I’m in Plus Two and keen on a career in biotechnology. Which universities offer B.Tech in biotechnology?
Nikhil Karnik, Pune
You could apply for admission into the B.Tech biotech programme offered by the following institutions: Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore (www.vit.ac.in); Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute for Biotechnology and Bioin-formatics, Navi Mumbai (www.dypatil. com); Dr. D.Y. Patil University, Pune (www.dypatiluniversity.org); Vinayaka Missions University (www.vinayaka mission.com); SRM University (www. srmuniv.ac.in). Admission into the B.Tech (biotech) study programme accredited by the Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra (www.dtc.org.in) is through the Common Entrance Test (CET). B.Tech (biotech) is also offered by the IITs; Anna University (www.annauniv.edu); Delhi University (www.du.ac.in); Manipal University (www.manipal.edu) etc.
I’ve been working in the IT industry for the past few years as a software engineer. To better my career prospects I want to sign up for an MBA programme with specialisation in the hospitality sector. Please advise.
Geeta Narayan, Chennai
You can work in the hospitality sector with any MBA speciali-sation. However, I would advise you to pursue an MBA in marketing or a general MBA as it will increase your variety of work options.
I’m a first year B.Tech student. When should I begin preparing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) of India’s top B-schools?
Ravi Srinivasan, Bangalore
If you want admission into the IIMs and other reputed B-schools immed-iately after graduation, you have to write CAT when you are in the seventh semester/final year of your engineering programme. Hence, preparation could begin during the second year to help you acquire the necessary skills, followed by intense study in the sixth semester and in particular six weeks prior to the exam. However, please note that preparing for CAT could distract you from your B.Tech programme. It’s advisable to complete your graduation, work for a few years and then apply for admission into a B-school to get the best out of your MBA programme.
I complete my BE in automobile engineering this year and want to know about postgraduate programmes in design.
Deepak Bajaj, Mumbai
You could consider the two-year Master of design programme offered by the IITs of Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur and Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore). Admission depends upon your talent and aptitude for a career in design. You could also write the CEED (common entrance exam for design) for admission into the postgrad diploma programme in design offered by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
After acquiring a postgrad diploma in finance (distance learning) I’ve been working in the banking sector for the past four years. Now I want to work in the treasury/forex department of a bank. Should I pursue a CFA (chartered financial analyst) study programme or enroll for a course in equity markets?
Shekhar Mehta, Ahmedabad
CFA is the preferable option. study the curriculum of ICWAI (www. icwai.org) to determine its relevance to your goals. Other options include an MBA in capital markets, courses/ certification offered by the BSE Training Institute (www.bseindia.com), National Stock Exchange (www.nseindia.com) and National Institute of Securities Markets (www.nism.ac.in).
I complete my M.Sc in microbiology this year and am preparing for GRE. I am interested in a career in research in India or abroad. Please advise.
Dilip Bose, Kolkata
Postgraduation in microbiology qualifies you for research employ-ment in the biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, neuroscience, molecular biology or biotech related industries. You are also eligible to work in research institutions, and the cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical industries. Another option is to write the UGC-CSIR NET exam for junior research fellowships to pursue Ph D programmes offered by prominent research institutions in India. Clearing this exam also qualifies you for teaching positions in colleges and universities. Work on Indian and study abroad options and choose the best offer.
Please provide information about universities offering programmes in mass communication. I’m a final year BA student.
Neena Dias, Panjim
Several universities across India offer study programmes in mass communication. You should start your search with the university/universities located in your city/state. Prominent dailies feature admission notifications and entrance test dates of well-known universities. The AJK Mass Communi-cation Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi (www. ajkmcrc.org); department of journalism and mass communication, University of Mumbai (www.mcjmumbai.org); and University of Pune (www.unipune. ernet.in) conduct entrance tests on their campuses.
I’m keen on a career in aerospace engineering. Which colleges in India offer a bachelors degree in this specialisation?
Deepak Nair, Trivandrum
Among the top institutes offering courses in this field are the IITs at Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur, and Madras, which admit students through the IIT-JEE (www.iitb.ac.in/jee) exam; and the Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (www.iist.ac.in).
I’m interested in studying architecture after my Plus Two (science). What are the career prospects in this field?
Saurabh Mehta, Ahmedabad
Architects can work in the town-planning departments of local authorities (municipalities, corporations, housing boards), government depart-ments (public works), railways, defence, or in private sector construction companies. You could also start your own private practice, specialise in architectural conservation, industrial design, building engineering and management, or landscape architecture. All these specialisations offer good prospects.