About the Programme

Introduction

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), a leading institution of higher learning with a strong tradition of research for over a century, has opened its portals to undergraduate students by introducing a four-year Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme in 2011. The programme is designed as a blend of core science and interdisciplinary topics that will serve as a launching pad for attractive career opportunities in academia and industry.

The novelty of this programme lies in its interdisciplinary approach, strong flavour of engineering, exposure to disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, and a year-long research project. The graduates of this programme will obtain a Bachelor of Science(Research) degree with specialization in a particular discipline. Students specializing in a particular discipline are encouraged to take courses in other disciplines, thus maintaining the strong interdisciplinary flavour of the programme.

This programme is embedded in a mature and highly sophisticated research culture which has an equally strong base in science and engineering.This research culture has evolved over the last hundred years, primarily engendered by a highly distinguished faculty and brilliant graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. The Institute has grown in an open and free academic environment where dedicated teaching, state-of-the-art laboratories, fast information networks and well-stocked libraries have come into being, aided by a flexible and enabling mode of administrative functioning. We believe that this unique academic environment is well positioned to impart high-quality training to inquisitive young minds.

The Bachelor of Science (Research)

Programme

• A sound exposure of all students to the fundamentals of scientific, mathematical and engineering principles takes place in the first 3 semesters (1.5 years). Teaching of these core courses includes strong components of laboratory demonstration and hands-on experimental work.
• After the first 3 semesters the students opt for a specialization (Major). The specializations on offer are: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Materials and Earth & Environmental Science.
• The allowed student strengths of all the specializations are about the same.
• All Major streams are interdisciplinary in character. While a student specializes in a stream, he/she also broadens his/her knowledge and skill by taking about 30% of the courses from other streams. This combination of courses is listed in his/her final transcript.
• The students are free to choose their specialization and combination of courses.
• The students do a research project in the area of their specialization in the final two semesters of the course. All the inquiry skills developed in the first 7 semesters are used to frame questions, creatively explore answers and communicate this coherently to both learned and uninitiated audiences.
• One full year of participation in a research project identifies the Bachelor of Science (Research) programme as a uniquely research based one. Such research based interdisciplinary undergraduate programmes are well suited to meet the present vocational and post-graduate requirements of the modern world.
• Students who complete all the requirements for the award of the Bachelor of Science (Research) degree have the option of getting a Master of Science degree by studying at IISc for a fifth year.

Teaching

The rich experience of research and graduate training at IISc is brought to bear on the programme by faculty taking part in teaching at the undergraduate level

Mentoring and tutorials are two important parts of the students’ life. With a one to one supportive academic interaction between teacher and student, the mentor helps in correction through assistance and guidance. Lecture courses are accompanied by tutorials where post-graduate students of IISc play an important role

Eligibility

Candidates who have completed their II PUC / 12th Standard in 2018 and those who are expecting to complete their II PUC / 12th Standard in 2019 are eligible to apply. The candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as main subjects during their II PUC / 12th Standard. Candidates who have studied Biology, Statistics, Electronics, Computer Science, etc., in addition to Physics, Chemistryand Mathematics are also eligible to apply. The candidates must have secured a first class or 60% or equivalent grade (relaxed to pass class for SC/ST candidates) in the II PUC / 12th Standard examination.

Selection

Based on the merit list of one of the following national examinations:

1. KVPY:

• KVPY-SA [appeared in 2017 and selected for the Fellowship]
• KVPY-SB [appeared in 2018 and selected for the Fellowship]
• KVPY-SX [appeared in 2018 and selected for the Fellowship]
• KVPY Fellows selected through the Empowerment Initiative for SC/ST candidates [appeared in 2017 for SA, 2018 for SB/SX and selected for the Fellowship]

2. (IIT)JEE-Main:

Appearing in 2019 and securing a minimum of 60% (GN), 54% (OBC-NCL), 30% (SC/ST/PWD)

3. (IIT)JEE-Advanced:

Appearing in 2019 and securing a minimum of 60% (GN), 54% (OBC-NCL), 30% (SC/ST/PWD)

4. NEET-UG:

Appearing in 2019 and securing a minimum of 60% (GN), 54% (OBC-NCL), 30% (SC/ST/PWD).

Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/Person with disability (PWD) and Kashmiri-Migrant (KM) candidates: As per Government of India regulations.

Procedure for Applying

a. Application Forms (available only online):

The online application may be prepared and submitted by accessing the IISc website www.iisc.ac.in/ug during 01 February to 30 April 2019. The application fee is Rs. 500/- for GN/OBC/KM candidates and Rs. 250/- for SC/ST/PWD categories.

b. Payment of the Application Fee:

Payment option: On-line Payment – Net-banking, Visa Card/ Master Card, Debit/Credit Cards.

Important Dates

Commencement of submission of online applications: 01.02.2019

Last date for submission of online applications: 30.04.2019

Fee Structure

• Tuition Fee (Annual): 10000
• Gymkhana Fee (Annual): 1200
• Other Academic Fee (Annual): 3700
• Students Emergency Fund (Annual): 300
• Statutory Deposit (Refundable): 7500 (to be paid in the first year only)
• Library Deposit (Refundable): 7500 (to be paid in the first year only)

Scholarships

• Depending on their performance in national examinations such as KVPY, IITJEE (Main and Advanced), and AIPMT, students will be able to avail themselves of the standard fellowships offered by agencies such as KVPY and DST-INSPIRE.

Placement Services

• Many leading industrial organizations visit the Institute for campus recruitment and offer good career opportunities to graduating students. The Placement Centre also provides advice and assistance to students about other placement opportunities, including those notified through advertisements, references and special requests from various industrial and research organizations.