Who is a Sociologist?

Do you have a curiosity to understand your society and the social behavior of human beings? If yes, then becoming a Sociologist is the right career choice for you. Sociologists examine the diversified groups, cultures, organisations, social institutions, and various processes prevalent in our society.
Sociologists conduct research using a different methodology to gather an understanding of social processes. They investigate both the past and present of human society to gain insight into how societies develop and organize themselves.

But before we go deeper into the role of a Sociologist, it is also important to understand what is Sociology? Sociology is a study of social science that helps us to understand the way our society works. The study of sociology helps a Sociologist to be proficient in knowing and analysing sociological problems and formulating possible solutions and improvements, perhaps by addressing various social challenges, differences relating to multiple factors or parameters such as class, gender, race, and financial status.

Sociology can also be defined as the general science of society that focuses on human beings’ social behavior, relationships pattern, social interaction, and characteristics of culture associated with everyday life. In a nutshell, we can say Sociology is the study of society, culture, and the relationship between various social levels.

What skills are required for a Sociologist?

To be a Sociologist, it is important to have the following specific skills:

Analytical skills	Communication skills	Critical-thinking skills
Problem-solving skills	Writing skills	Project management
Fact-Finding skills	Logical	Avid reader

What is the eligibility to become a Sociologist?

If the various factors of society fascinate you and you are willing to build your career in Sociology, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

Programme	Eligibility	Admission Process
Graduation (B.A. Sociology)	To pursue B.A. in Sociology or its related fields, the candidate must have passed class 12th with any stream from a recognized board with an aggregate of at least 50% marks.	Merit-Based and Entrance Test Based
Postgraduation (M.A. Sociology)	Students who have passed B.A. in Sociology can apply for a Master’s course in Sociology (M.A. Sociology). To be eligible for an M.A. Sociology course, you must complete your graduation from a recognized college or university. The candidates must attain minimum 50% marks to be eligible for this course.	Mostly Merit-based but few colleges also take entrance exams. IPUCET 2020: IPUCET is the entrance test conducted by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University for admission to the various UG and PG courses. TISSNET 2020: TISSNET is the online examination conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. PU CET 2020: PU CET is the Punjab University Combined Entrance Test. It is a state-level entrance test for admission to the different colleges under Punjab University. MGU CAT 2020: MGU CAT is the University level admission test for admission to postgraduate courses. AUAT 2020: AUAT is the admission test for admission to Aliah University.
M.Phil	Candidates who have completed a Masters course in Sociology from any recognised institutes can apply for the course. The candidate should have secured a minimum of 55% marks.	Admission to the course is entirely based on an entrance exam. Some of the important Entrance Exams for M.Phil in Sociology are: BU aptitude Test: Banasthali University conducts an aptitude test for entrance to M.Phil Sociology. JNUEE: The “Centre for Study of Social Systems” of JNU conducts an Entrance Exam. Department of Sociology of Delhi University also conducts examinations for entrance to the M.Phil Sociology programme.
Ph.D	On completion of a Masters course with a minimum of 55% marks and qualifying for the National level entrance exam or university level entrance exam, candidates can apply for the Ph. D programme.	Both Entrance Exam and Merit-Based.Admission to the Ph.D. in Sociology course is based on an entrance test followed by an interview conducted by the various Universities.Candidates with UGC-NET (including JRF), UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF), SLET, GATE, teacher fellowship holder or have passed M.Phil Program are exempted from Entrance Test but are required to appear for Interview.

Also Read: Top Engineering Colleges in India

Top Colleges Offering Sociology Courses

• DU Delhi – University of Delhi
• JMI New Delhi – Jamia Millia Islamia
• LPU Jalandhar – Lovely Professional University
• IGNOU Delhi – Indira Gandhi National Open University
• MSU Baroda – Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
• Christ University, Bangalore
• BHU Varanasi – Banaras Hindu University
• University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
• Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
• Integral University, Lucknow
• Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
• JNU Delhi – Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Manipal University (MAHE) – Manipal Academy of Higher Education
• Sharda University, Greater Noida
• Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida
• Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali
• Panjab University, Chandigarh
• Galgotias University, Greater Noida
• NIMS University, Jaipur
• Gujarat University, Ahmedabad

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Job Opportunities And Scope

Sociology, as a career, is exciting, impactful, and very satisfying. Many of us aspire to contribute our bit to society and the career options in sociology provide that opportunity to make an impact in society.

Starting from management level roles in MNCs to administrative level roles in PSUs, the profile of Sociologist can give you ample opportunities to utilize your knowledge and skills for the upliftment of society.  With multiple career prospects in the field, you can look forward to a promising future as a sociologist.

Sociology opens up a range of career options with government, non-profit organizations, and corporates in the fields like healthcare, education, marketing, social research, welfare, and public policy, etc. Here are some of the most popular career options in sociology:

Survey Researcher	Policy Analyst	Rehabilitation Counsellor
Journalist	Administrative Support	Social Worker
Administrative Support	Counsellor	Human Resource Officer
International aid/development worker	Life Coach	Charity Officer

Be mindful that these are just a few options to give you an idea about the career prospects in sociology. The field is broad and has lots of opportunities.

Conclusion

If your mind is puzzled by so many questions about society and you are seeking relevant answers then studying sociology is the best field that you can opt. Also, if you are passionate to do research and have an analytical mind, studying sociology will certainly lead you to the path of your dream career.

What is Economics?

Economics is one of the social sciences, which has a significant influence on the life of every human being. The classic definition of economics is – “Economics is the study of the use of scarce resources that have alternative uses”. In a layman language, there are people and they have infinite desires. To fulfill their desires, people need resources but resources cannot be infinite but desires can be, so people need to make choices about how to use their scarce resources efficiently. Economics is the study of these choices and the Economist is the person who does this study.

An economist studies the reasoning behind choices or decisions people make. Economist then uses data to conduct research on economic issues, maximize profits and introduce improved public policies. The findings of the research were published in scientific journals in the form of technical reports and articles.

Skills Required for Economics degree

For you to build a career in Economics, it is important to have the following must-have skills:

Mathematical Skill	Statistical skills	Written & Verbal Communication Skills
Data Analysis	Time Management	Problem-Solving skills
Self-driven	Logical & Critical Thinking	Knowledge of Social Science

Economics Course Eligibility

Economics course provides an in-depth education in economics which is useful in applying to a wide range of career paths. The course offers a comprehensive understanding of core, pure, and applied economics and allows students to employ ideas and techniques from other disciplines too like mathematics and statistics, history, sociology, and political science. Students get to learn about economic theory and principles, mathematics, economic models and methods of analysis, and more.

Economics courses can be pursued by students at graduation, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Besides, there are diploma and certification courses are also available in economics.

After completing graduation, students usually enroll for MBA/PGDM or MA in economics programmes.

