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I‚m a student of Plus Two (science). I am keen to pursue a career in criminal forensic science. Which colleges offer this programme and what are the eligibility requirements?Ravi D‚Souza, PanjimYou could acquire anMBBS degree after Plus Two and later opt for a postgraduate specialisation in forensic medicine. Almost all Indian medical colleges offer an MD in forensic medicine. Alternatively you can pursue a Master‚s degree in forensic science after acquiring a B.Sc in physics, chemistry, zoology, botany, biochemistry, microbiology or any of the applied sciences. Moreover some universities offer a one-year certificate course in forensic science after B.Sc. Among them: University of Delhi; Karnatak University, Pavate Nagar, Dharwad 580 003 offers a two-year Master‚s degree in criminology and forensic science as does the Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Gour Nagar, Sagar 470 003. M.Sc courses in forensic science are also offered by the forensic sciences department, Forensic House, 30-A Kamaraja Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004; Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Senate House, Paliwal Park, Agra 282 004 and at Punjabi University, Patiala 147 002. The Bureau of Police Research and Development offers its junior research fellowship scheme in forensic science to Indian nationals, preferably below 30 years who have obtained first class marks (60 percent and above) in a Master‚s degree in any of the following subjects: physics, chemistry, bio-chemistry, anthropology, zoology, molecular biology, maths (with physics as one of the subjects at the bachelor degree level), biotechnology, microbiology, pharmacy, pharmacology, computer science, computer engineering, forensic psychology, etc or M. Phil in the same subjects.After my Plus Two (science) I would like to qualify as a sound engineer. Please advise.Sunil Deshpande, PuneFull-time professional programmes in sound engineering/ audiography are conducted by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata. FTII courses are open to school leavers who have studied physics as a subject at Plus Two level while SRFTI offers the course to science graduates with physics as one of their subjects. The Film and TV Institute of Tamil Nadu, Chennai 600 113 also offers a three-year sound recording and engineering programme after Plus Two as does the Government Film and Television Institute, near Nrityagram, Hessaraghatta Post, Bangalore 560 088. The Department of Music V.V Bhavan, ‚ËœB‚ Road, Churchgate, University of Mumbai, Mumbai 400 020, offers certificate and advanced study courses in sound recording and reproduction. In addition there are several private institutes and government polytechnics offering diploma courses in sound engineering across the country.I‚m interested in a career in hotel management. What are the admission requirements?Aditi Patel, MumbaiPlus Two diploma students in any discipline are eligible to apply for the three-year diploma or degree in hotel management. The Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai offers a B.Sc programme in hospitality management for which admission is through a joint entrance examination conducted by the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (www. nchmct.org). If you are eligible, obtain the application form from the institute at Veer Savarkar Marg, Dadar (West), Mumbai 400 028. The Pune-based Dina Institute of Hotel & Business Management also offers its highly rated diploma programmes in international hotel management (30 months); postgrad diploma in hotel and business administration, equivalent to an MBA (24 months) and short-term diploma programmes in food and beverage management, front office and house-keeping and food production (www.dina institute.com).Other hotel management institutes that are unaffiliated to NCHMCT admit students through their own processes advertised in the months of April/ May every year.I want to become a television news anchor. What courses should I pursue after graduation to qualify?Nandini Ray, KolkataAfter graduation you could attend workshops or short-term programmes on news anchoring, but it would be advisable to acquire a Master‚s in journalism/ mass communications first. A bachelor‚s degree in mass communi-cations with specialisation in journalism (after Plus Two) is also a good qualification although it may not make you eligible for television news anchoring right away. Postgraduation in broadcast journalism and internship in print, radio or television journalism during vacations is useful work experience.I‚m a second year B.Sc student and would like information on pursuing a career in actuarial sciences.Chandrashekhar Rao, BangaloreIn India, a fellow member of the Actuarial Society of India (ASI) is referred to as an actuary. Fellow membership is achieved by passing examinations at various stages and fulfilling other criteria of ASI from time to time. The examinations can be taken after enrolling as a student member. The enrollment criteria requires you to be a graduate in a mathematical subject such as statistics, econometrics, engineering or actuarial sciences. After completing the course, you could work in life, general and health insurance, reinsurance companies, pension funds and also in government, or as a risk management academic.Which colleges offer aeronautical engineering degree programmes? Is there an entrance exam?Ashutosh Gokani, PuneYou could study aeronautical engineering at the Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh 160 012 (BE aeronautics); Hindustan College of Engineering, Chennai 603 103 (BE); any of the IITs at Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Madras (B.Tech aerospace engineering); M.Tech (five years). Admission to IIT programmes is through the IIT-JEE after Plus Two (physics, chemistry and maths). Other institutes conduct their own entrance examinations. Among them, the Aeronautical Society of India (13 B Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi 110 002) conducts its own associate membership examination. Successful candidates are designated associate members of the society (AMAeSI) recognised as equivalent to B.Tech (aeronautical engineering). Moreover after acquiring a B.Sc (physics) with maths as an ancillary subject or vice versa, you could apply for the B.Tech (three years) in aeronautical engineering at Anna University, Chennai 600 025 or at the Madras Institute of Technology, Chromepet, Chennai 600 044.=