Research opportunities for exceptionally talented and strongly motivated students in TIFR

The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research is India's premier institution for advanced research in fundamental sciences. The Institute runs a graduate programme leading to the award of Ph.D. degree, as well as M.Sc. and Integrated Ph.D. in certain subjects. With its distinguished faculty, world class facilities and stimulating research environment, it is an ideal place for aspiring scientists to initiate their career.

The Graduate Programme at TIFR is classified into the following Subjects - Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer & Systems Sciences and Science Education. It is conducted at the Mumbai campus and various National Centres of TIFR.

Programs

Ph.D.: Mathematics (TIFR, Mumbai & CAM, Bangalore), Physics, Chemistry, Computer & Sytems Sciences, Biology (TIFR, Mumbai & NCBS, Bangalore).

Integrated Ph.D.: Mathematics (CAM, Bangalore), Biology (TIFR, Mumbai & NCBS, Bangalore).

M.Sc.: Biology (TIFR, Mumbai).

M.Sc. (Wildlife Biology & Conservation): Biology (NCBS, Bangalore).

Eligibility:

• Mathematics:
  For Ph.D. : M.Sc./B.E./B.Tech./M.Tech./M.A./ B.A./B.Sc. degree holders.
  For Integrated Ph.D. :
  

  B.A./B.Sc./B.E./B.Tech. degree holders. (Master's degree holders are not eligible for this programme.)

• Physics & Chemistry :
  

  For Ph.D. : M.Sc./B.E./B.Tech./ M.Tech degree holders. Final year B.Sc. students with consistently good academic record are also eligible to apply.

• Biology :
  

  For Ph.D. : Masters in Basic Science or Bachelors in Applied Science. These include M.Sc. (Agriculture), B.Tech., B.E., B.V.Sc., B.Pharma. (4 year course), MBBS, BDS, M.Pharma.
  

  
  For Integrated Ph.D./M.Sc. :
  Bachelors in any Basic Science.
  
  For M.Sc. (Wildlife & Conservation) :
  Degree in any discipline with a strong interest in Wildlife Biology.
  
  

  Students with training in Physics or Chemistry are also invited to apply for the biology programmes.
  

  
  Computer & Systems Sciences :
  

  For Ph.D. : B.E./B.Tech./M.E./M.Tech./MCA/ M.Sc. (Computer Science / Electrical Engineering / Electronics Engineering / Information Technology) degree holders. Exceptionally well qualified students with B.E./B.Tech./M.E./M.Tech./M.Sc. or equivalent degrees in other disciplines may also be considered.

Final year students with consistently good academic record and knowledge of advanced topics may also apply for the relevant subjects.

Candidates not holding a Master's degree and admitted to a Ph.D. programme can receive an M.Sc. degree by fulfilling prescribed requirements.

See http://www.tifr.res.in/~gsoffice for details.

Admission Procedure :

The admissions procedure (in all subjects, except Science Education) consists of a written test at one of the 22 nationwide centres.

Shortlisted candidates will be called for interviews to be held during end-February to early-April, 2010. Exact dates would be announced later.

Results of the entrance examination will be announced on January 15, 2010 on this website and students shortlisted for interview will be intimated by email.

Scholarship

For Ph.D. and Integrated Ph.D. programmes, the academic year starts from August 1, every year. The academic year for M.Sc. programme begins from July 1, every year.

• Ph.D.
  

  Students receive a monthly scholarship of Rs 12,000/- (enhanced to Rs 14,000/- after registration) and an annual contingency grant of Rs 15,000/-, in addition to a tuition grant covering the annual fees. The annual fee is Rs 4000/-.

• Integrated Ph.D. (Biology/Mathematics)
  

  Students receive a monthly scholarship of Rs 12,000/- (enhanced to Rs 14,000/- from third year onwards, subject to passing the Comprehensive Exam/registration), in addition to a tuition grant covering the annual fees.

• M.Sc. (Biology)
  Students receive a monthly scholarship of Rs 10,000/- and the annual fee is Rs 2000/-.

Accommodation is provided to Ph.D. and Integrated Ph.D. students only, at a nominal cost.

Syllabus & Sample Question Papers

http://univ.tifr.res.in/gs2010/Syllabus/syllabus.htm

Application Procedure

Students can apply online. Please follow appropriate link on this website for filling up the application form. Please read the instructions carefully before you start filling up the online application form.

Students who want to apply manually may send a request for application form (without DD) to :

For Biology : Admissions Section, NCBS, Bangalore
For other subjects, except Science Education:
Asstt. Registrar (Academic), TIFR, Mumbai.

The filled-in application form should be sent along with DD and two passport size photographs (one pasted on the application and one stapled to it).

Students may appear for the written test in multiple subjects if the timings do not clash. Please send a separate application (including Demand Draft) for each subject. In case of online applicants, students will have to re-register with a different email id.

Students who wish to apply online and make payment by Demand Draft may send the Demand Draft with their name, reference code and telephone number written behind it. Alternately, students can make online payment by Debit/Credit Card.

