People who love science are often faced with the dilemma of choosing a specialization. But what are you supposed to do if you cannot just pick one area of interest? Biotechnology could be the field for you. Biotechnology is utilizing the sciences of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computers, and information technology to develop tools and products that hold great promise and concern. Biotechnology and fields like Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry is one of the most important applied science of the 21st century. In most general sense, Biotechnology refers to the use of living organisms (or their products) for our benefit. It includes manipulation of organisms on the molecular and genetic level to improve health, safety, nutrition and the environment.

Areas of work in biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field at the cutting edge of science includes research associates, plant breeders, quality control engineers, environmental health and safety specialists, and technical writers. Current and future opportunities include jobs in research and development, manufacturing and production, hospital laboratories, academic research laboratories, forensics, and technical support in the field of pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food science, environmental clean-up, bioinformatics, forensics and others.

Indian Perspective
Biotechnology as a business segment for India has the potential of generating revenues and million skilled jobs over the next five years. India is among the world's top 12 biotech powers. The industry is growing at the rate of 25 percent. India has more biotech companies than Japan, Taiwan or Korea. By 2010, India is expected to generate $5 billion in revenues from biotech. Name of India's leading biotech companies providing oppurtunities- Biocon | Ranbaxy | Panacea Biotech | Sunpharma | Avesthagen | Cipla | Lupin Biotech | Wokhardt | United Breweries | Shantha Biotech | Serum Institute of India | Orchid Pharmaceutical and many.

Courses offered in biotechnology
There are various courses offered by central, state, deemed and private universities, widely being the post graduate courses since biotechnology is taken up by many candidates after graduation.

Under graduate courses
B.Sc : Biotechnology (and allied fields like Microbiology, Biochemistry)
B.Tech : Biotechnology

Postgraduate courses
(General Biotechnology/Agriculture Biotech/Animal Biotechnology/Medical Biotech)
M.Sc.:Biotechnology(and allied fields like Microbiology, Biochemistry)
M.Tech:Biotechnology

Integrated courses
5 year integrated M.Tech in Biotechnology after +12