Remembrance of things past

Q: I have completed my graduation. I now wish to pursue a masters in History from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. Could you please tell me about the enrolment procedure? Does JNU offer correspondence courses?

Leena Maheshwari

A: A masters course in history is offered at JNU’s Centre of Historical Studies at the School of Social Sciences.

Admission to the course is on the basis of performance in an all-India entrance test that will be held on May 16, 2008. The application deadline is March 17, 2008.

You have to be well-prepared for this highly competitive three-hour exam. You need thorough knowledge of the subjects at the undergraduate level. Also, knowledge on current affairs should help you to ace the general knowledge section.

You must have a broad knowledge of history either on the basis of courses taken at the undergraduate level or through understanding of the discipline in the context of social sciences or humanities. Questions will relate to the above, with a choice between discipline and chronology.

The question paper is divided into two sections. The first section carries 40 marks and has two comprehension passages. There will be eight questions based on these passages. There is a strict word limit of 100 words per answer and you have to answer the questions in your own words. The second section carries 60 marks and contains 15 questions from which you have to answer any three.

While applying for the course you are supposed to choose one branch of history — ancient history, medieval history or modern Indian history — which you must clearly mention in the appropriate column in the application form as well as in the answer-book.

JNU does not offer correspondence courses.

The final verdict

Q: Is it true that now there is a common entrance exam for all law courses?

Kiran Bhalla

A: What you have heard only applies to starters seeking admission to the five-year BALLB to seven National Law Colleges. Spurred by a Supreme Court directive, starting this year, law school aspirants will have to take a Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for admission to the National Law Universities at Bangalore, Bhopal, Calcutta, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Jodhpur and Raipur.

The CLAT will be held on May 28, 2008, and it will come as a boon for students as they no longer will have to prepare for seven different exams.

Also, the students wouldn’t have to pay seven times over because there will be a one-time test fee of Rs 2,000. Moreover, the test will only have objective- type questions. So relax for now.

Radiating happiness with nuclear medicine

Q: I am a fresh medical graduate and wish to pursue a career in the field of nuclear medicine. I would be very grateful if you could provide details regarding courses in this field.

Dr Binoy Hazarika

A: As yet, there are not many courses available in either nuclear or aviation medicine.

The Radiation Medicine Centre of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai offers two such programmes (the first programme may suit you best). Both courses are offered under the aegis of the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai (a Deemed University). These full-time programmes include lectures, demonstrations, practicals, theory exams, apprentice programmes and clinics.

Selection is based on an all India Common Entrance Test (CET) and interview.

The eligibility criteria for the two-year diploma in radiation medicine is an MBBS with internship from a recognised university. Those with a postgraduate medical qualification and sponsored candidates can also apply.

The common entrance test has 100 multiple choice questions of the III MBBS level [Fields: anatomy, physiology, biochem, pathology, internal medicine (cardiology, pediatrics, oncology), infectious diseases, neurology, nephrology, endocrinology and recent advances in medicine]. Non-sponsored candidates will receive a stipend of Rs 7,000 per month in the first year and Rs 7,250 per month in the second year.

The eligibility criteria for the one-year diploma in medical radioisotope techniques is a BSc degree with a minimum of 60 per cent aggregate in chemistry, physics, life sciences, biophysics, nuclear medicine technology or medical radiological technology. MSc degree-holders can also apply. Sponsored candidates with 55 per cent aggregate in BSc can also apply. The CET covers 100 multiple choice questions on science subjects of the Class XII level. Only the top 50 candidates will be called for an interview.

Non-sponsored candidates will receive a stipend of Rs 4,000 per month. The age limit is 40 years as on May 1, 2008 (relaxable by three years for OBCs and five years for SC /ST and sponsored candidates). The syllabus for both programmes can be downloaded from the website (www. hbni.ac.in). HBNI also offers a diploma in radiological physics.

The Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raibareli Road, Lucknow-226014 (www.sgpgi.ac.in) also offers a two-year MSc in nuclear medicine for medical graduates.