The boon of biomedics

Q: I want to take up biomedical engineering. Where is it taught and what are the prospects?

Name withheld

A: Biomedical engineering is an interdisciplinary field that bridges life sciences and engineering. The course includes the study of biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, biotech, principles of design, materials science, biomechanics and life sciences.

A biomedical engineer applies mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and evaluation of health systems and products like instrumentation, diagnostic aids, life-support systems, implants, artificial organs, prosthetic and orthotic devices, etc.

Biomedical engineers are needed to develop longer-lasting and better functioning artificial joints. For example, Heisenberg used the metal used as a technological device at ISRO to develop the stent, which has proved to be a boon for heart patients.

Some of the well-established areas of specialisation include bioinstrumentation, biomechanics, biomaterials, systems physiology, clinical engineering, etc.

The opportunities for biomedical engineers lie in the field of research and development. The R&D departments of pharmaceutical industries would be another option.

They are also employed in hospitals, teaching faculties and government regulatory agencies. In the hospital, he may advise on the selection and use of medical equipment besides supervising their performance, testing and maintenance. Some are also employed as technical advisers in the marketing department of companies.

BTech in biomedical engineering is taught in the following universities:

• West Bengal University of Technology Calcutta, (www.wbut.net).

• Bharti Vidyapeeth, deemed University, Pune.

• University of Mumbai, Mumbai.

Web designing is challenging

Q: I want to be a web designer. What does the career entail and what is the eligibility?

Akbar Mahfooz Alam Ansari

A: With companies spending lakhs of rupees on business websites development, web designing has become a lucrative option.

With the introduction of development tools like Flash, Photoshop and Dreamweaver, web designing has become a creatively challenging process. It offers a heady mix of content, design and computer programming and is a medium for those who love to experiment. You must be a good team player to design websites that are easy to download, attractive and stand out from the rest. Along with a sense of aesthetics, a degree in art will definitely help. You could also consider going in for a Java certification after you have mastered the basics. Vendor certification is a benchmark that employers value.

Finding favour as a professional chef

Q: I am in Class XII and love to experiment with food. How do I go about becoming a professional chef? Is it a viable field for girls?

Piyali Sen

A: Chefs are undoubtedly the backbone of the hospitality industry. But the kitchen
remains a male dominated field despite a large number of women passing out of the numerous hotel management institutes.

With hotels increasingly looking towards diversifying their menu, this field offers tremendous growth prospects and opportunities — particularly for women who have a natural flair for optimisation and innovation.

Although the numbers are still small in relative terms, a number of young and ambitious women chefs are slowly making their way into star kitchens.

ITC Hotels, for instance employ around 35 women chefs at different levels, while the food and beverages director of Hotel Leela, Bangalore, is an expat lady, Mary Tsang.

In fact, winner of the Lady Chef of the Year Award and executive chef, Manisha Bhasin, Marriott Delhi, has been rated among the top 10 chefs across the Marriott global network.

So if you are determined to become a chef, don’t hesitate to take the plunge just because you are a girl.

There are several different ways of getting to be a professional chef.

After Class XII, you can take up a craft-level course in cooking or baking at a food craft institute. These courses ranging from six to 18 months assure you a place in the junior levels of the kitchen hierarchy, i.e. as a Commie 3 in a five-star hotel.

If you are trained in the traditional method of cooking or the family cooking, you can also start off directly.

Even if you don’t have a culinary background you can still join a hotel directly as a kitchen apprentice. Starting at the lowest level you can work your way up to the supervisory level within six to seven years.

Of course, the professional and the more popular route would be to opt for a three-year hotel management diploma or degree course from a recognised hotel management institute after completing Class XII.

Even if you enter at the lowest rung as an apprentice, you can if you are hard working and talented, rise to the position of the executive chef.