Exploring the spectrum of science

Exploring the spectrum of science

Mumbai: Now that class XII students who gave their HSC board exams this year have enjoyed a month of holidaying, it is that time again, when exams have resurfaced to occupy their time.
Those who have appeared for SYJC (Science) would agree that appearing for various entrance tests is not very different from appearing for HSC exams; infact at times it is more important as it is these exams that decide the path that you will take here on.
While majority of class XII students appear for various entrances like IIT-JEE, MHT-CET for engineering aspirants and AIPMT or the AIIMS entrance exam for those aspiring to be doctors; there might be those who would want to walk off the beaten track and try something new.
DNA Academy lists options for our HSC students who have taken science as their field and enlightens them about options that are available.
The established route
A large percentage of science students post class XII pursue engineering or medicine. Hence, with every Science student aspiring to be an engineer or a doctor, this field provides plenty of opportunities to specialise.
Most students opt for the rigours of entrance exam and yearn to get an entry at coveted education institutes across the country. After class XII, a student can opt for a Bachelor of Engineering (BE), a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or the three year degree course of Bachelor of Science (BSc) with any specialisation.
Engineering aspirants can choose from a bouquet of specialisations like civil, electrical, electronic, IT, automobile, chemical or mechanical. There are also newer specialisations like Biotechnology and Aeronautical engineering.
In the field of medicine students, after their HSC exams, can secure an admission through various entrance exams. The MBBS is actually a course with two degrees the Bachelor of Medicine and the Bachelor of Surgery. During the course, students will be taught subjects like biochemistry, pharmacy, microbiology, medicine, surgery, pediatrics, ophthalmology, physiology, pathology, forensic medicine and gynaecology. After completing this four year course, a student acquires the tag of Doctor preceding his/her name and will be called a general physician. However, today, specialisation in a certain area has become a pre-requisite.
However students must remember that there more to science than just engineering or medicine.
Wanna do something different?
According to Sudhanshu Sinhal director Sinhal Classes, science students have the widest range of options. “If compared to their counterparts from Commerce and Arts streams, science students can choose anything from engineering, medical sciences or allied diploma courses or even complete change take up any of the other two streams,” he says.
Unlike in the past, a traditional Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course is not necessarily a hot favourite amongst students. “There is fierce competition, limited seats and the extended number of years spent studying has taken the shine off it,” says Uma Jagtap, who is enrolled for a BSc IT course.
True to what Jagtap has to say, counsellor Anuradha Prabhudesai says, “For many students the option of medicine has been replaced by related courses such as dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy and occupational therapy. With most students eyeing quick money, and looking at spending fewer years in studies, these courses have got many takers.
Drug designing is also becoming a very popular choice for science students. Though pharmacy is not a developed sector in India, it is in great demand abroad. Also there are many colleges within the city offering seats for a pharmacy course as compared to MBBS seats. Moreover some colleges also offer integrated courses, for instance, NMIMS offers an integrated course in pharmacy and MBA.
Students who have opted for PCM, or PCB, or both, can go for Bachelors in Pharmacy (BPharm). Those scoring 160 out of 200 in either PCM or PCB can get into a reputed Mumbai college for pharmacy.
Another field gaining popularity is therapy studies—physical therapy and occupational therapy are the two that are seeing a rise. The former involves treating patients with muscular, neurological disorders, the physically challenged and sportsmen, occupational therapy on the other hand works on restoring normal functions to physically challenged or disabled.
While mentioning the above, one must not forget the booming nursing sector. Jaya Kuruvilla, principal,PD Hinduja College of Nursing says, “There are over 60 colleges in the state that offer the BSc in nursing degree, but there are also hospitals who make their staff take the diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) which costs around Rs23,000 approx.”
Kuruvilla also points out the vast opportunities that are ahead after completing the course. There is a great demand for nursing specialists, occupational therapists in India as well as abroad. Students aspiring to be physiotherapists or occupational therapists need a BSc degree in Physiotherapy (BScPT) or BSc in Occupational Therapy (BSc OT); those wanting a nursing degree will need a BSc in Nursing.
Apart from the degrees, Prabhudesai explains, “There are many diploma courses that students can explore. For instance, diploma in agriculture/ horticulture sciences, a range of diplomas in paramedical sciences are also available.

Source Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report_exploring-the-spectrum-of-science_1370719