Do you know Home science is more than just cooking and knitting? Gone are the days when this field of social sciences was particularly for women or considered to have a limited scope! Home science combines sciences, social sciences, and technology to ease the study of and enhance the quality of human life, reason enough to know what lies ahead in this field.
If you are interested in Home science, then this career guide will help you in understanding everything you need to know to pursue a career in home science.
Let’s begin by first understanding what exactly Home Science is!
Topics covered
What is Home Science?
- Home Science, which is often termed as Family and Community Science, deals with the basic healthcare, child development, and management of family homes and communities. It focuses on understanding the basics of nutrition, clothing, human physiology, child development, microbiology, interior decoration and family relations with regard to community living
- Family and community science (Home Science) integrates elements of sciences, social sciences, and technology to facilitate the study of and enhance the quality of human life. This means, it aims at improving the overall environment for human development; in enhancing an individual’s dynamic relationship with families, communities, and societies as a whole as well as the management of resources.
- Home scientists are involved in the capacity building of individuals and communities for social and economic empowerment. They study and research ways to develop and improve awareness and skills about food, nutrition, hygiene, clothing, family resource management, child care and child development, relationship management and so on.
- The subjects studied are food, nutrition, physiology, microbiology and health, personal finance, family resource management and planning, ergonomics, fabric and apparel science, fashion designing, housing and hospitality management, consumerism, household management, interior decoration, human development, and family studies, psychology, extension education, etc.
Home Science: Specializations
Family Science/ Home science degree is offered in various specializations:
- Food and Nutrition: Science behind food, clinical and community nutrition
- Resource Management: Managing resources, interior decoration, and planning
- Fabric and Apparel Sciences: Science of fabrics, garment designing, and maintenance of fabrics
- Human Development: Psychology, child and elderly care, marriage and relationship guidance
- Communication and Extension: Social science, media of communication, program planning, and training
Each specialization of this subject is further expanded into areas of specialization and vocation/professional opportunities. Some of the areas of further specialization are as follows:
| Main Branch | Specialization |
| Food and Nutrition | ·Food Science ·Nutrition- Clinical Nutrition and Community Nutrition ·Institutional food service |
| Resource Management | ·Resource Management ·Housing and Equipment ·Interior Decoration ·Consumer Education |
| Fabric and Apparel Sciences | ·Clothing Construction ·Textile Science ·Textile Designing ·Garment Designing ·Care and Maintenance of Clothes |
| Human Development | ·Child – Welfare ·Adolescence, Marriage, and Family Guidance ·Care of the Elderly ·Care of special children |
| Communication and Extension | ·Media for communication ·Program planning and evaluation ·Training and capacity building ·Management of community service organizations |
List of Top 30 Courses in Home Science
There are various courses at Diploma/ certificate, Bachelor’s, Masters’s, and Ph.D. levels in this subject. Take a look at some of these courses offered by various Indian colleges/ and universities.
- Diploma Home Science
- Diploma Home Science (Extension Education)
- Diploma HS (Food & Nutrition)
- Diploma HS (Family Resource Management)
- B.Sc. Home Science (Honors)
- B.Sc. Home Science (Pass)
- B.Sc. Home Science (Human Resource)
- B.Sc. HS (Textile & Clothing)
- B.Sc. HS (Food & Nutrition)
- B.Sc. Family & Community Science
- B.Sc. Human Development
- B.Sc. Food Science & Nutrition
- M.Sc. HS (Clothing & Textile)
- M.Sc. HS (Food & Nutrition)
- M.Sc. Extension & Communication Management
- M.Sc. Family Resource Management
- M.Sc. Human Development & Family Studies
- M.Sc. (Family & Community Science)
- M.Sc. (Early Childhood Education)
- M.Sc. Family Resource Management
- M.Sc. Extension Education and Community Management
- M.Sc. Human Development and Family Studies
- Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health Nutrition
- Post Graduate Diploma in Health and Social Gerontology
- Ph.D. in Home Science
- Ph.D. in Food and Nutrition
- Ph.D. in Human Development
- Ph.D.in Fabric and Apparel Science
- Ph.D. in Resource Management and Design Application
- Ph.D. in Development Communication and Extension
Read more about A Career in Health Sciences
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- Dietician Course Essentials: Become A Diet Counselor By 2025
