Mechanical vs Biochemical Engineering: Which is Better in 2022?

November 2, 2024 Vaibhav Kakkar

It is not very easy to compare mechanical vs biochemical engineering, however, what we can do is point out the features of each one of the courses and then compare. Different students have different perspectives about which course they want to go for, but a detailed comparison helps in making the decision easier.

Who is a Mechanical Engineer?

A mechanical engineer can be defined as a person whose job is to design machines producing power such as gas and steam turbines, electric generators, internal combustion engines. Along with it, their job is also to design machines which are used through power such as air conditioner systems and refrigerators. Generally, mechanical engineers design other types of machines as well which are used in buildings such as elevators and escalators.

What is Mechanical Engineering? – Brief introduction about it.

Mechanical engineering can be defined as a course that is one of the very old and broad fields in the engineering sector. Mechanical engineering usually comprises constructing, designing, and usage of machines as well. This program provides quality knowledge to the students along with the basic understanding of using heavy tools and in-depth details about the work related to the machinery. Any candidate pursuing a mechanical engineering course will gain in detail knowledge about how they can design automobiles, aircraft, electric motors, and other machines as well which are heavy.

Mechanical engineers are capable of designing almost everything. For example, they are capable of designing new batteries, well-built equipment related to medical devices. Also, from repairing personal computers, automobile engines, air conditioners as well electric power plants they are capable enough for everything. Mechanical engineers also tend to design machines that can be used to innovate the machines mentioned above.

The career option in mechanical engineering very high in India as well as abroad also in every aspect of their lives wherein mechanical engineer is required. Therefore, across industries, the requirement of mechanical engineering also increases. So, the scope of a mechanical engineer is also wide, and also the demand for the mechanical engineering program is also huge.

The mechanical engineering program is offered by many engineering colleges in India for undergraduate students as well as students at the post-graduate level as well. After completing this course students are been given a degree of M tech and B tech degree respectively.

Some of the popular entrance exams to pursue Mechanical engineering-

List of popular entrance exam that every candidate should take into consideration to pursue Mechanical engineering are mentioned below-

JEE of Mains level
JEE of advanced level
VITEEE
SRMJEEE
BITSAT
KITEEE

Apart from all the entrance exams mentioned above many of the colleges offering mechanical engineering courses are done based on the scores attained by the candidates in GATE exams.

Also Read: Computer Courses After 12th Science

Eligibility Criteria required to pursue Mechanical Engineering-

The basic eligibility criteria for pursuing Mechanical Engineering in Under graduation and post-graduation level are as follows-

Postgraduate-(PG)- Candidates who have completed their B tech degree in the same course with a qualifying percentage across all subjects at a degree level.
Undergraduate-(UG)- Candidates who have cleared their 10+2 examination from a recognized board or university with Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry as their main subjects. The minimum passing percentage to qualify is an aggregate of 60% in the above subjects mentioned.

One should consider that this eligibility criterion varies from college to college. Therefore, one needs to check all the criteria before applying for the course.

Course and Syllabus of Mechanical Engineering in details-

For semester 1 it includes-

Chemistry
Science related to electronics
Mathematics part 1
Physics part 1
Practical knowledge of chemistry subject
Practical knowledge of Physics
Engineering Designing
Physical training part 1

For semester 2-

Modern Biology
Basics of Computing
Mathematics part 2
Mechanical Engineering
Computing Laboratory
Introduction to Basic electronics laboratory
Workshops in physics subject
Physical training part 2

For semester 3 it includes-

Mathematics part 3
Fluid Mechanics part 1
Thermodynamics
Manufacturing dynamics part 1
Solid Mechanics part 1
Solid Mechanics part 2

For semester 4 it includes

Brief detail about engineering materials
Knowledge about kinematics machinery
HSS elective part 1
HSS elective part 2
Drawing related to machines
Workshop part 2
Physical training part 3
Mechanical lab part 1
Physical training part 3

For semester 5 it includes-

Fluid mechanism part 2
Mechanical technology part 2
Knowledge about dynamics of machinery
Designing of machine elements
Electrical Machinery
HSS elective part 3
Mechanical lab part 2

For semester 6 it includes-

Application of thermodynamics part 1
Machine designing
Measurements of mechanical engineering
Transfer of heat and mass
System controlling
Mechanical lab part 3

For semester 7 it includes-

Summer internship
Application of thermodynamics part 2
Department of elective studies part 1
Department of elective studies part 2
Department of open elective part 1
Mechanical lab part 4
Practical projects-1

For semester 8 it includes-

Study-related to industrial engineering and operation research
Department of elective studies part 3
Department of elective studies part 4
HSS elective part 4
Practical Project part 2

The courses and syllabus mentioned above can be different from college to college therefore, any candidate applying for the college should read all the terms and conditions in detail so that no mistakes are made further for future reference.

