Opt for techno math

Pervin Malhotra 

Q.I'm a student of Class XII (non-medical). I want to do engineering and also want to study maths. Can you suggest anengineering stream that offers study maths at higher level?—Rakesh Singh

A.Engineering mathematics or techno math is a branch of applied mathematics that focuses on mathematical methods and techniques that are typically used in engineering and industry. Historically, techno math was essentially concerned with applied analysis, which was closely tied to the development of Newtonian physics, and the mathematical physics of that time. As a result, classical mechanics was often taught in applied mathematics departments at American universities until the early 20th century, and fluid mechanics is still taught in both applied mathematics as well as engineering departments.

The success of modern numerical computer methods and software has led to the emergence of computational mathematics, computational science, and computational engineering (the last two are sometimes lumped together and abbreviated as CS&E), which at times uses high-performance computing for the simulating phenomena and finding solutions to problems in science and engineering. Often termed as interdisciplinary fields, they're also of interest to engineering mathematics.

Specialised branches include engineering optimisation and engineering statistics.

• IIT-Kanpur was the first to offer a 5-year M.Sc. programme followed by IIT-Bombay. This is now also offered at all the IISERs and NISER and the Central University of Hyderabad as well and Pondicherry.
• The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore offers a 4-year B.S. programme followed by a year of research and training leading to an M.S.
• The Chennai Mathematical Institute offers a B.Sc. (Hons) in Mathematics and Computer Science and the Indian Statistical Institute offers B.Math at its Bangalore campus.
• Shiv Nadar University, Gr NOIDA offers BS Mathematics (with Minor in Eco / Mathematical Fin / Image Processing). Engineering Mathematics is also offered at BITS, Pilani.
• Graduates have managed to breach the US firewall that mandates a four-year undergrad degree for admission to their graduate schools (our PG). 

They've been directly admitted, with full aid, to reputed graduate schools such as Caltech, Chicago, Princeton, MIT etc in USA, the Max Planck Institutes in Germany, and the elite Ecole Normale Sup´erieure in France.

For a wealth of info on careers in Applied Mathematics, including Industrial Mathematics, do check out the website of the Society for Industrial & Applied Mathematics (SIAM), especially their pages on Thinking of a Career in Applied Mathematics? ww.siam.org /careers/thinking.php

Environment science courses for biology haters

Q.I am in Class XI and I would like to take up a career in the field of environment sciences. But I don't want to study biology. Can I still do something by taking maths along with physics and chemistry? — Rahmat Singh

A.Oh yes you can, environmental science is a truly broad and varied field. The scope varies from teaching, consulting and research, to environment impact assessment for industries planning to set up new projects, environmental law, to development work and activism to environment protection and writing on environmental issues. Befittingly, the choice of courses is also wide and varied ranging from BSc in Environment Science to Integrated MSc in Environment Sciences and BTech in Environmental Engineering to Integrated MTech in the subject. So go ahead and opt for the subjects of your choice.

Bio gives multiple options

Q.What are the options available after Class XII with biology, apart from medicine? — Dinesh

A.There are plenty of options. Biology finds wide applications in microbiology, genetics, agriculture, forestry, forensic sciences, biotechnology and environmental studies. Besides medicine, you can look at veterinary science, Yoga & naturopathy, paramedical fields such as nursing, radiology, optometry, and physiotherapy or pursue BSc (Hons) in botany or zoology, home science. BSc in life/biological sciences focuses on the more modern aspects of biology in an integrated manner.

After completing bachelor's in life sciences, you can choose higher studies in agriculture (e.g. in plant breeding or pathology), molecular biology, biotechnology, biomedical sciences or life sciences including biochemistry, microbiology and genetics. For teaching at the school level, M.Sc. in Botany or Zoology followed by BEd is another option.

Alternatively, you could also consider pursuing a bachelor's in biotechnology. Besides getting into research, biotech professionals are hired in fields such as animal husbandry, environmental conservation, health care, nutrition and dietetics, forensic science, pharmaceuticals, and waste management.

BCI your best guide

Q.I am a Law graduate (Punjabi medium) from Punjabi University Patiala. Now I am working in Judicial Department and want to do LL.M. through distance education in Hindi medium.  As, my English is poor, should I go for it and how will I manage? — Amandeep Singh

A.I think your best source of information would be the Bar Council of India because you need to be absolutely clear that the degree is recognised by the BCI and the University is UGC recognised. There are been a number of cases in the past of fake universities offering such courses.