Are you keen to pursue a medical career and strongly love healthcare? Do you have a dream of being a nurse and improving the lives of others? Are you interested in food security and sustainable agriculture? Or are you confused about your career options? If yes, then this blog is just for you. We will help you choose your career path in different fields after you complete your 12th class through the PCB stream.
In this blog, we will discuss:
- Top Courses
- Course Details and Eligibility Criteria
- Top Colleges and Entrance Exams for Courses After Class 12th
Top Courses:
PCB (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) is regarded as the medical stream, allowing you to explore various fields involving biology. There are many fields, some of which are very interdisciplinary and diverse. Some of those fields are given below:
- Medicine and Allied Fields
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Veterinary Science
- Agricultural Sciences
- Research
- Forensic Science
- Physiotherapy
However, you must remember that taking PCB in 10+ does not limit you to fields involving only biology. There are a lot of students in IISERs from PCB backgrounds who end up taking physics or math as a major during their undergraduate degree. The fields mentioned above involve biology extensively.
Courses Details and Eligibility Criteria:
Medicine and Allied Fields-
- MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery): A professional undergraduate medical degree programme is granted to those who have finished their studies in the fields of surgery and medicine. The course gives students a thorough understanding of human anatomy and how different things can affect it, which helps them learn about the numerous disorders that people suffer from. It usually lasts for five and a half years, after which there is an internship.
Eligibility: You must have completed 12th PCB grade from a recognized board with biology as a required subject to be eligible for the NEET entrance exam.
- BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery): The five-year undergraduate programme known as BDS, or Bachelor of Dental Surgery, provides you with a thorough education and practical dental practice knowledge for maintaining good oral hygiene and overall oral health. After completing coursework in the areas of oral health and hygiene, candidates are awarded an undergraduate professional degree in dentistry.
Eligibility: You must pass your 12th PCB board exam with physics, chemistry, and biology as core subjects and sit for the NEET exam to get a seat for the BDS degree.
- BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery): Anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgery, and other topics are covered in the curriculum, emphasising conventional Ayurvedic concepts and methods. After completion, you can work as a doctor or surgeon specialising in Ayurvedic medicine.
Eligibility: You should pass the NEET exam. However, the marks required for BAMS are less than those required for MBBS and Dental Science.
- BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery): This is a 5.5-year course. The BHMS program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of homoeopathic principles, philosophy, and practice.
Eligibility: You should pass the NEET exam. However, the marks required for BHMS are less than those required for MBBS and Dental Science.
Pharmacy
- B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy): This program leads to an undergraduate degree in pharmacy. The B.Pharm programme lasts four years on average and covers topics such as pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and pharmacognosy.
- D.Pharm (Diploma in Pharmacy): The D.Pharm programme, which is shorter than the B.Pharm programme, gives students the skills they need for entry-level pharmacy positions.
Eligibility: For B. Pharmacy, you must pass the GPAT (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test), which NTA conducts. But some colleges take the students in B.Pharma and D.Pharma and look at their 12th grade. There can be subject-specific grading as well as an age limit. You have to check the eligibility criteria according to your chosen college.
Nursing-
- B.Sc. Nursing: One rewarding career path in nursing is providing healthcare services. The four-year B.Sc.nursing programme consists of lectures in the classroom, laboratory work, and clinical rotations in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Eligibility: You must pass PCB exams like AIIMS Nursing Entrance Exam, JIPMER Nursing Entrance Exam, other state wise nursing exams, etc.
Nutrition and Dietetics-
- B.Sc. Nutrition and Dietetics: The study of dietetics and nutrition and how they contribute to illness prevention and health promotion is the main focus of this programme. The duration of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Nutrition and Dietetics program typically ranges from three to four years, depending on the institution and country where the program is offered.
Eligibility: You must meet the minimum aggregate marks requirement specified by the institution. This typically ranges from 50% to 60% in the board exams of class 12th. Some institutions may conduct entrance exams, which you must take and achieve the minimum qualifying marks to be considered for admission.
Veterinary Science-
Following the 12th PCB, veterinary science is one of the most popular subjects since it deals with animal health and welfare studies. The course aims to train individuals about animal behaviour and the constitution to facilitate animal nourishment, growth, and breeding. To give students practical experience in veterinary medicine, several programmes may include a required one-year internship or clinical rotation term.
Eligibility: Typical eligibility criteria consist of completing the 12th class with a PCB stream from recognised boards like CBSE or ICSE. Certain universities may additionally conduct interviews or admission tests to determine a candidate’s suitability for a programme.
Agricultural Sciences-
You can enrol in a BSc in Agricultural Sciences after completing your class 12th from the PCB stream. You can specialise in various fields, including animal science, viticulture and oenology, horticulture science, nutrition and food sciences, agribusiness, and more. It is mainly a four-year course.
Eligibility: Some institutes take their students depending on 12th board exam marks. Also, you can sit for the ICAR AIEEA (Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Examination for Admission) to get a better college.