- A Career in Health Sciences: Comprehensive Guide #List of colleges, #100+ Courses, Future Prospects and Jobs
List of Top 21 Vocational courses in Home Science
There are several vocational courses based on this social science discipline that is offered by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). The minimum eligibility requirements of most of these courses are class 8th-10th and the duration of these courses range from 6 months to 2 years. Students who wish to pursue a vocational career in this field of social science can consider these courses as mentioned:
- Cutting, Tailoring & Dress Making
- Beauty Culture
- Bakery & Confectionary
- Preservation of Fruits & Vegetables
- Catering Management
- Nutrition and Food Science
- Food Processing
- Laundry Services
- Early Childhood Care and Education
- Certificate in Indian Embroidery
- Certificate in Toy Making and Joyful Learning
- Certificate in Play Centre Management
- Certificate in Housekeeping
- Certificate Course in Care of Elderly
- Certificate Course in Community Health
- Certificate in Rural Health for Women (Gram Sakhi)
- Certificate in Homeopathic Dispensing
- Certificate course in Security Service
- Certificate course in Yoga
- Diploma in Radiography (DRX)
- Certificate Course in Jeevan Vigyan
List of Top 43 Colleges/ universities
There are a number of colleges/ universities offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and Diploma courses in family and community science. Most universities have a separate department of Home Science that offers these courses.
- Home Science Department of University of Calcutta
- College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, University of Mumbai
- Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi
- Lady Irwin College, New Delhi
- Smt. VHD Central Institute of Home Science College
- Department of Home Science, Lakshmibai College, Delhi University
- Bhagini Nivedita College for Women, Delhi
- Punjab Agricultural University College of Home Science Ludhiana
- College of Home Science, Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttar Pradesh
- ASPEE College of Home Science & Nutrition
- College of Home Science, Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University
- SM Patel College of Home Science
- College of Home Science, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Uttar Pradesh
- Guntur Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University
- Government Girls Vocational Institute (East Maredpally Hyderabad)
- Ch. Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University
- Government Girls Vocational Institute, Secunderabad
- Government Girls Vocational Institute, Rangampet Warangal
- Government Home Science College Chandigarh
- Morning Star Home Science College, Kerala
- Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology
- SNDT College of Home science Pune
- Junagadh Agricultural University, Polytechnic College Amreli
- Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences
- Dr. BMN College of Home Science
- I.C. College of Home Science Hissar, Ch. Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University
- SNDT Women’s University Mumbai (Juhu Campus)
- Arya Girls College Ambala Cantonment
- College of Community Jorhat (Assam Agriculture University)
- Faculty of Applied Sciences Vadodara, Parul University
- Government College for Girls Panchkula, Haryana
- Kamala College, Maharashtra
- Municipal Arts And Urban Bank Science College, Gujarat
- OM Sterling Global University (School of Applied Sciences), Haryana
- B.A Patel & D.B Vyas Arts and Commerce College
- Faculty of Family & Community Sciences, Maharaja Sayajirao University
- College of Community Science, Bhubaneswar
- Bundelkhand University, Jhansi
- CMS College, Kottayam
- St. Thomas College Pala
- Vimala College, (Autonomous), Thrissur, Kerala
- Bishop Chulaparambil Memorial College (BCMC), Kottayam
- Korambayil Ahamed Haji Memorial Unity Women’s College (KAHMUWC), Malappuram
Eligibility Criteria: B.Sc. in Home Science
Candidates who want to pursue a degree in B.Sc. must have the following:
- Candidate must have passed senior secondary certificate examination or class 12th of the Central Board of Secondary Education or an examination recognized as equivalent.
- The candidate must have scored an aggregate of 50% or more marks in the subjects.
- Candidates must have the minimum score in three of the following subjects (at least one subject should be from Group A)
- Group A:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology/Biotechnology
- Group B:
- Mathematics Economics Home Science Computer Science/Information Technology/Web designing Psychology Sociology
Eligibility Criteria: M.Sc.in Home Science
Candidates who want to further pursue a career in this field and are looking for a Master’s degree must meet the following educational requirements:
- Candidates must have completed B.Sc. (Hons.) / B.Sc. (Pass) in Home Science / B.Sc. (Hons.) in Food Technology from any recognized university or institution shall be eligible for the M.Sc. program.
