The power of preparation
Dear sir,
I want to pursue an MA in English. I am worried that my age (32 years) could affect this plan. Are there any calendar-year courses offered by universities? I have BA and BEd degrees. Please advise.
Binu Mathew
Dear Binu,
Open universities offer calendar-year courses for MA in English and admissions are open right now. Your age is definitely not a constraint as I know many people older than you who have successfully completed such courses. Ensure that you are passionate about English and the course can take you far. For example, Alagappa University (www.alagappauniversity.ac.in) and the University of Madras (www.ideunom.ac.in) recently announced admissions to their MA programmes.
Dear sir,
I am a final year Diploma student (Civil) and I want to do BE in Civil Engineering and get a flying license. How much will it cost me and what are the loans available?
Syed Noor
Dear Syed Noor,
You can get lateral entry into second year BE (Civil) after you complete your diploma. The fees will depend on whether you get a merit seat or management seat. Becoming a civil pilot requires you to join a flying training school in India or abroad, and the cost ranges between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 30 lakh. Loans are available based on the security you can provide to your bank.
Dear sir,
I am currently in the final semester of BCA. What are the distance education programmes available in Karnataka for MCA?
Praseeda
Dear Praseeda,
MCA (3-year course) is available through distance learning for graduates who have taken Mathematics or Computers at the +2 level. It is offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University, Karnataka State Open University and Bangalore University. Since it is a distance learning course, you do not have to restrict yourself to Karnataka, and you can enroll with any recognised university in the country, provided it has an examination centre in the city of your choice.
Dear sir,
I want to take K-CET this April and I want to specialise in either Oncology or Cardiology. What is the cut-off percentage for admission to MBBS? Is there scope for these branches of medicine? Please advise.
Chaitra D
Dear Chaitra,
Admission to an MBBS degree will be based on your CET ranking. You can specialise in your area of interest only after you complete the five-and-a-half year programme. There is good scope for doctors in all specialisations, provided you have the aptitude and skills to make an effective physician. Compassion and the ability to work long hours are qualities you need to possess.
Dear sir,
I completed my Engineering in Information Science in 2009. Can I do a master’s in Aeronautics or Aerospace Engineering? What are the exams that I should give and which are the colleges offering the course in Karnataka?
Smitha Shree
Dear Smitha,
MV Jayaram Engineering College in Whitefield, Bangalore and NIT-K in Suratkal are two institutions where you can do your master’s. Admission is through the Common Entrance Test for post-graduate engineering courses.
Dear sir,
I have a degree in BPharma. I now want to do an MPharm and specialise in Pharma Analysis. What are the career opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, apart from teaching?
Chiranjeevi
Dear Chiranjeevi,
Pharmacy is a flourishing field for those who have an aptitude for biotechnology and chemistry. Pharma analysis is a challenging field. Since you have already completed a four-year bachelor’s programme, you can go ahead and be sure of a fruitful career in this field.
Dear sir,
I am a lawyer hoping to specialise in divorce law. Are there any short-term courses that will prepare me to handle such emotional issues?
Asha
Dear Asha,
There are no courses for specialising in divorce law. The best option for you would be to join a firm that works with family-court cases and gain practical experience. To be able to understand emotional issues better, you can enroll for a part-time diploma in counselling.
Dear sir,
I am currently pursuing an Engineering degree in Electronics & Communication. I want to become an astronaut. How can I pursue a career in my chosen field?
Chetan
Dear Chetan,
Becoming an astronaut is not a profession. From among the professionals in the industry, a small number are selected periodically to handle space flights after which they return to their respective full-time jobs. Our first (and only) cosmonaut, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, was a pilot with the Indian Air Force and he went back to being a test pilot with the IAF. The same holds true for those like Sunita Williams, who is an engineer working with NASA. Once you complete your BE in ECE, you may take up a master’s course in India or abroad in Aerospace Engineering and then make a career in the aerospace industry.