It's special, research-oriented

Updated on: Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The first batch of the four-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) integrated programme, first-of-its-kind among the universities in the country, started by the Bangalore University from the academic year 2010-11, had many surprise takers.

Of the 17 students admitted to the course, some have joined after discontinuing the first semester engineering course that they were pursuing. Some others were pursuing the regular three-year B.Sc. course in colleges without opting for an engineering seat though they had secured ranks in the common entrance test.

Blend of interdisciplinary subjects like French as a foreign language apart from English, and subjects like communication skills, Indian Constitution, environmental studies and computer fundamentals; and many allied subjects such as basic electronics, atmospheric science, electronics instrumentation, bioinformatics, biology in health, agriculture and industry, with the core subjects of physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology has attracted students from across Karnataka to this innovative programme.

During an interaction with The Hindu EducationPlus, many students of the B.S. programme explained that they chose this course as they are interested in pursuing research and wanted to get more practical exposure that is not available in the regular B.Sc. or B.E. courses.

Akshay Vijay Kudale (from Sirsi, Uttara Kannada): I was pursuing first semester B.E. (Mechanics) in Sai Vidya Institute of Technology, Bangalore, when I came to know about this course. My father enquired with the university as he knew that I was keen on doing a science project as I had done at least one project every year since primary school. The syllabus of the B.S. programme is attractive as it allows overall development of students and we can get exposure to multi-disciplines. I am keen on doing research projects in Physics.

Rohini G. (Yelahanka, Bangalore): I secured 89.3 per cent in the second year pre-university exam and got 12,000th rank in the common entrance test but decided against joining engineering an engineering course as I am interested in basic science. I was doing B.Sc. when my parents came to know about the new B.S. programme. Opportunity to study a foreign language, communication skills besides studying four basic science subjects made me to shift this course. Unlike in the B.Sc., we are getting individual attention from teachers here and classes are lively in the university.

Chandan R. (Tumkur): I secured 93rd rank in AIEEE and secured a chemical engineering seat in a National Institute of Technology but I was looking for an attractive course in pure science that allows me to take up research in astrophysics and astronomy in future. I came to know through newspapers about the B.S. programme and decided to join it as I knew that a four-year degree is essential for pursuing higher studies abroad.

I have done a basic astronomy course from M.P. Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore. I am enjoying the B.S. programme as it is entirely different from regular science programmes. I am sure that it will lay a good foundation for my future studies.

Sindhu S. (Vyalikaval, Bangalore): I secured a seat for an engineering course but was keen on getting a seat through AIEEE and that did not happen. I am interested in mathematics and its applications. Regular B.Sc. is examination oriented and on enquiry in the university before joining, my parents found that the B.S. course is research oriented and I liked it.

I came to know many applications of maths and got exposure to new mathematical software, which are unknown to even to those who complete regular B.Sc., in just two months of joining this course.

Chandana C.N. (Hiriyur, Chitradurga): I am sure that being a new course it will have many advantages for the students and for this reason I have quit B.Sc. course. The manner in which classes are conducted here is different from what I saw in B.Sc. courses for a couple of months. The students here can interact with teachers any time and this has already improved my communication skills.

Sourabha T.T. (Belur, Hassan): I was always looking out for a course with a difference and for this purpose I had joined B.Sc. Agriculture in Food Science. I grabbed the opportunity to join the B.S. course as with the help of my parents I realised that it will have an edge over other courses. I am being called as “Doubt Rani” by my friends as I always ask questions in class.

Rekha H.G. (Channarayapatna): I had joined B.E. Electronics and Communications at Bahubali Engineering College, Shravanabelagola, when I came to know through my father, who knew that I was interested in science research, about this course and decided to quite engineering. Opportunity for conducting seminars, and presentations in this course has attracted me as this course has a practical-based teaching model.

Jahnavi V. (Mulbagal, Kolar): I am interested in doing research work in Biology and found the curriculum of the B.S. programme more interesting than the B.Sc. course which I had joined soon after pre-university. I want to pursue teaching in future.

It's special, research-oriented

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