Programmes	Eligibility
B.A. (Business Economics) 3 years	Aspiring candidates should have completed 10+2  in any stream.In various colleges, entrance exams and interviews along with the percentage of 12th class is considered for admission.
B.Com. (Applied Economics) 3 years	Candidates should have passed 12th with a minimum of 50 percent.
B.Com. (Business Economics) 3 years	Candidates should have completed 10+2  in Commerce & Science stream.In various colleges, entrance exams and interviews along with the percentage of 12th class is considered for admission.
M.A. (Economics) 2 years	Universities consider a  minimum of 50-55 percent marks in graduation for admissions.Universities also conduct entrance exams to offer admission in MA Economics.The aggregate of graduation marks and entrance exams are taken into consideration to offer admission.
M.Com. (Applied Economics) 2 years	Candidates should have completed B.Com.with a minimum of 50 percent or above marks from a recognized university board.In various colleges and universities, it conducts entrance exams plus interviews for admission.
M.Phil. (Business Finance & Economics) 2 years	The minimum eligibility for this course is a postgraduate degree in Economics or allied discipline.The candidate must have passed a post-graduation degree with a recommended aggregate of 55 percent from a recognized university or the other equivalent exam.An entrance examination is a mode preferred for admission by most colleges for this course. The candidates with their post-graduation results awaited also can apply for this course.
M.Sc. (Financial Economics and Administration) 2 years	B.Sc. or the other equivalent qualification with a minimum 50 percent marks.Some universities and institutes conduct entrance examinations for admission.
Ph.D. (Business Economics) 2 years	Candidates should have completed their MBE or M.Phil. degree in Business Economics with a minimum aggregate of 55 percent and above from a recognized university.

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Admission Process

10+2 marks/ Entrance exam (depending on the college). Following are some of the entrance examinations for the economics degree:

• DUJAT – The Delhi University Joint Admission Test
• NPAT – NMIMS Programs After Twelfth
• SET – Symbiosis Entrance Test
• CUET – Christ University Entrance Test
• IPU-CET – Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test
• DU DSE – Delhi School of Economics
• ISI Admission Test – Indian Statistical Institute Admission (ISI) Test
• JNU Entrance Test – Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination

 Course Fees

The average course fee for graduation level programme is between INR 25,000 – 3 lakhs. The average annual fee for Masters is annually INR 20,000 – 2 lakhs. For Doctorate, the average course fee for three years is INR 80,000 – 6 lakhs.

 Top Colleges Offering Economics Courses

• Symbiosis School of Economics – SSE Pune
• Jamia Millia Islamia – JMI New Delhi
• Indian Institute of Technology – IIT Bombay
• Indira Gandhi National Open University – IGNOU Delhi
• Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda – MSU Baroda
• Christ University, Bangalore
• Jadavpur University, Kolkata
• Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University – GGSIPU Delhi
• Delhi Technological University – DTU Delhi
• Banaras Hindu University – BHU Varanasi
• Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
• University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
• BR Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad
• Indian Institute of Technology – IIT Kharagpur
• Aligarh Muslim University, AMU – Aligarh
• Integral University, Lucknow
• Jawaharlal Nehru University – JNU Delhi
• Manipal University, Jaipur
• MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai
• Indian Institute of Technology – IIT Kanpur

Economics Syllabus

Here we are providing a basic idea about the syllabus of economics courses for various levels. The syllabus varies as per the universities hence you will find here the topic comprises the economics courses.

Programmes	Syllabus
Undergraduate level	The students would study the topics such as Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Utility, Elasticity of Demand, Monopoly, Factor Pricing, Interest, Demographic Features, Agriculture and Land Development, Small Scale and Cottage Industries, the infrastructure of the Indian Economy, Macro Variables, Classical Theory of Employment, Source of Revenue, Public Finance, Bank, Money, Inflation, Deflation and Recession and more.
Postgraduate level	The students would study the topics such as Microeconomic Analysis, Elementary Statistics, Theory of Pricing and Distribution, Macroeconomic Analysis, Quantitative Methods, International Finance, Economics of Industry, Growth Models of Economics and Issues in the Indian Economy and more.
Doctoral level	The students at the doctoral level conduct research in any of the economics-related concepts of their interest. They work on writing the thesis based on research findings and submit it to the concerned authorities. The students are awarded a Ph.D. after completing the research.

Scope of Economics in India and Abroad

The demand for economics graduates is massive at both the national and international markets. Some of the Job Opportunities after completing the economics course are as follows:

• Financial Analyst
• Business Analyst (Unspecified Type)
• Data Analyst
• Senior Financial Analyst
• Research Analyst
• Senior Business Analyst
• Pricing Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Business Consultant
• Staff Accountant, etc

Conclusion

Economics is an excellent career choice for those who are good with numbers and eager to know the essence of markets and how our economy functions. The continually evolving economy is always in demand for analysts, researchers, strategists, and consultants who are trained professionals and can easily understand the changing economic trends. Studying economics will help you acquire a high level of mathematical, analytical, and statistical skills and teach you how you can apply different economic theories and concepts to real-world challenges. The career prospects in economics are highly promising and open up a host of phenomenal opportunities in different fields.

What is Forensic Science?

If you are passionate about human anatomy and forensic studies, then a career in forensic science is what you should opt for. With the increasing criminal activities and rising crime rate, the field of forensic science has gain impetus. The scope in the field of forensic science has intensified exponentially and opened up immense career prospects not only in India but abroad. The jobs in forensic science can be secured after doing graduation in the field. You can also go for post-graduation, diploma and specialization courses to get better job opportunities in terms of remuneration and position.

To go further in detail about career prospects and courses available in forensic science, firstly, it is important to understand what exactly defines forensic science? In simple words, Forensic Science is the science which deals with the investigation of any crime or the analysis of crime. It always works under the framework of the law. Forensic science is the Criminalistics and found proof by using various tests like DNA test analysis, Fingerprints, Toxicity test, etc. By utilizing the science and technology skills, it allows gathering the evidence against the person who has committed a crime. It helps in getting hold of a real criminal by analyzing evidence.

Mostly it is a crime-scene-based science, but professionals of forensic science are also consulted in civil cases such as proving the validity of any documents or verification of signatures.

Forensic science is broadly classified into three following categories:

• Medical Data Science: It includes forensic pathology, psychiatry, psychology, forensic medicine, and ontology.

• Laboratory Sciences: It includes chemistry, biology, toxicology, ballistics, fingerprints, suspected documents, and marks & impressions.

• Field Sciences: It includes crime scenes investigation which incorporates areas such as fire and explosion scenes and secret drug laboratories.

Key skill required for forensic science

Forensic science expert must meticulously analyze every small detail of a crime and must be good in collecting as much evidence he/she can. The expert needs to have in-depth knowledge and understanding of statistics and natural sciences to be able to analyze the evidence of a crime scene.

If you aspire to build a career in forensic science, you should possess the following specific must-have skills:

Logical and analytical mind	Critical thinking	Decision making
Excellent communication skills	Good laboratory practices	Interpersonal skills
Attention to detail	Understanding of Law and Criminal Investigation	Problem-solving skills

Forensic Science Courses and Eligibility

Basically, to take admission in any college offering forensic Science courses, you must complete your 10+2 from a science stream with Maths & Physics as mandatory subjects. Apart from regular courses at graduation, post-graduation, and doctorate level, many specializations, diploma, and certification courses are also available in forensic science subdivided into many categories. Following are available courses and eligibility criteria to get admission to any institutions that offer forensic science courses:

Programmes	Eligibility	Duration
B.Sc. (Forensic Science)	10+2 with a minimum aggregate of 70% in the science stream.	3 years
B.Sc. (Hons.) (Forensic Science)	10+2 with a minimum aggregate of 70% in the science stream.	3 years
M.Sc. (Forensic Science)	Graduation in science with relevant subjects and should have secured a minimum of 55% marks.	2 years
M.Sc. (Forensic Science and Criminology)	Graduation in science with relevant subjects.	2 years
M.Sc. (Information Security and Cyber Forensics)	Graduation in science with relevant subjects.	2 years
Ph.D. (Disciplines of Forensic Sciences)	Post-graduation in the forensic science field.	3 years
M.D. (Forensic Medicine and Toxicology)	M.B.B.S. or B.D.S. degree in relevant subjects.	2 years
Advanced Diploma Course Certification in Forensic Sciences and Criminology	Graduation in the relevant field with an aggregate of 50% marks.	6 months
Diploma in Document Examination	10+2 completed	6 months
Diploma in Fingerprint Examination	10+2 completed	6 months
Post Graduate Diploma in Cyber Crime Investigation and Computer Forensics	Graduation in the relevant field.	1 year
Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology	Graduation in the relevant field.	1 year
Certificate Course in Forensic Science	10+2 completed	1 year
Certificate Course in the Basics of Diet Therapy	10+2 completed	6 months

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Specialization Courses available in Forensic Science

Forensic Biology	Forensic Botany	Forensic Ballistics
Cytology	Forensic Entomology	Forensic Toxicology
Dactyloscopy	Forensic Chemistry	Clinical Forensic Medicine
Forensic Psychology	Forensic Pharmacology	Forensic Serology

• Admission Process for B.Sc. in Forensic Science: B.Sc. in Forensic Science is a three-year course that teaches you research applications and experience that helps in acquiring skills for crime detection. This course comprises a broad variety of topics that helps in enhancing knowledge to examine and study various objects at crime scenes. The graduates in the field have innumerable job opportunities to work with government or private organisations or as self-practitioner.

