PhD
- How keep up if you are interested in science and you can’t pursue PhD due to financial conditions?
Ans: All students get financial aid for doing PhD. Research careers may not be financially lucrative, but it depends on what you want to do in life. If you are passionate about science, go ahead and do a PhD, you won’t be disappointed.
In India, there are many PhD programs you can get through by clearing exams like GATE, JEST, CSIR etc. and you will get stipend for the PhD period, and a medical insurance and HRA or a hostel to stay.
- If a person is interested to do PhD in biology field after graduation, what are all the important things and enquiries he/she should make?
Ans. To do biology PhD after graduation, one must enter an integrated MSc-PhD program or first do a master and then pursue PhD. If wants to do PhD in India, need to clear exams such as CSIR-JRF, or GATE . If want to do outside India, need to clear IELTS exams etc along with having some research experience that will provide with some publications, which will make the entry easy.
- How should a student a going into a Masters in Physics prepare himself, given he want to do a PhD in Physics?
Ans: If he wants to doPhD in Physics, need to clear exams such as CSIR, GATE, JEST or exams conducted by DAE, ISRO, etc to get into a PhD program. If planning for abroad, need to clear language proficiency for most places. Having some research experience and publications will also help to getinto foreign PhD programs.
- My son wants to research theoretical computer science. He is in plus one. What are the opportunities and scholarships for this?
Ans: He needs to do B.Tech or BSc in computer science and then think of integrated MSC-PhD programs etc. Through JEST, GATE, CSIR fellowship etc he can do PhD in IITS, IMSC chennai
Jobs
- Why there is less job opportunities for Science graduates compared engineering students!
Ans: Mostly due to the fact that engineering is 4 years and BSc is 3 years. Outside of India, only 4 year degrees are valid. So software companies prefer engineers and folks with masters. Also, there is a misconception that engineers are smarter!
- What are the career opportunities after BSc physics?
Ans: If one wants to stop studies after BSc Physics and want to go to a job right away, there are posts such as scientific assistant in central govt research institutes such as DAE; ISRO, however the number of vacancies might be limited.
- PhD, Postdoc and still people are saying that they can’t find jobs. What is your thoughts on this? and how to become job relevant?
Ans: Having a PhD and post doc will not guarantee you a job. You need to equip yourself for the job market and it is like having any other degree. The PhD problems also should be carefully chosen such that it is relevant and has the potential to land you a job.
Teaching & Learning aspects
- Why is science education system teaching facts instead of teaching ourselves to think and learn?
Ans: That is the question we wanted to answer through our talk and are trying to address. We must correct our course and enable students with critical thinking and scientific methodologies.
- What can teachers do to make science learning more interesting?
Ans: Rote learning is not good for science. Teachers must spend more time on fundamentals. They must use more practicals and real-world problems to teach science.
- Generating genuine interest in aspirants may be a critical issue to be addressed by the teachers.
Ans: Yes, The subjects must be taught in such a way that students get practical experience as well rather than mere theoretical knowledge. Teaching should change from teacher oriented lecturing to student centric. There should be more assignments rather than memory based examinations. Students may be divided into groups and given tasks to execute as a group, that also will improve critical thinking, team work and cooperation. Open book exams , discussions etc must be encouraged.
- Does this distinction of Physics, chemistry, etc. matter, since we are in a world where these disciplines converge?
Ans: All these disciplines are created to make their study systematic and easy. To solve real world problems, a multi-disciplinary approach is essential.
- There are already complaints that science teachers are not supported enough or well-equipped enough. How do you give science teachers an opportunity to solve real world problems?
Ans: We need to make a few research universities and move teachers training into such universities.
- How we can find kids Engineering aptitudes at school level? Teacher’s can help for this?
Ans: Sure. Engineers must like math and science. Also, should be interested in how things work? Should love building stuff. Recommend the book – Spirit of Engineering by Dr. Najeeb Kuzhiyil
- I personally feel sad that discussion is about the science thought in IIT
Ans: Our website is trying to address this gap between students studying in elite institutes in India and state Universities etc and we are trying to provide best learning material for any interested student. You can go through our curated content and give feedback. If you have specific requests also we are willing to address.
- In which university in India should I do my BSc?
Ans: Central Universities, IISERS, etc is better than state Universities.
- Science should be thought to students in their mother tongue for better understanding. What is your opinion on that.
Ans: Education in mother tongue is the best, but a language like Malayalam has huge limitations. Also, we do not have an economy to absorb a lot of graduates, so they need to go out of our state. A Malayalam medium education will be of no use when you go out.
Cosmology
- If someone wants to study cosmology, how do you approach it from 10th grade
Ans: Need to study science and Maths at the Plus two level and then take a degree or B.Tech in Physics ( eg. IIT Mumbai has B.Tech Engineering Physics). ALso IIST TVM is good if aiming for Space oriented studies and research
Education abroad
- BSc programs in pure science in Indian universities are of 3 years duration. Does it cause eligibility problems while applying for post-graduation in Universities in Western countries??
Ans: Yes. Outside of India, only 4 year degrees are valid. So you may first get a good masters degree and then try doing a PhD abroad.
- What do you think is the major quality required for a undergraduate to do graduation in universities abroad?
Ans: Good grades, good project works, some industry experience such as internships, publishing (even if not great), excellent GRE, excellent essays and excellent recommendation letters.
Robotics
- If someone wants study robotic engineering, after 10 th?
Ans. Just after 10th it may not be possible to jump to a specialized branch of engineering or science. If one needs to study robotic engineering also there are also hard ware and software aspects. To understand where the interest lies, and what are the strengths of the candidate, first need to go to a core engineering or science degree such as Mechanical or electronic engineering and then specialize.
Nanotechnology
- What are the career opportunities in Nanotechnology?
Ans: In India there are only a few opportunities in Industry. However, there are a number of opportunities for higher studies in foreign universities and can obtain a job after higher studies.
Radiology
- What is the scopes in radiology today
Ans: It has lot of scopes , eg, in medical research. After BSc Physics, one can study radiology courses offered by Sree Chitra etc. This will enable to get technician jobs.
If want to pursue a PhD etc in radiology, need to go to a Masters in Physics or so, then do a PhD focusing on radiology,