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B-TECH in Genetic Engineering at SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu
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About the Specialization
What is Genetic Engineering at SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chengalpattu?
This Genetic Engineering program at SRM Institute of Science and Technology focuses on the manipulation of genetic material to alter the characteristics of an organism, with applications spanning healthcare, agriculture, and industry. The curriculum emphasizes gene editing, molecular diagnostics, and bioprocessing, addressing critical needs in areas like disease treatment and crop improvement. It aims to develop skilled professionals for India''''s burgeoning biotech sector.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for high school graduates with a strong foundation in science, particularly biology and chemistry, who possess a keen interest in molecular mechanisms, genetic modification, and biotechnological innovation. It also suits aspiring researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs seeking to contribute to cutting-edge advancements in medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental solutions within India.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including R&D Scientist, Bioprocess Engineer, Clinical Research Associate, Quality Control Analyst, or Bioinformatics Specialist. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-8 LPA, with significant growth potential in biopharmaceutical companies, research institutes, and agri-biotech firms. The program also prepares students for higher studies and entrepreneurial ventures in biotechnology.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Scientific Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on developing a deep understanding of core concepts in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and introductory programming. Actively participate in laboratory sessions to internalize theoretical knowledge through practical application. Utilize online platforms like NPTEL for supplementary learning and problem-solving exercises in these foundational subjects.
Tools & Resources
Textbooks, NPTEL courses on basic sciences, Khan Academy, Peer study groups
Career Connection
A robust foundation is crucial for grasping advanced genetic engineering concepts and excelling in subsequent specialized courses, which directly impacts project performance and interview success for core biotech roles.
Enhance Communicative and Analytical Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Engage actively in English communication classes, group discussions, and presentations to hone public speaking and technical writing abilities. Develop problem-solving skills through mathematics and programming assignments, focusing on logical thinking and algorithm development, essential for scientific analysis. Participate in college debate clubs or technical writing workshops.
Tools & Resources
Grammarly, Toastmasters (if available), Coding practice platforms like HackerRank/LeetCode for Python
Career Connection
Effective communication is vital for presenting research, collaborating in teams, and articulating ideas in interviews. Strong analytical skills are indispensable for data interpretation and experimental design in genetic research roles.
Explore Interdisciplinary Connections Early- (Semester 1-2)
Look for connections between different subjects, for example, how physics principles apply to instrumentation or how programming can model biological processes. Attend introductory workshops or seminars on bioinformatics or biophysics to broaden perspective. Engage with professors on potential interdisciplinary mini-projects.
Tools & Resources
Departmental seminars, Online MOOCs on introductory bioinformatics, Faculty mentorship
Career Connection
Genetic Engineering is highly interdisciplinary. Early exposure helps identify potential niche areas, fostering innovative project ideas and preparing for diverse roles at the intersection of biology, engineering, and data science.
Intermediate Stage
Master Laboratory Techniques and Protocols- (Semester 3-5)
Go beyond routine lab exercises; seek opportunities to assist senior students or faculty in research labs. Focus on understanding the principles behind each technique (e.g., PCR, electrophoresis, cell culture) and troubleshoot common issues. Maintain meticulous lab notebooks and follow safety protocols rigorously.
Tools & Resources
Lab manuals, YouTube tutorials on specific techniques, Research papers
Career Connection
Proficiency in wet-lab skills is a core requirement for R&D, Quality Control, and Bioprocess roles in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. It directly enhances employability for hands-on scientific positions.
Engage in Minor Research Projects and Internships- (Semester 3-5)
Identify faculty members with ongoing research in your areas of interest and volunteer for a mini-project. Actively seek summer internships in biotech companies, research institutes (like CCMB, NII), or university labs to gain real-world exposure to genetic engineering applications. Leverage institutional networks for opportunities.
Tools & Resources
Institutional career services, Research grants for student projects, LinkedIn for internship searches
Career Connection
Practical research experience and internships are critical for building a professional portfolio, gaining industry insights, and making informed career decisions. They significantly boost resume strength for both jobs and higher education.
Develop Bioinformatics and Computational Skills- (Semester 3-5)
Acquire proficiency in bioinformatics tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, R) relevant for genetic data analysis. Work on projects involving sequence analysis, structural biology, and genomics. Participate in hackathons or online challenges focused on biological data interpretation.
Tools & Resources
NCBI databases, Expasy, Rosetta Commons, Python/R programming courses, Kaggle
Career Connection
Computational biology and bioinformatics are increasingly integral to genetic engineering. These skills are highly valued for roles in drug discovery, genomics, personalized medicine, and data science within biotech firms.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Comprehensive Capstone Project- (Semester 6-8)
Devote significant effort to your final year project, aiming for novel contributions or substantial problem-solving. Choose a project aligned with current industry trends or societal needs (e.g., gene therapy for a specific disease, enhanced crop yield). Strive for publication or patenting if the results are significant.
