I’m a class XII (science minus biology) student. What courses can I pursue after Plus Two?
Sridhar Rao, Bangalore
You have the option of signing up for a bachelor’s degree in engineering, pharmacy, architecture or interior design. The architecture and interior design programmes demand an aptitude for drawing and visual/spatial apperception. Another option is to enroll for a B.Sc degree followed by a Masters for a career in research and teaching.
Alternatively, after completing Plus Two you could choose any professional course such as chartered accountancy, cost and works accountancy or company secretaryship while reading for a bachelor’s degree (preferably in commerce). You could also consider a five-year integrated law degree or a three or four-year course in hotel management or fine arts.
I’m an M.Sc (genetics) student interested in enrolling in an MBA (biotech) degree programme. Please advise.
Ravi Iyengar, Chennai
If employment in the private sector is your priority, sign up for MBA (biotech) as it opens up a wide range of job options. Work towards securing admission in a reputed B-school as you are likely to get good job offers through campus placement. M.Sc (genetics) per se also offers good prospects. In medicine, genetics is the basis for understanding the inheritance of genetic diseases, for providing counseling to families who are at risk of producing children with genetic defects and to prescribe their cure. In agriculture, genetics is the basis of breeding new crops and livestock. A rapidly growing biotechnology industry is using genetics to produce a range of products from pharmaceuticals to microchips. But please note that the private sector isn’t a major employer of scientists.
After completing Plus Two, do I need to write TOEFL/IELTS exams if I want to pursue further studies abroad?
Priyanka Desai, Mumbai
English language proficiency is a prerequisite of admission into most foreign universities. You will certainly need to write the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) if you want to apply to universities in the US or Commonwealth countries.
It’s advisable for you to write the test in class XI since scores are valid for two years. You can register for the TOEFL exam on www.ets.org and IELTS through the British Council.
After completing B.Sc next year I want to apply for the M.Sc (mathematics) degree programme offered by the Homi Bhabha
National Institute or any IIT. What are my job prospects after postgraduation?
Nandini Patil, Pune
An M.Sc (maths) degree is excellent for careers in research and academics. But it also provides opportunities for jobs in industry and consulting. Studying further for a Ph D is also an option.
I want to pursue a postgrad degree in genetics from a university in Canada. Please suggest some reputed Canadian universities and advise on their admission norms.
Dilip Mukherjee, Kolkata
Animal, plant, molecular and human/medical genetics are some specialisations in genetics, offered at Canadian universities which require 16 years of formal education. This requirement can be met by completing the first year of a Masters degree programme in any recognised university in India. The University of British Columbia offers an M.Sc in reproductive and developmental sciences and a Masters in human and medical genetics. Other reputed schools for genetics include Toronto, McGill and Guelph universities. For further information, visit www.aucca.ca.
I will complete class X this year and plan to opt for a B.Com degree programme as my final goal is an MBA degree. Please advise.
Nalini Mehta, Ahmedabad
A bachelor’s degree in any subject is the minimum requirement for admission into MBA programmes. In addition, aspiring students need to write a test followed by a group discussion and interview. English verbal ability and comprehension, quantitative ability, reasoning skills and data interpretation are typical areas covered in the test. So develop diverse reading interests, work towards building a strong vocabulary, keep in touch with higher secondary school level maths and familiarise yourself with reasoning questions. You can write one or more B-school entrance tests in the final year of your undergrad programme or after completing your final year.
I am a final year B.Com student and want to pursue a career in banking. Please advise me about the bank Probationary Officers exam.
Deepak Bhatia, New Delhi
Probationary Officers (PO) exams are conducted by public and private sector banks to recruit probationary officers (junior management grade). Those who qualify in the exam and interview that follows are trained on-the-job during a probation period. ICICI Bank offers a PO course (www.icicicareers.com) which includes a written exam and interview followed by a training programme. The ICICI Manipal Academy of Banking and Insurance, Bangalore (http://www.ima.manipal.edu/program.htm) conducts a year-long fully residential programme to train probationary officers of ICICI Bank.