- Candidates must have scored 55% or above marks in aggregate in Home Science or Food Technology.
- Candidates should have passed Nutritional Biochemistry and any two subjects in the following areas: Food & Nutrition / Nutrition through the life cycle / Public Nutrition / Food Science and Processing / Diet therapy / Microbiology/ Nutrition for Adults and Elderly/ Nutrition for Children and Adolescents.
Eligibility Criteria: PG Diploma
Candidates seeking admission in Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health Nutrition (1 year) course must meet the following educational requirements:
- Candidates must have completed 3 years graduation in B.Sc. Home science (Pass/Hons.) or B.Sc. Food Technology (Hons.), B.Sc. Microbiology, B.Sc. Biochemistry, B.Sc. Nursing, MBBS degree.
- Candidates must have scored 50% or above marks in overall aggregate.
Eligibility Criteria: Ph.D. in Home Science
Candidates seeking admission in PhD in Home Science must meet the following educational requirements:
- Candidates having M Phil Degree of Delhi University or any other recognized university or any other degree recognized or equivalent in the subject in which the candidate wishes to pursue a course of research; or
- M.Sc./ M.A. in Home Science or similar subject of discipline.
- Candidates must have scored at least 55% marks in the relevant subject.
B.Sc. Home Science Syllabus
| Semester-I |
|---|
| English Language and Communication |
| Applied Chemistry |
| Human Physiology |
| Introductory Clothing |
| Hygiene and Public Health |
| Basic Foods |
| Semester-II |
|---|
| English -II |
| Applied Physics |
| Human Development – I |
| Introduction to Textiles |
| Applied Botany |
| Fundamentals of Nutrition |
| Semester-III |
|---|
| Extension Education |
| Human Development -II |
| Psychology I |
| Introduction to Home Management – I |
| Laundry Science and Finishing Fabrics |
| Consumer Economics |
| Food Science-I |
| Semester-IV |
|---|
| Community Development |
| Human Development – III |
| Psychology – II |
| Institutional Food Management |
| Garment Construction and Apparel Science |
| Introduction to Home Management – II |
| Food Science – II |
| Semester-V |
|---|
| Family Dynamics |
| Child Care & Rearing Practices |
| Nutritional Biochemistry-I |
| Community Nutrition |
| Indian Textiles |
| Interior Space Designing |
| Normal Nutrition |
| Semester-VI |
|---|
| Women Empowerment |
| Child Welfare |
| Nutritional Biochemistry – II |
| Food Microbiology |
| Apparel Designing |
| Interior Designing |
| Therapeutic Nutrition |
| List of Electives Offered in B.Sc. Home Science |
|---|
| Human Nutrition |
| Nutrition: A Lifespan Approach |
| Entrepreneurship for Small Catering Units |
| Current Concerns in Public Health Nutrition |
| Gender and Social Justice |
| Child Rights and Social Action |
| Care and Well-Being in Human Development |
| Adolescent Relationships |
| Media, Culture and Society |
| Gender, Media and Society |
| Behaviour Change Communication |
| Information and Communication Technologies for Development |
| Fashion: Design and Development |
| Fashion Accessories |
| Textiles: Care and Conservation |
| Appreciation of Textile Crafts |
| Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Management |
| Interior Design |
| Facilities and Service Management |
| Training and Development |
| Psychology for Human Development |
| Child in the Indian Society |
| Human Physiology |
M.Sc. Home Science Syllabus
| Semester-I |
|---|
| Research Methods and Biostatistics – Paper I |
| Advances in Nutritional and Clinical Biochemistry – I |
| Nutritional Management of Chronic Degenerative Diseases |
| Maternal and Child Nutrition |
| Food Science and Processing |
| Biochemistry and Food Analysis – I |
| Principles of Food Science |
| Semester-II |
|---|
| Research Methods and Biostatistics – Paper II |
| Advances in Nutritional & Clinical Biochemistry. – II |
| Critical Care Nutrition |
| Adolescent, Adult, and Geriatric Nutrition |
| Food Safety and Quality Assurance |
| Biochemistry and Food Analysis – II |
| Development of Food Product |
Ph.D. in Home Science (Food & Nutrition) Syllabus
The duration of the Ph.D. course is three years. The course is divided into six semesters for regular candidates. The course duration varies for regular and part-time candidates. The syllabus for Ph.D. is different for different areas of specialization.