Tools & Resources
Advanced lab equipment, Specialized software, Faculty supervisors, Research funding
Career Connection
A strong capstone project demonstrates independent research capability, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, making you highly attractive to employers or for securing admissions in top Ph.D. programs globally and in India.
Network and Attend Industry Conferences- (Semester 6-8)
Actively network with professionals and researchers by attending national and international biotechnology conferences, workshops, and webinars. Engage with alumni working in the field. This helps in understanding industry demands, identifying job opportunities, and building professional relationships.
Tools & Resources
Conference websites (e.g., BRSI, DBT events), LinkedIn, Alumni association events
Career Connection
Networking is paramount for job hunting, mentorship, and staying updated with industry advancements. It can lead to direct job offers, collaborations, or valuable insights for career progression.
Prepare Rigorously for Placements and Higher Studies- (Semester 6-8)
Begin placement preparation early by refining your resume, practicing technical and HR interview questions, and participating in mock interviews. If pursuing higher studies, prepare for competitive exams like GATE, CSIR NET, or GRE/TOEFL and work on strong recommendation letters and statements of purpose.
Tools & Resources
Career guidance cells, Online aptitude test platforms, Gateforum/Ace Engineering Academy for exam prep, University application portals
Career Connection
Thorough preparation ensures you successfully transition into your desired career path, whether it''''s securing a coveted job in the biotech industry or gaining admission to prestigious academic programs for advanced research.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- A pass in H.Sc. (10+2) or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics / Biology / Biotechnology / Botany / Zoology as subjects. A minimum of 60% aggregate in PCM/PCB/PCM and B/PMB or equivalent, or as per SRMIST admission guidelines for the academic year.
Duration: 8 semesters / 4 years
Credits: 160 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 50%, External: 50%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21GE101 | Communicative English | Core | 3 | Grammar and Vocabulary, Reading and Comprehension, Writing Skills, Listening and Speaking, Presentation Skills |
| 21GE102 | Calculus and Linear Algebra | Core | 4 | Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Vector Calculus, Matrices, Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors |
| 21GE103 | Physics for Bioengineering | Core | 3 | Optics and Lasers, Quantum Physics, Material Science, Semiconductor Physics, Nanomaterials |
| 21GE104 | Chemistry for Bioengineering | Core | 3 | Water Technology, Corrosion and its Control, Electrochemistry, Polymers, Spectroscopy |
| 21GE105 | Basic Electrical and Electronics Engineering | Core | 3 | DC Circuits, AC Circuits, Semiconductor Devices, Amplifiers, Digital Electronics |
| 21GE106 | Programming for Genetic Engineering | Core | 3 | Programming Fundamentals, Data Types and Operators, Control Structures, Functions, Data Structures in Python |
| 21GE1L1 | Physics and Chemistry Laboratory | Lab | 2 | Physical Optics Experiments, Electrical Properties of Materials, Water Quality Analysis, Corrosion Rate Measurement, Polymer Characterization |
| 21GE1L2 | Programming for Genetic Engineering Laboratory | Lab | 2 | Python Syntax and Control Flow, Functions and Modules, File Handling, Object-Oriented Programming, Basic Algorithm Implementation |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21GE201 | Biology for Engineers | Core | 3 | Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Ecology and Environment |
| 21GE202 | Biochemistry | Core | 4 | Biomolecules, Enzymology, Metabolism, Bioenergetics, Clinical Biochemistry |
| 21GE203 | Analog and Digital Electronics for Genetic Engineering | Core | 3 | Operational Amplifiers, Filters, Logic Gates, Combinational Circuits, Sequential Circuits |
| 21GE204 | Environmental Science and Engineering | Core | 3 | Ecosystems, Pollution and Control, Waste Management, Biodiversity, Sustainable Development |
| 21GE205 | Differential Equations and Complex Analysis | Core | 4 | First Order ODEs, Higher Order ODEs, Laplace Transforms, Complex Numbers, Conformal Mapping |
| 21GE2L1 | Biology Laboratory | Lab | 2 | Microscopy Techniques, Cell Staining and Counting, Bacterial Culture, DNA Isolation, Chromatography |
| 21GE2L2 | Biochemistry Laboratory | Lab | 2 | Carbohydrate Estimation, Protein Quantification, Enzyme Assays, Lipid Extraction, Spectrophotometry |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21GE301 | Genetics | Core | 4 | Mendelian Genetics, Chromosomal Abnormalities, Gene Mapping, Population Genetics, Human Genetics |
| 21GE302 | Molecular Biology | Core | 4 | DNA Structure and Replication, Transcription, Translation, Gene Regulation, Mutations and Repair |
