The history of biology traces the living world from ancient to modern times. Biological sciences such as Botany and Zoology became increasingly professional scientific disciplines from the beginning of the 18th century. With a better understanding of life forms and the fading of boundaries with technology that helped delve into the depth of molecular biology, today, these studies have become more focused and purposeful for application, benefiting mankind. Thus, Biotechnology and Microbiology are realized for their importance in the present times rooting from the basics of life forms such as plants, animals and microorganisms.

The Department of Biotechnology, National College (Autonomous), Tiruchirapalli, was established in 2011 with a firm objective to provide quality teaching and learning in the fields of modern science, focused on practical learning, leading to original research contributions of global standards. As proof of growth, the Department of Microbiology was initiated in the year 2013 to impart knowledge on the beneficial and malevolence impacts of microorganisms on society and later merged with the Department of Biotechnology. After a decade, today, the department offers UG and PG courses are offered in both disciplines, possesses the best possible infrastructure to nurture 250 students and hosting 14 faculty members.

The Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology in National College stands tall in reputation in terms of quality education, updated training and career guidance as it is recognized under DBT PG teaching & under the DBT star college scheme. The PG research and teaching departments have thus opened up lead research avenues for post-graduate and doctoral students in molecular oncology, genetic engineering, animal health, bioinformatics, data mining, plant and animal biotechnology, marine microbiology, freshwater microbiology, plant microbiology, and integrated research areas. The department has signed MoUs with the National Research Center for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirappalli, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, Kothari Sugars and Chemicals Limited, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Targenix private limited (Chennai), Fermentech GSV (Thanjavur), and Vivagen Lab Dx (Chennai), to impart and exchange academic and research outputs and training. The Biotechnology and Microbiology department thus provides state-of-the-art facilities for studies about plant tissue culture, animal cell/tissue culture, microbiological research, toxicology, cancer biology, aquaculture, metagenomics, and stem cells. Both the UG and PG students are given supervised access to the departmental labs 24×7 and are strongly encouraged to practice science. The National College Culture Collection Centre (N4C) was initiated in January 2022, which holds more than 220 microbial strains currently and are screened for various application potentials such as lipases and amylases, nano-particle synthesis, probiotic, and dye degradation activities.To add wings to its research vision, the department in the academic year 2020-2021 has attracted five additional faculty members with research and teaching expertise with International post-doctoral research experience in molecular oncology, neurotoxicology, animal health science, aquaculture, bioinformatics, agricultural/soil microbiology, aquatic biotechnology / biofuel and metabolic engineering.