Study routes to ISRO

I completed my BTech in ECE in 2010 and appeared for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2011 this year. I am sure I will clear it. I want to become a scientist in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). In which field should I do my MTech to get job in ISRO? Which institute offers that course (which prefer GATE score)?

ISRO's objective is to develop space technology and its application to various national tasks. ISRO has established two major space systems, INSAT for communication, television broadcasting and meteorological services, and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) system for resources monitoring and management. ISRO has developed two satellite launch vehicles, PSLV and GSLV, to place INSAT and IRS satellites in the required orbits. Therefore, ISRO takes on scientists and engineers in various disciplines, more particularly electronics, mechanical and computer engineering and space science. All the top engineering institutes offer ME/MTech courses in these disciplines, admission for which is through GATE. You can also check the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore which offers a range of courses in mathematical and physical, electrical and mechanical sciences, through GATE. After an M Tech degree, you can apply for a research fellowship with ISRO.

What's development eco?

I would like to know how authentic is the postgraduate degree for MA in development economics from the South Asian University (SAU) in Delhi. How are the prospects in development economics different from those for MA economics? Is MA in economics from Amity University in Noida recognised by the UGC?

South Asian University has been set up by the governments of SAARC countries and, therefore, the degrees awarded are recognised by these seven nations which includes India. It is a new university and has started only a few programmes which would serve the interests of students in this region. It is for this reason that the MA in development economics is one of the two programmes started so far,. It differs from MA in economics only in so far as its special focus on development issues in South Asian economies is concerned. If you are interested in a development job with a government or any international organisation, then this programme is ideal for you. Amity's MA programme in economics is recognised as it is a private university competent to award degrees as specified by UGC under Section 22 of the UGC Act with the approval of the statutory councils, wherever required through their main campus in Noida.

IT Placements

I graduated in electrical & electronic engineering in 2009. I got a placement in an IT company. Unfortunately, I do not see any growth prospects in the company. I would like to appear for GATE 2012, and do my postgraduation in the subject. My date of birth is December 31, 1986. After my postgraduation in 2014, will I be able to get a government job? There's an age bar of 26 years for most government jobs. Should I opt for postgraduation in management?

While certain age limits have been imposed for entry to government jobs, the eligibility for most government jobs, as in the civil services, engineering services and the banking industry, is normally up to the age of 30 years. However, in order to get the exact details regarding age limit for government jobs, you need to check the criteria for the job which are often described in the advertisements. For every job, the requirements are different and therefore, you need to read the description very carefully so that you can apply only for positions for which you are eligible.

However, your choice of career option, whether a specialisation in engineering or management should not be based on the possibility of a government post, but on your own interest and inclination towards either of the two options and the scope for growth in these two areas. The MTech qualification is required for working on design and product development - an intrinsic part of engineering. With the entry of many multi-national companies, India is emerging as a specialised engineering and R&D hub, requiring large numbers of highly-qualified engineers for design, product development, process design, CAD CAM, value engineering and so on, offering excellent prospects for well qualified engineers. On the other hand, an MBA degree can enable you to move into the managerial area of planning, organisation and financial control and provide opportunities in practically every organisation. You need to consider these two different work options and make your decision accordingly.

MBBS or BSc?

I have found on the internet that to study genetic engineering, one should have BSc, MSc and PhD degrees. My family is forcing me to first get a technical degree - MBBS - and then get into research. Can I do genetic engineering or go in the research field after taking an MBBS degree? Please give the details.

Genetic engineering is closely related to the medical field. Varieties of pharmaceutical products are being structured using genetic engineering. On the other hand, biotechnology is an integration of several sciences, applied to living cells, with the possibility of producing substances and compounds essential to life and man's well-being, and has applications in medicine, genetics, agriculture, the environment and the industry. Each is a specialised field of biotechnology which you can take up according to your interest.

A bachelor's degree in any life science, engineering, medicine (MBBS) or dentistry (BDS), with at least 55% marks makes you eligible for the entrance test for an MTech programme in genetic engineering, or MSc in genetics.

Genetic engineering is a specialisation in the MSc biotechnology programme at seven-eight universities which include Pune University, University of Delhi, Madurai Kamaraj University, Guru Nank Dev University, Amritsar, and others. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, which teaches this discipline, holds a combined test for admission to the MSc in biotechnology for these universities.

Medical biotech is another specialisation that deals with the health care and pharmacy sectors. Any discovery in this field pertaining to drugs, vaccines, diagnostics etc can take the entire industry on another platform altogether. Biomedical engineering also covers areas such as gene therapy, cell and tissue engineering, use of bio-sensors for diagnosis purposes, development of non-invasive imaging and other thrust areas in the future.

Some institutes for this field are:

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
• Programme offered: Master's in biotechnology
• www.aiims.edu
• Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
• Programme offered: MSc in medical technology - specialisation in microbiology
• MSc in medical technology - specialisation in biochemistry
• Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Lucknow

Programme offered:

DM in clinical immunology

You may, therefore, take up engineering or medicine to be able to do research in genetics.

Degree in architecture

I am pursuing diploma in architecture and interior design from polytechnic.It is three-year course and I am in my first year. I want to take up a degree course in architecture. Please advise me on if I can get probational admission in any good college after this course or should I go to a private university.

The eligibility requirement for the BArch programme is 50% minimum aggregate in 10+2 with maths or 10+3 years diploma in architecture from a government-recognised institution. So, you can apply for the degree course in architecture after your diploma. Alternatively, after a diploma in architecture, you can qualify for registration with the Indian Institute of Architects, which holds examinations for eligible candidates twice a year to qualify as associate member of the institute.

The Associate Membership of the Indian Institute of Architects (by examination) is at par with bachelors degree in architecture of a recognised Indian university. Therefore, by passing such an examination, you become eligible for registration with the Council of Architecture (COA), as a qualified architect. For more details regarding the examination contact the Controller of Examinations, The Indian Institute of Architects. Plot No. 105, Sector-15, CBD Belapur (East), Navi Mumbai - 400 614. Tel: 022-2756 1806 Fax: 022-2756 1805.

Author: Usha Albuquerque (HT Horizons)

Date: 19^th May, 2011