Courses in Home Science

B.Sc (Home Science), a course generally associated with females, has a lot to offer to its students. But those who are not fully aware of what the course is actually all about feel that the course caters only for cooking, stitching and home making.

Now a student of home science has a world full of options. Quite unlike a student with B.Sc. Physics or computers who has only limited options, a Home Science graduate could try his or her luck in a number of industries like fashion technology, food industry, hospitality industry, NGOs and education sector.

Course Structure:-

A course in Home science is a holistic course that is aimed at all-round development of women.

The course structure of Home Science is basically designed by the Home Science Association of India in collaboration with University Grants Commission. Apart from the languages, the course generally concentrates on three core areas - human development, foods and dietetics and resource management. Further, each subject covers an array of sub-topics under its domain.

Subject like human development covers topics like psychology, physiology, pre and post-natal development and child welfare. Whereas, food and nutrition cover subjects like food science, biochemistry, dietetics and food service management under their domain.

And resource management, another subject of home science, covers a wide range of topics like textile science, apparel design, extension education, research and methodology, computer application, resource management, family economics, interior designing and microbiology.

Career options:-

When it comes to career, sky is the limit for home science students. These students can opt for careers in Foods & Nutrition, Human Development & Family studies, Resource Management & Consumer Sciences and Apparel & Textiles. Home science graduates can become dieticians in hospitals, diet consultants / counsellors in lifestyle clinics, freelance dieticians food demonstrators, scientists in research institutions, teaching faculty in universities, project leaders in developmental projects, nutrition experts in international organisations, consultants for child development programmes, programme officers for child welfare schemes, production managers in apparel industries, quality control inspectors, CAD professionals, interior designers and colour consultants. So, there are varied career options available to these students.

Besides that, a degree in Home Science also opens up vistas for self-employment. Other than that, a graduate in this subject could start their on school, crèche, interior design and fashion boutiques or even set up an event management firm. Those who are looking to study further, the doors are open till Ph.D, apart from attempting competitive examinations like CAT, GMAT, IAS or NIFT.

Admission in home science is based on Intermediate marks. As the concern for lifestyle, health and nutrition is growing in our society, the importance of home science courses are also increasing. The initial misconception of home science as only a domestic science has faded away. These days, more and more institutes are starting courses in Home science in India. For example to improve the employability of the rural students, Punjab Agricultural University is planning to start a six-year degree course in home science. Similarly, the University of Delhi is also planning to restructure the home science courses to make them more relevant in the changing circumstances. It is anticipated that eventually, home science courses would draw attention from various other colleges and universities as well.

Though a course in home science can be pursued by students of social science, commerce or science backgrounds, the course is interdisciplinary in nature and all aspiring students need to learn basics of physics, chemistry and biology in the first year of their graduation. Therefore, there are some institutes that keep the course open only for students of science background.

Scope of Home Science Courses in India:-

After a student has completed a graduate degree in home science, he / she can either join various industries or carry on further studies. The employment opportunities for home science graduates are continuously and rapidly growing. Thus, one can easily take up a job in the production industry, tourism industry, service industry or teaching jobs, technical jobs, or sales jobs.

With their scientific approach and practical applicability, home science courses actually can contribute a lot not only in fulfilling the personal ambitions of students but also in betterment of family and community living in a diverse country like India.

Sukhpreet Kaur Sawhney writes on behalf of Shiksha.com. Shiksha.com is an education portal that connects education seeker with education provider.Shiksha.com has wide information over study abroad colleges, Professional colleges in India and courses like home science courses in India etc. Its education forums enable its users to seek opinion of students, alumni and faculty of colleges and schools through College Groups and School Groups.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com