The admission procedure for the B.Sc. Forensic Science course is done either on a merit basis or on the basis of the qualifying test score. In addition to the entrance examination, candidates must meet the minimum eligibility criteria, including a 10+2 and an entrance exam score.

• Admission Procedure for M.Sc. in Forensic Science: Some of the institutions offer admissions in M.Sc. in Forensic Science on the basis of merit where as some institutions conduct entrance exams for the selection process.

A merit list for admission is prepared on the basis of the candidate’s performance in the qualifying examination and entrance exam.

Entrance Exams to get admission in Forensic Science

Here are some of the entrance examinations conducted by universities to get admission in forensic science programmes:

• AIFSET (All India Forensic Science Entrance Test) – The All-India Forensic Science Entrance Test (AIFSET) is a national level entrance test conducted to enroll students who are interested to pursue three years degree in Bachelor of Science.

• DUET (Delhi University Entrance Test) – It is an entrance exam offered by Delhi University and conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency). The exam is conducted to offer admission to aspirants in various UG, PG, MPhil, and Ph.D. programmes offered by Delhi University.

• KIITEE (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination)-It is an entrance exam offered by Kalinga University for admission to various undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses.

• SAAT (Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Admission Test) – It is a national entrance test conducted by Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University. It is basically a multiple-choice exam offered in CBT mode.

• KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test)- KCET exam is conducted by the Karnataka examination authority. It is a state-level CBT exam.

Subjects and Syllabus of Forensic Science Courses

The courses in forensic science are mostly designed for skill development which includes both theoretical and practical knowledge-based subjects. Hence, apart from theory, lab practices are also included in the subjects.

The syllabus of some courses in Forensic Science comprises:

B.Sc. (Forensic Science):

• Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Behaviour
• Law and Criminal Behaviour,
• Introduction to Forensic Science
• Crime and Socio-Cultural and Psychological Factors
• English Language
• Blood Analysis & Blood Pattern Analysis
• Benzidine Test
• Species Identification, Grouping, Behavioural Science
• Introduction to Toxicology, Spectrophotometry, etc.

M.Sc. (Forensic Sciences):

• Forensic, Crime and Investigative Techniques
• Questioned Documents
• DNA isolation
• DNA profiling
• Forensic Ballistics
• Fingerprints and Impressions
• Forensic Photography
• Forensic Toxicology
• Forensic Pharmacology
• Forensic Biology
• Forensic Physics
• Forensic Serology
• Forensic Chemistry
• Forensic Photography and Dissertation.

M.D. (Forensic Medicine and Toxicology):

• Basics of Medical Science, Autopsy Case, Procedure, Injury Case, Sexual Offence Case
• Interpretations, Observations, Making of Report
• Age Determination Case
• Spots, Poisons, Weapons, Slides, Bones, X-ray films
• Forensic Toxicology
• Forensic Medicine and Forensic Medicine.

Advanced Diploma Course Certification in Forensic Sciences and Criminology:

• General Forensic Science
• Crime Law
• Criminology
• Fingerprint Science
• Forensic Toxicology
• Drug of Abuse
• Documents
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology
• Computer Forensics
• Forensic Audio and Video Analysis
• Case File Projects
• Advanced DNA Methods
• Microbiology and Biochemistry

Diploma in Fingerprint Examination:

• Introduction to Science of Fingerprint
• Fingerprint Development Techniques
• Fingerprint Record and Taking
• Identification and Comparison of Fingerprints
• Computer-Aided Techniques that involve identification
• Comparison and Analysis of Fingerprints

Top Colleges for Forensic Science

• Gujarat Forensic Sciences University
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi)
• University of Delhi
• Amity University, Noida
• Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar
• S. Jain Subodh PG College
• Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
• Gujarat University
• Vivekananda Global University
• Lovely Professional University, Delhi
• Chandigarh University (CU)
• Amity University, Gurugram
• BHU – Banaras Hindu University
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal
• Mumbai University
• Jain University (JU), BANGALORE
• JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysore
• Madhav University (MU), Sirohi
• Punjab University
• Anna University, Chennai

Course Fees

The fee structure varies for different courses provided in the field of Forensic Science in different colleges.

• The average fee for Bachelor’s degree course in Forensic Science ranges from INR 30,000 to 2,00,000.
• The average fee for a Master’s degree course in Forensic Science ranges from INR 20,000 to 2,00,000.
• The average fee for Ph.D. in Forensic Science ranges from INR 45,000 to 1,50,000.
• The average fee to study abroad ranges from over 25 Lakhs to 50 Lakhs.

Scope & Jobs

This course has a great career scope and prepares you for endless opportunities in the field. This course is one of the best choices for science lovers who have dreamt of their career in white attire and resolving criminal conspiracies by utilising their knowledge gained from the course in forensic science.

With criminal cases rising rapidly in our country, there is a huge demand for professionals in the field. For various roles like working in government labs to act as counsellors or investigators, the country is in a dire need of well-trained forensic experts.

Job profiles and Salary

Forensic Scientist	4 to 5 lakhs per annum
Drug Analyst	3 to 4 lakhs per annum
Forensic Toxicologist	10 lakhs per annum
Crime laboratory analyst	7 to 8 lakhs per annum
Forensic Serologist	4 to 6 lakhs
Forensic Investigator	3 lakhs per annum
Forensic Lab Assistant	3 lakhs per annum
Analyst of Drug	3 to 4 lakhs per annum
CIO	4 to 7 lakhs per annum
ACIO	3 to 4 lakhs per annum

Recruiting Sector for Forensic Scientist

• Intelligence Bureau – IB
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
• Criminalistics Laboratories
• In Defence Sector
• Universities
• Legal Firms/ Law Firms
• Work as Private detectives
• In Bank and an Insurance company
• Medical/Hospitals
• Quality Control Bureau

Conclusion:

Vast opportunities are waiting for the right candidate in the field of forensic science. This career option is exciting for those interested in forensics, crime, and law. If crime mysteries fascinate you, you have a curiosity to analyse crime scenes then this is a viable career option for you. Both governments & private sectors have scope in this field and offering an abundance of opportunities for diverse roles. Also, the other advantage of acquiring a degree in forensic science is, you can start your forensic practice independently & open up forensic service offices of your own.

What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is one of the most popular practices of protecting computers, networks, servers, and data from digital malicious attacks.

