Aim is to be an astronaut

Updated on: Tuesday, January 03, 2012

I am a student of Class 10 of CBSE stream. I want to become an astronaut or astronomer. Which courses will help me achieve my aim? Should I pursue 11th and 12th Standard or switchover to 1st PUC State Board as CET is going to be NEET in a few years time?

via e-mail, Alike, Bantwal Taluk

Students and parents have always compared various boards to bring in a factor of uniformity or diversity. With many boards providing for education at the 10th and +2 levels, there is bound to creep in a level of anxiety or even apprehension in the minds of the students and their parents. One aspect that has stood out is that it is the efforts put in that helps a student to scale up the ladder of success, surely with inputs from the academic institution and the faculty members who do contribute to the success.

Another facet that one needs to focus on is that there is always a factor of continuity in the academic system that one pursues. If you are pursuing CBSE at the 10th standard, you should scale up to the CBSE 11th and 12th set-up.

On the question of becoming an astronaut, following 10th you should pursue academics in the area of Science, with Physics and Mathematics being part of the combination.

My sister is interested in studying astrophysics. I would like to know the career opportunities in this field. Kindly suggest which course is suitable for class 11 and also suggest the top institutes that offer B.Sc in cosmology.

via e-mail

It is good to see students planning and strategising for further studies and make a career for themselves. It is always advisable to select careers by choice rather than chance; it is not necessary to say that those get into a career by chance do not reach the top echelons. Those who feel that they will fail normally exit early and pursue opportunities that are different and varied. Astrophysics being a highly specialised subject, one will have to plan well.

For the +2 one needs to enrol for a Science programme with Physics being an integral part of the study. This should be followed by a Bachelor of Science with Physics playing an integral part of the curriculum. Astrophysics/Astronomy is primarily being taken at the postgraduate level, wherein there are very good institutions in India which are catering to the student community. Most of the learners who complete astrophysics pursue research (doctoral) and become research scientists. Some do join the corporate world, but the numbers are few.

I am in third year MBBS. I want to pursue studies in neurobiology. Please give me the names of institutes offering this course, mode of admission, and research opportunities.

via e-mail, Bangalore

Neurobiology is the study of the body's nervous system. Many of the studies in neurobiology focus on the brain, but students also learn how the nervous system affects various functions such as behaviour, states of consciousness and autonomic functions.

More information can be had by accessing the International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO) (www.ibro.info) located in Paris, France. You could contact the Indian Academy of Neurosciences ([email protected]), which happens to be an Academic Member of IBRO and get more details.

You can also contact the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) (www.nimhans.kar.nic.in) which has contributed in a big way towards the growth and development of the science of medicine.

I am 17 years old and pursuing the second year of PUC equivalent in NIOS. But I have not completed the course, because I have an ordinance in Mathematics. I want to accomplish my goal and do something else on the studies front. Please help me.

via e-mail, Bangalore

It has been rightly said that success is failure turned upside down. At this point in time focus on passing the paper in Mathematics and clearing the Pre-University examination. This is a very crucial examination for any student as it is from this phase that one has to choose and decide upon a career. We at EducationPlus assume that you are a science student as you have not specified the combination that you are pursuing at the PUC/NIOS.

If you are a student of science, then you have vast opportunities from where you can get to the top. Besides Engineering and Medicine, there are areas including Biotechnology, Microbiology, Veterinary Sciences, Ecology and Environment. However, at this juncture just concentrate on completing the Mathematics paper.

I have completed B.E. in Civil Engineering and I am working as an engineer for a leading construction company. I am interested in pursuing a management course in construction or related area. Please provide me the details that are relevant and important.

via e-mail

Construction and property cost consultancy is a thriving business activity. Property and construction cost consultants provide services to clients by the professional application of economic, financial, engineering, design, management and communication skills.

Moreover, construction and management has been considered as a major thrust area, which is bound impact the society at large.

Some of the facets of the courses in construction management are:

Estimating, Scheduling, and Project Controls

Construction Management Information Systems

Computer Applications in Construction Management

Design-Build

Construction Ergonomics & Lean Systems

Construction Contracts and Legal Aspects

Affordable Housing

Land Development and Housing

Construction Education

Underground Infrastructure Systems

International Project Management

You could consider the following courses:

* IIT, Chennai. Course: Master's in Building Tech & Construction Mgt.

* IIT, Delhi. Course: Master's in Building Science & Construction Management (collaboration with Larsen & Toubro).

* School of Planning & Architecture, Delhi. Course: Master of Building Engineering & Management.

* IGNOU offers a B.Tech programme in Project Management, Quantity Surveying & Contracting

* National Institute of Construction Management & Research (www.nicmar.org). NICMAR offers several courses through distance education and also at NICMAR campuses located in Pune, Delhi and Hyderabad.

* Annamalai University, Directorate of Distance Education, Annamalainagar-608002 offers a Diploma in Construction Management through correspondence.

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Aim is to be an astronaut

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