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OCTOBER 2009

with Dr Vibha Gupta

I want some information about careers in Mass Communication. When are forms given out in government institutes?
Shilpa Rathi / Baraut, U.P.

Courses like Bachelor’s in Mass Communication, Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication, are of one to two years duration and graduates with any subjects are eligible. Some universities even offer study of mass communication as part of their undergraduate degree in mass communication studies. Almost in all institutes, there is an entrance test for admission. Advertisements usually come in March-April.
There are many institutes which offer courses in mass communication:

  • Department of Communication Studies, University of Pune, Pune (www.unipune.ernet.in/dept/dcs/)
  • Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune (www.simc.edu)
  • Xavier Institute of Communication, St Xavier’s College, Mumbai (www.xaviercomm.org)
  • K.J. Somaiya Institute of Journalism & Mass Communication, Mumbai (www.somaiya.edu/Tantravihar.htm)
  • International Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication, Lucknow (www.iijmc.com)
  • Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media, Bangalore (www.iijnm.org)
  • Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi (www.iimc.ac.in)
  • Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal (www.mcu.ac.in)
  • AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi (http://ajkmcrc.org/)
  • Mudra Institute of Communications (MICA), Ahmedabad (www.mica-india.net)
  • Times School of Journalism, New Delhi (www.tcms.in).

    I am a student of Std 12, science stream. I have taken computers as an optional subject and I have been doing very well at it. I am preparing for my engineering exams. Please suggest what options I have in taking up computers as my subject if not combined with engineering.
    Varsha Shukla / Lucknow

    If you want to continue your study in computer science, there are several ways:

  • 4-year bachelor’s degree (B.E./ B.Tech.) in Computer Engineering or Electronics Engineering. Eligibility is 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
  • 3-year BCA (Bachelors in Computer Applications), or BCS (Bachelors in Computer Science), Eligibility is 10+2 with Mathematics. It is advisable to go for post graduation after this course.
  • MCA (Masters in Computer Applications) after graduation.
  • “B” level (Graduate level) and “C” level (Master’s level) courses from DOEACC (Department of Electronics Accreditation of Computer Courses). These courses are available throughout the country in various private computer institutes. Before enrolling please check whether the institute is recognised by DOEACC for this level. For details check out the site (www.doeacc.org.in)

    I want to pursue an M.Sc. in Forensic Science. I’m currently doing my second year B.Sc. with Chemistry, Botany and Zoology as my subjects. Which good colleges offer this course and what are the eligibility criteria and job prospects?
    Joel Cornelio / Mangalore, Karnataka

    Forensic Science is concerned with the application of scientific principles in the investigation of crime. Forensic experts are qualified professionals in a wide range of scientific disciplines. They work closely with the police to provide scientific evidence that is admissible in a court of law. Opportunities exist in government organisations such as the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the CID, the CPO and as Investigative Officers in the crime cells of State police forces. Forensic experts essentially work in forensic labs and sometimes even in large private detective agencies to establish the link between the criminal and the crime on the basis of physical evidence (hair, fibre, fingerprints, blood, discharged bullets, etc.) obtained from the scene of the crime.
    Many universities in India offer M.Sc. courses in Forensic Sciences:

  • Punjabi University, Patiala, (www.punjabiuniversity.ac.in)
  • Institute of Forensic science and criminology, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, (www.bujhansi.org)
  • Department of Biochemistry, Osmania University Hyderabad, (www.osmania.ac.in)
  • Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad (www.gujaratuniversity.org.in)
  • Madras University, Chennai (www.unom.ac.in)
  • Karnataka University, Dharward (www.kud.ernet.in)
  • Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, Delhi (www.du.ac.in) offers a 1 year certificate course in Forensic science.
    To be eligible for an M.Sc. course in Forensic Sciences in these universities, you should have a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a first division in physics, chemistry, zoology or botany. You can find out about the details of admission to this course from your local state university.

    I have completed my HSC and soon I am going to take admission in Engineering. I am confused whether to go in for Computer Engineering or Information Technology.
    Yogesh / Mumbai

    Computer Science (CS) is the study of computers. You typically learn about hardware and operating systems. It helps you better understand how computers solve problems, the kinds of problems that a computer can solve and how one would present a problem to a computer. Abstract ideas that rely on fundamental mathematical theories are at the heart of Computer Science. Things like registers, multitasking kernels, data buses, address buses. It’s real technical stuff.
    Information Technology (IT) is more about the study of the use of computers to solve human/ business problems. You study some programming, databases, applications, etc. Understanding how technology/tools can best meet the Information management needs of an organization is at the heart of IT. Familiarity with such tools is an essential for a successful IT professional.
    Thus computer science is “What is a computer and how it works.” Information technology is “What and how can I do with computers.”
    If you get a degree in IT, you’ll be able to get jobs in IT. If you get a degree in Computer Science, you’ll be able to get jobs in CS or IT. Further, a lot of people in IT burn out on it, so if you got a degree in IT, you could end up stuck doing a job you hate, while if you get a degree in CS, you can transition back and forth between IT and programming jobs as you like.

    Dr Vibha Gupta is the author of Careers: A Pathfinder
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