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 2024 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 2024. The announcement for the Physics programme for 2024, which can be applied for simultaneously, is available separately (https://nius.hbcse.tifr.res.in/announcements/nius-physics-2024/).
Structure of the programme
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 2 July to 12 July 2024 at the 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. All participants will be reimbursed travel expenses (AC 3-tier train or road travel as per norms). Accommodation and meals will be provided at the HBCSE campus for the duration of the programme.
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.
Who can apply
Applications are invited for NIUS (ASTRONOMY) for 2024 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 (categorised into four groups):
Group (i): 3-year or 4-year B.Sc./ B.Sc.(H)/B.S. with Physics as one of the subjects,
Group (ii): 4-year B. Tech./B.E. in Physics/Applied Physics/Engineering Physics,
Group (iii): 5-year BS-MS/Integrated M. Sc. with a strong interest in Physics, and
Group (iv): 4-year/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. Only students with a strong inclination towards choosing a Physics major should apply. Students without either Physics or Mathematics background in the last two years need not apply.
Application process and deadline
The last date for ONLINE submission of the application and two confidential assessment forms by teachers/referees is 26 MARCH 2024.
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 for the 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.
Criteria for selection
HBCSE usually receives a large number of excellent applications from FIRST-YEAR undergraduate students from all over the country for the NIUS programme. We expect to select about 35 students for the NIUS (Astronomy) programme in 2024.
Evaluation of each application will be based on the following:
- Performance in Class X and Class XII board examinations, and First Semester of UG degree examinations (wherever available).
- Confidential Assessment from two teachers/referees, at least one of whom must have taught the candidate at the UG level.
- Brief answers to certain questions regarding the student’s interest in Astronomy.
- Additional qualifications, contributions, and awards (like INSPIRE, OCSC, and International Olympiads, etc.)
All the completed and eligible applications will be categorized into the above-mentioned four groups according to the degrees the students are enrolled for. Based on the above criteria
- Approximately 50% of the participants will be selected from Group (i).
- Approximately 45% of the participants will be selected from Groups (ii) and (iii) combined.
- Approximately 5% of the participants will be selected from Group (iv).
The list of selected students will be made available on the NIUS website by 22 April 2024 and an email invitation will be sent to each selected student by 29 April 2024.
[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 the 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. Partial attendance will NOT be permitted; please apply only if you are sure about attending the entire programme, if selected.]
Click HERE to REGISTER AND APPLY ONLINE.