I’ll complete my Plus Two (science) in 2011. Which stream of engineering should I choose to qualify as an astronaut?
Shekhar Rao, Chennai
It’s not necessary for you to enrol in an engineering degree programme to become an astronaut. After Plus Two you could pursue a bachelor’s or honours degree in physics followed by postgraduation in physics or space science. Alternatively after Plus Two you could enrol in the five-year integrated M.Sc (physics) programme offered by NISER, Bhubaneswar (www.iopb.res/niser); University of Mumbai, Department of Atomic Energy, Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (www.mu.ac.in/cbs); IISER, Kolkata (www.iiserkol.ac.in); IISER, Pune (www.iiserpune.ae.in); IITs (Kanpur and Kharagpur); University of Hyderabad; or Pondicherry University (www.pondi uni.org). Admission is on the basis of competitive examinations.
However if you are keen on an engineering degree, any stream will qualify you to apply for a Ph D in space science/astrophysics at premier research organisations countrywide.
I’m keen on reading for an M.Tech degree in organic chemistry after completing my M.Sc in the same subject next year. Please advise.
Ashish Patil, Pune
You should consider enrolment in an M.Tech programme in chemical engineering instead. However you’ll have to get a good score in GATE to secure admission into better reputed engineering colleges. Admission notifications are posted on the notice boards of prominent colleges.
Together with my B.Sc (IT) degree programme which I will complete in 2012, what computer science-related diploma course should I pursue?
Ashok Chatterjee, Kolkata
You should focus on your bachelor’s degree. After gradu-ation, you could sign up for an MCA and/or M.Sc (IT) or equivalent progra-mme at prominent universities/institutes in the country.
After completing my BA in 2011, I would like to study Spanish. Which institutes offer courses in Spanish language learning and what are my career prospects in this field?
Neela D’Souza, Mumbai
Spanish language courses are offered by the Instituto Hispania (www.institutohispania.com) which has branches in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, and the K.J. Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies, 3rd Floor, Management Building, Somaiya Vidyavihar Campus, Vidyavihar East, Mumbai 400 077 (http://www.somaiya. edu/heritagesombudd). In collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes, New Delhi, IGNOU also offers an online certificate course in Spanish (www.ignouonline. ac.in/CPSL.1).
If you want to read for a fully-fledged degree programme, the School of Languages, Jawaharlal Nehru Univer-sity, New Delhi offers a five-year integrated programme in foreign languages after class XII, and a two-year MA degree programme with specialisation in Spanish. Career prosp-ects for Spanish language professionals are excellent in India and abroad.
I’m in my second year B.Com programme and interested in a career in apparel merchandising. Which institutes offer courses in the subject?
Shobha Singh, New Delhi
Apparel merchandising covers the entire process of product develop-ment, market positioning, planning and budgeting, fashion forecasting and development, material and textile selection, data collection and analysis, production and sourcing. Job oppor-tunities could come in the form of product manager, production manager, fashion buyer, retail manager, mercha-ndiser etc.
Prominent institutions offering training in this field include National Institute of Fashion Technology (www.nift.ac.in); Satyam Fashion Institute, Noida (www.satyamfashion. ac.in); Pearl Academy of Fashion (www.pearlacademy.com); School of Fashion Technology, Pune (http://www.softpune.com/); Institute of Apparel Management (www.iamindia.in) and Army Institute of Fashion and Design (AIFI), Bangalore (www.aifd online.com).
I’m keen on a career in banking and insurance after graduating in commerce in 2011. Please advise.
Ashish Mehta, Ahmedabad
You could sign up for an mba with specialisation in finance/banking and finance/insurance. If you graduate from a reputed B-school, campus placement prospects will be good. You can also write the Bank Probationary Officers exam for a full-time job in a public sector commercial bank. Similar openings are also available in public sector insurance companies.
After completing my MBBS degree programme I want to specialise in cosmetology, trichology and other subjects related to the beauty industry. Please suggest institutions offering these specialisations.
Nalin Raman, Bangalore
Trichology and cosmetology aren’t offered as specialisations in the formal medical/health education system. However, an M.Sc (cosmetology and trichology) degree programme is offered by select institutions. But the completion of this programme doesn’t guarantee a career as a cosmetologist. A postgraduate degree in dermatology is a better option. Visit the website of the Medical Council of India (www.mciindia.org) for a list of universities/colleges offering derma-tology programmes.
I’m in class XI and have set my sights on becoming an architect. Should I enrol in an Indian college or in a US and/or Canadian university?
Ravi Tandon, Lucknow
Architectural institutes in india are of good quality. To qualify for admission you need to write the Common Entrance Test. Studying abroad is an expensive proposition and an architecture degree programme often takes more than five years to complete. You must begin the admisson process when you are in class XII and ensure applications reach universities in Canada and USA by December 2012. Canada requires only TOEFL scores while American varsities require both SAT and TOEFL scores. Approximate annual tuition fees and living expenses vary between Rs.15-25 lakh.