KOCHI: Bored of taking up the same old courses in college? Well, some institutions in the city have introduced new courses this year and some will introduce them for the next academic year.Space Science and Technology is something new in St Albert’s College. “This is the first-of-its-kind in the state. A ll the 12 seats have been filled and classes commenced on September 22,” said college Principal Robert Stanley. “If not for this course we would have ended up doing post-graduation in physics or maths and missed out on so much of exposure. Our trip to the VSSC during the space week celebrations was enlightening,” said the students. Some of them have been yearning to be space science scientists from their school days. They lament that options are few at the post-graduation level in physics. Kerala does not offer astrophysics or nuclear physics. Students who are not able to venture out are forced to pursue the subjects available here, they said. Despite the hectic syllabus as it is like a double PG degree (maths and physics), it is fun, they said but the infrastructure needs to be in place. They are waiting for the observatory and new computer lab. “We thought of this course in 2005 during A P J Abdul Kalam’s 10-point vision for a competitive India. We organised a series of lectures in which former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said that many seats would be vacant for scientists at VSSC for many scientists were nearing retirement. “So we applied for the course under the innovate programme in teaching and research in interdisciplinary and emerging areas. Apart from the teachers here guests from ISRO, VSSC, Cusat and NRSA are also taking classes,” said Robert Stanley. The college is planning to start MFA, MSc Forensic Science, MSc Environment science and Biotechnology, he said. Toc H Institute of Science and Technology is offering MTech in Wireless Technology. “This is the first-of-its-kind in the state and all the 18 seats have been filled,” said Colonel P M Xavier, Dean, Academy and Student Affairs.“Wireless is the future and its density is growing. Experts in this field are in demand. Most of the communication in all fields, especially health, is remotely monitored. Those with BTech in Electronics are eligible for the course. BTech in Fire and Safety is the other sought after course introduced in the college this year. Other than Cusat, other institutions are offering only diplomas, according to sources. “Opportunities are many in these fields,” said a professor. Those into biotechnology can go for MTech in bioengineering and bioinformatics which will commence at Cusat from next academic year, according to sources. This could go a long way in health care. Two diploma courses have commenced at the National University of Advanced Legal Studies this year- PG diplomas in Cyber Law and Medical Law and Justice on the campus in Kaloor. The one-year courses are conducted on Sundays and holidays in the evenings depending on the availability of professors, said sources. There are 50 seats each but all the seats have not been filled, they said. NUALS has also started a six-month certificate course on banking law which is also held in the evening. Moving away from science stream, St Teresa’s College is waiting for the UGC nod to start two post-graduate courses - pure chemistry and zoology. St Teresa’s also intends to apply for MA in Bharatanatyam and undergraduate courses in lifestyle designing which includes modelling, said college Principal Sr Treesa. The city is growing and it is time colleges cater to the need of the hour.
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