| Ph.D. Course Structure |
|---|
| Advanced Food Science |
| Advanced Nutrition |
| Food Analysis |
| Advances in community nutrition |
| Food processing technology |
| Clinical nutrition |
| Nutrition during life cycle |
| Nutrition and physical fitness |
| Advanced diet therapy |
| Food toxicology |
| Advanced Human Physiology |
| Food Service Management |
| Food Product Development |
| Nutrition & Immunity |
| Advances in carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids |
| Advances in Vitamins and Hormones |
| Minerals in Human Nutrition |
| Advances in Food Sciences and Technology |
| Advances in Energy Metabolism |
| Nutrition and Agricultural Interface |
| Nutrition in Emergencies |
| Application of Biotechnology in Food Science and Nutrition |
| Global Nutritional Problems |
| Maternal and Child Nutrition |
Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health Nutrition syllabus
| Semester-I |
|---|
| Advanced Nutrition |
| Therapeutic Nutrition |
| Public Health Nutrition |
| Human Physiology |
| Electives (Any One): 1) Nutrition Communication & Counseling; 2) Sports Nutrition & Fitness |
| Semester-II |
|---|
| Clinical Nutrition |
| Institutional & Hospital Food Management |
| Nutritional Biochemistry |
| Seminar and Scientific Writing |
| Elective (Any One): 1) Food Microbiology & Food Safety; 2) Policies and Programmes in Public Health Nutrition |
Career opportunities in Home Science
Let’s address one of the most asked questions by students- is BSc Home Science a good career option?
Students wondering if B.Sc. in Home Science is a good career option or not must know that a degree in Family and Community science or Home Science offers a plethora of career opportunities in this field. With a degree in Family and community science, you may find work in diverse sectors.
Take a look below and understand all the possible career opportunities in home science:
Students with a degree in Food and Nutrition may find work as:
- Dietitians in Hospitals
- Nutrition counselors
- Nutrition program planners in developmental agencies, government programs, and international agencies
- Research and development in the food industries
- Institutional Food Managers
Students seeking to pursue a career in home science having a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Development Communication & Extension may find work in:
- Training and capacity development
- UN, Bilateral & International agencies
- Government Development Programs
- Corporate firms- CSR initiatives
- Teaching/ Lectureship in schools, colleges, and universities
Students with a degree in Fabric and Apparel Science may find the following work opportunities in:
- Academics: as teachers/ educators at schools & universities and other vocational training centers
- Research projects in technology and design application
- Designing: Textiles and apparel
- Textile Testing Laboratories
- Fashion Industry: Merchandisers, Production In-charges, Sampling coordinators and Quality Controllers
Students with a degree in Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health Nutrition may find work as:
- Dieticians in Hospitals, & wellness centres
- Public Health Nutritionists in Research, Awareness and capacity Building program
- Nutrition Counsellors
- Institutional Food Managers
In Conclusion
In the above article, we discussed everything you should know about a career in Home Science. As we have covered almost all the career opportunities you could avail with a degree in home science, we are sure you must be excited to kick start your career in this field! If not, then what are you thinking of pursuing? Make sure you talk to expert career counsellors and get clarity about the career field you wish to pursue.
For detailed guidance, you can take help of our professional services which include:
Useful Links
- Check out the Home Science vocational courses eligibility and syllabus
- B.Sc. Home Science course at Lady Irwin College
- All about the College of Home Science, University of Mumbai
- Courses at Institute of Home Economics, Delhi
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Shruti Verma has an experience of around 2+ years in research and analysis of careers, jobs, and industries. She has a knowledge of diverse fields spanning from career counselling, management consulting, engineering, and technology to science, finance, and humanities.
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