Bioinformatics rocks

Q:I am keen on doing an MSc in bioinformatics. Where is it offered and what are the prospects?

Riddhi Das

A: Rapid advances in bio-sciences has created a deluge of information on genomics and proteomics. Unlike the earlier times when there was only one gene and protein to study, we can now study the entire genome.

Moreover, the data and structures generated is so vast and varied, that there are numerous possibilities to be explored. And to make sense of the growing scientific databases, scientists with a thorough knowledge of biological sciences and experience in computational methods are in great demand. Bioinformatics is the career of the future and promises tremendous job opportunities.

Some of the institutes which offer bioinformatics courses:

• IIT Kharagpur offers a masters in medical sciences and technology. The eligibility for this is MBBS (60 per cent aggregate) with maths at the Plus Two level. The duration of the course is three years.

• Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (and Electronics Corporation of India, a GoI enterprise under the department of Atomic Energy), Calcutta, offers a postgraduate diploma in bioinformatics.

The eligibility is an undergraduate or a masters degree in bio-science/pharma/engineering or an MSc. The selection is on the basis of an aptitude test and an interview.

• Sikkim Manipal University (www.miteindia.com), Gangtok and Manipal offers an MSc in bioinformatics.

• Bose Institute, Bioinformatics Centre, Calcutta, offers an MSc in biophysics and bioinformatics as well as a postgraduate diploma in bioinformatics.

• DOEACC (www.doeacc.org.in), offers “” Level and “A” Level courses in bioinformatics at centres all over the country.

Discovering the earth’s secrets

Q: I want to pursue a career in geology. Where is it offered and what are the prospects?

Sumana Ghosh

A: Geology can cover several branches like crystallography, mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, palaeontology, oceanography, meteorology, plate tectonics, etc. Geologists explore the earth’s mineral and geological resources. They work as exploration geologists in petroleum, oil and natural gas companies, or as mine geologists, quarry managers, mineral surveyors, geological mappers or as geophysicists.

In West Bengal, BSc (geology) is offered at the following universities:

• Jadavpur University, department of geology, Calcutta (www.jadavpur.edu).

• Department of geology, Presidency College, Calcutta (www.caluniv.ac.in).

• Burdwan University, Burdwan.

Homoeopathy can work wonders

Q: I am interested in pursuing a course in homeopathy. What are the prospects? Could you tell me about the courses offered at the bachelors level? And does Calcutta University offer a masters course in homoeopathy?

Tarun Singhi

A: From being considered a non-scientific last resort, homeopathy is now a preferred
system of medicine in India. In fact, it is a multi-million dollar industry in Germany and the US. That’s where a majority of the homoeopathy medicines are manufactured too.

Moreover with the spiralling cost of allopathic treatment, a large number of people are beginning to prefer homoeopathy, both for chronic as well as common ailments.

Homoeopathy is as lucrative a profession as any other branch of medicine. Bachelors in homoeopathic medicine and surgery (BHMS) courses are offered in eight colleges (both private and government) under the West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Calcutta, two under Guwahati University and one each in Dibrugarh University and Arunachal University. However, check their accreditation status on the website of the Central Council for Homoeopathy (www.cchindia.com) before enroling with them.

There are over 1.6 lakh trained homoeopaths in the country. Many of them work in government hospitals and dispensaries. Recruitment for these jobs is conducted by the UPSC and the State Public Service Commissions.

Opportunities are also available in private nursing homes and polyclinics. Medical colleges, training institutions and medical councils recruit doctors for purposes of teaching and research.

Although opportunities are available in government bodies, many homoeopaths opt for private practice.

If you are hesitant on striking it on your own, working with an established homoeopath first would help you gain the necessary confidence.

For further information, contact: The Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH), New Delhi. CCH is a statutory body under the ministry of health and family welfare, department of Indian systems of medicine and homoeopathy.

Also, the National Institute of Homoeopathy (University of Calcutta), Block GE, Sector III, Salt Lake City, Calcutta, offers a postgraduate course in homoeopathy.