Guidance Plus: Stimulating environment for research

Updated on: Tuesday, February 21, 2012

One of the most renowned centres for science research in our country is the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

The institute began functioning on the campus of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in June 1945 and moved to Mumbai in October that year. Apart from the main campus in Mumbai (Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai – 400 005, website: www.tifr.res.in), the institute has campuses in Pune, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

It is a national centre funded by the Union government through the Department of Atomic Energy. The institute made a start with the Cosmic Ray Group. The Nuclear Emulsion/Electron Magnetism Group was set up in 1953. Computer Science and Technology came up at the centre in 1954. The main building at Colaba was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962.

In the 1960s, the institute expanded to include the Molecular Biology Group and the Radio Astronomy Group. The 1970s saw further expansion of the institute by adding the Theoretical Astrophysics and the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education.

Over the next two decades, the institute developed by establishing new national centres — The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics in Pune, The Centre for Applicable Mathematics in Bangalore, and The National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore. The International Centre for Theoretical Sciences was established as part of the TIFR in 2007.

The TIFR embraces world-class research in all areas of fundamental sciences, with a commitment to train youth in the fascinating world of science research.

The TIFR is a deemed university that runs programmes leading to the award of M.Sc., Ph.D., and integrated M.Sc.-Ph.D. degrees.

The institute provides opportunities for basic and advanced research in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science, and science education for talented and strongly motivated students. Its distinguished faculty, world-class facilities, and stimulating research environment offer a fine platform for aspiring young men and women to a career in science research. Let us look into the details of the research opportunities in the various units.
Research facilities

There are opportunities for Ph.D. and integrated Ph.D. in certain subjects:

Mathematics: School of Mathematics, Mumbai, Centre for Applicable Mathematics, Bangalore.

Physics: Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mumbai.

Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Mumbai.

Department of High Energy Physics, Mumbai.

Department of Nuclear and Atomic Physics, Mumbai.

Department of Theoretical Physics, Mumbai.

National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Pune.

Biophysics: Department of Chemical Sciences, Mumbai, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore.

Chemistry: Department of Chemical Sciences, Mumbai.

Biological Chemistry at National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore.

Biology: Department of Biological Sciences, Mumbai, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore.

Computer and Systems Sciences: School of Technology and Computer Science, Mumbai.

Science Education: Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai.

Also, Material Science, Optics and Biology at TCIS, Hyderabad, and Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Bangalore.

Now we shall go into the details of research facilities in different schools and faculties.

School of Technology and Computer Science

This school, located in Mumbai, offers programmes leading to a Ph.D. in two specialist streams: computer science and systems science. Candidates with the following qualifications are eligible for admission to the programmes.

BE, B.Tech., ME, M.Tech., MCA, and M.Sc. computer science, electrical engineering, electronics Engineering and information technology with a consistently good academic record. Exceptionally well-qualified students with BE, B.Tech., ME, M.Tech., M.Sc., or equivalent degrees in other disciplines will also be considered.

There will be an entrance examination and an interview for admission. As part of the programme, students have to complete an exploratory project for one semester. Those who have completed a two-semester project as part of their ME or M.Tech. degrees may apply for a waiver in the project requirement.
Path to Ph.D.

Pass the qualifying examination. Seek registration for Ph.D. by applying to the subject board within six months. Show the name of the thesis contemplated, the name of the adviser, and a broad description of the topic of research in the letter.

After the completion of the Ph.D. research work, get the permission of the thesis adviser and forward a synopsis of the thesis to the subject board for obtaining approval for submission to the university office. Repeat the same procedure to obtain prior approval for submission of the thesis.

After the subject board approves the submission of the thesis, the evaluation of the thesis and the award of the Ph.D. degree will follow as per university guidelines.

School of Mathematics

The school runs a graduate programme leading to the award of a Ph.D. degree. With its distinguished faculty engaged in high-quality research in a broad spectrum of areas, the school provides a stimulating environment for pursuing doctoral studies.

The minimum qualification for admission to the Ph.D. programme is a Bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, science, and technology (BA, B.Sc., B.Math., B.Stat, BE, and B.Tech.). Those without a Master's degree are encouraged to undertake the M.Sc. programme of the school as well.

Candidates who are interested in applied mathematics may seek admission in the TIFR Centre for Applicable Mathematics, Bangalore.

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