National Initiative on Undergraduate Science (NIUS) Astronomy

HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION, TIFR
V. N. Purav Marg, Mankhurd, Mumbai – 400 088, INDIA

National Initiative on Undergraduate Science (NIUS) ASTRONOMY
Announcement for 2023 programme

The NIUS programme organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE-TIFR), Mumbai is designed to provide extended mentoring and guidance to undergraduate students in various areas of science. This is the first announcement for the NIUS programme in Astronomy for the year 2023. The announcement for the Physics programme for 2023, which can be applied for simultaneously, is available separately (https://nius.hbcse.tifr.res.in/announcements/national-initiative-on-undergraduate-science-nius-physics/).

The broad structure of the NIUS (Astronomy) programme will be similar to other subjects in NIUS (https://nius.hbcse.tifr.res.in). All selected students will attend an exposure and enrichment camp to be held from 18 July to 28 July 2023 at HBCSE campus in Mumbai. This camp will include lectures aimed to introduce students to a wide variety of areas of current research in astronomy and astrophysics. In addition, the camp will include interactive sessions in the form of mini-workshops to provide glimpses of the techniques and tools of research in astrophysics, using real or simulated data. The camp will include a visit to the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA-TIFR), Pune and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Narayangaon, Maharashtra. Every selected student is required to attend the camp for its entire duration.

The enrichment camp will be followed by an extended nurture programme for a smaller subset of students in the form of long-term projects in different research institutions across the country. These students will be required to visit their respective mentors’ institutions during vacation periods over the next 1.5 years to carry out the projects. A final report at the end of two years will mark the successful completion of the NIUS project.

Applications are invited for NIUS (ASTRONOMY) for 2023 from FIRST-YEAR undergraduate students with a strong interest in scientific research and development, who are enrolled in India for any of the following degrees:

i) 3-year B.Sc. / B.Sc.(H) with Physics as one of the subjects,

ii) 4-year B.S. / B. Tech. / B.E. in Physics / Applied Physics / Engineering Physics,

iii) 5-year BS-MS / Integrated M. Sc. with a strong interest in Physics and

iv) 4 / 5-year B.E./ B.Tech. / B.Tech-M.Tech Dual Degree in any branch of Engineering / Technology with a strong interest in Physics.

Applicants should have a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent grades in Class X and Class XII examinations.

Last date for ONLINE submission of the application and ONLINE submission of two confidential assessment forms by teachers/referees is 23 APRIL 2023.

The application process for NIUS (Physics) and NIUS (Astronomy) programmes is common. Students interested in both programmes will be able to apply for both together in the same form, and will be required to indicate a preference of subject. Students should not submit separate applications for two subjects. A student will be selected in only ONE of the subjects, if at all. Only one confidential assessment will be requested from each of the two referees, and the student’s preference of subject (and other details in the application) will be revealed to the referees.

The list of selected students will be made available on the NIUS website by 20 May 2023 and an email invitation will be sent to each selected student by 25 May 2023.

[Please note that HBCSE is aware of the examination and vacation schedules of various universities and institutions across the country. Unfortunately, since the academic calendars of different institutions are quite asynchronous, it is impossible to find a long enough window to fit the NIUS camp during vacation time of every university. Best efforts have been made already to ensure that students from a maximum number of institutions can avail of this opportunity. Please do not approach HBCSE with requests to reschedule the camp due to clashes with your academic calendar.]

The guidelines for selection of students is available here.
Click HERE to REGISTER AND APPLY ONLINE

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