After studying what is mechanical engineering, its eligibility, course syllabus let us know further about its scope as a career, the salary been offered, and their rankings in the market. So that any candidate pursuing this course should have in-depth knowledge about the course they are choosing to set up their career option and grow further.

Mechanical Engineering vs Biochemical Engineering: Which is Better?

Mechanical Engineering- Its career aspects, Scope, and it’s ranking

As we mentioned above the job of mechanical engineering is to design, research, and develop new test devices. They always have a curiosity about solving problems and it is one of the vital qualities of mechanical engineers. It always takes a creative mind to innovate something new and design, especially in this field. As their job is to design something which is in their mind into reality and bring it to existence.

Ranking of a Mechanical Engineer as a career option-

Amongst all the engineering jobs available mechanical engineer is considered to be top on the list in this field. The ranking is always given keeping all the different sets of factors in mind. Therefore, after considering all the factors only mechanical engineering is considered to be the most demanded career in India as well as abroad.

Payment structure as a Mechanical Engineer-

Approximately, a mechanical engineer earns an approx. of 60 lacs per year. Since the demand for this course is huge, therefore, competition is also high. So, any candidate applying for it should not only secure the minimum aggerate passing percentage but they should score more than that so that they can stand out in the competition.

How can one become a Mechanical Engineer?

For getting jobs in mechanical engineering, one needs to complete their bachelor’s degree in the field of engineering only taking math, science, as their core subjects. Some of them can also possess a job in this field at the entry-level only. But candidates scoring good marks can also get jobs of manager level in the starting only. If any candidate completes their master’s degree as well chances of getting hired into the level which is more than manager level then the payment also increases simultaneously. The aggregate passing percentage required is 60% combining all the averages of the subjects mentioned above.

Career Satisfaction-

With compared to India, abroad people tend to work freely till the age of 60s but in India, the situation is opposite if the stress level of the job they are doing is less then they tend to work till 60s. And it will be surprising to know that mechanical engineering is one of those careers. Wherein, you get to learn to design and create new machines along with the repairing of the old machinery as well. Therefore, job satisfaction in this career is high and people with a good frame of mind tend to work and create more innovative designs which are important for their growth as well.

Who is a Biochemical Engineer?

A biochemical engineer can be defined as a person which tries new methods and techniques which is also known as cutting edge technology to biological materials systems and process and is used to create a new product out of it. Their job is also to find solutions to the problems when the products and different processes come in contact with the environment.

These products can also be used to perform a large number of activities including products that are creative, producing fuel which is considered to be clean and which is also not used before from the natural resources available in the environment which is also used to produce medicines and drugs which is considered to be very important for the survival of human beings as well non-living things as well to grow in nature. Therefore, the role of a biochemical engineer plays a very important role in the industry across India as well as abroad too.

Brief introduction of Bio-chemical engineering?

The course of biological engineering involves a brief study about the construction of different processes which involves the study of biology, chemistry, knowledge of engineering, and molecules as well. It includes a depth study on how to use raw materials on how to use product invention. Different formulas and methods are used in various types of industries such as food, water treatment, pharmaceutical, chemical companies as well as in biological plants as well. The demand for biochemical engineering is wide both in India as well as abroad too.

In the rest of the article, we will read about biochemical engineering in brief about career aspects, eligibility criteria, and many more-

Eligibility criteria to be fulfilled while pursuing Biochemical engineering-

Under this course, the undergraduate program usually comprises a total duration of 4 years full-time course while post-graduation course usually comprises of the total duration of 2 years.

Eligibility criteria for B tech/ B.E- To pursue biochemical engineering for an undergraduate program a candidate needs to complete his or her 12th standard exams or exams related to the relevant standard from a recognized university especially in physics and mathematics along with subjects like biology, chemistry computer science as optional subjects along with English which should be taken as a compulsory subject. With an aggregate passing percentage of 50% to get admission into it.

Any candidate who is willing to go for it should also be able to qualify for one of the exams successfully as well which includes JEE/AIEEE or any other relevant exams which stand suitable to go for the bio-chemical engineering program.

