How to Become a Scientist: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Scopes, Jobs, Salary

All About Career as a Scientist

A scientist aims to find data and information that can be measured or compared through various analysis and testing methodologies. Scientists use scientific methods to look for evidence based findings or hypothesis.The career as scientist is not very easy but if you are passionate about it then you will have a good time following the path.

Eligibility

• The first and the foremost eligibility criteria to become a Scientist is that aspiring students should clear their 10+2 from a board recognized by the state or central government with PCM or PCMB as their subject combination, with minimum 70% and above aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA.
• Students who want to become Scientists must complete their bachelor’s degree from a recognized university/ college with science as their main subject along with relevant subject combination. The subject will vary according to their inclination towards either chemistry, physics, biological science, or mathematics. Students must have a minimum of 60% in aggregate and must have passed each subject individually.
• After completing their Undergraduate degrees students who aspire to become Scientists must have clear their Postgraduate degree from a recognized university/ college in a relevant subject according to their bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 60% in aggregate and must have passed each subject individually.
• Students must have a doctoral degree or Ph.D. in their relevant subject with enough research and laboratory experience.

Entrance exam

After fulfiling the various eligibility criteria students have to apply through various entrance exams in their graduation, post-graduation, and doctoral degree. Admission to various education institutions varies as per university/ college rules. Some admissions are based on merit in the last qualifying exams while others have specific entrance exams. 

For a Ph.D. degree, there are few national-level exams like the UGC NET Exam, CSIR- UGC NET exam, NCBS JGEEBILS, DBT JRF biotech entrance exam, ICMR JRF fellowships, JNU Ph.D. entrance test, JRF-GATE, etc.

Types of Scientists

There are so many kinds of scientists to start from. The type of scientist a person becomes depends on the subject and area of specialization. Some of the most common types of scientist are:

Check: Top MSc Colleges in India.

Courses to Become a Scientist

There are several qualification pathways to become a scientist in India or Abroad. Students have to clear many courses to become a Scientist.

Know More About: Data Science Courses

Bachelor’s Course

BSc is a popular choice of study for science students after Class XII. It provides in depth theoretical and practical knowledge in various fields of science like physical science, applied science, chemistry, mathematics, economics, biology, agriculture, horticulture, animation, etc.

Students who have a strong interest in learning interdisciplinary subjects of science and mathematics can pursue this course.

• The course is ideal for students who want to go into research industries like pharmaceuticals, healthcare, manufacturing, IT industry and so on.
• The two types of BSc degree are BSc Honours and BSc General. Both are of three years with the same qualifications.
• Students acquire basic skills and knowledge to work in a dynamic environment as a researcher, teacher, lecturer, consultant, counsellor, etc. Due to these major opportunities, many students prefer this degree.
• Various scholarship opportunities are also available like INSPIRE Scholarships, HDFC Educational Crisis Scholarship Support (ECSS), Promotion of Science Education (POSE) Scholarship, Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), etc.

• After BSc, students can go for higher studies and do Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Admission Process

BSc Admission Process usually takes place on the basis of merit. But some colleges take admission through entrances like IAT IISER, OUAT, NEST and many others.

• Merit Based BSc Admission: Top colleges of Delhi University like Miranda House, Hindu College, etc. take admission based on marks obtained in Class XII, as well as on the basis of their cut-off lists.
• Entrance Exam Based BSc Admission: Some universities like Aligarh Muslim University, IISER, Orissa University Agriculture and Technology, etc. take admission through entrance exams. The received applications are shortlisted and students who are eligible will be called for an entrance test and personal interview.

Eligibility

BSc eligibility criteria may vary depending on the college chosen and the candidate must meet all the criteria to get admission in top colleges offering BSc.

• The basic BSc course eligibility is to have at least 50% in Class XII from any recognized board. Some premier colleges ask for 60% marks.
• The students must have studied core subjects like Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology at their Higher Secondary level.
• The minimum age limit for BSc course admission in India is 18 years.

