MSc: Course, Admission, Syllabus, Colleges, Jobs, Scope

Those who have successfully acquired Bachelor's degree in science subjects are eligible to enrol themselves for a Master's degree. Students who have completed the 10+2+3 course can opt for a Master's. Some universities have set 50–55% marks in the undergraduate level as minor eligibility. If you want to enrol yourself for MSc, you must give the admission test and be shortlisted in the merit list based on marks obtained in the exam. The scope of MSc is challenging, and you can get hold of a respectable job in this area after concluding the program with decent grades.

About MSC Course

Master of Science is a postgraduate program offered by universities and colleges in numerous Science fields, such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Mathematics, Biotechnology, Food, Environmental Sciences, Microbiology, etc.

The MSc degree provides students with scientific and professional entry-level competency, and the course offers advanced knowledge to students in their selected specialization. The MSc specialization opted by students is usually studied by them during graduation.

MSc Course Details

Why an MSc?

Enhancing your qualifications and obtaining an MSc is a perfect means to showcase your potential in front of employers. It also reveals that you are eligible for a reputed position in the company, and you can handle extra responsibilities by adding value to it. Mentioned below are some resourceful points that will help you understand why doing MSc is vital: 

Credibility: Profit-making companies do not need employees who are liabilities; and instead, they need assets that can take their company to new horizons. Therefore, a master's degree is like a feather in the cap to be a valued asset. 

Essential professional expertise: Employees who possess expertise in a specialized segment are always in demand. Hence, one needs to take an extra mile in education to get the best, and a master's degree is a must, along with other short courses. Other skills are also instilled when obtaining a master's degree, such as innovative and inventive thinking, project management, data analysis, information technology, effective communication, problem-resolving, etc.

Significance: Master's graduates hold greater importance in their respective fields. Big business houses would like to hire the best employees with high skills and education to take their companies on the path of growth in this world of competition. 

Enhanced employability: A candidate's employability is one of the critical factors looked upon by employers. Master's graduates go through thesis, course work, and modules, and they develop meticulous skills of meeting stipulated deadlines, managing time, and possess organizational skills. These skills invite various employers.

Niche-based: Master's graduates have a little knowledge of everything and also about a specific segment. They are perfect to be consulted for the resolution of problems.

Who Should do an MSc?

Pursuing an MSc helps students enhance their knowledge and specialize in a particular discipline. It also boosts students' careers and enables them to add a little extra to their CV to help them stand apart in the world of employability. Students with an MSc qualification can crack more productive job prospects than students with a BSc degree.

Therefore, attaining an MSc degree is most advantageous for undergraduate students with a solid background in the science stream and who wish to acquire a competitive edge in the job market.

MSc Eligibility Criteria

As already mentioned above, all students need to hold a bachelor's degree in Science from a reputed college/ university. They should secure minimum marks in graduation, usually 50-60 per cent, to be eligible for an MSc degree. Although, the obligatory percentage might vary depending on the university's policy or institute in which a student is enrolling himself. Besides, there are no age criteria to get into the MSc courses.

MSc Admission Process

Numerous universities/colleges conduct exams for students in MSc programs. However, some universities/colleges also offer direct admission to those students who have performed relatively well in their previous qualifying exams.

Required Skills for an MSc

Choosing the field of Science is vital as it is one of the most competitive fields in academia. In this regard, MSc delves deep into studying the course. Besides, one should also possess soft and hard skills to stand out when pursuing career options apart from the MSc program. Some of these skills are listed below:

• Innovative and creative thinking
• Exactness in research
• Technical and numerical skills
• Mange time to its optimum
• Handle work pressure
• Meet deadlines
• Resolve problems

MSc Specializations

MSc is an ultimate option for those students looking for specialization in a science or engineering discipline at the advanced level. You can specialize in various fields through an MSc degree. Some of them are listed here:

• MSc in Physics
• MSc in Economics
• MSc in Atmospheric Science
• MSc in Biological Sciences
• MSc in Biotechnology
• MSc in Botany
• MSc in Chemistry
• MSc in Clinical Psychology
• MSc in Electronics
• MSc in Environmental Science
• MSc in Geology
• MSc in Information Technology
• MSc in Mathematics
• MSc in Meteorology
• MSc in Organisational Leadership
• MSc in Zoology

MSc Entrance Exams in India

• Indian Institute of Technology – Joint Admission Test 
• Indira Gandhi National Open University Entrance Exam
• Indian School of Mines Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology 
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences exam
• University of Pune Entrance Exam
• Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Entrance Exam 
• Delhi University Entrance Test 

MSc Entrance Exam Syllabus

Here is a brief overview of the MSc entrance exams syllabus: 

Top Colleges for an MSc in India

MSc colleges are always in demand as these are the institutions of the country providing a wide range of MSc degree specializations and job opportunities to the students. Mentioned below is the list of top MSc colleges in India and their fee structure:

Courses after an MSc

MSc is a foundation course for those students who wish to specialize in their respective Science subject areas. After successfully concluding their MSc program, such students can opt for Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD). Hence, they can shape their career in the research segment.

On the other hand, career prospects for those students who wish to acquire their jobs primarily depend on the MSc specialization they select. Nevertheless, such students can get a decent job in the private and government sectors. Furthermore, students can look for lab work positions and take up teaching as their career after finishing their MSc courses.

Jobs & Salary after an MSc

After graduation, job prospects for MSc students are available in both the public and the private sectors. With ongoing research and infrastructural development led by various public and private companies in India, the job opportunities are diverse, offering endless scopes. Options may differ for candidates who opt for higher studies, such as MBA, MPhil, or PhD.

Junior Research Fellow: Junior Research Fellow conducts research and analysis, publishes scientific work and its outcomes, and so on. Candidates are also usually involved in pursuing a PhD program and Junior Research Fellowship.    

Research Scientist: A Scientist designs, undertakes, and analyses information acquired from lab-based investigations and experiments. He can work in an environmental organization or a government laboratory, etc. 

Teacher: An MSc graduate can also opt to be a teacher in their respective Science subject. However, candidates need to pursue BEd after their post-graduation for the same.

Food & Drug Inspector: The food and drug inspector ensures the safety of humans' food products. He is also known as the quality control inspector, who examines food or pharmaceuticals at various phases of the manufacturing process and certifies quality standards.

Mathematician: A mathematician develops and understands mathematical philosophies and solves real-world problems in government, engineering, social sciences, business, etc.    

Biochemist: A biochemist plays a vital role in developing medicines to fight diverse diseases. He examines DNA, enzymes, and other molecules to study the effects of drugs and food on biological procedures.

Chemical Analyst: A chemical analyst gathers information about the composition of chemical substances and processes and converses this information through the mediums of Science, maths, and engineering. 

An MSc degree holder can get an average salary of Rs.30k to Rs.40k every month. Many companies in the public and private sectors offer a decent salary package to MSc degree holders. However, salaries also depend upon the working areas of the company, its size, location, qualification, etc. You will get a good salary package in this field through the requisite expertise.

Top Recruiters for an MSc Graduate

• Deutsche Bank
• HSBC
• Credit Suisse
• Barclays Capital
• Goldman Sachs
• BlackRock
• BNP Paribas
• Boston Consulting Group

Conclusion

Obtaining an MSc degree aims to attain further qualifications, knowledge, and skills to advance a career in a specific field. Another importance of holding it allows the candidate to shift career from one area to another.

Frequently Asked Questions About an MSc