PhD in science education

Q.I am a science student pursuing my master’s in physics at Panjab University, Chandigarh. I’ve realised that I have a flair for teaching and communication but am not particularly interested in pursuing a career in research. Could you please suggest how I should proceed. — Charu Uppal

A.There’s a great option for young people like you who have a genuine interest in improving science education rather than in pursuing pure or applied science research.

The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education offers a PhD Programme in Science Education.

Students at HBCSE’s Graduate School in Science Education undergo courses and field / project work, followed by a dissertation on an approved topic of research leading to the degree of Ph.D. in Science Education of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), which is a Deemed University.

The full time ‘Research Scholars’ also receive a generous monthly scholarship in addition to an annual contingency grant.

Eligibility: MSc. (any), M Tech or a master’s degree (MA/ MSW) in any of the social/ behavioural sciences/ psychology/ linguistics/ sociology/ economics/ anthropology or M.Ed. with a bachelor’s degree in Science / Social Sc / Humanities.

Besides possessing a flair for teaching and writing, critical and analytical skills would come in handy.

Part-time / External students: Science and mathematics teachers and educators can also pursue the PhD. program part-time or as external students.

In their two years (minimum) at HBCSE, they can do their research work while being stationed at their parent institutions.

Understandably, they would need prior clearance from their respective organisations.

Selection to the PhD programmes is based on an entrance exam followed by an interview, which is the major constituent of the exam.

In exceptional cases, a Special Entrance Exam may be administered at any time of the year to an especially promising candidate at the discretion of the Subject Board. This provision also applies to exceptionally promising Foreign Students.

The application deadline for the 2018 programme is March 30, 2018 and the Written Test is on May 13, 2018

For online applications and more info including sample question papers please visit: www.hbcse.tifr.res.in/admissions/.

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Which are the specialised courses in anthropology?

Q.Could you please suggest some recognised courses in anthropology at the undergraduate-level?  — Ramesh A Rastogi

A.BA/BSc (anthropology) courses are offered at a fairly large number of colleges in North India including Panjab University, Chandigarh (BSc (Hon), Punjabi University, Patiala (BSc), University of Delhi and Amity University to name a few.

Mainly divided into two branches: Cultural and Physical anthropology (with further sub-branches under each), anthropology is a social science (like history and sociology) that studies human beings — particularly focusing on their physical characteristics, evolution, racial classification, historic and present-day geographic distribution, current social formations, group dynamics and cultural history.

At the undergrad level, several universities offer Anthropology -- both at the BA as well as BSc-level.

Students of anthropology go on to pursue postgraduate courses in Anthropology or Sociology, which is related to the field. With a Master’s in this subject, you can look at opportunities in teaching, anthropological research, museology and developmental work. While some become anthropologists, others pursue forensic science, or even go for market research.

Some leading consumer product companies also employ trained anthropologists or human behaviour researchers to study potential customers and their requirements so that this knowledge can be translated into better designed products and services. The info is very valuable to the technologists, designers and marketing people in the organisation. The Civil Services is yet another popular option.  

Besides the Anthropological Survey of India, museums, archives, NGOs, universities, hospitals and organisations such as the Indian Council for Medical Research, WHO, D/o of Child & Family Welfare employ anthropologists as social scientists.

So, if people, their behaviour, customs and rituals fascinate you, anthropology may well be your cup of tea. However, as you must have gathered by now, you would have to pursue higher studies i.e. Masters and even perhaps a PhD. to pursue a career in anthropology.

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