Biosciences- various career opportunities

If I fail to get a seat in medicine I would like to pursue degree in B.Sc stream, can you suggest further options after B.Sc and the various career opportunities? What is the scope in food technology, the specialisations and premier institutes offering this career option? -Ruma Mukherjee, Padma Rao Nagar

This ever expanding field of science needs an interest in bio-science and an inquisitive, explorative and innovative mind. It needs an objective thinking and a systematic and methodical approach with a desire for continuous learning and knowledge upgradation.

Some of the options are:

Biomedical scientist/engineer: This field is an application of engineering to medicine. A biomedical professional works with other healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, therapists and technicians.

After pursuing B.Sc. in biological science, you should pursue M.Sc in biomedical science. After M.Sc you may then opt for a Ph.D in biomedical science. Pursue M.Sc in biological science and then do masters in biomedical engineering.

Botanists: They are mainly concerned with the study of plants and plant life. After B.Sc, you may pursue M.Sc in botany.

Environmental scientists: Some of the specialised fields in this sector are:

Environmental planning - this involves planning, designing and developing systems and procedures to counteract pollution. Environmental engineering - this involves constructing and maintaining waste management systems.

Other areas include working in media houses like newspaper, magazines and journals as science journalists or environmental journalists.

You have options of doing B.Sc biology/environmental science after which you should do M.sc in environmental science

Fishery scientists: It’s the study of fish and fauna, their research projects are focused on the effects of human activities on acquatic systems. A major branch in this is aquaculture and it involves farming of aquatic organisms in natural or controlled marine or freshwater.

Pursue B.Sc in zoology and then an M.Sc in fisheries science. Other option would be a degree in fisheries and then pursue masters in fishery sciences.

Agricultural scientists: This field mainly involves work to ensure agricultural productivity and food safety. Those who study this subject work in offices, laboratories or in the fields.

Pursue B.Sc in agricultural science and then M.Sc in agricultural science. Other option is to do B.Sc in botany and then M.Sc in agricultural science.

Forestry: This mainly involves protection and conservation of forests. Some of the broad areas of work are:

• Biological Diversity
• Human Ecology

Co-development Climate Change and Tropical Forests Plantation

Pursue B.Sc in forestry/zoology and then M.Sc in forestry/wildlife science/wildlife biology.

Other option is after pursuing B.Sc in zoology/botany/agricultural science you can join the Indian Forest Services/State Forest Services.

Geneticist: You may pursue B.Sc in biology, and then M.Sc in biotechnology/biomedical science/genetics/molecular biology.

Horticulturist: Scientists who specialise in plant cultivation and propagation are horticulturist. Some horticulturists work directly with plants in their natural environments while others conduct research in plant laboratories. The four main specialisations in this field are:

• Promology
• Olericulture
• Floriculture and
• Ornamental Horticulture

Pursue B.Sc in horticulture/agriculture and then M.Sc in horticulture/agriculture with specialisation in horticulture.

Marine biologist: They are concerned with the study and research of living organisms present in the sea. It’s an emerging field with lots of opportunities. You can enter this field by pursuing B.Sc in zoology with chemistry/botany/biochemistry and then do M.Sc in marine biology.

Microbiologist: They work in various settings such as universities, hospitals, industrial labs, agricultural companies, food or beverage companies, oil companies and in government sectors.

Study B.Sc in biology and then pursue M.Sc in molecular biology.

Medical Lab Technologists: Pursue B.Sc in medical technology such as B. M. L. T (Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology) or D.M. L. T. (Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology) and then acquire experience through clinical training programmes or internship to get an exposure in this field. Get additional certified degree qualification in any specialised areas.

Food Technologists: It is the study of sciences and technology that deal with:

Preservation of fruits, sea food, meat, cooked foods, vegetables, juices and beverages. Manufacturing and processing of confectionary, snacks, etc. Research and quality control and experiments are the determining parameters for storage and temperature.

• Packaging
• Marketing

A B.Sc in food technology will prepare you for employment in the technical and scientific food manufacturing industries. You can also do B.Sc in biological science and then pursue PG in food science/applied nutrition/food and nutrition. Other option would be B.Sc in home science and M.Sc in home science with specialisation in food science /applied nutrition/food and nutrition.

• The commonly pursued careers are
• Bachelor of Science in Food Technology
• PG diploma/diploma Course in Food Science Technology
• Food Science Technology Management
• M. Sc. in Food Technology

Graduates in Food Technology, Chemical Technology/ Chemistry, Agricultural Sciences, Dairy Technology/ Dairy Sciences can pursue postgraduate courses in Food Technology.

You will need to qualify with the admission tests such as: All India Joint Entrance Examination (AIJEE), Central Food Technological Research Institute Entrance Examination (CFTRI), GATE and Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology Entrance Examination (IICPT).

Employment opportunities are with the below industries

• Food industry
• Hotels
• Hospitals
• Packaging Industries
• Food research laboratories
• Food wholesalers
• Catering establishments
• Retailers
• Soft drink factories
• Spice serials and rice mills
  

The major food industries that hire food technologists are: Perfetti India Ltd, Godrej industries Ltd, Amul, Parle Products Pvt. Ltd, Agro Tech Foods, ITC Limited, PepsiCo India Holding, Britannia Industries Ltd, Nestle India Pvt. Ltd, Cadbury India Ltd, MTR foods Ltd and Dabur India Ltd. You also have the option of teaching and working in food research laboratories or even start up own business venture as a food consultant.

Top institutes offering courses in this sector are

National Sugar Institute: Located in Kanpur, Chennai and Calcutta, it offers internship programme in sugar technology and sugar engineering as well as diploma programme in industrial fermentation and alcohol technology to candidates.

National Dairy Research Institute: With two centers at Karnal and Bangalore, it offers B.Sc in quality control in dairy processing and B.Tech in dairy technology.

• University of Delhi
• University of Mysore
• University of Madras
• University of Calcutta
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, Dept. of Agricultural Engineering,

Andhra University, Andhra Pradesh

Achara N.G.Ranga Agricultural University

SNDT Women’s University,

Bharat Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai

Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore

• Jadavpur University, West Bengal
• Kakatiya University, Warangal
• Manipur University, Manipur
• Nagpur University, Nagpur
• Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded
• Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam

The food processing industry is ranked fifth among industries in India. With remarkable growth in the field of dairy and agriculture sectors the need for quality food processing has increased and thereby an increased demand for food technologists. As per a survey report there are about 300 million upper and middle class consumers of processed and packaged food in the country and another 200 million are likely to be added. The 500 food parks planned all over the country will boost the growth and development of food processing industries and this will generate huge employment opportunities for those who have an aptitude towards this work. All the best!

By: Shehre Banu Kagalwala