My Science School

I am a student of Std X (Science) and want to take up Microbiology as a career. I want to know whether PCB or PCM or PCMB (ISC) would prove to be a better option. I am also in search of information required about the competitive exams that are necessary for studying microbiology abroad (after 12th) because of less scope for microbiology in India. And please give me some information or steps to be taken for preparation for microbiology study.

Microbiology is the study of small living organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eyes. These microorganisms are an integral part of the human environment and they are present everywhere. Some of them are yeasts, viruses, protozoa, moulds, bacteria and algae.

Many colleges Bachelor of Science in Microbiology as a three-year course. Eligibility is 10+2 with physics, chemistry and biology. Generally, admission for B.Sc. (Microbiology) programme is on the basis of marks obtained in 10+2. The better the college is, higher the cut-off percentage goes.

Those with B.Sc. degrees may work as technologists in government or industrial laboratories. They are usually assigned such tasks as doing diagnostic or quality control testing in laboratories, in industry or in teaching and applied research institutions. Opportunities for advancement are limited for graduates. Those who have M.Sc. degrees may work as professionals in quality control in industry, and those who have Ph.D.s may conduct research and teach in universities or manage hospital (clinical) diagnostic microbiology laboratories. Possible avenues of advancement for advancement for microbiologists are many, especially for those with a doctoral degree.

 

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I have completed my Std X board exams and will opt for Physics, Chemistry and Maths for the upcoming 11th. I have a creative mind; which field in engineering should I opt for according to this?

Are you creative and imaginative with a special interest in design? Then architecture may be best suited to you. It includes courses on design and aesthetic theory, engineering and technology, arts and grafts. Eligibility is 10+2 with physics, chemistry and mathematics and duration is five years. Admission is through competitive examinations.

Student work is often in the form of drawings and renderings, either through computer-aided design or drafting by hand. They also build physical models and create presentation boards for drawings and graphics.

The work of an architect is varied, challenging and brings alive the creativity in oneself. They not only design a building, but also look at other aspects like how it will be used, what it will cost and how it will be built.

 

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I’m a student of Std XI and I’ve opted for Commerce with Maths. Since I come from a small town, Commerce is considered more as a weak subject and many of my fellow mates have been telling me to drop out. But I don’t like science. I want to know the scope of this field and any five best colleges which I can go to after completing my 12th.

A commerce degree opens up a world of career opportunities: commercial banking, accounting, retail management, real estate, foreign trade, etc.

Then there are courses like Chartered Accountancy (CA), Cost & Works Accountancy (CWA), Company Secretaryship (CS), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), where having a commerce background is a definite advantage. While chartered accountants are highly valued in Finance & Accountancy related jobs, cost accountants are considered experts in optimizing the cost for better product and service. Company secretaries are quite influential in the decisions regarding financial matters of a company. Chartered financial analysts focus mainly on financial analysis of corporate sector.

If interested in management, you can go for MBA. Students can also go for a course in library science, journalism, travel & tourism, teacher’s training, law various competitive examinations, where the eligibility is graduation. Some of these are: Probationary Officer’s Exam, Civil Services Examinations.

 

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I’ve just completed my Std XII exams (TN Board). I would love to pursue a higher course in Nano Science as it has always been a field of my interest and fascination, but I’ve been told that the career opportunities in this field are very scant. What are the career opportunities after an integrated M.Tech in Nano Science?

Nanoscience is the science of very small particles known as nanoparticles. A nanometre is one millionth of a millimetre. To give you an idea of how long a nanometre is: a printed page is about 75,000 nanometres thick and human hair is 50,000 nanometres thick. When structures are made small enough, in the nanometre size range – they can take on interesting and useful properties.

Very few institutes offer graduation in this field. Some of these are SRM University, Kattankulathur, Chennai; Noorul Islam University, Thuckalay, Tamil Nadu; Amity Institute of Nanotechnology, Noida.

Most of the institutes offer M.Tech and Ph.D. Some good institutes are Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), Indian Institute of science; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB) Sastra University, Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur.

Nanotechnology is still in the early stages of development in India. The Government of India has instituted S&T Initiatives in nanotechnology. However, nanotechnology professionals are in great demand in mainstream electronics, industrial products and healthcare markets.

 

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I’m a student of Std X in Meghalaya State Board and my dream is to become an IT professional. What stream of studies should I take after passing my SSCL examination? What else is required?

An IT specialist is a computer support and security administrator who assists companies and organizations with managing hardware, software, networking and solving problems. They can find work in a wide variety of industries, like business, government and manufacturing.

To become one, you need to do B.Tech. in Computer Science or BCA/MCA. Eligibility is 10+2 with Mathematics. Admission to these courses is through competitive exams, so you should be thorough in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

 

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I am in Std IX and I want to become an interior designer. Which subject should I opt for in Std XI and what to do after school? I’m confused as to how to begin.

