CAREER GUIDE : Integrated M.Sc. Physics for research

Plus-Two Physics students interested in pursuing research can try this option.

Those who successfully complete Plus-Two with physics as one of the subjects and desire to go for research can opt for five year integrated M.Sc. programmes in physics. There are a handful of institutions and universities offering integrated M.Sc. programmes in physics. Prominent among them are the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Cen tre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CBS), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)and so on.

IISERs

IISERs are located in Pune, Mohali and Kolkata. IISER offers M.S., Ph.D. and post doctoral programmes in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. In the first two years of the M.S. programme, there will be a comprehensive core course in all areas of basic sciences. In the third and fourth years, students will choose a major subject. The fifth year will be devoted to research, technical projects and specialised training leading to a master’s thesis.

To secure a berth in IISER, one must pass Plus-Two or equivalent in the science stream in the year of admission or previous year and must qualify any one of Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), Indian National Olympiad Examination or IIT Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). Counselling will be organised simultaneously at IISER Kolkata, Pune and Mohali.Total seats in the three IISERs are 170. All integrated master’s programme students are eligible for a scholarship of Rs. 3, 000 a month. For more details, visit http://www.iisermohali.ac.in/, http://www.iiserpune.ac.in/ and http://www.iiserkol.ac.in/. IISER’s M.S. admission notification can be expected during November-December every year.

NISER

NISER at Bhubaneswar offers five-year integrated M.Sc. programmes in physical, mathematical, chemical and biological sciences. NISER functions on the campus of Institute of Physics. There will be 40 seats.

UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, Mumbai, also offers integrated M.Sc. programmes. Total number of seats is 20.

For more details, visit www.iopb.res.in/niser and http://www.umdaecbs.in/.

IITs

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) Kanpur and Kharagpur offer five-year integrated M.Sc. physics for students who have completed Plus-Two with physics, chemistry and mathematics. IIT Bombay conducts a five-year dual degree M.Tech. programme in engineering physics with specialisation in nanoscience. IIT Kanpur also conducts an M.Sc.- Ph.D. dual degree programme in physics.

IIST

The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram - 659 022 ( http://www.iist.ac.in/) offers five-year integrated master’s in applied sciences. Admission is based on IIT-JEE score through counselling.

Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) offers integrated first degree M.Sc. (Hons) in physics at its Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad campuses. Selection is based on BITS Admission Test (BITSAT) ( http://www.bitsadmission.com/)

Amritha School of Engineering and School of Arts and Sciences (http://amritapuri.amrita.edu) offers integrated M.Sc. physics and mathematics.

Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) ( http://www.cusat.nic.in/) conducts integrated M.Sc. in photonics. Selection is based on CUSAT Common Admission Test. University of Hyderabad( http://www.uohyd.ernet.in/) offers integrated M.Sc. course in physics. Selection is based on an national-level entrance test and interview.

Research

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore ( http://www.iisc.ernet.in/), provides opportunity for first class physics graduates to study integrated Ph.D. programmes in physical sciences. SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Salt Lake, Kolkata - 700 098, conducts a post- B.Sc. integrated M.Sc.- Ph.D. programme in physical sciences. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai; Institute of Physics, Bhuvnaeswar; Nuclear Science Centre, New Delhi; Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore; Harishchandra Research Institute, Allahabad, and Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad; also provide research facilities in physics or related subjects leading to Ph.D. Those who have obtained a master’s degree in physics with high marks can appear for the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) for admission to the Ph.D. programmes at these institutes.

Nanotechnology

Some of the universities and institutions offering programmes in nanoscience or nanotechnology are:

Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi ( http://www.du.ac.in/) - M.Tech. in nanoscience and nanotechnology; SASTRA University, Thanjavour- 613 402 ( http://www.sastra.edu/) - M.Tech. medical nanotechnology (Five year integrated course); Anna University, Coimbatore ( http://www.annauniv.ac.in/) - M.Tech.; Baharathiar University, Coimbatore - 641 046 ( http://www.b-u.ac.in/) - M.Sc. nanoscience and technology; VEL’s University, Chennai - 600 117 ( http://www.velscollege.com/ ) - M.Sc.; Periyar Maniammai University, Vallam, Thanjavur - 613 403 ( http://www.pmu.edu/) - M.Tech.; SRM University, Kattankulathur - 603202, Tamil Nadu ( http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/) - M.S.; Kalasalingam University, Ananda Nagar, Krishnan Koil - 662 190, Virudhunagar district, ( http://www.kalasalingam.ac.in/) - M.Tech.; Amity Institute of Nanotechnology (Amity University), Noida ( http://www.amity.edu/) - five year integrated B.Tech.- M.Tech. and M.Tech. in nanotechnology, M.Sc. in industrial nanoscience.; Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, offers M.Tech. nano medical science; and National Institute of Technology Calicut conducts M.Tech.
(Source : The Hindu)