Academics

Students studying in the physics department

The teaching programs cater to, educate and train a broad section of students in Physics with specialization in Condensed Matter Physics, Quantum Optics and Photonics, Particle and Highenergy Physics, Electronics Science and Technology, and Earth sciences.

Dedicated teaching labs at the IMSc / M.Sc. level with equal emphasis on theory and experiments with an independent project work during the final two semesters are major thrust aspects of the teaching program. The student-teacher ratio is highly favorable for individual interactions.

In addition to core Physics courses, a large number of specializations, optional and elective courses are offered and taught by field-experts. All the courses are revised and upgraded periodically keeping in mind the changing education and research scenario.

Integrated M.Sc. (5-year) in Physics

– a 5-year Integrated course: This programme is of five years (10 semesters) duration with an exit option after three years, with a B.Sc. degree. The Physics courses taken by the students in the first six semesters include Mechanics, Vibrations and Waves, Electricity, Magnetism and Electromagnetic Theory, Properties of Matter, Kinetic Theory and Thermodynamics, Optics, Modern Physics and Atomic and Molecular Physics. In addition, the corresponding laboratory courses are also run during all the semesters to complement the classroom teaching and strengthen the students’ understanding and application. The teaching lays an emphasis on tutorials and problem-solving. In the subsequent four semesters, the I.M.Sc. student follows the course work offered in the standard M.Sc. programme.

M.Sc. (2-year) in Physics

– The first three semesters cover the fundamentals of the subject. The courses taken by all the students include Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Mathematical Methods, Electrodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, Introductory Particle Physics, Introductory Solid-State Physics, Introductory Optics and Laser Physics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Computer Applications and Electronics. Besides ensuring a strong Physics foundation through class room teaching, laboratory courses in Electronics, Solid State Physics, Digital Electronics, Laser Physics, Microwaves, Modern Physics, Nuclear and Particle Physics are also a part of the curriculum. There is a strong emphasis on problem-solving and learning experimental techniques. In the fourth semester, the students choose electives from a wide range of specialization courses. There is also a project component in the course-work in third and fourth semesters. The students can choose to do their project with any faculty of the School. The course-work and the syllabi are however updated and modified on a regular basis to meet the demand of time.

Ph.D. in Physics

– All students admitted into the Ph.D. programmes are required to undergo course work. Satisfactory completion of prescribed course work with at least 50% marks is a prerequisite for confirmation of Ph.D. registration. After the successful completion of the course-work, a Ph. D. student undertakes research work under the supervision of a faculty member, and on a topic approved by the School. The student is required to show satisfactory progress throughout the period of research and fulfill other requirements prescribed by the School. Such progress is monitored every semester by a Doctoral Research Committee (DRC). Apart from the course work, the Ph.D. requirements are the submission of research results in the form of a thesis and defense of the thesis in an open viva-voce examination.

Degree programmes offered through CASEST. Click here for more information.

Degree programmes offered through CEOAS. Click here for more information.