I’m a class XII (commerce) student interested in gaming/game programming as a career. Which courses should I sign up for?
Deepak Srinivasan, Chennai
Game programme design relies heavily on math and physics. As a commerce student, you are at a disadvantage. However, don’t lose hope. You can sign up for a BCA or B.Sc (IT) undergraduate programme or enroll in programmes offered by the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT).
Several private colleges also offer short-term diploma courses in gaming-related areas. I suggest you sign up for these latter courses while reading for your bachelor’s degree. Subsequently, you can enroll for a full-time postgrad programme in game design.
I’m a second year B.Sc student planning to sign up for an MBA programme. What are my specialisation options?
Nandini Rao, Bangalore
A range of MBA specialisations are on offer. They include rural management, telecom management, insurance, banking and finance with sub-specialisations such as actuarial and risk management. Some B-schools also offer specialisation in aviation, corporate social responsibility, and disaster, sports, events, retail, hospitality and luxury brand management.
Which universities/colleges in India offer M.Tech in IT with specialisation in bioinformatics?
Navin Arora, New Delhi
M.Tech in bioinformatics is offered by the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad; West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata; Bharath University, Chennai; University of Hyderabad; Satyabhama University, Chennai and Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Allahabad Agricultural Institute.
I’m a final year engineering (IT) student interested in enroling for an MBA in human resource management (HRM). I’m confused between applying for the MA in HRM offered by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai and writing the JMET (Joint Management Entrance Test) for MBA programmes. Please advise.
Neeta Advani, Mumbai
Placement prospects for HR postgraduates of TISS are as good as those offered to MBA graduates from reputed business schools. If HR is your priority, then writing JMET isn’t very helpful. Instead, write the XAT for admission into XLRI, Jamshedpur or CAT for admission into MDI, Gurgaon and the IIMs. If you want to target MBA programmes for engineering graduates, then write JMET for admission into the IIT schools of management.
I’m a class XII (arts) student interested in the sound engineering study programme offered by FTII, Pune. Apart from FTII, what are my options?
Nalini Shah, Mumbai
The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata admit Plus Two school-leavers with physics and maths or science graduates with physics into their sound engineering programmes. But since you are a liberal arts student, you are eligible for the nine-month audio engineering diploma programme offered by SAE Technology College, Andheri (W), Mumbai (www.saeindia.net) followed by its two-year degree programme in audio engineering (accredited by Middlesex University, UK).
Other options include the Government Polytechnic, Bandra (E), Mumbai; Mumbai University’s music department; SVT College of Home Science, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai; and the Xavier Institute of Communication, St. Xavier’s College campus, Mumbai and the Digital Academy (www.digitalacademy.info).
I want to pursue an MS or M.Tech degree in biomedical engineering abroad. Which is the better option?
Dilip Chatterjee, Kolkata
Reputed universities offering a Masters in biomedical engineering include Northwestern, Rutgers, University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Georgia Tech and University of Southern California (USA) and Bath, Exeter, Manchester, and Southampton universities (UK). Another option is Australia — Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide universities.
Admissions are based on academic record, referrals, statement of purpose and IELTS or TOEFL scores. In addition, US universities require GRE scores. MS and M.Tech programmes are similar in academic content. An M.Sc degree usually has a compulsory research project which isn’t mandatory in the M.Tech programme.
I’m working as an ophthalmic officer after completing an ophthalmic assistant diploma course. To improve my prospects, I want to enroll in a B.Sc optometry degree programme through correspondence. Please suggest universities/institutes which offer this course.
Shalini Patel, Ahmedabad
The IGNOU School of Health Sciences (www.ignou.ac.in) offers a B.Sc (Hons) in optometry and ophthalmic techniques through distance learning. This is a four-year distance education degree programme. Currently, IGNOU has 19 programme study centres countrywide. The eligibility requirement is 10+2 or equivalent. A number of other institutes particularly in south India such as Vinayaka Mission University (Directorate of Distance Education), Salem, Tamil Nadu also offer this programme. However, verify their accreditation status/credentials before signing up.
