My Science School

I’m currently doing my U.G. in Biochemistry. I wanted to know its scope and the available P.G. courses for Biochemistry or courses related to Biochemistry as well as institutions in India and abroad. What steps do I need to take to excel in this field?

Many universities all over India offer PG courses in Biochemistry. Some of these are JNU, New Delhi; Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai; University of Mumbai, Mumbai. All major universities in other countries also offer a specialization in this field. Some of them are Harvard University, MIT, John Hopkins University, Stanford University in USA and Oxford University, Cambridge University in U.K.

Though there is not much with just a graduate degree, there are good opportunities for those with a M.Sc. in Biochemistry. They can work in research laboratories, diagnostic centres, biotech firms, hospitals, agricultural industries, drug manufacturing companies, forensic departments, cosmetic industries, health care centres, and so on. Biochemists are also in high demand in pharmaceutical firms, food industries and agro-chemical companies so as to develop newer products. They are also required to monitor the manufacturing processes, quality control and safety of the existing products.

 

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I’m a second year student of Sacramento City College and my major is Biochemistry. I feel that studies in India are better than in the U.S. I am thinking of moving back to India after studies. Please suggest some major or field of study that will get me a well-paid job in India if I get the degree from USA.

Biochemistry career opportunities can be virtually limitless; private research institutions, hospitals, government organizations all hunt for good biochemists. Their goals are usually similar – to research, experiment, conduct trials and find cures for diseases like cancer and AIDS and even mental disorders.

Mainly, there are three specializations. In medicine, they identify the causes of disease, understand their effect on the body in chemical terms and try and isolate the indicators that signal impending disease. This requires tracking chemical changes through normal bodily functions like muscle contraction, respiration, etc. in the field of agriculture, biochemists are developing cultivation innovations, improving pest control and optimizing crop storage. Another popular field is nutrition, where a biochemist’s job is to investigate the effect of various minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins on the human body.

It is always better to specialize but keep in mind that almost all the specializations require good research technique and the ability to combine and analyze information.

 

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