‘Students will be given field and industrial in-house training’ The Paramakalyani Centre of Excellence in Environmental Sciences at Alwarkurichi, a satellite centre of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, offers a restructured 2-years M.Sc. for science graduates and a 5-year integrated M.Sc. on Environmental Sciences for Plus Two science students. According to K. Baskar, Vice-Chancellor, MSU, the courses have been introduced in view of the growing demand for postgraduate students in environmental sciences. Graduates with a degree in zoology, botany, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, environmental science, life science, chemistry, pharmacy, agriculture, B.Tech. in biotechnology or food technology and B.E. in Environmental engineering or civil engineering are eligible for joining the 2-years postgraduate programme. Students who have passed Plus Two with science subjects may join the 5-year integrated programme. The curriculum of the M.Sc. Environmental Sciences includes various theory and practical papers on ecology, environment pollution and control technology, industrial toxicology, natural resource conservation, remote sensing, agro forestry, climatology and climate change, waste water treatment technologies, organic farming, forest and wild life management, bioremediation, non- conventional energy, disaster management, solid and hazardous waste management, environment legislation, Carbon- di-Oxide sequestration technologies, environment impact assessment, wasteland development, industrial hygiene and safety, zoo and museum management, environment education and communication. “The students will be given field training and industrial in-house training along with industrial internship. The course is the first of its kind. The students will be given opportunity to perform a major independent project work also in addition to taking part in seminars and group discussions. Several student exchange and extra departmental programmes are also available,” Dr. Baskar said adding that the students who are trained under this curriculum would certainly get lucrative employment opportunities in public and private sectors in India and abroad. The Paramakalyani Centre of Excellence in Environmental Sciences at Alwarkurichi has sophisticated equipment, advanced laboratories, laboratory on geographical information system, animal house, wet labs, green houses, museum, Wi-Fi facilities etc. The faculty are specialised in different areas of environment science and technologies. “The well-equipped library has thousands of books and journals. The university also gives an attractive monthly scholarship of Rs. 2,000 to 10 meritorious students of the 5 years integrated M.Sc in environmental sciences in addition to other government scholarships. The course fee is also very nominal,” the Vice-Chancellor said. Those who are willing to join these programmes may visit the MSU website www.msuniv.ac.in or contact A.G. Murugesan, Professor and Head of SPK Centre of Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Alwarkurichi at 87547 73353 before June 29 for admission, Dr. Baskar said.