Top Colleges

Master’s Course

Master of Science, abbreviated as MSc, is a 2-years PG science course that offers in-depth practical and theoretical knowledge in a wide range of scientific fields such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Pharmacy, and Nursing. 

Master of Science degree is offered by some of the top universities and colleges of India via both regular and distance mode. An MSc degree is mandatory for PhD aspirants. 

To pursue a Master of Science course, candidates need to have a few skills such as problem-solving skills, Analytical skills, research skills, etc. The MSc syllabus changes according to the MSc Specialization. 

Admission Process

Candidates should follow the steps mentioned below to know the MS Admission process:-

• Check for the eligibility for the MS entrance exam.
• Appear for the examination.
• Check the cut-off lists. 
• Colleges which offer entrance exam based admission will consider the entrance exam score for cut-off and conduct a counselling session.
• After the counselling session or the release of the cut off list, students will get the final admission.
• Selected students must pay the admission fee on time.

Eligibility

• Students must secure a minimum of 50%-60% of marks from any recognized board in UG Science or Management level to pursue admission in MS course.
• Students must have appeared for an entrance examination such as GATE, CAT etc to be eligible for admission to the MS course.
• Students must have a doctoral degree or Ph.D. in their relevant subject with enough research and laboratory experience.

Top Colleges

PhD Courses

• PhD Science is a research based course. The students perform experiments, and through observation, questioning, modeling, and investigation, students try to discover some new concepts and include them in their thesis. 
• One of the principal purposes of a PhD Science course is to prepare students to conduct research about the learning and teaching of Science within different scientific disciplines. 
• Subjects taught in this course are physics, chemistry, biology, computer Science, life Sciences, etc. These subjects are taught with complete research. covered topics can be geophysics, material Science, etc.
• The students have to undergo coursework at the beginning of the course. This coursework will include all the important theories and principles of the chosen subject. 
• After completing the coursework, the students will have to perform individual research and draft a thesis which will be submitted at the end of the course. 

Top colleges

How to become a Scientist Abroad

Pursuing a career to become a scientist abroad is tedious and a tough job. Students aspiring to become Scientists can opt for obtaining a degree from abroad in their graduation, post-graduation as well as a doctoral degree.

For pursuing a foreign degree students have to plan ahead of time. They have to decide when to pursue the foreign degree and the subject they want to specialize in. In order to be able to study across top Universities abroad to become a Scientist, students must fulfil certain eligibility criteria which are listed below,

• Students have to maintain a consistent performance throughout their educational degree. Some Universities abroad prefer students with 70% and above aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA for enrolling them for various courses.
• For studying in any foreign country students have to clear the English language test either TOEFL, IELTS etc.
• They have to look for sponsorship or scholarship programs that they are eligible for. Students have to write a good research proposal or an essay to get into University.

Top Colleges: Some of the top colleges abroad that can be enrolled in to become a Scientist abroad are tabulated below for your reference,

Benefits of becoming a Scientist

Being a scientist is considered one of the most reputed degrees and professions in our country as well as abroad. They are considered as the top in academic language. There are many benefits of choosing scientists as career options.

• High salary: Being a scientist brings in a lot of money. An average Indian scientist’s monthly salary can easily range from INR 80,000- INR 1,00,000. The salary depends on the organization or research lab one is working in and the designation. Some organizations hiring scientists are Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), etc.
• Job security: Being a scientist is considered one of the most secure jobs and they can shift or work in their specialization subject from any laboratory in the world.
• Continuous in the learning process: A scientist is blessed with the opportunity of learning and gaining new experiences every day. There is no end to new inventions and discoveries in this profession and with every such case, you’re learning keeps on growing.

Skills Required to Become a Scientist 

Some of the top most essential skills that are required to become a Scientist are tabulated below for your reference, 

Top Recruiters for Scientists