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Home Science
Home Science
Overview
Home Science may be defined as the study required to develop home or family life within a changing society with the help of scientific knowledge and methods. Keeping the families ecosystem into consideration, it focuses on achieving ‘better living’ for all members of the family. It teaches us the impact of the home environment and its resources on us and vice versa as well as our role and responsibilities in relation to others in the family. It aims at meeting the needs and desires of all family members by ensuring efficient and scientific use of one’s resources. As a field, home science is gaining huge popularity among students owing to its wide application in industries like food preservation and training, clothing and textiles, interior decoration etc. Given below are various fields under Home Science that one can specialise in:
- Production Industry: All processes that fall under production in various industries such as food, fabric etc fall under the production sector. Example- in the food manufacturing industry, job options are available in various department as food analysts, quality analysts, quality controllers and quality managers.
- Tourism & Service Industry: Home science provides ample opportunities in the tourism sector and various industries under it. For instance – the accommodation industry open up jobs in hotels in positions of front desk managers, chefs, housekeeping executives etc.
- Diet & Nutrition: The role of the dietitian is pivotal for food analysis, food management and food therapy. They develop a diet plan as per individual requirements of people based on their physiology, calorie intake etc.
- Teaching & Research: Individuals with a degree in home science can further specialise and explore career paths as food scientists, research associates, teachers and professors. Candidates with a masters degree can opt for teaching positions and research positions in colleges and universities.
- Textile & Clothing: This industry offers many opportunities in different sectors of designing, fabric construction, dyeing, printing and evaluating, identifying and selecting fabrics/products from suppliers based on the suitability as well as testing various finished products for performance under various conditions.
- Resource Management: Resource Management involves organizing and managing a home in an economical and efficient manner. It focuses on maximum utilisation of resources such as funds to achieve desired results.
- Landscape Gardener: Landscape gardeners are responsible for designing, crafting, creating and maintaining outside spaces such as gardens and parks. They ensure that a project meets the client’s requirement and is both asthetically appealing and functional in its being.
Job Prospects
Some of the prospective jobs under this field are :
- Textile/interior/landscape designers
- Nutritionist
- Academician
- Researcher
- Entrepreneur
- Sales/ marketing personnel
- Food production (chefs, bakers, tasters)
- Housekeeping
- Human resources
Desired Attributes
Given below are desired qualities for professionals in this field :
- Ability to adapt well to the changing standards in the industry.
- Detail oriented and meticulous while working.
- Scientific bent of mind.
- Good at planning and multitasking.
- Adequate organisational and managerial skills.
- Ability to think critically as well as creatively.
- Strong theoretical background based on one’s specialisation.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills.
Roles & Responsibilities
Duties of an individual depend upon their area of specialisation. Certain duties attached to this field are :
- Work with various raw materials like textiles, fur, leather, plastics and metals.
- Develop project layouts after meeting with prospective clients.
- Work with professionals from other departments to complete projects and meet business objectives.
- In the food industry evaluate the nutritional value of products.
- Perform housekeeping, front desk, food service duties in a hotel or resort.
- Make fabrics for furnishings, medical supplies, clothing, household items etc for various industries.
- Coordinate with multiple departments to supervise a project.
- Evaluate ways to improve and implement learning and skills development plans for the targeted population.
How to get there
Path – 1 :
- Clear 12th standard in any stream (home science as an option)
- BSc in home science – 3 years
- M.Sc. Home Science – 1 – 2 years
- M.Phil in Home Science – 2 years
- PhD – 3 – 4 years (minimum 60% of marks)
Path – 2 :
- Clear 12th standard (home science as an option)
- BSc in home science – 3 years.
- P.G. Diploma in Home Science – 1 or 2 years.
Eligibility for selection :
- Pass 12th standard (with home science)
- Clear entrance exam (if any)
Food Science
Overview
Food science is the study of the biological, physical and chemical component of food. It is also concerned with the different ways in which food is processed and stored. Food scientists deal with issues related to enhancing the taste of food, making it last longer, making sure it’s safe to eat and boosting its nutritional content. They ensure that the demand for different kinds of food is met by developing efficient modes of manufacturing and supply without compromising on the quality of food. Professionals in the field, also work towards ensuring that food resources are not overly exploited and food wastage is at the minimum. Food science aims to solve the problems that arise at the time of harvesting, production, manufacturing and storage. Food knowledge and processes around the world have evolved with the expansion and implementation of food technology and its scientific application.