Research-
If you want to pursue a career in research and are interested in learning basic science, you can go to IISc, IISERs or NISER. Though you can specialise in your subject in your second or third year, you have to attend all four subjects, including maths, physics, chemistry, and biology, in your first year. It is a five-year BS-MS dual degree program. After that, you can pursue a PhD and get into academia or look for jobs in research firms.
Eligibility: You must pass exams like the IAT (IISER Aptitude Test) to get a seat among the seven IISERs and IISc Bangalore in India. To get into NISER, you must qualify the NEST exam. Check out this blog to know more about IAT and NEST 2024.
Forensic Science-
In the broad subject of forensic science, scientific methods and concepts are applied to crime scene investigation, evidence analysis, and expert witness testimony. This course offers instruction in forensic methods and analysis for anyone curious about the relationship between science and criminal investigations. The Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc or B.A.) typically consists of three to four years of full-time study.
Eligibility: You must have passed 10+2 in PCB Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Math with 50% marks.
Physiotherapy-
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) is an undergraduate programme designed to prepare students for careers in physiotherapy. Physiotherapy is the practice of treating patients with physical disabilities, injuries, or impairments by using physical procedures like exercise, manual therapy, and electrotherapy. A bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy usually lasts four and a half and five years, including academic work, clinical internships, or hands-on training.
Eligibility: The eligibility criteria for admission to BPT programs include completion of the 12th grade from a recognised board or institution with science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) as compulsory subjects.
Top Colleges and Entrance Exams for Courses After Class 12th:
Medicine and Allied Fields-
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
- Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)
- Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) and others.
Entrance Exams: NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), AIIMS MBBS Entrance Exam, JIPMER MBBS Entrance Exam
Pharmacy-
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali
- Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chandigarh and others.
Entrance Exams: GPAT (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test), BITSAT (for BITS Pilani’s Pharmacy programs), MHT-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)
Nursing-
- Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
- Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)
Entrance Exams: AIIMS Nursing Entrance Exam, NEET (for some institutions), CMC Vellore Nursing Entrance Exam
Nutrition and Dietetics-
- Lady Irwin College, Delhi University
- Institute of Home Economics, Delhi University
- Osmania University, Hyderabad
Entrance Exams: Some colleges may have their own entrance exams, while others may admit based on merit in qualifying exams.
Veterinary Science-
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly
- Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai
- Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana
Entrance Exams: AIPVT (All India Pre-Veterinary Test), NEET (for some institutions), ICAR AIEEA (Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Examination for Admission).
Agricultural Sciences-
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
- Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore
Entrance Exams: ICAR AIEEA (Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Examination for Admission), State-level agricultural entrance exams
Research-
- National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISERs)
- Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs)
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Entrance Exams: Depending on the specific field of research, exams like GATE (for engineering), JAM (Joint Admission Test for M.Sc.), JEST (Joint Entrance Screening Test), CSIR-UGC NET (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) are commonly required.
Check out this blog to learn more about research institutes for biology.
Forensic Science-
- Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, Delhi
- Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar
- Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar
Entrance Exams: Some institutes may conduct their own entrance exams, while others may admit based on merit in qualifying exams. Check out this blog to learn more about forensic sciences.
Physiotherapy-
- All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AIIPMR), Mumbai
- Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), New Delhi
- Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
Entrance Exams: Some colleges may have their own entrance exams, while others may admit based on merit in qualifying exams. Additionally, some state-level common entrance tests might be applicable.
Conclusion:
Remember, after the 12th Board exam, you have plenty of career options to explore. Prioritising your hobbies, strengths, and career aspirations is crucial when choosing. Recall that every course presents distinct chances for both professional and personal development; thus, make an informed decision and set out on a rewarding path to your ideal career in science. SciAstra can be your best friend and mentor in your journey by providing top-notch study materials and mentorship for competitive exams like IAT, NEST, etc. Check out our courses, PYQs, mock tests and many more on our official website.
FAQs:
Ques: How can I prepare for the NEET exam effectively?
Ans: Effective preparation involves understanding the exam pattern, practising with previous years’ question papers, enrolling in coaching classes (if necessary), and dedicating consistent study hours.
Ques: What are the career opportunities in forensic science in India?
Ans: Career opportunities include working as a forensic scientist, crime scene investigator, forensic toxicologist, forensic pathologist, forensic psychologist, forensic accountant, or forensic analyst in law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories, research institutions, and private companies. Check out this blog to know more.
Ques: What are the career options other than NEET?
Ans: Check out this blog to know more about NEET.
Ques: How can I do research in Biotechnology?
Ans: Biotechnology is an emerging field combining biology with engineering. Check out this blog to know in depth about biotechnology.
Ques: Can I become a biologist in India?
Ans: Yes, there are many opportunities to become a biologist in India. Check out this blog to know more about such opportunities.
About us:
SciAstra is a team of scientists and research scholars from the top research institutes around the world like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and so on. Our vision is to promote critical thinking and scientific temperament by helping students in their careers in science.
We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER, NISER, IACS, CMI,ISI IISC Bangalore, etc teach students in live classes, with study materials, mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7,10, 12, and 13 in IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on. If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2024, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!
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