The advent of Covid-19 has transformed the world in a big way. The Internet has emerged as the most vital source to survive in the lockdown situation. However, an exponential change occurred in cyberspace as everyone landed on the Internet for diverse needs. In the business world, to be in the market, Business enterprises that were otherwise working offline also have to come online for selling their product and services. It has intensified the culture of work from home, digital transactions have been increased and the entire communication system has been altered. Alongside, the businesses are dealing with challenges too. The major challenge is to protect sensitive data from hackers as cyberattacks have also been increased.

Cyber security issues are becoming more challenging for a business to smooth functioning in a virtual space. The year 2020 is considered the year of the Cyber Pandemic. ‘Recent Trends and cybersecurity statics’ has reported that a huge increase in hacked and breached data from sources that are increasingly common in the workplace, like mobile and IoT devices.

Organizations are considering Cyber security as an essential process for data security. Nowadays, all confidential data or sensitive information like social security numbers, credit card information, and bank account details are stored on the cloud. Hence, Cyber security importance is on the rise. It protects a business from financial damage, reputational damage, and regulatory damage. Now businesses are taking stringent actions toward Cyber security and considering it as a mandatory function in organizations. Hence, the opportunities for cyber security professionals are wide open.

Required Skills

To be successful in the Cyber security field, you must require diverse skills. These all-around skills make you a confident professional to monitor and implement security measures that protect computer systems against any potential attacks and unauthorized access.

Technology is ever-evolving, and the IT experts loaded with the latest skillset are always in demand. If you dream to build a career in one of the hottest fields, you must acquire the following skills to be an in-demand expert in the Cybersecurity field.

Programming Skills	You should know knowledge of multiple programming languages. By learning multiple languages, you would also get to develop coding skills.Though programming knowledge is not essential for all cyber security jobs, but for some jobs it is.Having programming skills is an added advantage to advance your career as it may help you secure more job opportunities in the field of cyber security.
Intrusion Detection	You must be familiar and able to operate IDS (Intrusion Detection System). It is a software solution that monitors a system for policy violations or malicious act.An IDS would detect the malicious activity and report it to the administrator.
SIEM Management	Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) is a security management method that collects data in real time. It analyses the security threats and identifies the related events.
Analytics and Intelligence	Being familiar with the basic concept of analytics and intelligence will help you learn cybersecurity analytics, which focuses on using data attribution, analysis, and aggregation to get the required information to plan out future implementations.To understand the basics of analytics, you can brush up on your knowledge of statistics. Learning statistics will provide you with a solid foundation to study the advanced concepts of cybersecurity analytics.
Black-Hat thinker	To secure a system thoroughly, you should think like a hacker.  Anticipate an attack beforehand and get an ample amount of time for preparation and damage control.
Audit & Compliance	Security audit and compliance knowledge are essential to avoid fines and penalties for the organization. Cybersecurity personnel reviews the organization’s regulatory guidelines such as HIPAA, FISMA, SOX, PCI DSS, GDPR, ISO 27001 and 20000, and COBIT etc.
Application Security Development	Cybersecurity personnel works to improve the security of any application at SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle) level by finding vulnerabilities and fixing them before an application is deployed.
Mobile Device Management	Cyber security personnel closely work with the IT department to secure and deploy all the devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops also acquire knowledge to understand data loss prevention strategies.
Networking and Virtualization	Networking is a crucial skill for cyber security because a weak network can make room for malicious activities to breach the same. If you have a proper understanding of network functionality and its components, you will get a good idea of network security.Virtualization is also the most important and related skill for Cyber security professionals because it helps to run tests without needing additional hardware or resources. Learning virtualization will help you create multiple virtual machines within one computer.

Also Read: Top Engineering Colleges in India

Cyber Security Courses Eligibility

Cyber Security courses are of various types – certification, diploma, graduate degree, or postgraduation degree courses. Colleges that offer Cyber Security courses have their different admission process and eligibility criteria basis the type of course.

Below mentioned are the eligibility criteria to get admission in Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and online cybersecurity courses:

Programmes	Eligibility
Undergraduate Cyber security course	Candidates must complete their 10+2 from a recognized board or university with Maths, Physics, and Chemistry as compulsory subjects and secure a minimum aggregate score of 50% in the 12th class to get admission in this course.
Postgraduate Cyber security course	For admission in Masters in Cyber Security, the candidate must have completed their graduation in Cyber Security with at least 50% marks scored in the academics from a recognised university/institute.
Online Cyber security courses	Basic understanding of the subject with knowledge of using operating system & internet and downloading and installation of software.

Entrance Exams for Cyber security

Some colleges, universities or Govt institutions conduct the following sets of entrance examinations for admissions in Cyber security courses.

• SRMJEEE – This is a university-level computer-based (online) test that acts as a common entrance examination for all SRM Group institutes and universities located across India.

• CET – Common Entrance Test is conducted for admission in postgraduate courses. Many colleges provide admission basis the CET scores.

• JEE Main – The Joint Entrance Examination scores are considered by NITs, IIITs, universities, and institutes across India.

• JEE Advanced – This entrance examination allows admission to IITs across India.

• CUET – Calicut University Entrance Exam is conducted mainly for admission in postgraduate courses.

• CUEE – Chandigarh University Entrance Exam is conducted for admission in various undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the university.

• VITEEE – This is the common entrance test for admission into VIT Vellore, VIT Chennai, VIT Bhopal and VIT Andhra Pradesh.

Top Colleges offering Cybersecurity courses

• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Bangalore
• Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management – Kerala Trivandrum (IIITM-K)
• Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) – Bhopal
• Calicut University
• National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Delhi and Srinagar
• Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science (HITS) Kelambakkam, Chennai
• Brainware University, Kolkata
• NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata
• Amity University, Jaipur
• SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Kanchipuram Kattankulathur, Chennai
• Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management Medchal, Hyderabad
• WebelFujisoft Vara Centre of Excellence, Kolkata
• R. Mangalam University, Gurgaon
• Swami Vivekananda University (SV), Kolkata
• Marwadi University, Rajkot
• Sharda University, Greater Noida
• NIMAS, Kolkata

Scope & Job Opportunities

The scope in the field of Cyber security is huge as every company needs an expert who can safeguard their important data from hacking and other online threats. As per the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), about 53,000 job positions are on offer in the cybersecurity services space in India. The DSCI said this niche space is expected to have 10 lakh employees by 2025.

The job opportunities for Cyber security professionals are available in many companies like:

• Technology companies
• Security software companies
• Defense companies
• Government departments
• E-Commerce companies
• Financial organizations like banks, credit cards etc
• Insurance companies
• And many other industries

Job Roles in Cyber security

Security Analyst	Security Administrator	Cryptanalyst
Security Engineer	Security Software Developer	Chief Information Security Officer
Security Architect	Cryptographer/Cryptologist	Security Consultant/Specialist
Intrusion Detection Specialist	Computer Security Incident Responder	Source Code Auditor
Virus Technician	Penetration Tester	Vulnerability Assessor

Conclusion

The field of Cyber security offers endless opportunities. As the cybersecurity domain is continuously expanding and progressing, needless to say, that new roles and opportunities will keep emerging and help newcomers to build a promising career in the field with decent salary packages.

Rural Management 

Education in Rural Management helps you gaining knowledge about how to manage and optimize agriculture resources effectively. The study teaches you the best ways or concepts which can be implemented in rural areas to improve the living standard of people residing in these areas. As a Rural Management and Development professional, your work will be to manage rural resources, strategize, plan & execute rural development programmes which can bring positive changes in the up-gradation of the rural landscape.

If you think about the welfare of people and you wish to work towards improving the quality of life of people in rural locations then a career in rural management is a good option for you. The rural management profession helps the rural population by providing basic facilities to them. The job will bring immense satisfaction with decent remuneration.

