Magic of numbers

• Q: I am studying in Class X. I plan to pursue medicine after Class XII. I want to know why I need to study maths at the Plus Two level, along with the other relevant subjects. How will maths help me when I take up medicine? Please advise.

Kirit Mehta

• A: There are several reasons. First, maths and other science subjects, including biology, open up many career avenues — bioinformatics, clinical research and biotechnology — about which you may not be sufficiently aware of now, but which may catch your interest later. You may write to the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, G-05, Tech Park Mall, International Technology Park, Whitefield Road, Bangalore-560066 to find out about their programme in bioinformatics, which requires knowledge of maths.

Second, medical research on various health problems is growing, partly due to the world’s increasingly aging population. Such research often involves complex statistical calculations, which is why many respected statisticians happen to be doctors. A strong mathematical base helps in statistics. So if you choose to pursue medicine and later opt for medical research, grounding in Plus Two maths will certainly help.

Third, according to a recent study by researchers at both Harvard University and the University of Virginia in the US, students with the most rigorous high school preparation in maths perform significantly better in college courses in biology, chemistry and physics. And only maths has such an effect.

Other sciences such as physics and chemistry, contrary to conventional wisdom, do not have any significant effect on performance in the sister sciences. So studying maths is likely to improve your performance in the subjects you will be studying for the medical entrance exams.

Convinced?

Striking the perfect balance in school

• :Q: Our son, who is in Class VIII, is involved in different extracurricular activities in his school while his classroom scores are just above average. Is there any reason to worry?

Neelam Tewatia

• A:If your son is good in maths and enjoys reading fiction as well as non-fiction, you shouldn’t worry about his studies up to Class VIII, unless you want him to take the National Talent Search Exam. He should prepare well for the Board and competitive exams he will take later.

A study in the US has found that extra-curricular activities help to lower the high school drop-out rate, raise grades and brighten a student’s chances of graduating from high school and attending college. The desire to play a sport or participate in school club activities motivates a student to perform well. Besides that, extracurricular activities will help your son to build his communication skills, creativity, team spirit and leadership qualities.

Sister act: Engineering a different path

• Q: I want to study engineering but my grandparents don’t want me to study with boys. Please advise.

Mehr Beg

• A: Several engineering colleges in India, some of which are part of women’s universities, have only women as students. The BTech programmes in these institutions are generally restricted to a few disciplines, such as information technology, computer science and engineering, and electronics and communication engineering.
You won’t find the so-called “masculine” disciplines such as mechanical engineering, civil engineering and chemical engineering here, though there is some talk of admitting the first batch of mechanical engineering students this year at the Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune. What follows is a list of various universities and colleges offering engineering programmes exclusively for women students:

Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, offers BTech programmes in computer science, information technology and electronics and communication engineering. You should have received 60 per cent (aggregate) in the Plus Two examination with physics, chemistry and mathematics to be eligible for admission. Applicants will also have to take an aptitude test. You can write to the university at PO Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan-304022 for more information. You may also visit www.banasthali. org for more information.

Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University, Mumbai, offers BTech courses in the same fields as Banasthali. You may write to the university at 1 Nathibai Thackersey Road, Mumbai-400020. Their website sndt.digitalu niversity.ac may also help you to choose a course.

In addition to the courses offered by the two women’s institutes mentioned above, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Chittoor, also offers a BTech course in industrial biotechnology. You can visit www.padmavatiwomen-univ.org for more information.
You can contact Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Karvenagar, Pune-411052 if you’re interested in instrumentation and control engineering or mechanical engineering.