Job Prospects
Some of the prospective jobs under this field are :
- Food Engineer : Food engineers are responsible for designing and developing systems for processing, manufacturing, packaging and storing food. They work closely with food chemists and microbiologists to ensure that consumers have access to safe and high-quality food products.
- Food Chemist : They study the effects of processing on the chemical composition of food. Food chemists analyse methods of canning, freezing, cooking, preserving and packaging food products.
- Food Technologist : They have a strong theoretical background which they implement in a practical manner to create new food products and improve the existing ones.
- Food Quality & Microbiology : A food microbiologist studies food-borne pathogens and works towards preventing disease. Safe consumption of food is of prime importance so they ensure that a food product meets government regulations of food health and safety.
- Nutritional Therapist : They work with individuals to ensure that a healthy and nutritious diet is followed. They also provide knowledge regarding the nutritional value of different food items to their clients.
- Product Development : The primary job of product developers is to create new food products keeping the needs of consumers in mind and at the same time ensuring that safety and nutritional standards are met.
- Research & Development : A lot of research is done before any food or beverage items reach the consumers. Researchers in the food industry keep in mind factors like commercial determinants, legal changes, consumer trends, ethical considerations in food testing, packaging and recycling, and monitor the efficiency of the manufacturing process while developing new products.
- Food Safety & Inspection : They ensure that food production plants are designed to meet safety and hygiene standards. They make sure food is processed and packaged in a manner that retains its freshness and is safe for public consumption.
- Food & Drug Inspector : Food and drug inspectors, also known as quality control inspectors, work to ensure that products are safe for human consumption. They examine food or pharmaceuticals at varying stages of the manufacturing process in order to ensure quality standards are met.
- Food Marketing & Sales : Professionals in this departments deal with the aspect of presenting the final food product in an attractive manner to the customer in order to promote sales. They highlight the unique features and benefits of the produce to lure the customers into buying it.
Desired Attributes
Given below are desired qualities for professionals in this field :
- Strong knowledge base and a scientific bent of mind.
- Detail oriented and ethical approach to work.
- Good decision making and problem solving skills.
- Patient and persistent in carrying out research.
- Good communication skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage time well.
- Work well within a team set up.
- Awareness of market trends and competition in the field.
Roles & Responsibilities
Day-to-day duties depend on one’s area of specialisation. Certain duties attached to this field are :
- Conduct research and experiments to improve the quantity and quality of field crops and farm animals.
- Coordinate independent laboratory testing.
- Record, analyze and summarize research data.
- Communicate research findings to the scientific community, food producers and the public.
- Formulate new food products and develop new and better ways to process, package, and deliver them.
- Work on new products from conceptualization to launch.
- Research new cost-reducing manufacturing processes that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
- Adhere to food quality and safety norms during the processing of food from start to finish.
- Work with experts such as engineers, microbiologists, soil and plant scientists, sales executives etc during the conceptualisation, production, manufacturing, storage and sale of food products.
- Arrange and ship sales samples.
- Establish low-cost method of wholesale food production.
How to get there
Eligibility :
- Graduate Courses: Clear 12th standard with 50% aggregate (science stream)
- Postgraduate courses: Clear entrance exam (college specific)
Bachelor’s Degree :
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- Food Science and Technology/ Food Science and Agriculture
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Chemical/Process Engineering
- Nutrition and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Master’s Degree: (For Research, Quality Control (QC)/Quality Assurance (QA) Positions) :
- Food and Safety Quality
- Food Quality Management
- Food and Nutrition Sciences
- Food Technology and so on.
