Your Counsellor Replies

I’ll be completing my Plus Two (science) next year and want to pursue a degree programme in engineering. Do I have to write the Common Entrance Test? Also please advise about the BITS Pilani entrance exam.
Rajesh Sule, Pune

Yes, you have to write the Maharashtra government’s CET for admission into engineering colleges in the state. Moreover you could also write the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (www.aieee.nic.in); IIT Joint Entrance Examination (www.iitb.ac.in/jee); Under Graduate Entrance Test (UGET) of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (www.manipal.edu); CET of Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University (www.bharatividyapeeth. edu); and the entrance test conducted by Vellore Institute of Technology (www.vit.ac.in).

To qualify for admission into BITS Pilani, you have to complete Plus Two or equivalent with a minimum average of 60 percent in physics, chemistry and mathematics. You should also demonstrate proficiency in English. BITSAT is conducted at dedicated computer centres in different cities across India between May 1 and June 10 every year. The application form is available online at www.bits-pilani.ac.in/BITSAT/.

If you wish to obtain the form by post, write to the Admissions Officer, BITS, Pilani. The request should be accompanied by a DD for Rs.700 in favour of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani.

Which institutes offer an MBA in biotechnology? Are job prospects good after graduation?
Nalini Rao, Bangalore

MBA (biotechnology) is a two-year programme, offered by the University of Pune, department of management sciences, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune. Graduates and post-graduates in science (biotechnology, biology, botany, chemistry, microbiology, zoology, biochemistry, physics etc), agriculture, medical sciences, pharmacy, ayurveda, veterinary sciences, technology and engineering are eligible to apply for this study programme. Applicants have to take a written test — ATMA (www.atma.aims.org) — held in February every year. Candidates shortlisted on the basis of their performance are invited for a group discussion and personal interview in Pune in May.

With the biotech industry set to take a big leap, scope for employment after graduation is excellent.

I’m in second year BA (economics) and want to apply for admission into the Delhi School of Economics for postgraduate study. What are the eligibility requirements?Nikhil Iyer, Chennai

To apply for the MA (economics) programme offered by the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, (www.econdse.org), candidates should have been awarded a BA (Hons) economics degree with a minimum 50 percent average or should have scored 55-60 percent or more in the following study programmes — M.Com, B.Com (Hons) and MA/ BA (Hons) in history or sociology, MA/ BA (Hons) in agricultural economics, business studies, computer applications, maths, statistics, operational research; M.Sc, M.Tech, M.Stat, B.Stat, B.Sc (Hons), BE, B.Tech or equivalent.

DSE offers applicants a choice between writing two entrance tests: one for BA (Hons) economics students and another for graduates/ postgraduates from other subject disciplines. Candidates should be conversant with current economic issues with special reference to the Indian economy, and possess an aptitude for mathematics/ statistics.

The entrance test is usually a mix of multiple choice and short analytical questions. The DSE Handbook contains additional information.

I’m a third year mechanical engineering student. I would like to pursue a postgraduate degree in robotics engineering in India or abroad. Please advise.
Parag Kulkarni, Chikhli

Robotics is an inter-disciplinary field offered through postgraduate courses in India or graduate (Master’s) degrees in the US. There are no BE/ B.Tech courses in robotics. Since you’re already studying BE (mechanical), you should seek admission into a postgraduate course in robotics. In India, the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) score is used to determine admissions into the ME/ M. Tech courses offered by the University College of Engineering, Osmania University, Hyderabad (automation and robotics); MS University, Baroda (automatic control and robotics); Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala (CAD/CAM and robotics); and IIT Kanpur (interdisciplinary — mechanical, robotics and robot applications).

To apply for admission into a US university, you have to write GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The mechanical, electrical engineering and computer science departments of most American universities offer coursework in robotics. Among them: department of aerospace and mechanical engineering, Boston University (e-mail: admissions@ bu.edu); Massachusetts Institute of Technology (www.mit.edu); California Institute of Technology (http://robby.caltech.Edu/); the Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (www.ri.cmu.edu). Stanford and Yale University also offer courses in robotics.

Robotics engineers usually design industrial robots and automated systems which improve the quality, safety and efficiency of products. They also develop mobile or service robots and robotic equipment used in outer space, on the ocean floor, for military defence and in other non-traditional areas. Research and teaching are other employment possibilities.

Please suggest some reputed institutions offering a degree in genetic engineering. What are the career prospects?
Seema Mehta, Mumbai

There are no specific genetic engineering undergrad degree courses but the subject could be a specialisation offered as part of a B.Tech (biotechnology) degree programme. Career prospects in genetic engineering are mostly related to research. So you should have an interest and aptitude for research.