Whatever the trend maybe among the current generation of students in terms of selecting an undergraduate course, last year in the All India Survey on Higher Education, the Human Resource Development Ministry reported that 79.8 percent of students enrolled for cundergraduate courses. Out of this staggering percentage, 47.13 lakh students opted to study science courses, making it the second most popular choice among the students’ fraternity.

Engineering might be the easiest gateway for many students that decide to pursue engineering after the 12th standard just to have an undergraduate degree. Some become topnotch engineers with original engineering ideas, while some work for startups and MNCs. Others join the creative sector and the rest become vague about their career choices.

In between, a fewer number of students decide to pursue Hons courses in Science. The fact that the importance of science in daily life is unbreakable, so the research and development sector remains the magnet of attraction for B.Sc. graduates. With the growing importance of Bachelor of Science courses, there are some top undergraduate degree courses to choose from. Here is a list of Top Bachelor of Science courses (other than physics, chemistry, biology or zoology) to select after class 12. These courses offer good career opportunities with lucrative salary benefits and also scope to move up the ladder in the professional arena.

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Agriculture – Students often neglect the importance of agricultural science due to the fact it is not highlighted to the extent other courses are. But the skilled and knowledgeable manpower need in agriculture is as crucial that in any other field. The potential lies in the improvement of productivity in agro-based products. The curriculum includes topics like Agronomy, Plant Genetics, Soil Science, Entomology, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Meteorology, Plant Pathology, Horticulture and Agricultural Extension. The endpoint of this course indulges in making the students contribute to the enhancement of the quality of food and beverage products. Various posts offer different salaries starting from INR 5-6 LPA in the private sector. Vacancies are also there in the government sector.

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biotechnology –In three years’ duration, students selecting to study biotechnology in undergraduate learn about the cellular andBiomolecular techniques for manufacturing products to better the lives of people. This branch is an amalgamation of biology and technology emphasizing on the research and developments of medicinal and related products. The curriculum includes Macromolecular Structure and Analysis, Biophysics & Instrumentation, Principles of Transmission Genetics, Cell Structure & Dynamics, Principles of Microbiology, Plant and Animal Tissue Culture Techniques and applications, Introduction to Data Structure & Computer Organization, Elements of Management Introduction and Entrepreneurship, Environmental Biotechnology, Biotechnology- Social, Legal and Ethical Issues and Industrial Biotechnology subjects. Upon completing the undergraduate course, a student is eligible to join the industry as a research associate, research scientist, biotech product analyst, marketing manager or lecturer where they are paid handsomely.

• Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.) – This is a four years undergraduate degree course in which a student learns about fisheries – fish processing, aquaculture, fishery resource management, fishing technology and management, fisheries environment and fisheries extension. The subjects include Principles of Aquaculture, Information & Communication Technology, Taxonomy of Finfish, Freshwater Aquaculture, Taxonomy of Shellfish, Meteorology & Geography, Soil and Water Chemistry, Food chemistry & Fish in Nutrition, Biotechnology & Bioinformatics in Fisheries, Fishery Genetics & Breeding, Aquatic Pollution & Coastal Zone Management and Financing and Marketing Management in Fisheries. Numerous opportunities are there in this field in the government as well as the private sector. Even they can start their ventures.

• Bachelor Science in Nursing (B.Sc. Nursing) – Subjected to students that are interested in serving the human race, nursing is regarded as a noble profession. The most sought after qualities in a nurse are patience, administration skills, compassion and communication in jargon and laymen’s terms. In the learning phase, a nurse learns about Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Nursing Foundation, Pharmacology, Sociology, Pathology and Genetics, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Psychology, Communication and Educational Technology, Microbiology, Midwifery and Obstetrical Nursing, Introduction To Computer, English, Nursing Research and Statistics, Management Of Nursing Services and Education, Child Health Nursing, Fundamentals Of Nursing, First Aid With Applied Sciences and Pharmacology, Psychiatric Nursing and Operation Theatre Technique. After completion, career designations for nurses are Home Care Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Nurse – Nursery School, Ward Nurse and Infection Control Nurse, Nursing Assistant Supervisor, Nursing Tutor and Junior Psychiatric Nurse. A professional nurse can earn between INR 3lpa and 8lpa.

• Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communication – Different from the engineering stream, Bachelor of Science in electronics and communication is three years fulltime undergraduate course where students study design and analysis of electronics, computer systems, communication systems, industrial electronics and navigational aids. Topics integrated to the curriculum include Electricity and Basic Electronics, Semiconductor Devices and Integrated Circuits, Antennas and Wave Propagation, Electromagnetism and AC Circuits, Programming in C, Communication Electronics, Physics Of Materials, Digital Electronics, Data Processing and Personal Computers, Microprocessor, Opto Electronics, Amplifiers and Oscillators, Electrical and Electronic Instrumentation and Television and Video Engineering. Students can work in Telecommunication Services, TV Industry, Defense Services, Power Sector, Music Industry, IT, Automobile Industry and earn upto INR 25 lpa.