Score a point with science

Gauri Chhabra

Today, education hinges heavily on courses in STEM, an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This is due to the fact that this stream churns out critical thinkers, problem-solvers and next-generation innovators. Taking into consideration that India is one of the few countries that produce the highest number of scientists and engineers; the growth of STEM courses has picked up significantly over the past few years. Governments across the globe are taking several initiatives to take education a step ahead. Take ATL (Atal Tinkering Labs) by NITI Aayog for example. NITI Aayog is the premier thinktank of the Government of India whose primary goal is to increase the level of efficiency in progressing sectors like Education and Health.

Therefore, in case you have a scientific bent of mind, you should be exploring courses and programmes that fuel your scientific temper apart from being offbeat.

Science curriculum and skill set

Science curriculum demands an understanding of subjects like physics, chemistry, zoology, botany and maths. In maths, you need to deep dive into Calculus and Algebra. In case you wish to make a career in science, an understanding of basics is essential. Algebra is everywhere, so instead of rushing through calculus without taking the time to really get comfortable with algebra, concentrate on problems that require symbolic manipulation. Also, the second discipline that will hold you in good stead is statistics. Knowing something about probability and statistics is absolutely invaluable for understanding modern science, and finds applications in other fields, as well.

While you might think you love science based on your experience in classes, class-work is a pale imitation of actual science. In classes, you are only asked to attack problems that can actually be solved in a reasonable amount of time — your homework sets might take hours to write out, but they won't contain problems that can't be solved with the techniques you've discussed in class.

What would make you employable is your ability to push beyond the curriculum. Your ability to solve problems, innovate, explore and experience what your curriculum would hitherto have not prepared you for.

BSc at bay?

If you are deeply interested in pursuing a career in academics or research, BSc (Hons) in subjects like physics, chemistry, zoology or botany will help you do just that. Do not keep it at bay feeling that BTech is more professional and hands on. You can further your prospects by doing a master's degree and then moving on to research and working as a junior research fellow in any reputed research institute. You can also pursue a career as a lecturer in any university or get jobs in the chemical industry, the pharmaceutical industry, or in government organisations like the ONGC.

Forking Pathways

Pharmacy

Pharmacists today play a significant role in the healthcare industry. Their contribution goes beyond a pharmacy as they take up more challenging roles such as research and drug discovery. To be a pharmacist, you need to be a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm), which is a four-year undergraduate degree course. To get admission to the pharmacy course, students have to complete their Class XII and take national or state level entrance test. The national-level entrance exam is the Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT). After the completion of this degree, you can practice as a pharmacist and can work in a range of industries related to the prescription, manufacture & provision of medicines. 

Where to study:

• NIPER (National Institute of Pharmaceutical education & research), Mohali.
• Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research
• University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chandigarh
• Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
• LPU, Jalandhar

BioInformatics

Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology to get the information that's stored in certain types of biological data. Bioinformatics provides central, globally accessible databases that enable scientists to submit, search and analyse information. It offers analysis software for data studies and comparisons and provides tools for modeling, visualising, exploring and interpreting data. If you have passed Class XII in the science stream, you can pursue bioinformatics at bachelor' s(BTech or BSc).

Job prospects are in all sectors of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sciences, in research institutions, hospital, and industry. Some of the specific career areas that fall within the scope of bioinformatics include sequence assembly, database design, and maintenance, sequence analysis, proteomics (the study of protein, particularly their structures and functions), pharmacogenomics, pharmacology, clinical pharmacologist, informatics developer, computational chemist, bio-analytics and analytics. 

Where to study:

• Punjab University, Chandigarh
• DAV College, Chandigarh
• Amity University, Noida

Zoology

It deals with the study of living and extinct animals their evolution, structure, behaviour, function and interaction with environment. One can become zoologist, lecturer, ornithologist and even wildlife expert after getting a BSc in this branch of science.

Those interested in zoology can opt for BSc in Zoology, Aquaculture (Fishery Microbiology), Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology and Animal Biotechnology.

Forensic science

These lab-based professionals are basically used for crime detection. Forensic science is a multidisciplinary field in which a student has to  use different fields like chemistry, biology, physics, geology, engineering etc. It involves use of scientific principles and methods to investigate crimes. Forensic scientists help collect, preserve, and examine physical evidence during the course of an investigation. 

Due to the increasing demand and scope of investigations, a number of institutions are now offering three-year BSc in forensic science. Though for better job prospects, it is better to go for a PG degree in this field. One can work in various governments & private sector departments. 

One can specialise in the following:      Biology,  Serology, Chemistry, Toxicology, Ballistics,Entomology, Botany etc. 

A trained forensic scientist may be hired by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) & Intelligence Bureau (IB). You can also work as a freelancer as forensic scientists specialising in one segment & can be paid much. You can also work as a legal counselor after gaining experience as a Forensic Scientist.

Teaching is another career option for forensic scientists.

Where to study:

• Punjabi University, Patiala
• Chandigarh University, Gharaun
• Manipal University
• University of Delhi

Summing up

According to the National Science Foundation, it is predicted that 80 per cent of the jobs created in the next decade will require some form of maths and science skills. This is where YOU, as a science graduate, can fill the gap.

