The right chemistry

• Q: I am a student of Class XII. I want to be a chemical engineer. What are the prospects in the field of chemical engineering? Who is eligible to appear for the Maharashtra-CET?

Megha Das

• A: Chemical engineering is a highly complex and specialised field that investigates how chemicals can be used for research and manufacturing. Chemical engineers have been involved in the introduction of many products such as synthetic fabrics, plastics, nylon and rayon that are today an indispensable part of our lives. They are also involved in designing many products, ranging from torpedoes to cigarette filters to control systems.

Job opportunities for chemical engineers lie mostly in the refining, plastics, petroleum and chemical industries and in environment-related fields, although most other industries also employ chemical engineers. Even industries such as textiles, cosmetics and footwear require chemical engineers. Given the diverse fields in which chemical engineering finds application, employment is definitely set to increase in the coming years.

Courses in chemical engineering are offered at almost every engineering college, including the IITs and NITs.

The Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra, conducts the Common Entrance Test (CET) for BE/BTech (four-year) degrees in chemical engineering. Those who have passed Class XII with a physics-chemistry-mathematics-English combination and 50 per cent marks are eligible to take the CET. For further details do log on to their website (www.dte.org.in).

The Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology (MUICT) is considered a very prestigious institution for chemical technology (www.udct.org). For further details, write to the Institute of Chemical Technology, University of Mumbai, Matunga, Mumbai-400019.

Maths not mandatory for IGNOU’s BCA

• Q: I am an HS (commerce) student. I have not taken maths. IT is my optional subject. I would like to get a BCA. Am I eligible for this degree? Will I be eligible for an MBA or a CA/CS?

Raghav Kapoor

• A: The typical eligibility for BCA is Plus Two with mathematics. Admission to most BCA courses is on the basis of an entrance test that includes a Plus Two level maths component.

You could appear for the maths paper separately, either from the National Institute of Open Schooling or even from your own university. IGNOU allows those who do not have maths to do a BCA but you will have to enrol for a certificate in computing and a preparatory programme in computing when you apply for admission. Those who have a BCA can take CAT for MBA and also join the CA/CS foundation courses.

Protect the country, serve in the Territorial Army

• Q: I am interested in joining the Territorial Army. I am 26 years old and I work for a call centre. How should I proceed?

Arpit Chowdhury

• A: The Territorial Army (TA), commonly known as the Citizens Army, is composed of 31 infantry battalions and 19 departmental TA units such as the railways, engineers, oil sector, ecological, signals and general hospital units. Besides supporting the army, the force carries out operational tasks, internal security duties and helps civil authorities.
All male Indian citizens and ex-service officers aged 18 to 42 years, who are graduates and gainfully employed, besides being medically fit, are eligible to join the TA infantry as
officers.

Short-listed applicants have to take a written exam. Successful candidates are screened by a selection panel of the Services Selection Board (SSB) on the basis of an interview.
As a TA officer, you may even be called for military service for a longer duration, depending on the requirement. In fact, the TA’s role is being expanded to take over some of the tasks presently undertaken by the Indian Army.

On being commissioned, you will undergo nine months of training at regimental centres and training establishments like the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. The first three months of basic training are followed by six months of voluntary training. As a TA volunteer, unlike your army counterpart (who merely gets a stipend during training), you will get full pay and allowances from the day you enrol.

You can be promoted up to the level of Major by time-scale on passing the required promotion exams. Promotion to Lt Colonel, Colonel and Brigadier is on the basis of selection. Applications can be obtained from the Commander, TA Group Headquarters of the Eastern, Western, Southern and Central Command respectively, depending on where you are residing.

In view of the admirable support that the TA has been providing to the army in terrorist-affected areas, the government now plans to make all new entrants undergo a stint in the force for two months each year for a period stretching up to five years. This will bolster the strength of the TA to almost
one lakh by the year 2007.