level. Today, biotechnology covers many different disciplines (eg. genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, etc.). New technologies and products are developed every year within the areas of eg. medicine (development of new medicines and therapies), agriculture (development of genetically modified plants, biofuels, biological treatment) or industrial biotechnology (production of chemicals, paper, textiles and food).

Top five branches of biotechnology are: 1. Animal Biotechnology - It deals with the development of transgenic animals for increased milk or meat production with resistance to various diseases.

2. Medical Biotechnology - Deals about the large scale production of hormones, blood serum proteins; in the development of antibiotics, and other medically useful products.

3. Industrial Biotechnology - It deals with commercial production of various useful organic substances.

4. Environmental Biotechnology - It deals with detoxification of waste and industrial effluents, treatment of sewage water, and control of plant diseases and insects through the use of biological agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.

5. Plant Biotechnology - It deals with development of transgenic plants with resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses; development of haploids, embryo rescue, clonal multiplication, cryopreservation, etc..

The course offered by HCAS is Biotechnology, which covers all the above branches of the subjects. The curriculum is designed and provided by the University of Madras, which covers all the above said branches. Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary science which encompasses areas viz. Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Virology, Plant and Animal Tissue Culture, Chemistry and Engineering. It is a fast emerging “cutting edge” science with distinctive advantages as it finds applications in practically all aspects of life. The subject offers exciting opportunities in various fields from basic research to an industry oriented career.

The college offers B.Sc, M.Sc, M.Phil and Ph.D Biotechnology programmes. Admissions process for all the programmes start in the month of April for B. Sc., M. Sc., and M. Phil.

For the Ph. D., program, it will be done twice a year (June & December) as per the guidelines given by the University of Madras. Entrance examinations will be conducted by the college and rank list will be send to University of Madras for approval.

To improve the employability of the students at the first-degree level, parallel utility-oriented certificate/diploma courses have been introduced. The students can avail of these career-oriented courses and gain a dual degree on graduating.

Under the programme, each student would be awarded an additional certificate /diploma in the ‘add-on’ course opted for. The department offers Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) affiliated to Bharat Sevak Samaj Vocational Education, Affiliation No: (TN/7732). National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) is a project of MHRD initiated by seven Indian Institutes along with the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore in 2003, to provide quality education to anyone interested in learning from the IITs. Our college is a nodal center for NPTEL courses, and every year more than 50 different certificate courses have been offered in the Biotechnology branch itself as free education.

It is one of the fastest growing sectors in India and is expected to play a key role in shaping India’s rapidly developing economy.

The areas include:

• Research and development

• Quality assurance/regulatory affairs

• Manufacturing

• Clinical research

• Government (policymaking)

• Software engineering

• Food, animal, and environmental science

• Sales and technical support

• Business management

• Project management

Post Graduate degree holders can work in government/private sectors consisting of technical, scientific or junior management positions.

The major fields are as follow:

• Medical employment: You can be placed in medical fields like the hospitals, private clinics or research centres, if you have studied Medical Laboratory Technology or biomedical engineering.

• . Management: You can also consider going into HR/ Marketing careers in life science companies like pharmaceutical companies.

• Health care professions: You can work at health care research centres that involve in medical transcription and other professional services.

• Education: You can also go right away into employment in colleges with just a Master’s degree. But this requires you to have passed UGC-NET / UGC-SET score or a UGC-LEC to be able to teach with a Master’s degree.

• Computer / IT : Finally you can also get employment in software industries that run life sciences projects. You can do medical coding, medical transcription and also do molecule designing using software.

Reaching new altitudes in biotechnology research, influencing biotechnology into a principal tool of the future, for creation of wealth especially for the welfare of the deprived.

The Department is one of the pioneers in Biotechnology research as for as the University of Madras affiliated colleges are concerned, and since the year 2010 has had the added distinction of being MOES & TNSCST sponsored for various events.  Study of industrially valuable products such as enzymes, biopolymers like bioplatics, biofuels, biosurfactants etc., of commercial importance from microorganisms are some of the major projects undertaken in the department. In addition to that, we have a well-equipped genetic engineering laboratory to carryout DNA, RNA barcoding, plant and animal tissue culture. Processes for preparation of toxins and other bioactive substances from various microorganisms are well established. Biodegradation of oils spills and heavy metals have been selectively developed.

During the third and fourth semesters, the students undertake independent research projects as part of the curriculum. Summer training (4-6 weeks) is mandatory after completion of the second semester and the students are placed by the Department in R&D laboratories of nationally recognized institutes and industries. The department has MOUs with international and national research institutions. Apart from that Practical based learning, smart class facilities, industrial visit, on duty leave for workshops, conferences and symposia and financial support for project presentations in national level, are other added advantages of the department.