Do you have good sense of color, form and a sense of balance and proportion? Can you communicate and promote ideas, verbally and visually? Can you draw well? These are some of the basic skills you require to become an interior designer.

Creativity is very crucial. A portfolio, representative of your best work, is sometimes more important in finding a job than an extensive education. You can always find successful designers who had no formal training of professional designing. Still, a course from a good institute certainly helps to sharpen your skills; later you can develop the instinct through talent, experience and practice.

Many institutes like School of Interior Design, Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), Ahmedabad, offer a five-year professional course in interior design. Admission is through an entrance examination to evaluate one’s drawing skills, especially technical drawing and spatial apperception and interview.

Various polytechnics, institutes and vocational colleges offer diploma courses of 2-3 years’ duration. For all these courses eligibility is 10+2. So you can take any stream in 10+2.

 

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I was in a relationship with a guy for the past six months but I broke up from him because I learnt he didn’t like me and had proposed to someone else. Today, without him I am so depressed. How can I deal with this heartbreak? Should I take revenge on him and make him realize his mistake by teaching him a lesson or just leave the situation as it is?

At the age of 14 you lack experience and knowledge about what to do or not to do in your relationships, particularly regarding boys and girls. You broke up with that boy on the suspicion that he does not like you and had proposed to someone else. Now, without him you are “so depressed”, unable to deal with the “heartbreak”. Taking revenge on him by “teaching him a lesson” will make things worse. You will end up feeling guilt and sad. Leave the situation as it is and learn to be patient and respectful of other people’s feelings and choices.

 

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I recently broke up with my boyfriend. I like him very much and we had three break-ups and patch-ups before. We never interact in school although he is in my class. I don’t know what to do. Recently, we interacted on Facebook and he asked me if I liked him. I’m very good in my studies and I’m not distracted but I love him very much. I told my sis about it and she said it’s not correct because it’s not my age and I should think about my parents but I can’t stop loving him! Many have proposed to me but I love him. I just can’t stop loving him. Is this the right thing to do?

Your frequent break-ups and patch-ups with your boyfriend prove your confusion and immaturity in handling a personal relationship with a boyfriend. This is common at the age of 14. Your sister is right in telling that you are too young for handling this kind of relationship and should rather give priority to your family and your studies. At 14 it is better to enjoy a free and joyful friendship with many young people of your age rather than to get stuck in a personal and emotional relationship that you can’t handle. Call him just a ‘friend’ (not a “boyfriend”) and enjoy the freedom and fun of the relationship.

 

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My best friend gets angry very easily over small things. We share most of our secrets with each other but there are some that cannot be shared. If she keeps some secrets from me I don’t feel bad but when I do she gets very angry and doesn’t talk properly to me for many days. When I ask her about some of her secrets then she says that there are some things we cannot share then she gets angry when I do the same thing. What should I do?

Between you and your “best friend” there seems to exist a communication gap and an ego problem. She gets very angry with you if you keep some secret from her and “doesn’t talk to you properly for many days.” On the contrary you “don’t feel bad” if she does the same with you. She seems to be very possessive about you, wanting to know and control everything. You should share with her your feelings and expectations regarding your friendship, your need for freedom and your displeasure for her bad temper. If she understands your point of view your relationship will improve, if she does not it is better that you put an end to this unpleasant situation.

 

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I’m very confused. I have a boyfriend with whom I am in a relationship for the past one year. I used to love him a lot. But I don’t know how the feelings that I had for him are fading. I don’t want to be in a relationship with him anymore. I want to be free. I talked to him about it but he loves me a lot and doesn’t want to leave me. I talked to him about it but he loves me lot and doesn’t want to leave me. I talked to my elder sister about it and she said to tell him clearly that I don’t want to be in a relationship with him. But he loves me a lot. I talked to him again but he was crying very badly. He said that if I leave him, he will leave the world. I don’t want to hurt him but I want my freedom as well.

After a one-year relationships with your boyfriend whom you “loved”, your “feelings are fading” and you “want to be free” as soon as possible. The problem is that he does not want to leave you to the extent that he is “crying very badly” and saying that if you “leave him he will leave the world”. Though you do not want to hurt him you absolutely want your freedom. Something went very wrong in your relationship. From your side, it was probably based on feelings and emotions rather than on a desire to commit yourself to a special and faithful relationship. Teenagers frequently call “love” what is just a passing infatuation. The consequence is a painful situation in which your boyfriend is now broken-hearted and suffering. It is your duty to enter into a patient and personal dialogue with him explaining the reasons for your decision and finding together a way out of this situation. Give him time. Shutting the door on his face is not the right thing to do.

