A BSc degree can be a great alternative to BTech and MBBS courses available to students belonging to the science stream. While the latter two are fraught with intense competition (National level entrance examinations like the JEE), the BSc degree course often requires no more than the student to have passed their 10+2 boards with around 50% only. This advantage and more make it a very popular choice.
However, these courses are offered in many different subjects or specializations, often termed honors courses – which leads to quite a confusion among students. In this blog, we will guide you on how to choose the right BSc course for you and also offer you more insight into the course itself.
BSc or Bachelor of Science courses are usually 3-year undergraduate programs in various subjects that are scientific in nature. This is one of the more popular courses out there, as its graduates are eligible for probably the widest range of job roles in India. Hence, it is also one of the most popular courses in the country that we Indians (with our obsession with Science subjects) always opt for.
The BSc courses that focus on a specific subject are also called honors or majors and are usually more popular than general BSc courses. The bachelor of science duration can change with the mode in which it is taken too – online or distance learning BSc courses can take more or less than the usual 3 years. Take a look at the table below to get a general idea about BSc courses.
| Course Name | BSc (Bachelor of Science) |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Modes | Full-time, Part-time, Online, Correspondence |
| Duration | 3 years |
| General Eligibility Criteria | 50% – 60% marks in 10+2 (with PCB/ PCBM/ PCM subject combination) |
| Admission Process | Merit or Entrance Exams |
| Average Fees | INR 20,000 – INR 2 Lakhs |
| Best Subjects/ Specializations | Math, Digital and Cyber Forensic Science, Information Technology, Computer Science, AI & ML, Fashion Design, etc. |
| Average Salary Range | INR 3 – 7 LPA |
| Common Areas of Employment | Research, Education, Healthcare, Aeronautics, Astronomy, Analysis, Product Development, Energy, etc. |
Let us now take a look at some of the BSc specializations that are famed to cause confusion about which one to choose because there are so many! Listed below are some of the most common Bsc honors subjects, including the ones offered at Cheram College for Women.
The syllabi of BSc courses obviously depend on the subject of specialization chosen by the student. We have shown the syllabi of the BSc science subjects 1st year of the BSc IT course at Cheran College for Women to give you a general idea of the course structure.
BSc IT Course 1st year Syllabus
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Language – I | Language – II |
| English – I | English – II |
| Computing Fundamentals and C Programming |
C++ Programming |
| Digital Fundamentals and Computer Architecture |
Programming Lab – C++ |
| Programming Lab – C | Internet Basics |
| Mathematical Structures for ComputerScience |
Discrete Mathematics |
| Environmental Studies | Human Rights |
Let us now discuss how in the world you will choose among so many courses on offer. We have a simple 3-pronged approach to solving this confusion once and for all. To choose the right Bsc course that is best suited for you, follow the steps below.
This is the first and most important step that you need to take before choosing your first undergraduate course, be it BSc or any other. Determine your areas of interest, and make a list of the industries or roles you’d like to work in. Do not give into peer or parental pressure on this, as a subject that interests you will be more likely to get you better scores upon graduation too.
Depending upon which subject combination you had in your high school, you’ll be more suited to a certain Bachelor of science specialization than the others. Some specializations may even need you to have specific subjects like math and biology to be eligible for those honors programs. Refer to the table below for some of the best courses according to your background in various subject combinations of Physics, Maths, Biology, and Chemistry.
| Common BSc with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) | Common BSc with PCBM (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths) | Common BSc with PCBM (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths) |
| BSc Maths | BSc Biotechnology | BSc Biochemistry |
| BSc Statistics | BSc Bioinformatics | BSc Zoology |
| BSc Physics | BSc AI and ML | BSc Biology |
| BSc Computer Science | BSc IT | BSc Botany |
The final thing you should do to select the perfect Bsc course for you is to do some research into the salaries of common job roles you can get with the BSc course you are interested in. Suppose you are interested in technology and design and looking for a creative job role for your career. Which BSc course will you choose then among BSc as both Computer science and Bsc Fashion designing can land you a job where you can be creative?
The estimated pay of common job roles of graduates from these two fields can help you deduce, as you’ll see in the graphs below.
(Source: Self-made)
Choosing the right BSc degree course need not be the confusing trip down research and guesswork as it seems to be. With a few key things in mind and following the steps we discussed, it is quite easy to score a rewarding career in the future.
1. What are some of the common jobs I can get with a BSc Degree?
Some of the common job roles you can get with a BSc Degree are Project Assistant, Research Associate, School Teacher, Consultant, Clinical Research Associate, etc.
2. Are there any good alternatives to BSc Computer science courses?
Yes. The BSc courses in AI and ML, IT, and Digital and Cyber Forensic Science are good alternatives to a BSc in computer science.
3. Do government companies hire BSc graduates?
Yes. Depending on the specialization, government companies like ISRO, HAL, DVC, SAIL, GAIL, Railways, etc hire BSc graduates.
Can I become a Lecturer with a BSc Degree course?
Yes. A BSc degree course can pave your path to becoming a university lecturer. You will however need to acquire additional qualifications like B.Ed, MSc, or PhD to get employment in higher educational institutions.
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