Many avenues in pure sciences

Studying in India

Dear Sir,
I am currently studying in 12th std (CBSE). I want to take up pure science after I finish my 12th.  But I have no idea of what I should do after competing my 12th. I have no idea of the courses that are available for pure science. I love physics and wish to take up physics after 12th. Are there any other options available other than engineering that I can choose from ( I don't want to take up engineering). I don''t know what to do.
J Steve

Dear Steve,
Good to see your interest in pure sciences, since many avenues have opened out recently in its study.  The best institutes that offer either a 4-year B.S. degree or 5-year integrated Masters course in pure sciences are the IITs www.iitgn.ac.in/admission.htm, BITS Pilani, NITs, IISc Bangalore iisc.ernet.in/ug, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) www.iiser-admissions.in, iiserbhopal.ac.in, www.iiserkol.ac.in, iiserpune.ac.in,  and the National Institutes of Science Education and Research (NISERs) www.iopb.res.in/niser, www.nestexam.in. Competition is tough, but not as much as for top engineering colleges.  Many give stipend during your study also.  Prepare early for entrance exams and give it a shot.
In case you do not make it to any of the prestigious institutions then you can take up a B.Sc. with Physics and two other subjects in any good college, and you have much wider range of very good courses at the PG level to specialize in any area of Physics you wish to.

Dear Sir,
I am a student of class 12 science stream (PCME) and I wish to do automobile designing.  I have planned to do B Tech and do my B Sc in automobile designing. As far as I know the branches suitable in engineering are Mechatronics Engineering, Automobile Engineering  and Mechanical Engineering. But I am confused in selecting the branch suitable for automobile designing. And recently also learnt about B Design in Product Design. Can I go directly for M Sc in automobile designing if I do my B Design? Which has better impact on my career,  Engineering with a B Sc or a B Design and a M Sc? Please help me.
Jerwin Suaris

Dear Jerwin
It is true that today you have both options of either doing engineering and then specializing in design, or going directly for degree courses in design.  If you are a technology-oriented person, good in Math and Physics, and want to give yourself a stronger foundation, then it is better to first take up a degree in Automobile, Mechanical, Mechatronics or Electronics Engineer. Ensure that you get into a reputed college.  If you are very creative, not very fond of science, and confident about your ability to make it good in the design world, then you can take up B.Des. in one of the many good institutes that have come up in India.  This includes DY Patil-DC Center for Automotive, Pune  (www.dypdc.com), DSK Supinfocom www.dsksic.com, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies Dehradun www.upes.ac.in, and many others.  

Dear sir
I am 38 years old and I have done my M Sc Organic Chemistry. I am working in private institution as a chemistry lecturer since 10 years. Now I realise that teaching profession is not my cup of tea. This is because of my weak maths background and come from a biology background. Besides I am not satisfied with myself and every two years I keep changing the institution. I am thinking to do MBA in hospital administration / healthcare management. Please suggest me in this regard.
Chandrashekar

Dear Chandrashekhar
Do ensure that health-care is definitely “your cup of tea”, and that you are not looking at it as an escape from a job you do not like.  Your aptitude should match your interest.  If necessary, get an aptitude test done.  Also, explore deeply not only the job prospects but also the lifestyle of a hospital administrator and whether you will fit into it.  Once you have done that, there are many colleges that offer both distance-learning and contact PG courses in healthcare that are open to science graduates.  It is generally better to take up a full-time course, but if you cannot leave your job, then you may opt for a correspondence or on-line course.  Some of the reputed institutions are Indian Institute of Health Mgmt Research, Jaipur, Administrative Staff College of India Hyderabad [e-mail], Madurai Kamaraj University www.mkudde.org, Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, and BITS  Birla Institute of Technology & Science www.bits-pilani.ac.in/dlp-home

Dear Sir,
I am doing my 2nd  puc (pcmb) im very much interested in agriculture and want to do BSc in it. What is the procedure to apply ? And does it have any job opportunities except as a teacher.
Bhavishya Shivayogi

Dear Bhavishya
BSc (Agriculture) and various other allied courses such as Horticulture, Fisheries, Agricultural Produce Marketing, Agricultural Engineering, are generally 4 year professional courses open to science students who have competed their 10+2.  They are offered by the various Agricultural Universities of every state, and they have their own entrance exams. Competition is not as high as in other professional courses.  If you have a genuine desire to work in rural areas or laboratories, willing to travel, can rough it out at times, you have opportunities for jobs in government, large agricultural conglomerates, export houses, research centres, plantations, manufacturing units etc.

Dear Sir,
I am a student of class 9, getting an average A1 or A2. I was pretty sure till now that I would opt for the science stream, but lately I have been thinking about taking the Arts stream. I have an interest in politics and international relations and also an interest in science and mathematics. I was thinking of going for pure sciences or working in DRDO, but now I feel becoming an IAS or IFS officer is as interesting. I also have learnt about  B A in Defense and Strategies. I am also interested in military science. My mother tells me it is safe to go in the science stream for PU level so that my options are still wide, and then think about the undergraduate level later. Please give advice on what to do.
Vinay Pai

Dear Vinay
Your mother is right in a way. There are wider options in both Military and Civil Services if you are a science student.  Since you do like science and math (and are confident of scoring well in it), do take it up at +2 level, it will give you a stronger foundation.  You can then apply for National Defence Academy, or study higher and then try for civil services, Combined Defence Services Exam, entry into DRDO etc.  In addition you can always do your BA in Defence related field through distance education later.

Dr Ali Khwaja is the founder and
chairman of Banjara Academy.
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