Eligibility criteria for M. tech- After completing the 4 years undergraduate program a candidate can choose to apply for a master’s degree in engineering or any relevant field equivalent to it. And if a candidate does not wish to apply for a master’s degree, then they can also choose to go for a P.H.D degree in the field of engineering or the relevant field as well.

The basic qualification required to pursue MTech is to successfully completion of their undergraduate program in B. tech or B. e from a recognized university or any board which stands relevant to it. Some of the colleges also accept the scores which are scored by passing out exams of GATE successfully. So, candidates also have an option of clearing this exam instead of completing their undergraduate program in bachelor’s degree as well.

What are the skills required to become a Bio-chemical Engineer?

The role of biochemical engineers is very important as it involves the role of developing products that are tangible using all the knowledge of biology, chemistry, and also engineering knowledge. They should have the skills to be a problem solver which is usually related to materials, processes, or systems which is usually associated with biological materials, or processor which is related to plants and animals as well. To fulfill the roles mentioned above some of the key skills that a biochemical engineer should have are listed below in details-

Should be practical.
Should be careful with measurement and analytical skills
Should pay attention to the minute details.
Should be creative and be good in designing skills
Should have an innovative and technical mind to convert designs into products
Should be able to communicate well with the patients.
Should possess good communication and teamwork skills
Should be strong in maths and science
Should possess good technical knowledge.

Fees and admission procedure of Bio-chemical Engineering-

Many of the engineering colleges in India mostly accepts students who have cleared their JEE exams for getting admission in the undergraduate program of biochemical engineering. However, to get admission in the post-graduate program of biochemical engineering a candidate needs to complete their GATE exams and book their seats accordingly. Some of the famous engineering exams are as follows-

JEE Main exams
JEE advanced level
BCIL
VITEEE
EAMCET etc.

Course structure and syllabus of Bio-chemical Engineering-

The course structure of biochemical engineering is divided into 8 semesters which is divided into 4 years and each year comprises of 2 semesters. Some of the topics that are covered in the syllabus include the following-

Comprehension
Artificial organs
Biomechanics
Engineering graphics
Artificial organs
Numerical methods
Project work
Ethics and values
Foreign language
Computer medicine.

Career scope in Bio-chemical engineering-

Candidates who have completed their course generally get jobs in hospitals, manufactures, research organizations, the natural gas industry, pharmaceutical companies, and other sectors as well.

Some of the companies that demand biochemical engineers are listed below-

Rasi seeds
Oil India limited
Bharat petroleum corporation limited
Bharat serum
Serum Institute of India
Piramal healthcare
Biocon etc.

Different pay scale of job profile is described below-

Chemical engineer with experience of 1 to 4 years- Can expect an Approximately salary of INR 3,90,000
Chemical plant operator with experience of 1 to 4 years- Can expect an average salary of INR 2,25,000.
Chemical process engineer with experience of 1 to 4 years- Can expect an average salary of INR 4,02,000.
Senior Research Scientist with experience of 1 to 4 years- Can expect an average salary of INR 8,00,000.

The salary mentioned above may vary from time to time and from industry to industry.

FAQs

Q. What is the work of a mechanical engineer?

Ans- Mechanical engineers design power-producing machines, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, as well as power-using machines, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Mechanical engineers design other machines inside buildings, such as elevators and escalators.

Q. Is mechanical engineering a good career?

Ans- Mechanical engineering is among the prime engineering fields. The graduate job market is known to be hard, but as mechanical engineers use maths and physics practices to design and produce the world’s mechanical devices, graduates tend to be in high demand all around the world.

Q. Which engineering job is easy?

Ans- Apart from the above-mentioned ones, the core branches namely- Electrical, Mechanical and Civil Engineering also offer good job opportunities! Chemical Engineering, though not considered to be a part of the core branch, is also good, when it comes to job scope. Ultimately, it all depends on your passion too.

Conclusion-

Choosing the right set of career options for any candidate is very difficult so selecting the right set of careers keeping in mind all the career options is very important. If we choose a particular career then all the skills and abilities required and all the hard work required to be done to clear the exams Is also important. Colleges or universities in which we tend to apply their proper analysis should be done so that no fraud is been done.

Choosing the wrong set of careers might lead to career disruption. Many people consider engineering as one of their career options and after knowing about the details of both the engineering course in this article one can decide very easily on which career option to choose and which college or university is best suited to them. Both the engineering courses mentioned above have a wide range of scope across India and abroad too. Salary across both the courses is also well as mentioned.

That was a detailed comparison between mechanical vs biochemical engineering, and this guide can be very helping while deciding between these two courses for higher professional studies.