Does doing the welfare of people interests you? Do you want to bring more facilities and more accessibility to the latest technology and schemes, especially for the people living in rural areas? If yes, then the career in rural management is just for you. The scope is also wide as many multinationals, government organizations, and Indian firms provide ample job opportunities to newcomers in the field.

To know more about how to build a career in rural management, let’s read the article further.

Skill Required for Career in Rural Management

If you want to make a difference in this field and want to be successful then you should possess the following essential skills:

Excellent communication – written & verbal	Good listener – listen adeptly to the problems of rural people	People’s Person – outgoing, friendly, respectful, well-wisher
Eagerness to work in rural areas	Analytical thinking	Leadership skills
Problem-solving skills	Local area knowledge	Hard-working

Courses in Rural Management

Above 65% of the population of India is residing in rural areas. And, these 65% population are deprived of to take full benefits of resources, amenities, policies & services which are available in the country for all the citizens. Hence, to bridge the gap, professionals in the field of rural management and development are quite in demand.

To start a career in rural management, the first step is to enroll in the right course. There are various courses available which you can opt for after passing the 12th class. The colleges/institutes offer the course at four levels of education, i.e., diploma level, graduation level, post-graduation level, and Ph.D. level.

Diploma Courses	Bachelor Courses	Master Courses	Doctoral Courses
Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development	Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Rural Development	Master of Arts in Rural Development	M. Phil in Rural Development
Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Finance	Bachelor of Rural Technology and Management	Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Rural Management	Ph. D in Rural Development
Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management
Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Marketing

Also Read: Top Engineering Colleges in India

Rural Management Courses Eligibility Criteria

• Diploma/PGDRM – Candidates are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with an aggregate of 50% marks and above.

• BA/BSc in Rural Management – Candidates must have completed class 12 with a minimum of 50% aggregate or equivalent from a recognized university or board.

• Postgraduation Courses – Candidates must have completed Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum score of 50% marks in average or equivalent from a university that is state or centrally recognized. Candidates in their final year of graduation are also eligible for the exam.

• Ph.D. Courses – To be eligible for Ph.D. Rural Development course study, the candidates need to complete their Master’s degree or M.Phil in any stream along with a minimum of 50% (relaxation available for reserved category candidates) aggregate marks from a recognized university.

Admission to this course study is done either based on candidates performance in the entrance exam followed by the personal interview round or based on marks obtained by the candidates at their PG level.

Rural Management Colleges/Institutes in India

There are various institutes/colleges where you can take admission and pursue your dream course.

Colleges/Institutes	Location
Indian Institute of Management	Ahmedabad
Xavier Institute of Management	Bhubaneswar
National Institute of Management Technology	Ghaziabad
Institute of Rural Management Anand	Gujarat
Xavier Institute of Social Service	Ranchi
Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology	Kanpur
Symbiosis Institute of International Business	Pune
Kerala Agricultural University	Kerala
National Institute of Agricultural Marketing	Jaipur
IIHMR University	Jaipur
Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research	Mumbai
Bangalore University	Bangalore
Institute of Management Sciences	Lucknow
Centre for Studies in Rural Management	Gujarat

Entrance Examinations

To get admission in various bachelor’s degree and post-graduation degree courses, you may have to appear for the following entrance exams:

• MAT
• CAT
• XAT
• ATMA
• SNAP
• CMAT

Scope in the field of Rural Management

Due to the good demand for professionals, the qualified candidates who have done graduation and postgraduation can find lucrative job opportunities in the field of rural management. You can get jobs in the government or private sectors. Moreover, you can also get an opportunity to work in various NGO’s and organizations working towards the development of rural areas. Also in big corporates, rural management professionals are recruited for managing their corporate social responsibility initiatives focusing on rural development.

As a Rural Management professional, you can be hired in the companies like agri-business, milk producer cooperatives, companies supplying fresh and processed produce, seeds, fertilizers, and veterinary products and equipment, etc. Besides, public or private banks, insurance companies, other financial institutions, research firms, and various consultancies also recruit qualified candidates for various tasks in the organisations.

Salary in Rural Management Profession

The salary in this profession is quite lucrative and rewarding as per the qualification of the candidate. As a fresher in this field, you can expect a starting salary package of INR 2 to 3 lakhs per annum. With experience, you can earn more and reach a better salary package.

Job Profiles in Rural Management

There are various profiles on which you can work in the field of rural management.

• Research Officer
• Business Development Executive
• Consultant
• Project Co-ordinator/Project
• Purchase/Vendor Development Manager
• Researcher
• Rural Development Officer
• Rural Executives
• Rural Manager
• Rural Sales Manager

Conclusion

It is an interesting career where you can work toward improving the lives of people. This profession allows you to connect with a different type of people and listen to their concerns. It provides you with an opportunity to know and understand the culture, values, ground-level issues, and actual condition of people residing in the interior or rural locations. In a country like India, there is no dearth of opportunities in this field. Think about the well-being of the people of your nation? A career in rural management is a promising career field for you. Just go for it!

What is Industrial Design?

Industrial Design is a creative field that is a combination of art and engineering. It is the strategic process of design applied to products that are to be manufactured for mass production. It requires an analytical mind that can keenly observe and identify a problem, resolve it and co-create solutions to enhance the look, feel, and usage of a product. 

An Industrial Designer develops the concepts for manufactured products by applying the skillset of art, business, and engineering. Mostly, everyday use of products like – automobiles, packaging, household products, medical equipment, industrial products, electronics, etc is designed by the Industrial Designer.

What skills do an Industrial Designer possess?

To be successful in the field of Industrial Design, one must have transdisciplinary skills.

An Industrial Design aspirant should possess the following specific qualities:

Creativity	Problem-solving skills	Technical skills
Analytical mindset	Artistic ability	Visualization
Observation skills	Knowledge of Design Tools	Team player
Good communication – Verbal, Visual & Written	Good sense of colors, balance & proportion	Interpersonal skills

What role does an Industrial Designer play?

Through proper sketching, Industrial designers conceptualize and produce designs for a wide range of products and systems such as furniture, automobiles, home appliances, electronics, medical products, etc.

The major roles and responsibilities of Industrial Designer include:

• Research on the target audience and the various usage of the product
• Conceptualize, ideate, or create outlines
• Work on software to create virtual designs
• Determine manufacturing requirements
• Work with other experts to evaluate the design concepts in terms of identifying whether it is meeting the requirements and also is cost-effective
• Evaluate the practicality of design
• Give a demonstration to clients for approval

Also Read: Top Engineering Colleges in India

Industrial Design Course Eligibility

Aspiring candidates can pursue an industrial designing course at both graduation or post-graduation level. The candidates need to meet the following eligibility criteria to get admission to any institutions that offer the Industrial Design course:

Programmes	Eligibility
Undergraduate (UG)	The candidates must have qualified 10+2 from any recognized Board of Education. They must have scored at least 45-50% in aggregate in the 12th standard.
Postgraduate (PG)	The candidates must have qualified graduation in design from any UGC-recognized university.They must have scored at least 45-50% in aggregate in graduation.

It is also important to keep in mind that the eligibility criteria for the industrial design course shall vary from one college to another.

Industrial Design Admission Process

The admission process for the industrial design course followed by top colleges is given below:

• Candidates are selected based on their merit in the qualifying examination like 10+2 or graduation.
• An entrance examination at the national level like UCEED, CEED, NIFT is conducted to shortlist candidates for the Industrial Design Course.
• Group Discussion or Personal Interview round may also be conducted at the college/institute.

