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In this essay I outline my academic and
extra-curricular accomplishments. Also discussed are my career
objectives and the motivation to pursue the graduate program in Civil
Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
The undergraduate curriculum in Chemical
Engineering at IIT, Kharagpur, introduced me to a wide gamut of
subjects, both in and outside the field. Various courses like Mass
Transfer, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Transport Phenomena have
provided me with a strong footing in the theoretical concepts of
Chemical Engineering.
It was the field of Environmental Technology
which particularly captured my interest. The desire to delve deeper
into this subject persuaded me to take elective courses in Industrial
(Air) Pollution Control, Non-conventional Energy Engineering and
Environmental Earth Sciences. While offering both depth and breadth
across this field, these courses put into perspective the importance
and relevance of Chemical Engineering and the application of its
fundamentals to environment related problems. I came to realize that
although traditionally Environmental Studies has been under the domain
of Civil Engineering, the increasing complexity and magnitude of
Environmental problems have resulted in a growing need for the services
of disciplines other than Civil Engineering.
During the eight week Summer Training at the
Development Consultants Ltd.,I was assigned to the Cement Cell, where I
received a detailed knowledge of the cement manufacturing processes. As
an Industrial Intern, I was assigned a project on Cement Plant Design
(1800 TPD), which encompassed Raw-Mix Design and Capacity Calculations
for various equipment. Here, I got aquainted with the Pollution and
Energy Conservation problems faced by the Cement Industry and devoted a
significant portion of my project to the pollution abatement methods.
My final year dissertation was on the Manufacture
of Phosphoric acid from rock phosphate using Sulfuric acid (Design of
100 tpd Plant). This covered the design of Reactor, Extractor (for acid
purification) and Evaporator (for acid concentration). As a natural
outcome of my interest in Pollution control, adequate emphasis was
provided to waste gases and waste water treatment which involved
off-gas scrubbing (venturi design) and discharge method details, gypsum
disposal methods, disposal of fluosilicic acid as waste material and
the incorporation of all these in the Plant Layout/flow-sheet.
At IIT, Kharagpur, I have received the best
possible undergraduate education in Chemical Engineering in India.
Throughout, my scholastic records and achievements have been
outstanding. I have consistently ranked in the top 2% of the students
of my class, in school, and consider the high point of my achievements
as being ranked in the top 1% of more than one lakh students who wrote
the Joint Entrance Examination for admission to one of the six Indian
Institutes of Technology.
Throughout my school and undergraduate education,
I have been a keen participant in extra-curricular activities. Getting
elected as the School Pupil Leader ( Head Girl) helped me hone my
organizational and interpersonal skills. At IIT, I have been involved
in the Annual cultural Fest as Head of the Control Tent Team. I have
also taken active part in dramatics and made my contribution to the
Technology Dramatics Society (English chapter) at IIT, as its member
and later as the Governor. I was also the member of the NSS at IIT
where I had the opportunity to be involved in it's Literacy and Health
& Nutrition Programs. I continue to be a member of the Helpage
Society of India, which provides palliative care to the terminally ill
cancer patients.
The years of undergraduate education have been an
enriching experience - both academically and otherwise, and I am
determined to maintain the high levels of excellence throughout
my career.
My immediate degree objective is an M.S in
environmental engineering – a rapidly evolving field with an immense
potential for research. I wish to follow it up with a Ph.D, to pursue a
career in research and experience the excitement and satisfaction of
being at the forefront of this vast expanding field.
An extremely distinguished faculty, a milieu
replete with academic activity, and a graduate program which blends
high quality course work and research facilities at the cutting edge of
every sub-field are the factors which have motivated me to choose the
University of Massachusetts, Amherst for graduate studies. I believe
the program offered will help me acquire the versatility needed to
reach my full potential as an engineer.
It would, therefore, be a privilege to be able to
secure admission to pursue graduate studies, with adequate financial
assistance at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. I am confident that I will
match the high standards set by your university.
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