CUSAT to offer B.S. course
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Charting a new and unique course, the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) is going to start four-year B.S. programmes. G. KRISHNAKUMAR has the details.
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DIFFERENT COURSE: At CUSAT, which is planning to introduce four-year B.S. programmes to encourage students to take up the study of basic sciences.
The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has launched an ambitious drive to attract young talents to basic sciences.
Inspired by the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) and three premier science academies in the country, the university will soon come up with four-year B.S. programmes.
In its elaborate suggestions submitted to the Union government, NKC had recommended a systematic and innovative approach to significantly impact the choices made by talented youngsters to draw them towards basic sciences.
In a detailed report titled, ‘Attracting talented students to Maths and Science,’ the commission had pointed out the need to restructure Masters and Bachelor’s degree programmes to promote career flexibility after graduation. The report had also proposed a four-year Bachelor in Science (flexible and modular in nature) to bring graduate degrees in science on a par with other professional streams.
“This degree course should be aptly branded and devised so that it is significantly stronger than the regular three-year programme. It should enable students aspiring for a research career to directly enter a Ph.D. programme. For others, it should provide them with measurable value additions like interdisciplinary skills, niche skills required in industry or rigorous training in science education, science communication and so on,” the report had said.
CUSAT has also been encouraged by the ideas included in the position paper prepared by the Indian Academy of Sciences (Bangalore), Indian National Science Academy (New Delhi) and the National Academy of Sciences (Allahabad) on restructuring post-school science programmes in the country. As part of strengthening the academic programmes, the academies had suggested introduction of a four-year B.S. programme followed by Ph.D.
Highlighting the objectives of the proposed B.S. programme, CUSAT Vice-Chancellor Gangan Prathap said that the course would help in promoting the teaching of basic science programmes in the country. Dr. Prathap said that the university has plans to begin the programmes by next year.
Explaining the advantages of the course, Joy Job Kulavelil, chairman of the committee appointed to formulate a detailed report on the B.S. programmes, said that a continuum of four years provides for better time-management for teaching in a holistic manner compared to the 3+2 years of B.Sc. and M.Sc. programmes. He said that the course would permit a broad-based training (including in humanities or other fields of individual choice) of science graduates, which is essential for developing a true knowledge society.
According to the three premier science academies, students (and parents) need not worry about one more entrance test and they may have better options for jobs after four years than after 3+2 years under the present system. The four-year B.S. programme will have international equivalence and many of the bright young students, who opt to study abroad because of the reduced time and greater flexibility, would find it equally good to pursue studies within the country and this would help reduce the ‘brain-drain.’
Since the B.Tech. and B.E. courses are of four years’ duration, the four-year B.S. programme would facilitate the possible switchover from science to technology or engineering and vice versa. Any deficit in the four-year programme in relation to Ph.D.- related research can be taken care of in the course work for Ph.D.
CUSAT authorities hope that the provision of continuing for Ph.D. without the need for a separate M.Sc. would make it more attractive for many students to compete. After B.S., it would be a dual-degree programme so that on successful completion, the candidate gets M.Sc. as well as Ph.D. degree.
Flexibility seems to be the key while finalising the course pattern. Dr. Kulavelil said that those who complete the course work could exit after one year with an M.Sc. degree, while those who successfully complete the full requirements, get M.Sc. as well as Ph.D. degrees.
CUSAT is confident of getting funds for promoting basic sciences on its campus. The three premier science academies have asked the Centre to encourage leading postgraduate teaching universities to impart undergraduate science education.
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