Bose Institute and CU to jointly offer new courses

Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 15, 2007
Enhancing research prospects in the fields of plant molecular biology and biotechnology, Bose Institute has tied up with Calcutta University to offer integrated MSc-PhD programmes in the subjects from the current academic session. While the classes would be held at the Bose Institute’s Kolkata campus, the degrees would be awarded jointly.
Shibaji Raha, the director of Bose Institute, said though plant molecular biology and biotechnology had huge research potential there are limited number of scholars who tread the path. “We are looking for students who want to dedicate their entire life to research in these areas,” he said.
The institution has already prepared the syllabus, Raha said. “The entire course is divided into semesters. Students may opt out after the fourth semester if they do not want to pursue PhD. The institute, too, won’t let students go ahead with the PhD programme if their MSc score, at the end of the fourth semester, is not good enough,” he said, adding that the PhD programme could be completed in five-and-a-half years.
To begin with, the institute will admit only fifteen students. “We want very good students. We do not want to compromise on the academic quality of the center. So, there will be a maximum of 15 students on the rolls in the first session,” the director of Bose Institute said. “Students who have graduated in bioscience-oriented subjects or in pure science and have acquired very high percentage may apply for the course,” he added.
On the career options after completion of the integrated MSc-PhD programme, Raha said: “We expect them to continue scientific research. Apart from doing so, they can also opt for teaching. Biotechnology has immense entrepreneurial potential as well.”
From the current academic session, Bose Institute would also offer MSc in physics with specialisation in astrophysics and space science. “We have tied up with St Xavier’s College, Kolkata, for the course and classes would take place at both campuses. For this course, too, the maximum number of seats is 15. Physics and mathematics students are eligible for the course,” Raha said.
Bose Institute is expected to advertise the courses in a week’s time. Aspiring students would first be short listed on the basis of merit and would then have to appear for a written test and/or an interview.
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