Diet & Nutrition
Overview
Both dietitian and nutritionist, focus on and regulate what a person eats in order to help their clients lead a healthy lifestyle. Individuals usually seek the services of a dietician when their health has deteriorated or they are facing an illness. Dietitians assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems of people. They create customised diet plans and provide guidelines for food consumption to treat people and promote a healthy lifestyle. Nutritionist on the other hand, play more of a preventive role. They work towards advancing the understanding of how a good diet affects the health and well being of people. They provide information regarding the nutritional value of different foods and advise individuals regarding the proportion of different food groups that need to be included in one’s diet to achieve good health. It is not necessary that they deal with people suffering from some form of illness, rather they help individuals acquire good eating habits in order to avoid falling sick. The services of dietitians and nutritionists are in great demand in today’s day and age. People are leading fast paced lives and developing unhealthy eating habits. Professionals in this field help to modify and re-establish food habits by catering to individual diet needs and issues. They also keep clients motivated and engaged during the process enabling them to achieve personal goals and promote overall well being.
Job Prospects
Some of the prospective jobs under this field are :
- Clinical Nutrition/Dietitian : They provide their services to patients in a clinical set up taking into account their protein, minerals and vitamin levels.
- Pediatric Nutrition Specialist : They look after the nutritional needs of children in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, child care centers, schools etc.
- Public Health Nutritionist : He/she focuses on the promotion of good health through nutrition and the prevention of nutrition related illness in the population.
- Food Science/Technology : Dietitians and nutritionists can conduct research and provide expertise in different roles pursuing a career in food science.
- Sports & Health Dietitian : They look after the dietary requirements of a sportsperson and work with other professionals such as fitness trainers to devise a diet chart to improve the level of fitness/health of a person.
- Gerontological Nutritionist/Dietitian : They help to plan and maintain a healthy diet for elderly patients. They also conduct research on food items and their role in preventing/treating different diseases.
Desired Attributes
Given below are desired qualities for professionals in this field :
- Strong theoretical background.
- Passionate about helping people.
- Need to be an active listener.
- Patient and empathetic towards clients.
- Good communication skills.
- Ability to motivate clients in a positive manner.
- Adequate planning and organisational skills.
Roles & Responsibilities
Certain duties attached to this field are :
- Assess, promote, protect and enhance the overall health of the general public.
- Assess the client’s nutritional need and develop and implement diet plan accordingly.
- Complete nutritional assessments and work with other professionals to devise a customised diet/nutrition plan.
- Develop meal plans in health care facilities, company cafeterias, prisons, schools etc.
- Provide strategies for prevention of diet-related diseases.
- Educate people about the nutritional requirements of the body and how to meet them.
- Conduct research to determine the nutritional value of different food items and their role in disease prevention.
- Enforce sanitary and safety regulations and prepare records & reports related to food services.
- Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans and diet modifications, food selection and preparation.
- Work with food processing and pharmaceutical companies to create high quality products by retaining their nutritional value and meeting food safety guidelines.
How to get there
Diploma Courses :
- Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education
- Diploma in Dietetics
- Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Diploma in Food Science and Nutrition
- Diploma in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition
- Diploma in Nutrition and Food Technology
Eligibility criteria :
Clear 12th standard (any stream)
Admission process :
Entrance exam or merit based admission.
Course duration : 2-3 years.
Further studies :
PG Degree or PG Diploma courses.
Bachelor Degree Courses :
- B.Sc. in Clinical Nutrition
- B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics
- B.Sc. in Food Science and Nutrition
- B.Sc. in Applied Nutrition
- B.Sc. in Dietetics
- B.Sc. in Home Science (Nutrition and Food Science specialization)
Eligibility criteria : Clear 12th standard (science stream).
Admission process : Entrance exam or merit based admission.
Course duration : 3 years.
Further education : PG Degree or PG Diploma courses
Post Graduation Courses :
- M.Sc. Nutrition and dietetics
- M.Sc. Home Science
- Post-graduate Diploma in Nutrition and dietetics
Eligibility criteria : Minimum 50–55% (or equivalent grade) in Bachelor’s Degree
Course duration : M.Sc. is for 2 years and PG Diploma course is for 1 year.
Further studies : M.Phil. or PhD