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Bio-Technology

Biotechnology engineering is a part of engineering that involves technology and biological science for development in the field of medical, agriculture, security and bio-research. For doing biotechnology engineering, you need to have mathematics, chemistry, biology in Class XII. For admission to BTech/BE courses, you have to apply for JEE Mains. Admission into IITs & NITs is done through JEE Advanced which is the second stage of JEE Mains.

Microbiology

This field involves the study of living organisms which can be a cell cluster, single cell or may be no cell at all; these are invisible to naked eye such as fungi, bacteria and viruses. Medical microbiology is a popular field as it deals with the human illness. There are ample career opportunities and jobs for microbiologists in pharmaceutical, food, research and development laboratories in hospital, beverage and chemical industries, research organisations, agriculture and healthcare research. Graduation level courses include BSc in Microbiology, Diploma in Clinical Microbiology, Diploma in Clinical Pathology, Diploma in Industrial Microbiology etc.

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Material Sciences

This interesting field underlines the science of high performance materials, including metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, nanomaterials, electronic materials and biomaterials, designing new applications, customising innovative processing techniques and predicting their performance. 

The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, is the top institute offering a BSc in Materials Scince course, while several universities are offering MSc degree in this field. There are also BTech programmes in this branch offered at engineering institutes. 

Materials scientists work in materials process engineering, research and development, quality, technical support, management, technical sales and marketing, and much more. 

Employers range from primary material producers and refiners to utility providers, transport industry, defence forces, research institutions and multinational technical consultancy firms. Geology, in particular, marks a key area with significant employment potential in oil and mineral industries. 

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Region’s best

IISER, Mohali

Estd: 2007

Website: www.iisermohali.ac.in

Shoolini University, Solan

Estd: 2009 

Website: www.shooliniuniversity.com

PG Govt. College for Girls, 

Sector 42, Chandigarh

Estd: 1982

Website: www.gcg42.ac.in

DAV College, Chandigarh

Estd: 1958 

Website: www.davchd.com

mohindra college, patiala 

Estd: 1875

Website: govtmohindracollege.in

Panjab University Honours’ School, Chandigarh

Estd: 1919

Website: puchd.ac.in

Govt Gandhi Memorial Science College, Jammu                                                                                                                                 

Estd: 1907

Website: ggmsciencecollege.in  .

All-India Jat Heroes Memorial College, Rohtak

Estd: 1944

Website: jatcollegerohtak.ac.i.

Satish Chander Dhawan 

Government College, Ludhiana

Estd: 1920

Website: www.scdgovtcollege.ac.in

Govt. Polytechnic College for Girls, Patiala

Estd: 1991

Website: www.gpcgpatiala.org

Dayanand Birendra Swaroop Post Graduate College, Dehradun (DBS PG College)

Estd: 1961

Website: www.dbscollegedehradun.in

Govt. Gandhi Memorial Science College, Jammu 

Estd: 1907

Website:  www.ggmsciencecollege.in

Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, 

Jalandhar

Estd: 1886

Website: www.kmvjalandhar.ac.in

DAV College, Jalandhar

Estd: 1918

Website: www.davjalandhar.com

Khalsa College for Women, Amritsar

Estd: 1968

Website: www.kcwasr.org

Govt. College, Dharamsala

Estd: 1912

Website: www.gcdharamshala.ac.in

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NIRF Ranking 2019

FROM THE REGION’s BESt - Pharma institutes  

• Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 1 
• Panjab University, Chandigarh 2
• National Institute of Pharmaceutical 3
• Education and Research, Mohali
• Punjabi University, Patiala  18
• I. S. F. College of Pharmacy, Moga 23
• Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research New Delhi 26
• Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 27
• Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak 32
• Guru Jambheshwar University of 35
• Science and Technology, Hisar
• Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan 39
• Maharishi Markandeshwar, Ambala 41
• Chitkara University, Rajpura 44

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Bachelor’s in Veterinary science  

Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc & AH) is a five-years professional degree course. Veterinary medicine is a branch of science that deals in prevention, diagnosis and prevention of disease, disorder and injury in animals. This is a fast-growing field for students who have passed Class XII with biology, physics, and chemistry. You have to qualify the NEET exam to get admission in veterinary courses. Animal genetics, surgery, radiology are some other BVSc. course that students can go for. 

bsc Nutrition and Dietetics

This three-year course is all about establishing a healthy relationship between food and body. Students of medical stream can seek admission to this course. Some universities/ colleges also accept botany/ zoology/ computer science/ biochemistry instead of biology as one of the main subjects studied in Class XII. Students have to clear entrance exam held by the university or institute to be eligible for admission. The curriculum combines the science of nutrition with wellness and to control unhealthy eating habits. 

BSc environmental studies

This is another multi disciplinary course that involves study of different aspects of  biology, ecology, geography, chemistry, technology, and social science in relation to environment. Focus is on use of scientific techniques to understand environmental patterns and address local and global environmental issues. FIeldwork, internships and project work are some of the key components of this course. The basic eligibility criterion for admission is Class XII in science stream. Institutes usually have an entrance exam also.