Date:07/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/edu/2009/07/07/stories/2009070750080300.htm

Prioritise your options wisely

B.S. WARRIER

Some of the questions raised by the participants at the pre-counselling guidance programmes conducted recently at Calicut, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram by The Hindu-EducationPlus could not be answered by the panel of experts at the venues either for want of time, or for the reason that the questions fell outside the purview of the programme. Brief answers to selected questions are furnished below as a follow-up.

What should be given more importance while setting options—course or college?

A universal answer to this query is difficult. What the entrance option format offers is a course-college combination. All your eligible options will be displayed on your Home Page. You should first determine your priority. If you have a great passion for a particular course (discipline/branch) of study, you rank all the colleges where the course is available and also where you are willing to join. You enter the options accordingly. If on the other hand, your priority is the place of study, you have to select the colleges in your favourite centres and then prioritise the available courses to suit your taste.
How will my choice of computer science as the branch of study help me in future?

Computer science and engineering is a good branch of study. Perhaps you are worried about the present recession and consequent setback in the IT sector. This will not be an endless phenomenon. As you would know, the use of computers and IT is bound to grow in future.
How can we ascertain whether a private engineering college has recognition from AICTE?

You may visit the web site www.aicte.ernet.in. You click “Approved Institute”, “Degree in Engineering”, “Kerala” in that order. The complete list of approved engineering colleges in Kerala with courses, intake, and period of validity of the approval will be displayed.
Is it good to join new colleges which have a good faculty and campus?

Other things remaining equal, you may go for established colleges. Some of the recently started colleges may have good facilities including competent members of the faculty.
What would be a good combination with a B.Tech. degree?

B Tech. with MBA is a fine combination that enhances your employability. In any case, try to score good marks in your B Tech. examination, and develop your soft skills to meet the demand of the industry. This will ease your struggle for admission to business schools.
What does the term ‘Engineering Physics’ imply?

There is a B Tech. programme in this subject in the IIT Madras, Bombay, Delhi, and Guwahati. This is available in certain foreign universities also. Recently this has been introduced in NIT Calicut. Engineering physics focuses on the application of physics to engineering problems. You may go for this, if you have a deep interest in research work.
Are there good job prospects for a veterinary doctor in Kerala?

Job prospects for graduates in veterinary science and animal husbandry are very bright. One significant advantage compared to the medical graduates is that a postgraduate or super-speciality qualification is not essential for building up a fairly good practice. There are only 120 seats for the course in Kerala. Our animal wealth is increasing; the demand for qualified veterinarians is on the rise.

Do boys have any advantage over girls in civil engineering?

Not much. There are many women who put in very efficient service as civil engineers. Perhaps, in construction sites in difficult environments, men may have a slight edge.
What is the difference between architecture and civil engineering?

An architect combines the precision of an engineer and the creativity of an artist. People want their houses or objects of everyday use not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing. Architecture lays emphasis on aesthetics also. Of course, civil engineers too do this to a certain extent; but their emphasis may be on structural safety and other functional aspects.

What are the future prospects of integrated courses in M.Sc. Physics offered by institutes like IISER?

Fine prospects. You can go for further specialisation/research. There are several research organisations under the Central government. The Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) also offers access to Ph.D. programmes.
I want to become an aerospace engineer. But there are only limited seats in Kerala. So I have decided to take my aerospace engineering after B.Tech. Which branch should I select?

There are 4-year B.Tech. and 5-year B.Tech./M.Tech. dual degree programmes in aerospace engineering in IIT Madras/Bombay/ Kanpur/Kharagpur. There is a provision for induction of sponsored candidates to M.Tech. courses. B.Tech. (Mechanical/Electrical/Civil) are admitted in certain branches of specialisation.

If you intend to finish B.Tech. and then go for M.Tech. in aerospace engineering, you may now opt for the mechanical branch.
Is there any scope for professional success, if I go for an Ayurveda degree course?

Ayurveda has good reputation in many countries.You can opt for government service or private practice.

Postgraduate studies in various branches can be pursued in Kerala and also in noted centres like the Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, New Delhi, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, and Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar.
Suppose my rank is 1,000 and I have given electronics and communication as my first choice. If the candidate with rank 999 has shown EC as his fifth choice, will I be given EC since that is my first choice?

No. The computer system comes to rank 999 and examines all the options. A candidate is given the best possible option, considering his/her eligibility, priorities and the availability of seats. It is only then that the computer looks at rank 1,000. Your claim starts only after all the claims of rank 999 have been settled in full.

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