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PCB streamEntrance: Class 12 marksLife sciences & research

Biologist

Biologists study living things — from cells and genes to animals, plants and ecosystems — through observation, experiments and fieldwork.

Class 11–12 subjectsPhysics, Chemistry, Biology
Entrance / admissionClass 12 marks / CUET UG
DegreeB.Sc / BS-MS in Biology or Life Sciences
Duration3–5 years+2 years M.Sc

Your route, step by step

  1. 1Class 11–12: take PCBBiology and Chemistry are the base; Maths helps for data work.
  2. 2B.Sc or BS-MS · 3–5 yearsB.Sc Zoology, Botany or Life Sciences on Class 12 marks or CUET UG; BS-MS at IISERs through the IISER Aptitude Test.
  3. 3M.Sc · 2 yearsChoose your area: genetics, ecology, microbiology and more.
  4. 4Research or workCSIR-UGC NET or GATE for PhD fellowships, or join industry, teaching or government labs.

What a biologist does

  • Plan and run experiments in the lab or field
  • Collect and analyse biological data
  • Write reports and research papers
  • Teach, advise or apply findings in health, farming and conservation

Entrance exams & admission

  • Class 12 marksTamil Nadu arts & science colleges
  • CUET UGCentral universities
  • IISER Aptitude TestBS-MS at IISERs
  • CSIR-UGC NETPhD fellowships after M.Sc

Where you may work

Research institutes, universities, pharma and biotech companies, conservation bodies, schools and government science departments.

Well-known colleges in and near Tamil Nadu

  • Madras Christian College, Chennai
  • Loyola College, Chennai
  • IISER Tirupati

Outlook

Research and biotech are growing in India. Most research careers need a PhD, so plan for long study.

Specialise later

  • Cell & molecular biology
  • Ecology
  • Genetics
  • Microbiology
  • Developmental biology