Of the 573 students who appeared for the Bio-chemistry paper in the State Board Class XII examination this year, the top three ranks in the State were bagged by an aspiring dentist and two aspiring engineers, all from the same school in Thiruvanmiyur.
Kalpalatha Mohan, principal, Sri Sankara Vidyashram Matriculation Higher Secondary School said since the course was introduced in the school nine years ago, this was not the first time it had produced toppers in Bio-chemistry.
The three toppers, G. Vaishali, Vishal Srinivas and R. Varsha, switched from CBSE to the State Board in class XI, primarily to score marks that would help them surpass the cut-offs.
However, the students said they did not expect Bio-chemistry to be as interesting as it was.
Vishal Srinivas, who scored 196/200 in Bio-chemistry chose the subject over maths in class XI because he had decided he wanted to do medicine.
“My father is a geriatrician, and I wanted to be a doctor too. I am also looking at dentistry as an option,” he said. When compared to Biology, Bio-chemistry is less voluminous and extremely interesting, he observed. His first choice, to study design in National Institute of Design, will now have to take a back-seat.
“I will pursue it as a hobby,” he said, standing outside the school office, a day after his results.
For G. Vaishali, who scored 197/200, it was about the love for the subject.
“I loved studying bio-chemistry for two years, and am very happy about the choice I made. Our teacher made the subject extremely interesting,” she said, adding that she wants to take up biomedical engineering. R. Varsha (195/200) took up Bio-chemistry on her elder brother’s advice.
“He took the same group at school, and suggested that I opt for it too. Biomedical and Biotechnology are my two options,” she said.
“Besides, our teacher made the subject really interesting.”
Students at the school can opt for bio-technology with physics, chemistry and maths or physics, chemistry and biology. Asha Subramanian, who teaches Bio-chemistry and Chemistry at the school, says there is scope for both groups.
While those opting for math and bio-technology can go in for B.Tech, those opting for bio-chemistry with Biology can look at medicine other than paramedical courses. However, student preference tilts towards the maths combination, she observed.
Jayaprakash Gandhi, career analyst and educationist said that students opting for subjects such as bio-chemistry and micro-biology can also take up research.
Students said getting State ranks in lesser opted for subjects may also act as a catalyst to make students less apprehensive and more interested in the subject.
“Our juniors are more in number,” said Varsha. This year 50 students in the city attempted the Bio-chemistry paper.
