I’m a final year B.Sc (microbiology) student interested in a career in virology. Please advise which universities offer study programmes in virology.
Narendra Swamy, Chennai
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, National Institute of Virology, Pune and University of Pune offer Masters programmes in virology.
Career options include teaching, academic and industrial research (development of new drugs and vaccines) and working with government and international health agencies. For instance, virologists investigate disease outbreaks (epidemiologists) and work for the health departments of governments and the World Health Organisation. Qualified virologists can also use their knowledge to pursue careers as science writers and in business administration, and as technical and legal advisors in pharma companies.
After graduating in B.Sc (zoology) next year, I wish to pursue a career in life sciences. Which of three subjects — medical biotech, biochemistry, biomedical — should I choose for postgraduate study? Also which universities abroad offer Masters programmes in these subjects?
Ashok Rao, Bangalore
A Masters in medical biotech opens up careers in pathology, clinical research and medical investigative procedures. Top-ranked British universities reputed for their bio-related programmes are Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Manchester, Bath, Sheffield, Bristol, York, and Edinburgh universities. Admissions are based on official academic records of three-four years, referrals, personal statement of objectives, research projects, internships plus IELTS or TOEFL scores. In the US, the top-ranked universities for biomedical studies are Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Pittsburg.
I have completed class XII (PCM) and want to study mass communications. What are my options?
Neena Desai, Ahmedabad
You could sign up for a bachelor’s degree in science, arts or commerce followed by a postgraduate programme in mass communication or an MBA degree/diploma. An alternate path is a bachelor’s degree in mass media/mass communication or in business administration/management studies (BBA/BMS). Please assess your talents and personality attributes before making a career choice.
I want to sign up for a full-fledged animation course after completing my BE (IT) degree next year. Please advise.
Anil Dhawan, Mumbai
You could apply for the two-year Master of design programme in animation offered by IIT, Mumbai (www.idc.iitb.ac.in). Admission is through the Common Entrance Examination for Design. The National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad also offers animation/design-related postgraduate programmes — new media design software, user interface design and design for digital experience — while the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Mohali offers a one-year postgraduate diploma in animation and multimedia. Your background in IT will be a big advantage for postgraduate animation studies.
I’m studying biomedical engineering. What are the job opportunities in this field? After completing my degree, should I start working right away or study further?
Avinash Chawla, New Delhi
Biomedical engineers replicate damaged or diseased organs and preserve, repair tissue for transplantation and research ways and means to develop artificial organs. They are employed in universities, industry, hospitals, research labs of education and medical institutions, and government. Job opportunities for biomedical engineers are multiplying globally as the world’s population is greying and there’s increasing demand for improved medical devices and processes such as computer-assisted surgery, cellular and tissue engineering, rehabilitation and orthopaedic engineering.
Ideally, a postgrad degree in bioinstrumentation, biomechanics, orthopaedic bio-engineering, rehabilitation engineering etc offers the best career advancement prospects. ME/M.Tech programmes in biomedical engineering are offered by the University of Hyderabad; Jadavpur University’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Kolkata; IIT-Bombay; Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi and Manipal University, while an MS bioengineering programme is offered by the Christian Medical College, Vellore.
I’m a second year BBA student interested in an MA/M.Sc degree programme in psychology. Do I need to write an entrance test?
Sumitra Chatterjee, Kolkata
As per UGC (University Grants Commission) rules, you need a bachelor’s degree in the same/similar discipline at the Masters level. Therefore, you are not eligible for admission into a full-time MA/M.Sc (psychology) programme. However, you have the option of pursuing a postgrad degree in psychology through distance education. The open universities include IGNOU, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, IMT Distance and Open Learning Institute, Sikkim Manipal University, University of Mumbai, Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University and Annamalai University.