Industrial Design Entrance Exams

Following are entrance exams through which industrial design aspirants can get selected based on the marks secured and get admission in the colleges/institutions:

• Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED)
• Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED)
• National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Examination (NIFT Entrance Exam)
• NID Entrance Exam
• Pearl Academy Entrance Exam 
• Other institute level entrance exams

Industrial Design Top Colleges

Following are the top colleges/institutes in India where an industrial design aspirant can pursue the course:

• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
• National Institute of Design (NID)
• UPES School of Design Studies (SoDS)
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
• Pearl Academy
• Delhi Technical University (DTU)
• United world Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
• Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, IDC-IIT Bombay
• World University of Design, Sonipat
• Woxsen School Of Arts & Design
• Apeejay Institute of Design
• Srishti Institute of Art Design and Technology, Bangalore
• Jain University The D School, Bangalore
• School of Planning and Architecture – SPA Delhi
• School of Design, UPES Dehradun
• Vellore Institute of Technology – VIT Vellore
• D J Academy of Design, Coimbatore
• Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
• National Institute of Design, Kurukshetra – Haryana
• Priyadarshini Institute of Architecture and Design Studies, Nagpur
• National Institute of Design, Bhopal – Madhya Pradesh
• Symbiosis School of Planning Architecture and Design, Nagpur

Job Opportunities and Scope in Industrial Design

The scope of this field is wide and ever-growing with the changing needs of society. Be it advertising companies, colleges/universities, start-ups, retailing, or multinational companies, the career opportunities in industrial designing are immense for the students.

The main objective of industrial design is to make products valuable for both the consumer as well as the manufacturer. Hence, where there is a need to develop a new product or improve the aesthetics, sustainability, or usability of existing products, a creative industrial designer who has an analytical mind and innovative ideas for product design will always be in demand. Apart from being experienced, the freshers in this field also get equal opportunity to get hired for diverse job roles with decent salary packages. 

Acquiring skills is one way to be successful in any of the areas but it is equally important to be updated about the current trends and have in-depth knowledge of the industry. 

Needless to say, this course opens up endless opportunities for candidates seeking a creative field to showcase their abilities. 

MASS COMMUNICATION

“Mass communication is the study of how people and entities convey information through mass media to large segments of the population.” A career in Mass Communication is one of the hot choices for youngsters these days. A degree in Mass Communication opens up immense opportunities in the field of electronic media, print media, public relations, advertising, radio broadcasting, films, and new media like social media.

There are lots of news channels, radio/FM, newspapers, and magazines operational all across the country both in regional and English language and provide diverse job opportunities for qualified mass communication candidates. After doing this course, you can work as a journalist, reporter, newsreader, anchor, copy editor, graphic designer, illustrator, radio jockey, etc. Apart from media, you can also get good opportunities in various public relations and advertising agencies or big corporates in different industries. You have to maintain client relations, media relations, and content management profiles as a PR or Advertising professional. Corporate communication involves both internal and external communication profiles covering media, branding, events & exhibitions, etc.

Strong communication skills – verbal and written are a must to build a career in this field. You need to be creative and possess strong networking skills. Let’s see what are other skills required to build a career in Mass Communication.

Key Skills required for Mass Communication

Verbal and Communication Skills	Articulation of thoughts	Story-teller
Out of the box thinking	Effective Writing Skill	Nose for news
Good listener	Observation skills	People person
Presentation skills	Confident	Time management skills

Mass Communication Courses, Eligibility& Admission Criteria

Mass communication courses can help you develop good communication skills that can help you make a confident professional in the field. With the right course of mass communication from the right college, you can acquire excellent skills in this field and earn a decent salary. Mass Communication courses in India are available in private as well as government mass communication colleges. In order to secure admission in the Mass Communication courses in these colleges, students must appear for various mass communication entrance exams. Some private colleges allow direct admission on the basis of merit without entrance exams.

Programmes	Duration
Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication	2 years
BA in Journalism	3 years
BA Hons Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC)	3 years
Diploma in Media Studies	3 years
BA Hons Multi-Media & Mass Communication (BMMMC)	3 years
BA Hons Multi-Media & Mass Communication (BMMMC)	3 years
BA Hons in Hindi Journalism & Mass Communication (BHJMC)	3 years
B.A. Film Making and Mass Communication	3 years
M.A in Journalism and Mass Communication	2 years
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Journalism & Corporate Communication (PGDBJCC)	1 year
P.G. Certificate Course in Hindi Journalism	1 year
P.G. Diploma in Hindi Journalism	2 years
Ph.D. in Mass Communication	2 years

Also Read: Top Engineering Colleges in India

Mass Communication Eligibility Criteria

If you aspire to make a career in the field of mass communication or journalism, you have to fulfill certain eligibility criteria to get admission to mass communication courses. Different colleges have different eligibility criteria for offering admissions to students.

• Diploma programme: To pursue a diploma course in mass communication, you need to pass class 12 from a recognized board of education, in any stream of education.
• Undergraduate degree courses: You need to score at least 45% to 50% marks in class 12 in order to be eligible for the undergraduate degree courses.
• Postgraduate degree and diploma courses: Postgraduate degree and diploma courses require you to hold a graduation degree and diploma respectively with at least 50% marks.

Admission Criteria for Mass Communication Courses

 To get admission in Mass Communication courses, you may follow these points mentioned below:

• Most of the Mass Communication colleges provide on the basis of merit in class 12 board exams.
• Some of the popular universities including KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) University, BHU (Banaras Hindu University), DU (Delhi University) and GGSIPU (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University) conduct entrance exams for admission to Mass Communication Courses.
• There are other rounds like Group Discussions or Personal Interviews also conducted by colleges to evaluate the communication skills of candidates before offering admission to the course.

Best Government Mass Communication Colleges in India

• Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) – New Delhi
• A. J. K. Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Milia Islamia University – New Delhi
• Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) – Pune
• Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) – New Delhi
• Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (DCAC) – New Delhi
• Indraprastha College for Women (IP College) – New Delhi
• Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, BHU – Varanasi
• Institute of Mass Communication, Film and Television Studies (IMCFTS) – Kolkata
• Department of Communication and Journalism – Pune

Best Private Mass Communication Colleges in India

• CHRIST (Deemed to be University) – Bangalore
• Amity School of Communication, Noida
• Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication (AIMC) – Delhi
• Manipal School of Communication, Manipal
• Xavier Institute of Communications – Mumbai
• Madras Christian College (Autonomous) – Chennai
• Acharya Institutes – Bangalore
• Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College – Mumbai
• Manipal Institute of Communication – Manipal
• Jagannath University–Jaipur
• KL University – (KLU)–Guntur

Scope in the field on Mass Communication

Mass communication is a good career option that gives you ample career options as per your skills and interest. The scope of mass communication in India is wide with a huge number of media, PR, advertising, and broadcasting organizations. If you have good communication skills, you can get an opportunity to work with some of the best organizations like publishing & production houses, news channels, radio/FM channels, online media, event management, PR agencies, or Digital Marketing firms in the country.

Starting salary for a mass communication professional could be between INR 2 lakhs per annum to INR 4 lakhs per annum. The professional having 5 plus years of work experience can expect a higher salary in the range of INR 6 lakhs to INR 12 lakhs per annum.

Conclusion

A career in Mass Communications brings fame, popularity, and respect to society. You build good contacts with media, bureaucrats, or VIPs. It is a highly responsible job profile and you are accountable for imparting the right message to the right people with utmost authenticity and accuracy. The field is wide and endless opportunities are there for candidates having excellent command of their language. This career field is a high-salary profession with decent packages and other perks. If you love to communicate with people and have a creative mind, this field has endless opportunities waiting for you!

What is Polymer Science & Engineering?