For mailing address and contact information, please refer to the Contact link.

http://univ.tifr.res.in/gs2010/contact/contact.htm

Application Fee & Payment :

Application Fee (Non-Refundable): Rs 500/- for online applications and Rs 550/- for manual applications. Rs 800/- for students who wish to take the test as walk-in candidates (Please see the walk-ins section on this website).

Application fee can be paid online by Debit/Credit Card or through Demand Draft.

Demand Draft: Biology: DD should be drawn on State Bank of India in favour of "National Centre for Biological Science" payable at Bangalore. Other Subjects: DD should be drawn on State Bank of India in favour of "Tata Institute of Fundamental Research"

payable at Mumbai.

For mailing address and contact information, please refer to the Contact link.

Please note :

(a) Instructions for downloading/printing of Hall tickets will be intimated by email only after receipt of application fee/approval of fee waiver.
(b) DDs with wrong denomination will not be returned and hall ticket will not be issued.

Fee Waiver :

A waiver of the application fee on grounds of financial distress may be requested by a letter from the Principal or the Head of the Department justifying the request.

Students applying online may click the fee waiver option in the payment section of the application form and send the letter from the Principal / HOD along with a print of the application.

For mailing address and contact information, please refer to the Contact link.

Students applying manually may send the letter from the Principal/HOD along with the filled-in application form and photographs.

Please note that applications with fee waiver request will be issued hall tickets subject to availability of seats.

Important Dates :

Publication of Notification:
Employment News : August 22, 2009
University News Journal :August 17, 2009
University Today Journal : August 15, 2009
Current Science Journal : August 25, 2009

National Entrance Examination:
Sunday, December 13, 2009

Last date for application:
October 16, 2009

Examination Centres

• Ahmedabad, St Xavier's College
• Bangalore, University of Agricultural Sciences
• Bhubaneshwar, Utkal University
• Chandigarh, Panjab University
• Chennai, Indian Institute of Technology
• Cochin, Cochin Univ. of Science & Technology
• Delhi, Miranda House, Delhi University
• Guwahati, Indian Institute of Technology
• Haldwani, Motiram Baburam Govt. P.G. College
• Hyderabad, Hyderabad University
• Indore, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya
• Jaipur, India International School
• Kanpur, Indian Institute of Technology
• Kolkata, St. Xavier's College
• Madurai, The Madura College
• Mangalore, Mangalore University
• Mumbai, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
• Nagpur, Shri Ramdeo Baba Kamla Nehru Eng. Coll.
• Patna, Radiant International School
• Pune, Spicer Memorial College
• Varanasi, Banaras Hindu University
• Visakhapatnam, Andhra University

FAQ Biology:
Ph.D. & Integrated Ph.D. Programs

1. What fields of research can I do my PhD or IntPhD research in?

See the webpages for research in biology at DBS and NCBS. Students are allowed to do lab rotations during the first semester to help them choose a lab for continuing their research. Typically, no laboratory requires prior background in that particular field of research; strong interest and commitment are the only necessary factors. Background is acquired within a few months of joining your laboratory of interest. It is not unusual for students with background in *any* branch of Biology, Physics, or Chemistry, or even Medical, Dentistry, or Veterinary backgrounds, to join a laboratory in a completely different area. These students do very well. We encourage students to follow their interests, rather than consider themselves restricted because of their backgrounds.

2. I'd like to know about the written test. What is the syllabus? What is the Interview like?

The test consists of multiple choice questions covering *basics only* in physics, chemistry, maths, biology. There is no guide book and no syllabus. No special knowledge or preparation is required. Revise your basics, that is all. The Interview will be based on whatever area you are most interested and most comfortable in.

3. Are MBBS/ BVSc/ BPharm degrees eligible for the PhD/IntPhD program?

Bachelor's degrees in Professional courses are eligible for our Biology PhD program, both at DBS (Mumbai) and NCBS (Banglore). Students with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and do very well in our program. Biology is an increasingly flexible field, where people switch areas even after their PhD, choosing to pursue post-doctoral research in completely different areas of Biology. Background is not a constraining factor in Biological Research.

4. I am a Chemistry (or Physics) MSc/BSc. I want to do PhD/IntPhD in Biology. Should I appear for both the written tests, Chemistry (or Physics) as well as Biology?

I am worried that I will not do well in the Biology test. You can sit for *either* or *both* of the tests, and we will use your best score. For your information, the Biology test has 4 sections on *basics* of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Maths. This is designed so that people from various disciplines can be selected according to their strengths. you will have to apply for two hall tickets and send two separate DDs (one with each application) if you want to appear for two exams.

5. Can I think of the IntPhd program as an MSc program (ie plan to submit an MSc and leave in 3 years?)

The Integrated Ph.D program is designed for students who already have a strong interest in research. Only students with a commitment to research are selected for this program. They are expected to complete a Ph.D. There is no M.Sc. exit option for Integrated Ph.D. students.

Students who are interested in applying to our PhD or IntPhD programs are welcome to email any of our current students via our web page, and ask what you need to know.

If you email faculty members directly, you may not get a reply if the information you need is already contained in our website! This is not because we are not interested in talking to you, but because we get thousands of applications, and it is not possible to answer individually questions that are already answered here.

Source: http://univ.tifr.res.in/gs2010/index.html