The biotechnology programme at Jadavpur University started with a master’s course (M. Tech. in Biotechnology) in the year 1985. The initial objective of this course was to induct engineering graduates into this emerging technology and train them to support the growing biotechnology industry of the country.

However, in the later time, the postgraduate students from different science streams were also admitted into this program. The overall experience in fulfilling the above objectives had been satisfactory. At a later stage, however, most of the students coming from the engineering streams were Pharmacy graduates (B. Pharm.), few students used to come from chemical engineering or food Technology. Among the science students, the response was more encouraging.

In 2006, a two year M. Sc. in Biotechnology program was introduced, in which the students from all disciplines of Science, eg. Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Zoology, Botany, Physiology, Microbiology and Biochemistry honours graduate were inducted. Most of the graduated students opted for further research to earn their Ph. D. degree from JU as well as other reputed Universities in India and abroad. A small number of students joined various private biotechnology, pharma and other industries. Yet another smaller fraction went for several government sectors.