Polymer Science & Engineering is a fast-moving sector in India. The sector has phenomenal potential including capacity, infrastructure, and skilled workforce. The field has a huge demand for qualified professionals having Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in engineering with knowledge of subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering. There are diversified opportunities in the polymer sector for candidates having analytical, logical, and focused mindsets.

It is acknowledged as a fact that polymers play a significant role in fulfilling the basic necessities for daily use and hence the sector is considered as the ‘high Priority’ sector in India. If we go back to 1957, the Indian plastics industry made a remarkable beginning in the year with the production of polystyrene. Since then, the industry has made significant progress and has grown manifolds. The industry is spread all across the country consisting of 2,000 exporters, 30,000+ processing units, and provides employment to about 4 million people in the country.

So, what is Polymer Science? For your understanding, it is a branch of Material Science which is also known as Macromolecular Science. It is a science which deals with polymers – either natural or synthetic. Polymer Science is further classified into Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Physics, and Polymer Characterization.

The course of Polymer Science includes detailed study, design, and modification of polymers and the various technologies that are used in it. The course emphasizes majorly on the sub-branches of chemistry – organic, inorganic, and physical.

What role a Polymer Engineer Plays?

If you pursue this career option, as a Polymer engineer you will be working in a lab and supervising the production process and maintenance of plastic and other polymer products. You will be responsible for the development of new polymers, equipment design for polymer processing, project engineering, and management of the process. In this career, apart from development, testing of plastics or related materials also falls under the key responsibilities of Polymer Engineer.

Let’s discuss what are the important skills you must need to build a successful career in polymer science and engineering.

Key skills required for Polymer Engineering

If you aspire to build a career in Polymer Engineering, you should possess the following must-have skills:

Analytical and Rational Thinking	Problem-Solving Skills	Scientific Bent of Mind
Communication Skills	Computer Skills	Good Observation Skills
Ability to Work With Team	Knowledge of Chemistry	Mathematical Skills

The variety of skills and qualities help you gaining more confidence and making you more competitive in the job market. Through courses in Polymer Science & Engineering, you learn to acquire the necessary skills. In this article further, we will now discuss the Polymer Engineering courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate levels, eligibility criteria, and admission process for these courses.

Polymer Science & Engineering Courses and Eligibility

Programmes	Eligibility	Duration
B.E. Polymer Science and Chemical Technology	Aspiring candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognized School/college with an aggregate of 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English as main subjects. Additionally, the candidate must clear the JEE Main entrance exam.	4 years
B.E. Polymer Technology	Aspiring candidates must have passed 10+2with Physics, Chemistry and Maths from a recognized school board.	4 years
B. Tech Polymer Science and Technology	10+2 with 50% minimum aggregate score with Physics, Chemistry and Maths from a recognized school board.	4 years
M. Tech Polymer Science &Technology	Aspiring candidates need to have completed a B.Tech./ B.E. in Polymer Engineering, Textile, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Technology or M.Sc. in Chemistry and Physics from a recognized university.The minimum percentage required is a minimum aggregate of 50% in or equivalent CGPA in graduation.M.Tech. in Polymer Technology admission is based on entrance exams (GATE, AP PGECET, TS PGECET, VITMEE) conducted at national as well as state levels.	2 years
M.E. Polymer Science and Technology	Aspiring students should have passed a B.E./B.Tech. or equivalent exam from a recognized university board.	2 years
Ph. D Polymer Science and Technology	All postgraduates are eligible for Ph.D in Polymer Science and Technology course. Minimum qualifying marks may vary as per the institutes.	3-5 years

Also Read: Top Engineering Colleges in India

Entrance Exams to get admission in Polymer Science & Engineering Courses

Below are some of the Polymer Engineering entrance exams conducted by universities to get admission in UG and PG courses:

• ICAR AIEEA – Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducts All India Entrance Examination for Admission to UG, PG, and Ph.D. Courses. It is a national-level exam. The age of the student should be minimum of 16 years old and 10+2 passed with 3 subjects out of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

• BITSAT: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani. Candidates can appear for this exam to get admission to undergraduate courses in over 6 colleges of BITS all over India. The candidate should have a minimum of 75% marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics if PCMB student.

• VITEEE: Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam. The exam gives admission to undergraduate courses over 5 colleges of VIT. The student should have a minimum of 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology.

• CUSAT CAT: CUSAT – Cochin University of Science and Technology. This is an entrance exam to get admission in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the university. The student should have 60% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology.

• NMIMS: Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. This entrance exam is conducted to get admission in undergraduate and integrated courses. The student should have 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology.

• UGAT/ PGAT: Undergraduate Admission Test (UGAT) and Postgraduate Admission Test (PGAT) are the entrance exams conducted by the University of Allahabad for giving admission into undergraduate and postgraduate engineering courses respectively.

• MHT CET: Maharashtra Common Entrance Test. The exam gives admission to UG Programs to all government colleges in India. The student should have a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology. It is a state-level exam.

• GATE – Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. This entrance exam is conducted in getting admission to PG and Ph.D. courses in IISc and 7 IITs. The student should have a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology. It is a national-level exam.

• GRE- Graduate Record Examinations. GRE is for getting admission into M.S. (Master of Science) postgraduate course, offered by universities abroad.

Top Colleges Offering Polymer Engineering:

College	Course	Exam
MSU Baroda – Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda	ME Polymer Technology	GATE
DTU Delhi – Delhi Technological University	M.Tech Polymer Technology	GATE
IIT Delhi – Indian Institute of Technology	M.Tech Polymer Science and Technology	GATE
ICT Mumbai – Institute of Chemical Technology	M.Tech Polymer Engineering and Technology	GATE
JSS Science and Technology University, Mysuru	BE Polymer Science and Technology	COMEDK UGET, KCET
Tezpur University, Tezpur	M.Tech Polymer Science and Technology	GATE
University College of Science, Technology and Agriculture, Kolkata	B.Tech Polymer Science and Technology	WBJEE
University College of Engineering, Thodupuzha	B.Tech Polymer Engineering	KEAM
B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Engineering College	B.Tech Polymer Engineering	CIEAT
Visvesvaraya Technological University- VTU	B.TechPolymer Engineering	JEE Mains

As we had discussed earlier in the article, the increasing use of plastics and other polymer substances in almost all industries is immensely intensifying the growth of polymer science. The polymer industry has seen an exponential surge in job opportunities in the field in recent years. There are enormous job opportunities for those who hold a qualification in the field of polymer science and technology in both the public and private sectors. In the field of R&D, there are several opportunities that exist.

Scope & Jobs

The prospects of Polymer Engineering can be seen in industries such as:

• Petroleum Industries
• Pharmaceuticals
• Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Oil India Laboratories, Petrochemicals Engineering Plants
• Chemical Industries
• Oil & Natural Gas Commission (ONGC)
• Windmoller & Holscher
• Companies producing polymer-based products
• Packaging
• Sports
• Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology
• Perfumes and Preservatives
• Defense Research & Development Organization
• Brahmaputra Cracker & Polymer Limited (BCPL)
• Colleges and Universities
• Ceat Limited
• Allied Solutions India Pvt. Ltd.
• Kraton Polymers LLC, Polymer Technologies Inc
• Apollo Tyres Limited

Few Other Prominent Recruiters are:

• Tata Chemicals Ltd.
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
• Finolex Industries
• GAIL India Limited
• Reliance Industries
• Aarti Industries Limited
• BASF Construction Chemical India Pvt. Ltd.
• Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd.
• Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd.
• Linde India Ltd.
• Solar Industries India Ltd.
• United Phosphorus Ltd.
• Research Centres

Job profiles and Salary

Generally, Polymer Manufacturing Industries hire Polymer Engineers but there are many other job profiles with diverse roles available in the polymer science sector. The Polymer Engineers can work in these profiles in both Public & Private Sector Organizations. The common job profile of Polymer Engineers are as follows:

Research Scientist	Production Planner
R&D Executive	Polymer Scientist
Design Engineer	Quality Engineers
Corporate Sales Manager	Production Technologist
Mold Designers	Production Engineers
Lecturers in Engineering Colleges	Sales & Marketing Executives

For polymer engineering graduates, this is indeed a rewarding career field. Both renowned organizations in the public and private sectors frequently recruit candidates on a big scale and offer good salary packages. On the basis of some salary survey data collected from employers and employees directly in India, it has been observed that the average polymer engineer’s gross salary in India is around INR 8 lakhs. An entry-level polymer engineer (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of INR 6 lakhs. On the other end, a senior-level polymer engineer (8+years of experience) earns an average salary of INR 10 lakhs.

