If you are planning to study at a college or university in the UK, the most suitable test is the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). You could even take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The average entry score for most university-level courses is around IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550. But some courses require higher English language qualifications than the others. Among those considered to be ‘exacting’ are courses in areas such as management, linguistics and journalism. Such courses will require IELTS scores in the range of 6.5-7.0 or TOEFL scores in the range of 575-600.

The following universities conducting BSc Agriculture do not require Biology at 10+2 level:

* Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh. Elig: 10+2 in Agri or Sc with 45% agg.

* Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana. Elig: 10+2 Sc & Eng with 60% agg.

* Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut 250005, Uttar Pradesh. Elig: 10+2 Sc.

* Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal) 246174, Uttar Pradesh. Elig:10+2 Sc.

* Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur 176062, Distt Kangra, Uttar pradesh. Elig:10+2 PCM/B & Eng with 50% agg.

* Narendra Deva University of Agricultural Technology, Narendranagar, P O Kumarganj, Faizabad 224229, Uttar Pradesh. Elig:10+2 Sc.

* Punjab Agricultural university, Ludhiana 141004, Punjab. Elig:10+2 PCM/B/Agri with 50% agg.

* Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Summer: Shalimar Campus, Srinagar 190121, Jammu & Kasmir. Winter: Camp Office, Railway Road, Jammu 180004, Jammu & Kasmir. Elig: 10+2 PCM/B & Eng with 50% agg.

Population Studies offers opportunities to work with international aid agencies like USAID, Population Council, Ford Foundation, UNFPA, Care etc. Central Government offices like the Census Office, Registrar General and Census Commission and Ministry of Family Welfare also employ students specializing in Population Studies.

You could do your Masters in Population Studies from the following Universities:

* International Institute of Population Sciences, Govandi Station Road, Deonar, Mumbai 400088. Course:Master in Population Studies (MPS) (1-yr). Eligibility:Masters in Stat, Maths, Econ, Sociol, Anthro, Psy and Geog.

* Annamalai University, P O Annamalainagar 608002 ,Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

* Bharathiar University, Maruthamalai Road, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu.

* Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati 517502, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.

If you wish to do higher studies in the subject, you could opt for M Phil in Population Science from JNU. Eligibility for the programme is MA in Geography. The course will cover fields like Human Settlement, Methodology, Morality, Urbanization, Census and Vital Statistics etc. Besides these, there are around eight Universities offering diploma in the subject.

Microbiology, one of the frontier fields in Life Sciences, has varied applications in research & industry. Research-based jobs abound for those with a postgraduation in this subject. Of course, those with a doctorate in the subject are in greater demand.

Job opportunities in medicine for microbiologists exist in hospitals and pathological laboratories where they undertake microbiological testing of samples from patients as an aid to diagnosing and treating diseases. The pharmaceutical, food, beverage, swimming pools water processing and botteling industries and hotels also employ microbiologists.

In the pharmaceutical sector, microbiological work includes studying microbes and organisms that cause diseases (in humans, animals as well as plants), evaluating antibiotics and developing vaccines, manufacturing drugs by fermentation, etc. Agricultural microbiologists work in the area of plant development, plant disease and tissue culture.

You could also work with manufacturers of medical disposable goods, cosmetics and antiseptics. Some openings can be found in the sales and marketing departments of manufacturing companies in these fields as well.

If you work in municipal or public water departments, you will undertake routine testing of water supplied to industrial and domestic users. Other destinations include university departments, research councils and government-funded research institutes.

Similarly, openings for microbiologists exist in the R&D and scientific departments in industry, public sector labs, hospitals and universities. You can also take up teaching jobs in schools and colleges. Job avenues exist in the Civil Services as well.

Satinder Kaur, Ropar

Yes, you are eligible for the ISS examination.

This is a competitive examination which is conducted for the recruitment of grade IV officers of the Indian Statistical Service by the UPSC, New Delhi. Graduates of Stat/Math/Eco of a recognised university between 21-28-yrs (relaxable for SC/ST/OBC) can take the entrance examination which is followed by an interview. The exam consists of General English and General Studies each carrying 150 marks and 3 papers on statistics each carrying 200 marks. Selected candidates are put on a two-year probation which is basically a period of training and departmental examination. Detailed syllabus and plan of examination are advertised in Employment News from time to time.

The Andhra University offers a postgraduate diploma in Transport Management.

After doing this course, you can seek employment in airlines, railways, road transport authorities and merchant navy.

The Institute of Rail Transport, New Delhi, offers 1-year diploma courses in Multi- modal Transport (Containerisation) & Logistics Management, and Transport Economics & Management through correspondence. For further details, you may contact:

* Institute of Rail Transport, Room No. 17, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi 110001.

Editor, Career Hotline, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh 160020.