1. Chemical Engineering
2. Materials Science
3. Bio Medical Engineering
4. Biotechnology

1. Introduction
2. How to get a degree
3. Useful skills
4. Upcoming specialization
5. Employment avenues

1. Take PCMB: it gives you greater choices at the first degree as well as later in life
2. Learn Computers:

Hardware (how to assemble your own PC & maintain it)

Software (Office, VB,C, Linux, HTML, CGI/Perl, Java, MySQL)

3. Take up technical hobbies like photography, ham radio, electronics, mechanics
4. Don't be scared to do both +2 (HSC) and JEE together

(1) Introduction

Biotechnology is the application of biological organisms and materials produced by them to manufacturing and service industries such as therapeutics, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, horticulture, food and environment. It is an interdisciplinary science involving biology: Microbiology, genetics, immunology etc. and technology: chemical, mechanical, electronic engg.

(2) Training

PCM at +2 level

BSc

MSc

PhD

BSc with industrial chemistry and biotech is offered by 14 colleges in Bombay.

MSc is a 2 yr. Programme. JNU holds CET for 20 univ. offering MSc in BioTech including Goa Univ., BHU Varanasi, Pune Univ., Ahmedabad Univ.

IIT-B offers 2 yr. MSc in Biotech. Eligibility is BSc with adequate background in Chemistry/Bioscience. IIT-B also offers PhD in Biotech.

MSc / MBBS / M.vs. / M.Pharm. OR

BTech / M.Tech with valid GATE score

(3) Useful Skills

1. Knowledge of Computer
2. Technical hobbies
3. Interest in biology + math

(4) Upcoming Specialization

1. Genetic engg
2. Biological fuel generation
3. Environmental biotech
4. Food & beverage tech
5. Biochemical Engineering
6. Bioinformatics
7. Biocatalysis

(5) Employment Avenues

1. Pharmaceutical companies
2. Food processing industry: Dairy, Brewery, Cheese, Baked products, Artificial Sweetener
3. Flavours & Fragrances
4. Agricultural technology - high yield crops
5. Higher education e.g. Post Doc in the U.S.

(1) Introduction

BME is an interdisciplinary subject in which the principles and tools of traditional engineering fields such as chemical, electronics, mechanical, electric and materials are applied to biomedical problems. It includes a wide array of subjects such as basic research in physiology, bioinstrumentation, bio materials cellular engineering, molecular engineering, medical imaging, telemedicines, manufacture of hearing aids, artificial joints, dialysis machines etc.

(2) Training

UG in Bio Med possible. PG is better, e.g. at IIT- Prerequisites

B.Tech / B.E. in many engg.

MSc

MBBS with PCM at + 2 level

Valid GATE score essential.

(3) Useful Skills

1. Knowledge of computers: C, Fortran, Unix
2. Interest in math + biology
3. Technical hobbies like photography, ham radio

(4) Upcoming Specialization

1. Biomaterials
2. Cellular and Tissue Engineering
3. Medical imaging
4. Telemedicine
5. Aids for sensory handicapped
6. Clinical diagnostic instrumentation
7. Biointerfacing (biowires and biocontacts)

(5) Employment Avenues

i) Electronic equipment manufacturers

e.g. Ultrasound machines

CT / MRI / PET Scanners

ECG / EEG

BP apps.

ii) Hospital Equipment Mfs.

e.g. Ventilators

Incubators

iii) Surgical expt. Mfrs.

e.g. operating microscopes robots

iv) Biomedical devices

e.g. glucometers

Syringes, needles

Stents

Cardiac catheters

(1) Introduction

Materials Science &Engineering is an interdisciplinary study. It combines metallurgy, physics, chemistry and engineering. Materials Science is involved in the manufacture of materials such as iron, steel, ceramics, polymers, composites etc. that go into the manufacture of everything from computer chips and bricks to aircraft and medical devices. Newer and newer materials are being unvented such as dacron, titanium, teflon, polyurethanes, carbon fibre, and Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP) that are extremely useful to mankind.

(2) Training

PCM at + 2 level

¯

IIT-JEE (Part 1 & 2)

¯

B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science at IIT-B,

¯

M.Tech. / Ph.D.

(3 semesters)

MSc (Chemistry)

Mechanical Engg.

Chemical

Electrochem Engg

(3) Useful Skills

1. Knowledge of Computers: C, Fortran, Unix
2. Technical hobbies like Photography, ham radio
3. GATE/GRE

(4) Upcoming Specializations

1. Stereolithography
2. Powder metallurgy
3. Nanocomposites
4. Biomaterials
5. Microelectronics
6. Smart materials
7. Amorphousmetals

(5) Employment Avenues

i) Research Scientists & Engineers at

Metals processing

Medical devices

Pharma & drug delivery

Polymers & plastics

ii) Diversify into Biomedical Engineering, Microelectronics, Management

iii) Higher studies e.g. Ph.D/PostDoc abroad

(1) Introduction

Chemical engineering is one of the most versatile branches of engineering. It began in the design &setting up of large scale production plants to process naturally occurring raw materials into a variety of useful products such as pharmaceuticals, petroleum products, synthetic fibres, paper, plastics, rubber, paints, oils, foods etc. Over the years the scope of chem. eng. has widened quietly and it now interfaces with several emerging disciplines such as biomedical engineering, biotechnology, micro- electronics and materials science. The advantage of a degree in chem. eng. is that it has excellent industry-academia interaction that offers consistent job placement after graduation (irrespective of fluctuations in the stock market!).

(2) Training

PCM at +2 level

IIT-JEE (Parts 1 January and 2 May)

B.Tech at IIT-B

M.Tech (2 yrs) or Ph.D. or MBA

Post Doctoral

(3) Useful Skills

1. Knowledge of computers: C, Fortran, Unix
2. Technical hobbies like Photography
3. GATE / GRE

(4) Upcoming Specializations

1. Nanotechnology
2. Colloid & Interfacial engineering
3. Microstructural engineering, microscopy and imaging
4. Polymers, and materials
5. Synthetic fuels
6. Separation Science: Membrane Technology & Supercritical
7. Environment & Safety

(5) Employment Avenues

i) Research Scientists & engineers in several industries such as

Pharmaceuticals

Petrochemicals

Food processing

Plastics, paper, rubber

Textiles

Adhesives

2. One can also diversify into Biotechnology or Bio Medical Engineering or Management
3. Higher studies e.g. PhD or Post Doctoral abroad (e.g. U.S.)
4. Positions in academic institutions or administration