Reach for the skies, be an astronomer
I am studying in Standard X. I want to be an astronomer. What should be my next step regarding studies? Please give details.
— Dinesh Monteirio
Astronomy and Astrophysics are very exciting and challenging subjects that involve many areas of science such as physics, mathematics, chemistry and geology, and even palaeontology and biology. Many people are fascinated by the splendour and enormity of objects in space and become amateur astronomers while still at school. Astronomy can be an engrossing hobby for people of all ages. Professional astronomers are research scientists who strive to understand the properties and behaviour of objects in the universe beyond (and including) our little planet. The work of an astronomer includes:
Being involved in taking astronomical observations, using optical, infrared, millimetre or radio ground-based telescopes, or a range of satellite-based telescopes and detectors.
Developing astronomical theories, which make predictions which can in turn be tested by observation or computational analysis,
Interpreting observations or theories using their knowledge of astronomy and other sciences and using computers to test their ideas mathematically.
The instruments used to analyse radiation from objects in the sky are often at the cutting edge of technology, and astronomers are also heavy users of the latest in computer technology, including the use of supercomputer techniques and robotic telescopes. Contrary to popular belief, astronomers do not spend most of their time looking into telescopes. Data recorded in a week's observations can keep them busy at their institution for much of the year. Most of the work is done using computer analysis. So, computer skills are very important, and astronomy graduates gain a wide range of computer skills.
Careers in Astronomy and Astrophysics can be broadly divided as theoretical and observational though, in order to make significant contribution to the subject, you have to be good at both. Theoretical research career in Astronomy and Astrophysics typically involves doing a Master's in physics, joining a suitable institution or university for a Ph.D. programme in Astronomy and Astrophysics, following it up with one or two post-doctoral positions and, finally, obtaining a permanent job.
The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (http://www.tifr.res.in), IUCAA (Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune) (http://iucaa.ernet.in/), RRI (Raman Research Institute, Bangalore) (http://www.rri.res.in/), IIA (Indian Institute of Astrophysics) (www.iiap.ernet.in) , IISc (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore) (http://www.iisc.ernet.in/) and PRL (Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad) (http://www.prl.ernet.in/) have graduate programme in Astronomy and Astrophysics leading to Ph.D.
You could also visit the following URL, which will guide to the newer facets of Astronomy and Astrophysics: http://www.aas.org/education/
publications/career
brochure.html
After you complete Standard X, you should enrol for the Pre-University programme in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and then contact the above institutions for integrated programmes that are bound to help you to achieve your target.
I finished my electrical and electronics engineering in 2004. I am interested in doing higher technical courses related to electrical and electronics other than mechanical. I have heard about illumination technology and design courses. Please provide some information about these programmes. — Lakshmirani N. Kammeth
This is a professional programme for engineers, ergonomists, interior designers, architects and related professionals. The aim is improve the quality of lighting design besides the quality of luminous environment. The programme focuses on producing good lighting designers by introducing the learner to the multidisciplinary background of lighting. The following would be some of the areas of study:
Photometric and colorimetric concepts and mensuration
Vision and visual perception
Light sources and luminaires
Visual field and human factors
Lighting design
Daylight measurement
Lighting energy management and economics
Advanced neural networks
Computer graphics
Illumination for the built environment
Psychophysics of vision
This course is in its budding stages in the country. The Manipal Institute of Technology (http://www.manipal.edu/mit/departments/electrical_el.htm), Manipal, offers this as a two year-64 credit M.Tech (Illumination Technology) programme.
The eligibility for the above mentioned programme is graduation in the fields of Electrical and Electronics, Electronics and Communication, Instrumentation technology, Electronics and Telecommunications.
I have completed B.E. (Instrumentation Technology) from MCE, Hassan. I completed the course in 2004 though I was supposed to complete it in 2002 due to the many ordinances that I had while pursuing the programme. I am an average student with aggregate of 52 per cent. I don't have much technical knowledge and had no plans of working. But now, due to some personal problems, I have to get a job to survive. Tell me how I have to carry on. I have heard a lot about call centres and have plans of joining one and pursue some software courses in tandem.
— Sujatha S.
Being an average student does not mean that one cannot attain success. Be aware that a good number of the great people who have walked the face of the earth were insignificant when it came to studies, for either they never had an opportunity or they were simply left out. As life progresses, priorities too change and one has to see to it that we get on with life. You have rightly said that one has to survive, and survival is an element that is inbuilt in the human mind.
Having ordinances and completing a programme late does not mean that you have to be written off. You have enough opportunities to progress. Call centres, no doubt, have occupied the minds of the people. For a graduate of Instrumentation Technology, there are many other opportunities, which you could probe and try, building up a career even if you think it is late.
Instrumentation Engineers are responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of instruments and entire instrumentation systems. The type of instruments needed for ensuring better quality and efficiency of the end products, in any industrial undertaking, are decided by the instrumentation engineer.
You can attempt the Indian Engineering Services Examination conducted by UPSC, besides making sincere efforts to join the private sector. Your interest to pursue courses related to software is laudable, but then you will be shifting your field of work totally. It is recommended that you consider the field of telecom, which is growing fast and more and more companies are getting into this module for business.
I am a second year biomedical engineering student. What are the career opportunities for biomedical engineers in India and overseas? — Sarun Mani, Davangere
Biomedical Engineers apply the knowledge of engineering and human anatomy to the discovery and maintenance of systems and equipment used to assist medical and other healthcare professionals. Biomedical Engineers help improve the quality of life and are an important part of the healthcare system. Being experts in an inter-disciplinary subject (as the focus has been not only on the traditional engineering areas, but also on anatomy, biophysics, pharmacology, physiology, neurophysiology and organic and biological chemistry), Biomedical Engineers provide the technical interface between the manufacturer and the user of medical equipment. The industry has divided the field of Biomedical Engineering into the following four areas:
Bioengineering
Medical engineering
Clinical engineering
Bio-environmental engineering
The areas of specialty include bioinstrumentation; biomaterials; biomechanics; cellular, tissue and genetic engineering; clinical engineering; medical imaging; orthopaedic surgery; rehabilitation engineering; and systems physiology.
Biomedical Engineers are employed in universities, in industry, in hospitals, in research facilities of educational and medical institutions. They often serve a coordinating or interfacing function, using their background in both the engineering and medical fields as mentioned earlier. They may be involved in performance testing of new or proposed products. In hospitals, they may provide advice on the selection and use of medical equipment, as well as supervising its performance and maintenance. They may also build customised devices for special healthcare or research needs. In research institutions, biomedical engineers supervise laboratories and equipment, and participate in or direct research activities in collaboration with other researchers with such backgrounds as medicine, physiology and nursing. Some Biomedical Engineers are technical advisors for marketing departments of companies and some are in management positions.
I'm doing B.E (third semester, mechanical). I'm interested in joining the Indian Navy. I would like to get more information about the recruitment procedure. — Vikas Nair, Mysore.
The Indian Navy (http://www.nausena-bharti.mil.in/in/index.php) provides opportunity for engineers to join it in the executive, medical and dental branches besides the various engineering disciplines.
You can join the Navy in the engineering branch (marine engineering) through direct entry and for the Short Service Commission but should fall within the age category of 19 to 25. You could make efforts to join the Navy in the executive and the engineering branches.
SHAHEED KHAN
Counsellor
Shaheed_k@yahoo.com
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