Indian Institute of Science

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is a premier post-graduate institution of research and higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It offers postgraduate and doctoral research programmes to over 2,000 active researchers working in 48 specialized departments -- ranging from aerospace engineering to molecular biophysics to management. IISc is the best in India in terms of research output (citation and impact factor) by the journal Current Science. It also ranks first among Indian universities (and South Asian universities) in the "Academic ranking of world universities"[1] conducted by the SJTU, China. It was in the news recently when India's finance minister, P. Chidambaram provided for a grant of a billion rupees ($25m) for the institute in the national budget - 2005.

History

The Founder

Founder

Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, the industrialist Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata (1839-1904) constituted a Provisional Committee to prepare a plan for setting up of an Institute of higher education. On 31 December, 1898, a draft prepared by this committee was presented to Lord Curzon, the Viceroy-designate. The secretary of State for India requested the Royal Society of England for an expert opinion. The Royal Society in turn, sought the opinion of Prof. Wiliam Ramsay, Nobel Laureate and the discoverer of Noble Gases. Prof. Ramsay toured the country and recommended Bangalore as the ideal location for the proposed institute. On the initiative especially of the Diwan of Mysore, Sir K. Seshadri Iyer, His Highness Shri Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore donated 372 acres (1.5 km²) of land in Bangalore. The institute's first director was Morris Travers FRS, Ramsay's co-worker in the discovery of the noble gases.

The Institute

Inscription

The Institute has been able to make many significant contributions primarily because of certain uniqueness in its character. It is neither a National laboratory, which concentrates solely on research and applied work, nor a conventional University, which concerns itself mainly with teaching. However, the Institute is concerned with research in frontier areas and education in current technologically important areas. Because it is a relatively small institution, it is able to innovate and introduce newer systems of imparting knowledge and educational reforms such as offering courses under a unit system and trying out methods of evaluation, which are highly reliable.Swami Vivekananda was the invisible founder of the Indian Institute of Science.

Administration

IISc was started in 1909 and Morris Travers became the first Director. The first Indian Director was the Nobel Laureate Sir C.V. Raman, and the current Director is Padmanabhan Balaram.

Location

The IISc campus is located in North Bangalore. Known popularly as Tata Institute in the city, IISc is located on the way to Yeshwantpur from Majestic. The IISc is easily accessible from Kempe Gowda Central Bus Terminus (Known as Majestic) by Bus or by Auto-rickshaws. Infact most Auto-rickshaw drivers recognize the institute as Tata institute.Bus number 252, 256, 258 can be caught to reach this Institute from Majestic.

Campus

Bangalore is popularly known as the Garden City, Air-conditioned City, or the Pensioner's Paradise. Similarly,the IISc campus also is full of greenery and wildlife. The campus houses more than 40 Departments, six Canteens, a Gymkhana, three dining messes, nine men's hostels, five women's hostels, an air strip, a library, two shopping centers and residence areas for faculties and other staff members.

Administration Office

Departments/Centres

The Institute has the following Departments/Centres:
* Dept of Management Studies
* Dept. of Aerospace Engg.
* Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (CAOS)
* Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing
* Dept. of Astronomy & Astrophysics - The Joint Astronomy Programme (JAP)
* Dept. of Biochemistry
* Bioinformatics Centre
* Dept. of Computer Science & Automation
* Supercomputer Education and Reseach Centre
* Dept. of Civil Engg.
* Dept. of Chemical Engg.
* Centre for Cryogenic Technology
* Developmental Biology and Genetics Lab
* Centre for Ecological Sciences
* Electrical Engg.
* Electrical Communication Engg.
* Centre for Electronics Design and Technology
* Foreign Languages
* Dept. of High Voltage Engg.
* Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
* Instrumentation and Services
* Joint Advanced Technology Programme
* J.R.D. Tata Memorial Library
* Microbiology and Cell Biology
* Molecular Biophysics
* Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics
* Material Research Centre
* Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
* Dept. of Metallurgy
* Dept. of Mathematics
* Dept. of Mathematics Programme (IISc-TIFR)
* National Centre for Science Information
* Organic Chemistry
* Dept. of Physics
* Dept. of Solid State & Structural Chemistry
* NMR research centre
* Nano Science
* Scientific and Industrial Consultancy Centre
* Centre for high energy physics
* Centre for contemporary studies
* Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST - Formerly ASTRA)
* Digital Information Services Centre
* Jawaharal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)

Departments outside Divisions

*Centre for Continuing Education
*Centre for Scientific & Industrial Consultancy

Some notable alumni and Fellows

*Homi J. Bhabha
*Satish Dhawan
*Jawahar Lal Nehru
*G.N. Ramachandran
*C.V. Raman
*Raja Ramanna
*Vikram Sarabhai
*George Sudarshan
*J.R.D. Tata
*Morris Travers
*Sir M.Vishveswaraya

How to get into IISc

IISc conducts many courses. For each course admission criteria is different. For example for the Course Programs like M.E./M.Tech, the admission is through the GATE examination conducted every year. In addition to this, one may also be required to appear for personal interview. For details please visit http://www.iisc.ernet.in/admissions/index.html.