A Centre of Biosciences was started in 1980 and upgraded to a full-fledged academic Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology in 1986. It was renamed as the Department of Biotechnology in the year 2002. The department has teaching and research programmes which encompass various basic and applied aspects of modern biotechnology. The main objective of the Department is to provide academic training and conduct research in the interdisciplinary areas of biotechnology with emphasis on molecular biology, genetic engineering, bioprocess technology, and environmental biotechnology.

To harness the diverse and multidisciplinary potential of the biotechnology domain towards scientific, technological, and societal improvement, thereby making an impact in the sectors of education, research, healthcare, and industrial production of food, energy, and pharmaceuticals.

To make the Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering at IIT Roorkee as the foremost centre of excellence in the domains of biological sciences, biological engineering and computational biology through research, teaching, training, and manpower development activities. In addition, the Department would strive to create a global reputation through international collaborations, outreach, alumni engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship.