Date:21/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/21/stories/2008052158380200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

No takers for pure sciences in Osmania University

K. Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy

Poor job prospects cited as one of the reasons

HYDERBAD: Basic science courses at Osmania University (OU) are feeling the heat of professional degrees that are fetching immediate job and high perks.

Applications for the master’s programmes of subjects such as mathematics, physics, zoology and botany have fallen drastically this year compared to 2007. So is the trend with computer science, electronics and geology courses in the university. Only chemistry has survived the tendency with 20,697 applications, 450 more than last year. This is being attributed to the industry demand. “National trend is reflecting here too,” said OU Director of admissions K. Pratapa Reddy. On the other hand, the demand for social sciences has continued.

Mathematics has received 4,370 applications, 2,351 less than the previous year. Most of the maths’ students are found to be applying for MCA and MBA courses. “Teaching is the only available option for M.Sc students and there are no campus placements for students of maths,” said Balakrishna, a student of mathematics here.

The entry into M.Sc zoology course also has registered a downward trend with only 4,526 students applying this year. Last year the figure stood at 6,895. “Future for a zoology student is completely dismal as very few jobs are available and remuneration is also quite low,” opined Tirupathi Reddy who did his masters’ in zoology and worked as a lecturer for two years in a corporate college. Demand for BiPC group is declining and colleges are not paying us well, he explained.

Demand for physics

Even though physics has some demand, the applications have come down to 3,367 from 5,936. Most of the B.Sc students are preferring ICET to M.Sc, felt Srinivas, a physics student. Subjects like computer science, electronics and geology have also received fewer applications this year.

However, the demand for arts and humanities has continued. Economics, political science, geography, philosophy, journalism, linguistics and other courses have received considerably good number of applications this year. The Bachelor of Communication and Journalism (BCJ) has received 1,590 applications, 156 more than 2007. The industry demand is drawing numbers to BCJ, felt Prabhakar, who graduated last year. Even though the academic foundation of arts and humanities courses is weak, the University College of Arts and Social Sciences continues to attract students in view of the hostel and library facilities.

The students with rural background apply for arts courses to avail the accommodation and library here, said Samba Murthy, a student of political science. The university library provides materials to prepare for competitive exams. “Most of the students stay here in campus even after their courses to use the library. If library is not there, nothing is there,” stated Pydi Raju, another student from political science.