In the era of artificial intelligence and blockchains, students have the option for taking up more advanced courses instead of following up the general academic track. There are plenty of new courses, which you can learn both online and offline. However, there are seldom clear answers on whether these courses are authentic or the probability of getting jobs?

Instead of jumping on the bandwagon, students and parents must first analyse whether the course is suitable to the candidate. The students should also have a basic understanding of the subject before opting for it.

Five subjects for advanced learning

Cyber security

The more advanced your computer gets, you need to find more ways to secure the information. The cyber security as the name suggests is all about securing the computers and software in the ever-expanding digital world. Job opportunities are aplenty both within the country and abroad. Network security, digital forensics, ethical hacking, banking and cryptography would be the varied fields in which experts in cyber security would be employed at. You can get posted as a cyber security analyst, information security analyst or network security engineer. With experience and expertise, the salary figures can go up from lakh to crores of rupees.

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) in Delhi, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Allahabad offer MTech courses in cyber security. The Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (IITM-K) in Thiruvananthapuram offers an MSc course. Certain other institutions also offer certificate courses of one- or two-month duration.

Machine intelligence

Machine learning pertains to developing algorithms that programmes computers to perform a particular task without explicit instructions. Machine intelligence is the course that helps you master it. The career opportunities are aplenty. With the spread of artificial intelligence, the demand for candidates with the technical know-how of machine learning would rise to 23 lakh by 2020 end, experts say. Those who are adept at machine learning can also pursue careers as game programmer, robotic scientist and so on.

Candidates should have a minimum qualification of degree in maths and science subjects. Information Technology and Management (IITM-K) in Thiruvananthapuram offers MSc course on machine learning. A Google search will tell you more about other certificate and online courses.

Geospatial analytics

Analysing data by gathering information, including satellite images, geography details and GPS, is known as geospatial analytics. The technology comes into play in weather forecast and disaster management.

As it is a relatively new course, only very few institutions offer programmes on this subject. Even able teaching faculty is hard to come by. The Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, and Information Technology and Management (IITM-K) in Thiruvananthapuram have related courses on the subject.

Blockchain

Blockchain is a fast-growing system in the commercial world in which growing list of records are linked using cryptography. The need for professionals to work in this field is steadily increasing. Students with basic qualifications in maths and computers can apply for the course. Most of the learning is online. The National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), Kerala Blockchain Academy (kba.ai), Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), ICT Academy offer programmes on the advanced subject. Several companies also run certificate courses on blockchains.

Data analytics

Data analytics can be best explained through an example: consider you have information on the number of cars sold in Kerala during a fixed time period. By analysing this data, a car company can make its future business strategies. If white cars are found to be more in demand, then the company can also increase the manufacturing of vehicles with that colour.

Management institutions focus on the business part of the data analytics, while technical courses concentrate on the IT and scientific side of it.

The need for professionals who can quickly analyse information for companies in engineering, medical and industrial verticals is set to increase in the coming years.

Data analytics can fetch you jobs in IT, sports, traffic, digital marketing and automobile fields. BITS Pilani, IIIT Bangalore, IIT Kharagpur, IITM-K Thiruvananthapuram, National Institute of Securities Markets in Navi Mumbai all offer courses in data analytics.

Apply now

You can apply for MSc course in machine intelligence, cyber security, data analytics, and geospatial analytics at the IITM-K in Thiruvananthapuram now. Basic qualification is Science/BTech degree. Last date for application is May 31.

The admission is through an entrance exam held nationally. For more details, check iiitmk.ac.in