Percieved as much too theoretical, students and academicians alike concede that Science courses are ill-equipped to prepare students for employment of any sort. In fact, when two colleges applied for permission to shut down their Science faculties altogether from the current academic year, the University of Mumbai agreed without a whimper.

Both K B College of Arts and Commerce and S C College of Science for Women at Kopri in Thane district, and Sheth Nanjibhai College of Arts and Science, also in Thane, havetherefore closed down their Science divisions at the first-year level for the 1999-2000 academic year. Not doing so, they argued, would mean huge deficits. In a letter to the university, S C College pointed out that for the Science faculty alone, the college had to spend Rs 11 lakh on salaries and Rs 5 lakh on chemicals per year whereas the fees collected amounted to a meagre Rs 1 lakh. Statistics furnished by the College indicate that in 1995-96, 72 students had enrolled for Science, while there were just 21 for 1998-99.

Moreover, statistics culled from many of the other 79 colleges offering Science show an identical trend. Says S G Chitale, principal of Hazarimal Somani College, Chowpatty: ``We have 220 seats in Science courses but we don't even have 80 students. We have been struggling to fill up our two Science divisions while two years ago we used to get 180-190 students.'' At Birla College, Kalyan, Principal Dr R P Tribedy says there are only 150-odd students for its 240 seats in BSccourses.

Counterbalancing the decaying interest in Science is the diversification in professional and vocational courses, which guarantee employment at the end of the day. Pure economics have therefore rendered a degree in say, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics redundant. ``Unless one wants to do a doctorate, the options are limited,'' Chitale remarks. Pitted against Commerce, where students have a range of options from Chartered Accountancy to Company Secretaryship, Science just does not stand a chance.

As a natural corrollary, students who opt for Science at the junior college level switch to Commerce at the degree college level, if they do not get into a professional course. This was evident from the overabundance of applicants in the Commerce faculty over the last few years. For instance, Hazarimal College has been receiving 1,800 applications for the 315 seats in Commerce. Besides, Commerce leaves students with plenty of spare time, which many utilise by opting for job-oriented part-timecourses.

The obsolete Science syllabi is another deterrent. Says Principal P M Sule of Ruparel College: ``The syllabus should be changed to make it more industry-friendly. As of now, it is very theory-oriented.'' Commensurate infrastructure should also be made available, he adds.

Introduction of vocational courses in the Science stream hasn't made much of a difference either, Chitale points out. ``We can admit only 30 students in these courses, that doesn't help.'' Also, now with no grants and therefore, fees being charged for these courses, demand has also declined considerably.

The declining interest in Science has also given rise to a bunch of related problems -- mainly surplus teachers. ``If the trend continues, in a year, our college will be saddled with surplus teachers,'' Chitale says. At Bhavan's College in Andheri, in the last four years, five teachers have been rendered surplus, Principal D B Kadam points out.

Though university officials agree that the interest in Science has declined, theysee no problems with the syllabus. ``It is updated every three years,'' says Registrar Dr P V Pradhan. However, he says, it cannot be tailored to suit industry requirements only. ``The basic components have to be there,'' he adds.

The BSc Computer Science degree was introduced this year as an attempt to steer students away from professional courses, the registrar says. Biochemistry was also introduced from the first year level while earlier it was taught only at the third year level, he adds.

Incidentally, a reverse phenomenon is being seen in rural areas, where students are making a beeline for Science. ``Mumbai being the financial capital, students prefer Commerce,'' the registrar says. However, matters are likely to come a full circle soon, Dr Pradhan feels. With 50,000-odd students graduating in Commerce every year -- against 9,000-odd students in BSc and 11,000-odd in BA -- there is going to be a `saturation level' soon. ``With so many students graduating in Commerce, that many job opportunitieswon't be there. Science will then enjoy the same demand,'' he feels.