I have heard about MBA programmes in Marketing, HR, Finance, Banking, Insurance and Hospitality. I am interested in pursuing MBA in Stock Markets after completing BBM in 2012. Please provide details of programmes available.

Hashim Sait

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Training Institute Limited (BTI) (www.bti-ignou.com) has launched a two-year full time programme in Mumbai along with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) (www.ignou.ac.in). The programme is taught at the BSE, and the degree of MBA nomenclatured as MBA in Financial Markets is awarded by IGNOU. The eligibility criteria is graduation (10 + 2 + 3 or 4) with a minimum of 50 per cent marks for prospective students in the general category. Valid CAT scores or scores obtained in the BTI-Entrance Test (BTI-ET) will be accepted. There will Group Discussion and Personal Interview prior to final selection.

Considering that you will be completing graduation in 2012, you should prepare in right earnest and take the CAT or BTI-ET. The application forms can be downloaded from the website of BTI-IGNOU or one can collect them at the BSE or the regional offices located in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. A few HDFC branches across India have been designated to sell the application/brochure. In Bangalore the HDFC branch located at Sahakarnagar, Bangalore-560092 is the designated branch. Contact toll free number: 1800-22-9030. E-mail: admissions@bseindia.com

The BSE also has short-term certificate programmes in Derivatives Exchange, Securities Markets, Central Depository, and Corporate Governance. Log onto www.bseindia.com/training or contact the officer in charge, BSE Limited, Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers, Dalal Street, Mumbai-400 001. Ph: 022-22721233. Fax: 022-22721919.

I recently read in a blog that a University or Deemed University has commenced a programme in Economics termed as Bachelor of Science. I am presently pursuing 11th Standard in the ISC mode, in the Arts stream. I am keen to pursue Economics and get into research. I seek your guidance in this regard.

Kavita

The Symbiosis International University (SIU), Pune (Deemed to be University under the section 3 of the UGC Act of 1956), has started a programme titled Bachelor of Science in Economics, with focus on International Economic Cooperation, Environment Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, Econometrics, International Relations, Business Law, Public Policy and Administration, Research Methodology, Business Accounting and Financial Management. The programme, conducted by the Symbiosis School of Economics (SSE) (www.sse.ac.in), has add-on modules in the areas of Quantitative Economics and Intellectual Property Rights, to mention a few. To be eligible for the programme, the prospective student should have a minimum of 50 per cent marks in any stream in the 12th Standard (PUC) and clear the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) that is conducted every year (2011 SET is being conducted on May 7, 2011). For more details contact the Director, SSE, 3rd Floor, Senapati Bapat Road, Pune-411004. Ph: 020-25655023. E-mail: admissions@sse.ac.in

I finished M.Sc Zoology in 1999 and now I am planning to do M.Phil through distance education. I request you to give the names of universities which offer this course. I am presently working in an international school and handle Environmental Science. I also have a B.Ed which I completed in 2000.

Gyaneshwari S.

You should contact the Annamalai University (www.annamalaiuniversity.ac.in) office in Bangalore and register for the M.Phil programme. It has compulsory papers and a project dissertation. The course has the following papers:

Research Methodology

Advances in Zoology and Techniques

Area of specialisation (any one to be selected)

Entomology

Toxicology Environment, Physiology and

Reproduction

You should approach the Liaison Officer, Annamalai University Study Centre, 547/1, R.V. Road (near Vijaya College), Bangalore-560 004. Ph: 26564926.

I am a 12th standard student in the Science stream. I would like to know more about the mechanical engineering branch — its components and career opportunities.

Sahana Rastogi

Mechanical Engineering is an evergreen branch of engineering that involves the application of principles of physics for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It requires a solid understanding of key concepts including mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics and energy. Practitioners of mechanical engineering are known as mechanical engineers, who use the principles in the design and analysis of automobiles, aircraft, heating and cooling systems, buildings and bridges, industrial equipment and machinery.

Mechanical engineers are also expected to understand and be able to apply basic concepts from chemistry, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and physics. Most mechanical engineering programmes include several semesters of calculus, as well as advanced mathematical concepts which may include differential equations and partial differential equations, linear and modern algebra, and differential geometry, among others. In addition to the core mechanical engineering curriculum, many a mechanical engineering programme offers more specialised programmes and classes, such as mechatronics / robotics, transport and logistics, cryogenics, fuel technology, automotive engineering, biomechanics, vibration, optics and others.

Universities in India have focused on these areas and have helped students like you to specialise in areas that can be considered good for the growth of an individual.

I have completed M.Sc (Chemistry) and I am interested in a career in Forensics Science. I would like to know what additional courses I need to pursue to come out a winner. Please help me to understand the job opportunities that exist in the field of Forensics.

Ravi Chander

Forensic Science (Forensics) is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to the legal system. It is always in relation to crime and civil action.

For a better understanding of the field, we need to know the various disciplines within Forensics:

Forensic Accounting

Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Economics

Forensic Engineering

Forensic Epistemology

Forensic Psychology (Forensic Psychiatry)

Forensic Linguistics

Forensic Biology

Forensic science is concerned with the application of scientific principles for the investigation of crime. Using the very latest in technology, forensic scientists convert the clues collected from a crime scene into evidence admissible in a court of law.

It is the use or application of science in courts or legal proceedings. It has been considered by many as a challenging and interesting field for those who are inquisitive and would like to walk the extra mile to get to the nuances of the crime. Forensic Science is essentially a crime laboratory-based profession; the course qualifies students to apply their knowledge of science to the investigation of crime. The scientists analyse all physical evidence found on a victim at the scene of a crime and compare it to evidence found on a suspect and provide expert testimony in a court of law.

The evidences might include traces of blood, saliva, other body fluids, hair, fingerprints, footwear and tyre impressions, explosives, specimens of tissue for poisons, blood and urine for alcohol etc. Their expertise lies in the determination of facts using these evidences.

Any student or individual who has graduated in physics, chemistry, zoology, botany, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacy, dentistry or applied science can take the forensic programme and understand the unique features of the discipline.

Those with qualifications in the field of forensics can find employment with law enforcement agencies, police and legal systems and in the investigative services of the government and private agencies. You can even become a criminal lawyer and make out a career.

The following are some of the courses that are available:

Diploma in Forensic Science and Criminology

PG Diploma in Forensic Science and Criminology

Bachelor degree in Forensic Science and Criminology

Master's degree in Forensic Science and Criminology Research (Ph.D.)

The universities and institutes that offer courses in the field of Forensic Sciences are:

Osmania University, Hyderabad

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Forensic Sciences Department, University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai

Central Forensic Science Laboratory, CBI, Block- IV, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003. E-mail: dcfslcbi@ndf.vsnl.net.in

National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (NICFS), New Delhi.

National Law University, NH 65, Nagour Road, Mandore, Jodhpur-342304 (Rajasthan). E-mail : nlu-jod@raj.nic.in

Centre for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC), Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram-695 033.

You can even pursue a course in Law on a regular basis and then take up criminology and forensic science.