Which institutions in India offer degree programmes in nuclear engineering? I’m interested in pursuing a career in this field after I complete Plus Two (science).
Sunil Raghavan, Chennai
A BE/B.Tech degree in mechanical/electrical/electronics/instrumentation/chemical/civil/industrial/meta-llurgical engineering or M.Sc in physics/electronics will qualify you for an M.Tech in nuclear engineering offered by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (www.iitk.ac.In/dvaa/admissions.html); IIT-Madras (www.gate.iitm.ac.in/mtech_ admissions); Manipal University, Mani-pal (www.admissions.manipal.edu); Jadavpur University, Kolkata (www.jadavpur.edu); JNTU Kakinada (www.jntu.ac.in); and the Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (http://sne.pdpu.ac.in/). Delhi University (www.du.ac.in) also offers a three-year M.Tech degree programme in nuclear science and technology to physics graduates with maths as a subject. Likewise, the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun (www.upes.ac.in) offers a similar three-year M.Sc/M.Tech degree programme in nuclear energy.
Nuclear engineers design, develop, monitor and operate nuclear plants to generate electricity. They may also work on the production of nuclear fuel, safe disposal of waste or the development of fusion energy. Some specialise in the development of nuclear power for naval vessels or spacecraft, others produce radioactive materials for industrial and medical uses. Job prospects for nuclear engineers are excellent.
After my B.Sc in genetics, should I enrol in an M.Sc in genetics or an MBA in biotech? Which programme offers better job prospects for private sector employment?
Namrata Kelkar, Pune
For the widest range of job opportunities in the private sector, I suggest you opt for an MBA in biotech or plain MBA certification. An M.Sc in genetics also leads to a wide range of career choices. In medicine, genetics is the basis for understanding the inheritance of genetic diseases; providing counseling to parents at risk of producing children with genetic defects and conducting scientific investigations to understand the molecular basis of genetic diseases. In agriculture, genetics is the basis of artificial breeding of new crop plants and livestock. A rapidly growing biotechnology industry is using genetics professionals to produce a range of products from pharmaceuticals to microchips. However, as yet the private sector isn’t a major employer of biotech scientists in either medicine or agriculture.
How good is the five-year integrated degree programme in molecular biology?
Sridhar Reddy, Hyderabad
Molecular biology is a subject which overlaps with biochemistry, genetics and cell biology. Over the past decade great advances have been made in this field. Hence there’s plenty of scope in teaching and research, in the pharmaceutical industry, patenting, and scientific consultancy as also in scientific writing and/or editing. The universities of Bangalore; Bharathi-dasan; Annamalai; Hyderabad; Pune; Pondicherry and the IISERs offer five- year integrated M.Sc programmes in biological sciences/life sciences/ biotech and allied fields. Enrol in any of these programmes to qualify for a research-based career.
I complete Plus Two (science) in 2011 and am interested in architecture and interior design. Which career offers better job opportunities?
Neha Patel, Mumbai
Both offer great career options. So choose the one which best comple-ments your aptitude. Architecture provides a broader framework since it can lead to jobs in the fields of construction as well as interior design. I suggest you apply for admission into both these programmes and make your choice according to the reputation of the institutions which offer admission. CEPT University, Ahmedabad (www.cept.ac.in) offers both these programmes.
After Plus Two I want to pursue undergrad studies in the US, UK or Australia. Please advise.
Deepak Chawla, New Delhi
The ideal time to apply to study abroad is between September and January. Admissions are based on past academic record, referrals, statement of purpose and IELTS or TOEFL scores. American universities in addition require students to submit SAT I and II test scores (www.collegeboard.com). Most foreign universities now accept online admission applications.
I’m in class XI and want to know about institutes offering undergraduate degree courses in film production and direction at affordable tuition fees.
Suchitra Roy, Kolkata
Film-making is an expensive process and hence cost of training is high. Private film institute study programmes tend to be expensive while government institutes charge low fees. Under-graduate diploma courses in film-making are offered by the MGR Films and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, Tharamani, Chennai 600 113. However I suggest you complete your BA/B.Com degree and then enrol for postgraduate programmes in film-making offered by government-backed institutes such as FTII, Pune (www.ftiindia. com) and Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata (www.srfti.gov.in).
After finishing my BBM next year, I want to make a career in the airline industry. Will I need to do an MBA?
Nalini D’Souza, Bangalore
A general MBA degree/diploma qualifies you for employment in the management cadre of an airline (finance, marketing, human resources manage-ment etc). However, for better job prospects you can sign up for an MBA degree in airline management. The Nehru College of Aeronautics and Applied Sciences (www.nehrucolleges. com) offers an MBA in airport and airline management; University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (www.upes.ac.in) offers an MBA in aviation management, and Avalon Academy in collaboration with Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) offers an MBA in aviation. Ticketing and reservation jobs do not demand an MBA; an IATA diploma or a certificate course in travel and tourism is sufficient.