I am a second year B.Sc (statistics) student and want to sign up for a Masters in statistics after completing my graduation next year. Which universities in India offer this programme and what are the eligibility requirements? — Neela Mazumdar, Mumbai
Among the top-ranked educational institutions/universities offering Masters in statistics programmes are: Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata; The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara; Shivaji University, Kolhapur; Marathwada University, Aurangabad; Osmania University, Hyderabad; Allahabad University; Amity University, Gwalior; Banaras Hindu University and Christ College, Thrissur. BA/B.Sc graduates in maths and statistics are eligible to apply to these institutions.
I will be completing my M.Com next year. What are my career prospects after M.Com and chances of getting a college lecturer’s job? — Neena Das Gupta, Kolkata
Postgraduates in commerce are suitable for employment in banks and financial organisations/companies. A plethora of job opportunities also exist in auditing, electronic marketing, funds management and stock broking firms. It is possible to get a lecturer’s job in a college but to ensure a formal appointment with a good pay package, reading for a Ph D would be advisable before writing the compulsory National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the University Grants Commission for aspiring lecturers.
I am a class XII humanities student interested in a career in tourism. Please advise. — Neena Advani, Mumbai
If you have a passion for travel and love interacting with people, a BBA/MBA in travel and tourism can take you places. The Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management with campuses in Gwalior, Goa, Nellore, Noida and Bhubaneswar; Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies, Trivandrum; M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore; International School of Business Insight, Indore are among reputed travel and tourism institutes offering study programmes to candidates who have successfully completed Plus Two with a minimum 50 percent average and cleared entrance tests. Job opportunities exist in travel agencies, international/domestic airports, and tourism departments of government.
In Mumbai in particular, you could opt for the two-year, full-time diploma in tourism and travel industry management offered by the University of Mumbai or the Garware Institute of Career Education and Development, Santacruz (E), Mumbai, after completing Plus Two.
I want to qualify as a vet after I complete my Plus Two (science) next year. What are my study options in India and abroad? — Daphne D’Silva, Panjim
Admission into the five-year bachelor of veterinary science (B.V.Sc) and animal husbandry (AHB) study programmes (including a compulsory six-month internship) offered by veterinary science colleges/universities requires successful completion of Plus Two (physics, chemistry, biology and English) with a minimum 50 percent average and clearing an all-India entrance exam conducted by the Veterinary Council of India in the month of May. Before applying for veterinary science programmes abroad, the system of education in the country of your choice should be carefully examined.
For example, most students admitted into the four-year programme of accredited colleges of veterinary medicine in the US should have completed an undergraduate programme. In addition to satisfying pre-veterinary course requirements (chemistry, physics, biology etc, courses) and minimum grade point average, students must submit test scores of GRE (Graduate Record Exam) depending on the requirements of the admitting institution.
After my graduation, I want to sign up for a Masters in zoology degree programme. What are my job prospects after postgraduation? — Neena Das, Hyderabad
Zoology is linked with professions such as animal husbandry, fishery and pest control. You can specialise in any one of these fields in your postgraduate studies. Job openings are usually found in teaching, government departments, as a research scientist and with private companies and export organisations. Fish preservation is done by experts. Prawn and shrimp farming have also started in a big way. In short, employment opportunities are good.
I want to sign up for an undergraduate degree programme in biotechnology after completing my Plus Two (science). Which universities/institutes in India offer this programme? How is biotechnology related to bioinformatics and genetic engineering? — Shalini Mathur, Agra
The Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi; Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (JIIT), Noida; Vellore Institute of Technology and Anna University in Tamil Nadu are among top-ranked institutions/universities offering four-year BE (biotechnology) degree programmes to candidates based on scores obtained in the JEE (Joint Entrance Examinations)-Main or separate entrance exams.
Bioinformatics is the application of information technology to the management of biological data. Genetic engineering typically involves the manipulation of heredity material. Biotechnology is an appropriate entry point for careers in bioinformatics and genetic engineering.