 

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My mother likes my sister more than me. My sister is better in studies than me and so my mother thinks that I am jealous of my sister. But I love my sister. My mother always shouts at me for any problem. I am the elder child in my family. I don’t have any hatred towards my sister. How can I make my mother understand this?

It sounds like you feel very upset that your mother mistakenly thinks that you are jealous of your sister and are quite convinced that your mother likes her more than she likes you.

I’m not sure what problems your mother shouts at you for…but it would be good to reflect on why she does so. Is she taking out her frustrations on you? Or are you really making her angry? Is your relationship with your sister a truly loving one?

How good is your relationship with your mother? What are the things that you and your mother share in common? How are you both different from each other? What is good in your relationship and what isn’t? What does your mother expect from you as a daughter? What are the things that you can bond over, such as cooking, fashion, television programmes and so on?

Instead of trying to convince your mother that you don’t hate your sister, reach out and build a strong relationship with both of them, and your mother will automatically be convinced.

 

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My problem is that I am very short. My friends make fun of me. I will be appearing for my SSC board exams next March and I do not get enough time to do exercises. Besides I am also putting on eight. I am in a dilemma as I want to look beautiful because I am interested in modeling. Should I wait for my exams to get over to start my exercises or will it be too late?

You’re feeling quite bothered about your height. Your busy study schedule; the lack of exercise, and the desire to become a model. And the time constraint is making you feel all the more hassled.

For a moment, chill! Could it be that you haven’t yet reached your full height? Are you getting adequate nutrition? Is it your family tendency to be short? You can follow a few fashion tips to look slimmer and taller, such as wearing flowering A-line outfits, clothes – that have a vertical design; high waist jeans/trousers with crop tops in a solid colour, etc. you can also wear comfortable heels, with pointed toes. But hang in there…you can find your style quotient after your Class X exams!

Right now, early morning exercise – for at least 30 minutes – will not only help you keep slim and fit, but also boost your brainpower.

As for friends who make you feel ‘small’, it’s time to ‘cut them to size’ by moving on and finding others who will make you feel ‘equal’ and accept you for who and what you are. Happiness comes in small packages!

 

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I am a boy from a respectable and rich family. My family can afford to give me the best of things, but instead of enjoying all these things, I like to spend my time with my friends who are poor. I also like to talk to poor people and sometimes I even bring them home and feed them. My parents do not like me doing this and want me to talk only to boys from wealthy families. My aim is to become a social worker. What should I do?

It is admirable that you care for those less privileged than you and want to become a social worker in future. However, it helps to be sensitive to whether your parents feel comfortable about whom you bring home and you need to respect their wishes. At the same time, the people you bring home should also feel comfortable about coming over.

While you may feel very comfortable with your ‘friends who are poor’, it will help to reflect and examine what stops you from making friends with those who are not. Mixing with a variety of people will make you balanced different socio-economic backgrounds.

A wise person said. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” As a social worker, you will be called upon to differentiate between ‘friendship’ and ‘social work’. So, instead of simply befriending and feeding the less privileged, you will need to help them to become self-reliant and keep their self-respect. Good luck on your caring journey!

 

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I don’t want to study, precisely because my parents force me to study all the time. When I am watching a movie or a serial they switch off the T.V. and tell me to study. Even when I come home from school, they tell me to study. Now, even when I want to study I just cannot. I hate the word “study”! If I don’t study when they tell me to, they beat me or say something hurtful.

I can see that you really hate that‘s-word’ and feel very upset about the way your parents force you to study. It looks like they don’t trust that you will do so.

Take a moment and know yourself better: Do you feel mentally lazy to sit and learn? Do you find it boring, or perhaps difficult? So, do you escape learning by watching TV and movies?

Given the impact that not preparing for exams will have on your results and admissions to college and career courses, how about managing yourself better?

Set aside time for focused learning, every day – at least 2 hours. You can break the two hours into 1 hour each. Take a 5-10 minute break after every 25-30 minutes. You can spend 30 minutes on television as a reward. At the end of the week, reward yourself by watching a movie.

To learn better, create mind-maps; change questions and answers into a quiz; connect information in your textbook to real life situations. You will automatically move from boring study to interesting learning.

 

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I’m a Std X student and I’m thinking of going to Indore for further studies. I’m not new to Indore as my sisters also studied there but I can’t decide whether to go or not. Studies are also good in my city, but they are better in Indore. I have to consider on the one side my future and on the other my friends and family. I also don’t want to leave my beloved school. I’m so confused. Please help.

The decision of going to Indore for further studies or to continue in your city, where “studies are also good”, cannot be taken by you alone, but also with the approval of your parents. They love you and will help you to take the best decision. Remember that what makes a good student is not only the quality of the school but also the hard work and concentration of the student. A good student will do well in any school. A lazy student will fall even in a very good school.

 

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