I would like to know if I can do a teachers' training course after PUC. I have discontinued B.Sc. I would like to be a school teacher. Which institutions in Bangalore can I contact?

Jayanthi

You should make all efforts to complete the B.Sc. programme (will also help in pursuing B.Ed.) that you have discontinued. Check with the institution/university where you were studying about taking up the programme once again. This will help you if you intend to take up teaching at the higher level in schools. You can pursue the Diploma in Education (D.Ed.), a two-year programme initiated by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) (www.ncte-india.org), a statutory organisation of the Government of India that coordinates development of the teacher education system throughout the country and regulates norms and standards. The diploma can be pursued based on the qualification in PUC/+12/equivalent examination.

Eligibility: Candidates should have studied SSLC/10th Standard in the medium they have applied or have studied that medium language applied as first or second language in SSLC/10th Standard and should have studied any two of the following languages specified below either in SSLC/10th Standard or in II PU /12th Standard: English, Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Arabic, Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu, Marathi, Sanskrit.

The applicants must have a minimum of 50 per cent marks in II PUC / 12th Standard or equivalent examination. Arts, Science and Commerce candidates should have studied a minimum of two electives of the subjects specified below in second PUC / 12th Standard/equivalent examination.

Arts: History, Civics, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Optional Kannada, Education-1, Education–2,

Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics and Statistics.

Commerce: History, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Optional Kannada, Education-1, Education–2, Statistics.

Students who have passed the Pre-University Vocational Education Course/Diploma in Vocational Education or any other job-oriented programme are not eligible for the D.Ed. programme as per the orders of the Government.

The Government of Karnataka's Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is the nodal organisation which ensures allocation of seats for the Government quota. You can get a list of institutions that conduct the D.Ed. programme at the following website: www.schooleducation.

kar.nic.in/cacell

Once the admission process is announced for 2011 by the DPI, apply for selection.

I am studying in 12th Science stream. However, I am not interested in graduating in Science. I want to pursue Economics and later MBA. What is the scope in this field?

Jaivardhan Kadam

The students of today make a decision on the basis of choice and observation. The parents and family at times may be upset with the choices that are made. However, we will have the respect of the student/child and ensure support and guidance.

Economics is a Social Science that analyses the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Current economic models emerged from the broader field of political economy in the late 19th century. Economics adopts an empirical approach which is akin to the aspects of Physical Sciences. Economic analysis is applied throughout society, in business, finance, and Government. (adapted from Wikipedia). Economics today encompasses all aspects of and has an impact on the population.

The study of Economics will take you to the aspects of International Trade/Economics, Experimental economics, Environmental economics, to mention a few. Centres of Excellence like the Delhi School of Economics (DSE) (www.econdse.org), Institute of Socio-Economic Change (ISEC) (www.isec.ac.in), Madras School of Economics (MSE) (www.mse.ac.in), and Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) (www.cess.ac.in), have provided tremendous impetus to the discipline.

If there is an intent to take up Economics as an independent field of study, these are some of the institutions that one should consider, besides some well known Universities and autonomous institutions that enable a good framework for research.

There are plenty of opportunities once you complete the study of Economics and your specific case where you want to pursue MBA as well. On completion of 12th, you will need to pursue a B.A. programme with Economics as one of the subjects of study. If you can attempt a B.A. in Economics (Honours), which very few Universities offer these days, it will add value.

I am studying to be a HR professional. Recently I was blogging and came to know of an institute in the U.S. called CAMI that is offering courses through a partner in Bangalore. Please provide information about it.

Indumathi

The training programmes in the domain specialisation of Human Resources offered by Carlton Advanced Management Institute (CAMI) (www.carltonglobal.com) are conducted in collaboration with Vibrant Serve.

The certification process is similar to a MBA course, wherein the participants are required to attend the training workshop, submit a project and write an examination. The participants are awarded the CAMI certification based on the grades that they have achieved in both the project work and examination.

The following are some of the programmes on offer in the HR domain:

Certified Recruitment Analyst (CRA)

Certified Sourcing Professional (CSP)

Certified Recruitment Manager (CRM)

Certified Psychometric Tester (CPT)

Certified Assessment Centre Analyst (CACA)

Certified Organisational Development Specialist (CODS)

Certified Scorecard Professional (CSP)

Certified Performance and Competence Developer (CPCD)

Certified Performance System Architect (CPSA)

Certified Compensation and Benefit Manager (CCBM)

Certified Employment Law and Compliance Professional (CELCP)

Certified Retention and Engagement Professional (CREP).

The above programmes are recognised as a value-add for HR domain specialists.

For more details you should contact: Neetu Bansal, Head, Vibrant Serve (www.vibrantserve.com), 768, 33rd Main, 14th Cross, J.P. Nagar 1st Phase, Bangalore-560078. Ph: 22455606. E-mail: neetu@vibrantserve.com

I have completed second Pre-University with a score of 61.4 per cent as a supplementary candidate. I am interested in Biology/Science and I wish to pursue B.Sc. Which subject should I choose to pursue my interests?

Sofiya

Biology is taught as an integrated subject till the +2 level (Intermediate level) in India after which a student will have to focus on subjects such as Botany, Zoology and Environmental Science. A B.Sc. in the subjects of Botany, Zoology and Environmental Science (combination) will help you to realise your dream.

Then you can pursue a Master's programme and Ph.D. in the subject of choice.

Botany and Zoology are common subjects in various pure science courses. Environmental Science is available as a choice of study in a few institutions.