About
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is a public, deemed, research university for higher education and research in science, engineering, design, and management. It is located in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It was established in 1909 with the vision of Sir Ardeshir Dalal, who proposed to set up four institutes of technology in the country. IISc is recognized as an Institute of National Importance and an Institute of Eminence by the Government of India. IISc has 16 academic departments and several research centres that offer various undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. IISc also has a vibrant campus life, with 12 student houses, various clubs, and extracurricular activities. In this article, we will explore some of the salient features of IISc, such as its history, ranking, admission process, courses, research, and online education initiatives.
The idea of establishing an institute of higher education in engineering in India was conceived by Sir Ardeshir Dalal, the then Member of Education on the Viceroy’s Executive Council. He proposed to set up four institutes of technology in the four regions of the country, namely, Bombay, Madras, Kharagpur, and Delhi. The first institute to be established was IISc, which was founded in 1909 with the help of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, a visionary industrialist and philanthropist. The institute was formally inaugurated on July 27, 1911, by Lord Hardinge, the then Viceroy of India. The first batch of students was admitted in 1911, and the first convocation was held in 1913.
Ranking of IISc
IISc has been consistently ranked among the top research universities in India and the world. According to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2021, IISc ranked first among the universities and third among the overall institutes in India. According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, IISc ranked 186th in the world and 35th in Asia. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022, IISc ranked 301-350 in the world and 36th in Asia. Some of the factors that contribute to the high ranking of IISc are its academic excellence, research output, faculty quality, student diversity, alumni network, and industry collaboration.
The admission process of IISc varies depending on the level and type of the program. For the undergraduate program, such as B.Tech in Mathematics and Computing and B.Sc in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, the admission is based on the performance in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced, the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), or the National Science Olympiad (NSO). The candidates who qualify any of these exams have to participate in the IISc counselling process, where they have to fill their choices of programs. The seat allotment is done based on the rank, category, and preference of the candidates. For the postgraduate programs, such as M.Tech, M.Des, M.Mgt, M.Sc, and M.A, the admission is based on the performance in the respective entrance exams, such as GATE, CEED, CAT, JAM, and HSEE, followed by an interview or a written test. For the doctoral programs, such as Ph.D and M.Sc(Engg), the admission is based on the performance in the written test and interview conducted by the respective departments, along with the academic record and research proposal of the candidates.
IISc offers a wide range of courses in various disciplines of science, engineering, design, and management. The courses are designed to impart theoretical knowledge and practical skills to the students, and to encourage them to pursue research and innovation. Some of the popular courses offered by IISc are:
- B.Tech in Mathematics and Computing, which is a four-year program that integrates mathematics, computer science, and engineering, and prepares the students for careers in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and software development.
- B.Sc in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, which is a four-year program that provides a strong foundation in the basic sciences, and allows the students to choose electives from various disciplines, such as biology, earth sciences, materials science, and humanities.
- M.Tech in various engineering disciplines, such as Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Nanoscience and Engineering, which are two-year programs that provide advanced training and research opportunities in the respective fields.
- M.Des in Industrial Design, which is a two-year program that focuses on the design of products, systems, and services, and involves courses, projects, and internships in various domains, such as transportation, healthcare, education, and social innovation.
- M.Mgt in Business Analytics, which is a two-year program that equips the students with the skills and tools to analyze, interpret, and communicate data for business decision making, and involves courses, projects, and internships in various sectors, such as finance, marketing, operations, and strategy.
- M.Sc in various science disciplines, such as Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics, which are two-year programs that provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of the respective fields, and involve courses, projects, and research work.
- M.A in Society and Culture, which is a two-year program that explores the interplay of social, cultural, political, and economic factors in shaping human societies, and involves courses, projects, and research work in various areas, such as anthropology, sociology, history, philosophy, and literature.
- Ph.D and M.Sc(Engg) in various disciplines of science, engineering, design, and management, which are doctoral programs that involve original and independent research work under the guidance of a faculty supervisor, and result in the submission of a thesis and a viva voce.
IISc is a leading research institution in India, with a vision to generate new knowledge and innovations that benefit the society and the nation. IISc has 16 academic departments and several research centres that conduct research in various domains, such as aerospace, biotechnology, climate change, energy, nanotechnology, neuroscience, robotics, and water. IISc also has state-of-the-art research facilities, such as the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, the Centre for Brain Research, the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, and the Supercomputer Education and Research Centre. IISc also has collaborations and partnerships with various national and international agencies and organizations, such as the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Atomic Energy, the Indian Space Research Organization, the Defence Research and Development Organization, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the World Bank, the European Union, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. IISc also produces high-quality research publications, patents, and products, that have a significant impact on the scientific and technological development of the country and the world.
Online Education Initiatives by IISc
IISc is also a pioneer in online education in India. It has been involved in various online education initiatives, such as:
- NPTEL: NPTEL stands for National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, which is a joint initiative of the IITs and the IISc to provide online courses and certification in various domains of engineering, science, and humanities. IISc is one of the partner institutes of NPTEL, and it offers more than 300 courses and 5000 hours of video lectures. NPTEL also conducts online certification exams for the learners who complete the courses, and awards them certificates and credits. NPTEL also has a network of more than 4000 local chapters across the country, where the learners can interact with the mentors and peers, and access the study materials and labs.
- SWAYAM: SWAYAM stands for Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds, which is a national online education platform launched by the Ministry of Education in 2017. SWAYAM offers online courses from various educational institutions, such as the IITs, the IISc, the Central Universities, the State Universities, the National Institutes of Technology, and the All India Council for Technical Education. The courses are available in various levels, such as school, undergraduate, postgraduate, and lifelong learning. The courses are also aligned with the National Education Policy and the Choice Based Credit System. SWAYAM also conducts online proctored exams for the learners who complete the courses, and awards them certificates and credits. IISc is one of the coordinating institutes of SWAYAM, and it offers more than 50 courses and 1000 hours of video lectures.
- Online Degree: IISc also offers an online degree program in Data Science and Programming, which is the first of its kind in India. The online degree program is a four-year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree, with options to exit earlier with a diploma or a foundation certificate. The online degree program is open to anyone who has passed Class 12 or equivalent, irrespective of their age, location, or academic background. The online degree program is designed to provide the learners with the knowledge and skills required for the growing field of data science, and to prepare them for the industry and research. The online degree program consists of online courses, assignments, quizzes, projects, and exams, which are delivered through the online degree portal. The online degree program also has a dedicated faculty and support team, who guide and mentor the learners throughout the program.
IISc is one of the leading institutes of science and technology in India, with a history of excellence, innovation, and impact.