| 21GE303 | Biostatistics and Bioinformatics | Core | 4 | Probability and Distributions, Hypothesis Testing, Sequence Alignment, Phylogenetic Analysis, Genomics and Proteomics Databases |
| 21GE304 | Microbiology | Core | 3 | Bacterial Physiology, Fungi and Viruses, Sterilization Techniques, Antimicrobial Agents, Industrial Microbiology |
| 21GE305 | Instrumentation and Analytical Techniques | Core | 3 | Chromatography, Electrophoresis, Spectroscopy, Microscopy, Centrifugation |
| 21GE3L1 | Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory | Lab | 2 | Bacterial Transformation, PCR and Gel Electrophoresis, DNA Fingerprinting, Restriction Digestion, Cloning Techniques |
| 21GE3L2 | Bioinformatics and Microbiology Laboratory | Lab | 2 | Database Searching, Sequence Alignment Tools, Primer Design, Bacterial Identification, Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21GE401 | Recombinant DNA Technology | Core | 4 | Cloning Vectors, Restriction Enzymes, Gene Libraries, Gene Transfer Methods, CRISPR-Cas System |
| 21GE402 | Cell Biology and Immunology | Core | 4 | Cell Structure and Organelles, Cell Signaling, Cell Culture Techniques, Immune System Components, Antigen-Antibody Reactions |
| 21GE403 | Bioprocess Engineering | Core | 3 | Bioreactor Design, Sterilization, Fermentation Kinetics, Downstream Processing, Product Recovery |
| 21GE404 | Professional Ethics and Human Values | General | 3 | Ethics in Engineering, Moral Values, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Ethics, Human Rights |
| 21GE4E1 | Program Elective I | Elective | 3 | Various specialized topics based on chosen elective |
| 21GE4L1 | Recombinant DNA Technology Laboratory | Lab | 2 | Plasmid Isolation, Ligation and Transformation, Screening Recombinants, Site-Directed Mutagenesis, Reporter Gene Assays |
| 21GE4L2 | Cell Biology and Immunology Laboratory | Lab | 2 | Animal Cell Culture, Viability Assays, ELISA, Western Blotting, Immunofluorescence |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21GE501 | Genetic Engineering for Health | Core | 4 | Gene Therapy, Vaccine Development, Diagnostic Tools, Pharmacogenomics, Stem Cell Engineering |
| 21GE502 | Bioethics and Biosafety | Core | 3 | Ethical Principles in Biotechnology, Regulatory Frameworks, Risk Assessment, Containment Levels, IPR and Patenting |
| 21GE503 | Structural Biology and Drug Design | Core | 3 | Protein Structure Prediction, Molecular Docking, Virtual Screening, Rational Drug Design, Pharmacokinetics |
| 21GE5E2 | Program Elective II | Elective | 3 | Advanced topics in chosen specialization |
| 21GE5E3 | Program Elective III | Elective | 3 | Specialized applications of genetic engineering |
| 21GE5L1 | Genetic Engineering for Health Laboratory | Lab | 2 | CRISPR-Cas genome editing, Gene expression analysis, Viral vector preparation, Drug toxicity assays, Stem cell differentiation |
| 21GE5P1 | Mini Project I | Project | 1 | Problem identification, Literature review, Experimental design, Data analysis, Report writing |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21GE601 | Genetic Engineering for Agriculture and Environment | Core | 4 | Transgenic Plants, Disease Resistance in Crops, Biofuel Production, Bioremediation, Animal Cloning |
| 21GE602 | Genomics and Proteomics | Core | 4 | Next-Generation Sequencing, Genome Assembly, Transcriptomics, Mass Spectrometry, Protein-Protein Interaction |
| 21GE6E4 | Program Elective IV | Elective | 3 | Specialized research areas in genetic engineering |
| 21GE6E5 | Program Elective V | Elective | 3 | Emerging technologies in genetic engineering |
| 21GE6OE1 | Open Elective I | Elective | 3 | Interdisciplinary topics outside main specialization |
| 21GE6L1 | Genetic Engineering for Agriculture and Environment Lab | Lab | 2 | Plant tissue culture, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, Bio-fertilizer production, Bioremediation assays, Metagenomics techniques |
| 21GE6P2 | Mini Project II | Project | 1 | Advanced problem-solving, Experimental validation, Data interpretation, Technical presentation, Project report |
Semester 7
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21GE701 | Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology | Core | 4 | Biopharmaceutical Production, Good Manufacturing Practices, Drug Discovery Process, Biosimilars, Industrial Enzymes |
| 21GE7E6 | Program Elective VI | Elective | 3 | Advanced applications in industrial biotechnology |
| 21GE7OE2 | Open Elective II | Elective | 3 | Interdisciplinary subject chosen by student |
| 21GE7PW | Project Work Phase I | Project | 6 | Research problem definition, Extensive literature review, Methodology development, Initial experimentation, Progress reporting |
Semester 8
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21GE8PW | Project Work Phase II | Project | 10 | Advanced experimentation, Data analysis and interpretation, Result validation, Thesis writing, Final defense and presentation |
| 21GE8IN | Internship | Internship | 6 | Industry exposure, Practical skill application, Professional networking, Problem-solving in real-world scenarios, Technical reporting |
