I want to enroll in the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) offered by IIM-Indore. What are the eligibility requirements?
— Dhruv Singh, Ludhiana
Launched in 2011 by IIM-Indore, IPM is a first-of-its-type five-year integrated study programme open to higher secondary school-leavers. During the first three years of the programme, students are required to complete foundational courses in mathematics, statistics, economics, psychology, sociology, political science, engineering, science, humanities, literature and fine arts.
Subsequently, they train to qualify as business managers together with students of the institute’s two-year postgraduate programme in management. The eligibility requirement for admission into IPM is a minimum 60 percent average in class XII. Admission is on the basis of performance in an entrance test followed by personal interview.
I am a class XII student interested in ethical hacking. What are the skills needed to qualify as an ethical hacker?
— Abhay Kumar, Kanpur
An ethical hacker is a computer and network expert who attacks a computer security system on behalf of its owners, to probe its vulnerabilities which a malicious hacker could exploit. This subject is new to India and the University of Technology and Management, Shillong, is one of few institutions countrywide to offer a four-year undergrad programme in cyber security.
Alternatively, you could pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering and opt for cyber security at the Masters level.
I want to sign up for a Masters in biological sciences offered by the IITs. Please advise.
— Ambalika Thakur, Pune
To qualify for admission into the M.Sc (biological sciences) programme offered by the IITs, you must first clear the JAM (Joint Admission Test). The eligibility requirement is a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 55 percent average.
I want to sign up for an undergrad degree programme in robotics. Which universities in India offer this programme?
— Gouthami Shankar, Bangalore
In India, robotics is not offered at the undergrad level. So you need to first acquire an engineering degree in mechanical/electrical/computer, or mechatronics. Subsequently, you could specialise in robotics at the Masters level. However, the mechanical, electrical and computer science departments of the IITs offer undergrad courses in artificial intelligence, which is integral to robotics.
I want to qualify as a professional photographer. Please advise.
— Amrit Singh, Hyderabad
After completing Plus Two, you are eligible to sign up for a bachelor’s degree programme in photography. The Annapurna International School of Film and Media, Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation, Kolkata, among others offer undergrad programmes in photography. You also have the option to specialise in various types of photography — fashion, portrait, industrial, wildlife, forensic, etc.
What are the eligibility criteria for admission into a degree programme in nutrition and dietetics?
— Anindita Shah, Mumbai
The minimum requirement is completion of Plus Two. The duration of the bachelor’s degree programme is three years, although you can get a diploma in 24 months. The B.Sc (nutrition) degree focuses on the study of biochemistry, physiology, food science and genetics. To better your career prospects, you could sign up for a Masters degree in nutrition and specialise in sensory science, community dietetics, public health nutrition, food toxicology, etc.
What are the job prospects for hotel management graduates?
— Shourya Singh, Jaipur
The hospitality industry is booming in India and worldwide. It offers a plethora of job opportunities in several departments such as housekeeping, front desk, food and beverage production. Moreover, hotel management graduates find ready employment in restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, institutional and industrial catering, clubs, airline catering services, etc. Among the most reputed hotel management training institutes are the Institute of Hotel Management, Delhi, Indian Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata, Welcome Group Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal and PCTE Institute of Hotel Management, Ludhiana.
I’m in class XII (science) and interested in a career in microbiology. What are my career prospects in this field?
Nalini D’Souza, Panjim
Microbiologists enjoy a wide range of job opportunities in medical research, food, agriculture and pharmaceutical industries, hospitals, research institutes and universities. They also play a vital role in the biotech industry which involves fermentation, recombinant DNA technology and molecular biology.
These job opportunities can be best availed after acquiring a Masters degree, or preferably a doctorate. So you need to think beyond B.Sc before you consider microbiology as a career. The best option is to sign up for a B.Sc (microbiology) programme and if you find the course interesting, you could press on for an M.Sc and/or Ph D in the subject.
(Source: Univariety, Hyderabad)