Conclusion:

The industry is growing at a fast pace as the demand for polymer products is increasing and innovations are being introduced every now and then. So, if you are passionate about this field, there are endless opportunities in the market. In India, the course in polymer science & engineering is offered by various universities at every level – undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctorate. The aspiring candidates can enroll themselves in any of the relevant courses as per their interest and acquire knowledge and the right skills that are mandatory to build a career in this field. Every industry has vast scope for graduates in polymer science in India. An excellent career with good remuneration is waiting for you.

What is Aerospace Engineering?

Do airplanes or spacecraft fascinate you? Do you dream of designing them? If yes, then aerospace engineering is the field for you to build a career. Aerospace engineering study includes the designing, construction, and maintenance of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles etc. Covering a wide range of topics, the students acquire knowledge of flight safety measures, efficient use of fuel, costs of operating flight, the impact of environmental conditions, etc. in the aerospace engineering course.

The job of an Aerospace Engineer is to do research, conduct performance testing, and launch airplanes (commercial and military), weapon systems, spacecraft, and satellites. Aerospace engineers work towards the improvement of flight safety & fuel efficiency. They design & develop control systems and keep on analyzing new materials and advanced technologies to introduce innovative products that meet the needs of new-age customers.  And they also ensure that these innovations work wonderfully to reduce the environmental impact of air travel.

New Environment, New Technology Require Innovative Minds

Our requirements are changing and so is the technology. With time, technology has evolved manifolds. From The Wright Brothers’ aircraft invention, technology has tremendously advanced & engineering has expanded phenomenally. The scope has widened to include military operations, planes for commercial travel, and space commute. We never know if it may in the future also include interstellar travel.

The structural design of all these aircraft has changed over the years. Climate change is a big threat to our environment and it is challenging organizations to gear up and develop planes and spacecraft with reduced impact on the environment. Hence, as an Aerospace Engineer, your innovations can bring revolution in the field with the introduction of humankind’s next big thing in travel. The field requires new ways of thinking as our travel style and environment have changed.

Aerospace Engineering has 2 main branches or specializations:

• Aeronautical Engineering – It includes the designing of airplanes, aircraft, helicopters and jets
• Astronautical Engineering – It includes the designing of spacecraft, satellites, and rockets etc.

The study of aerospace engineering will help the students understanding how to develop new flight technology and a thorough understanding of aerospace science. The professionals in this field are vital to technological innovations in the new era and are much in demand.

Key skills needed for Aerospace Engineering

If you want to make a difference in this field then you should possess the following essential skills:

Strong analytical & problem-solving skills	Creative and out of the box thinking	Communication skills
Strong mathematics and Mechanics	Technical Expertise	Scientific acumen
Detail-oriented	Ability to work under pressure	Team player

Courses in Aerospace Engineering and Eligibility Criteria

To pursue aerospace engineering courses, candidates must have a good hold on the subjects – mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The Science stream candidates with a good percentage can select the field after completing 10+2.

Stream	Graduation	Postgraduation	Doctorate
Pass class XII with Science Stream and with subject Maths	Do B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering for 4 years	Do M.Tech for 2-3 years	Do Ph.D. for 2 years

Courses available in aerospace engineering:

• Polytechnic Diploma Course: The course duration is 3 years and the candidate can enroll after completing 10^th or 10+2 examinations.
• Undergraduate Degree Course: The candidate can enroll for BE/B.Tech courses, four years duration after 10+2 examination.
• Postgraduate Degree Course: The candidate can enroll for ME/M.Tech courses, two years duration after the completion of UG degree in engineering.
• Doctoral Degree Course: The candidate can enroll for the Ph.D. one to two years of duration after the completion of PG degree in aerospace engineering.

Also Read: Top Engineering Colleges in India

Admission Criteria to get admission in Aerospace Engineering Courses

• For taking admission in Aerospace Engineering, the minimum eligibility criteria are 10+2 pass with a minimum of 60 percent marks in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics).
• GATE score is required to get admission in the postgraduate and doctoral courses.
• Engineering candidates with three-four years degree; candidates with a technical diploma; five-year Architecture, postgraduates in Mathematics/Science/Statistics/Computer Applications candidates are also eligible to pursue Aerospace Engineering courses.
• For candidates aspiring to join NASA in the United States, you should know that NASA recommends a degree in varied disciplines, including Biomedical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Chemistry, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, Optical Engineering, and Oceanography. Ph.D. is recommended to join NASA.

Top Aerospace Engineering Colleges in India

• Indian Institute of Technology, IIT – Bombay
• Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram
• Manipal Institute of Technology, MIT – Manipal
• Amity School of Engineering Amity-Noida
• SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
• Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore
• RV College of Engineering, Bangalore
• Lovely Professional University, LPU – Jalandhar
• BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore
• School of Engineering, UPES, Dehradun
• Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh
• Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Bangalore
• MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore
• Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar
• BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
• Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune

Aerospace Engineering Entrance Exams

Undergraduate Courses

• Joint Entrance Examination Main – JEE Main
• Joint Entrance Examination Advanced – JEE Advanced
• National Engineering Aptitude Test – NEAT/NAT
• Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission – BITSAT
• Education Promotion Society of India National Admission Test – ENAT
• Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam  – VITEEE
• University of Delhi Combined Entrance Exam – DUCET
• Consortium Medical, Engineering & Dental Colleges of Karnataka – COMEDK
• Admission Test for ICFAI Science & Technology – ATIT
• Indian Institute of Space & Technology Admission Test  – ISAT
• Combined Written Admission Test – CWAT
• SRM University Engineering Exam – SRMUEE
• Manipal University Online Entrance Exam
• Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test – IPU CET

Postgraduate Courses

• Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) (Postgraduate)

Career and Scope in Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Engineering opens up a bright career for the students of this field. You can work in the air force as a flight engineer or as an aircraft engineer in the aviation industry. The opportunities are endless both in national and international space in institutions/organizations like NASA, ISRO, DRDO, HAL, NAL, MRO, and many more. The professionals in the field get good remuneration as well.

Qualified and trained candidates are required everywhere be it government or private aviation organizations including aircraft & spacecraft manufacturing and testing units. The job profile is not restricted to the above industries and also has immense scope in turbines, high-speed trains, and flying gadgets, etc.

Conclusion

If you have a zeal to research and introducing technological innovations, the Aerospace Engineering field is waiting for you. A career in aeronautical engineering is challenging and demands innovative thinking. Needless to say, lucrative opportunities are available at the national and international level after doing a course in Aeronautical engineering. It is a good-paying job. Give wings to your career in Aerospace Engineering.