I™m a second year B.Sc student interested in a packaging design study programme abroad. What are the eligibility requirements? Ashok Raghavan, Chennai Numerous universities abroad offer postgrad packaging design study programmes. They include MA (packaging design) and MS (packaging technology, design and marketing, packaging science) offered by universities in the US, UK, France and Finland. Eligibility requirements are a bachelor™s degree and English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS scores). Some universities may also require GRE scores. I™m a class XII (commerce) student. I want to study actuarial science or chartered accountancy alongside my B.Com degree. What do these courses entail? Neena Kelkar, Pune Actuarial science is the application of mathematical principles to assess risks of insurance and prescribe premia for life and health insurance, pensions etc. Other applications are in demography and census studies, forecasting, banking and finance. On the other hand, chartered accountants provide financial information and advice after reviewing a company™s accounting system to maximise profitability for clients and employers. Chartered accountants can specialise in financial accounting, auditing, cost accountancy, tax management or business consultancy. I™m a class XII (science) student keen on a career in biophysics. Please advise. Ravi Iyer, Bangalore Biophysics applies the principles of mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics to the study of living cells and organisms including structures, bio-electric phenomena, radiation effects, molecular behaviour, photosynthesis, and membranes. Breakthroughs in DNA research have enabled scientists to study biological systems with unprecedented precision and investigate how the brain processes and stores information, the heart pumps blood, muscles contract, etc. Biophysicists work in universities, industry, medical centres, research institutes and government organisations. M.Sc programmes in biophysics are offered by several universities including Panjab University, Chandigarh; All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi; Mumbai and Madras universities. Moreover, the department of biophysics at AIIMS is a centre of drug discovery and clinical proteomics. Science graduates with a minimum 60 percent average are eligible to apply, after writing an entrance test. However, for excellent career prospects it would be advisable to do a Ph D followed by postdoctoral research. I™m interested in a banking career. Can I start working in a bank after class XII and continue with my undergrad studies through correspondence as I have financial constraints? Dipika Roy, Kolkata After completing class XII, you can apply for a clerical position in the State Bank of India (SBI) and SBI associate banks via the SBI clerks™ recruitment exam. To qualify, you need to be between 18-28 years of age, score a minimum of 60 percent in the class XII exam and be familiar with computer usage. On clearing the exam, you will be called for a personal interview. Apply online at www.sbi.co.in. Meanwhile you can become a distance learner while working. Open universities offer the flexibility to complete a bachelor™s degree programme in four-five years. After graduation, you could write the bank probationary officers exam. I™m a second year B.Com student specialising in accounts and finance. After graduation, I want to pursue an MBA in finance from IIM,…
