GATE topper: "Structures fascinate this CE graduate"

Updated on 26 Mar 2014, 12:47 PM IST

Shubhankar Roy Choudhary

Graduation: Civil Engineering

Institution: Jadavpur University

GATE score: 1000/1000

Rank: 2

PG Option: ME Structural Engineering at IISc, Bangalore

Research interest: Understanding nuances of structural engineering

SHUBHANKAR, a topper of the West Bengal Board exams (HSC/ Class 12) and also at the top in the Civil Engineering Department of Jadavpur University, places JDU amongst one of the best universities in the region, second only to IIT Kharagpur.

Fascinated by structures, he has a deep urge to explore each and every aspect of structural engineering, a stream in which he intends to do his ME at IISc Bangalore.

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“Prepare yourself well for the semester exams, study concepts carefully, and clear your doubts as you study the course. If one has studied religiously every semester, two to three months of preparation is sufficient,” he elaborates.

“You must not skip any topic of the syllabus,” he adds. Shubhankar does not recommend regular coaching, but stresses on taking mock tests, given the nature of the exam. A firm believer in the notion that engineering is incomplete without practical work experience, Shubhankar plans to do his PhD and also work with the industry soon.

Prep mantras (Civil Engineering)

Typically, many civil engineering students avoid studying mathematics; this is not a good strategy. Do not neglect Hydraulics. Basic topics like fluid statics, kinematics, dynamics, laminar-turbulent flow, pipe flow, open channel flow etc. should be prepared properly.
In Highway Engineering, geometric design is more important than other areas such as different methods of road constructions, material properties and testing etc. Students often leave the part of Traffic Engineering; don’t avoid it.
For subjects like Water, Waste water and Environmental pollution, you could opt for selective study if covering the entire syllabus is tough. For example, studying the biological characteristic of waste water is important if you want to score in the topic, Waste water.
Subjects like Theory of Structures, Strength of Material, Design of RC and Steel Structures (connection designs of steel structures is important). Soil Mechanics (Consolidation, Permeability, Slope Stability, Index properties), Foundation Design, Concrete Technology require detailed study.

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