The department has well-qualified and competent faculty catering to the needs of teaching, research and educational activities. There are 7 faculty members in the department and all are doctorates. They all have published several research articles in international high impact journals. Many have been invited to give plenary talks and invited lectures in reputed Universities and colleges. Our faculty are in doctoral committees and editorial boards of Journals. All are approved faculty members by the University of Madras. They have contributed in question paper settings, syllabus framing and evaluation of examination for the university and the affiliated colleges.

The college has a special officer to guide the students to get Government SC/tribe and low income group stipends through State Education Departments and University of Madras. In addition to that, alumni fee concession (50% of tuition fee) can be availed by our alumni students to pursue master programmes in our college. Students can also avail education loans with the guidance of admission cell.

The course is recognized by the University of Madras. Hence we are following the norms of the university. Candidates for admission to M. Phil., programme must have a Master's degree or a professional degree declared equivalent to the Master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale, wherever grading system is followed) or an equivalent degree from a foreign educational institution, accredited by an Assessment and Accreditation Agency, which is approved, recognized or authorized by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country for the purpose of assessing, accrediting or assuring quality and standards of educational institutions. A relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade, may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/Differently-Abled and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time, or for those who had obtained their Master's degree prior to 19th September, 1991. The eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5% to the categories mentioned above are permissible based only on the qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures.

We shall admit M. Phil., students through an Entrance Test conducted at our College level. The College will decide the date during June month and our academic body will finalize the rank list. We will take the student as per the approved number by the University.

It is a good choice, it is beneficial for job criteria as well. As you know it is an advanced Post Graduate research degree. Master of Philosophy degree is the most advanced research degree before the Doctor of Philosophy. They have good scope in Research, Production and Marketing companies. Biotechnologists can find jobs in agricultural establishments, pharmaceutical firms, food manufacturing companies, chemical industries and bio-processing companies. There is also scope in Government as well as corporate organized research work.

Master of Philosophy is a Post Graduate research Masters. As an alternative of completing taught units and assessments, M. Phil., consists entirely of your own independent project. An M. Phil., can be a part of a (or a step towards Ph. D. registration) but you can also study it as a separate qualification.

The department has well-qualified and competent faculty catering to the needs of teaching, research and education activities. There are 7 faculty members in the department and all are doctorates. They all have published several research articles in international high impact journals. Many have been invited to give plenary talks and invited lectures in reputed Universities and colleges. Our faculty are in doctoral committees and editorial boards of Journals. All are approved faculty members by the University of Madras. They have contributed in question paper settings, syllabus framing and evaluation of examination for the university and the affiliated colleges.

The Ph. D., program is for a minimum duration of three years, including course work for both full-time and part-time candidates for a maximum of six years. No candidates shall be permitted to submit their thesis after the maximum period of Six Years. There is no provision for either Extension or Re-Registration

Admission to Ph.D. programme will take place during two sessions in a year (June and December). The admission schedule will be announced through advertisement on the University of Madras website. Candidates are required to fill up the online application within the specified date, and submit requisite fee as per instructions given in the University website. Admission portal shall remain open for a specified period as notified by the University (June 1-30 and December 1-30)

The minimum eligibility for pursuance of the course is the successful completion of post-graduation in Biotechnology, completed from a recognized university. The process of selection involves, scrutiny of applications, conduct of Entrance Examination, preparing of merit list and of selection list, and should be completed within the specified time limit. The eligibility conditions for the candidates shall be strictly followed as per the University of Madras Ph. D. Regulations 2018, under the clause 2.1 (available in the website:www.unom.ac.in). Admission to Ph.D., shall be made through an entrance test. The entrance test will be conducted by the respective department. 50% of marks shall be taken from the qualifying examination (PG or equivalent) secured by the candidate. The candidate should secure at least 25 marks out of 50 marks in the entrance test

The department has a well-qualified and competent faculty catering to the needs of teaching, research and education activities. There are 7 faculty members in the department, and all are doctorates. They all have published several research articles in international high impact journals. Many have been invited to give plenary talks and invited lectures in reputed Universities and colleges. Our faculty are in doctoral committees and editorial boards of Journals. All are approved faculty members by the University of Madras. They have contributed in question paper settings, syllabus framing and evaluation of examination for the university and the affiliated colleges.

In these fields, holding a doctorate will certainly increase your salary earnings potentially per year, than those with just a master's degree. More over this programme will make you an eligible candidate to be placed in any top academic positions.

There are a many opportunities available in top cadre for people with a doctorate degree in biotechnology as per their specialization, and to name a few: Analytical chemist, Biomedical scientist, Healthcare scientist, clinical biotechnologist. Clinical research associate, Forensic scientist, Physician's associate, Research scientist (Life sciences), Scientific laboratory technician, Toxicologist, etc.