ANNEXURE-1

BS-MS Programme:
This annexure contains academic rules that are specific to the BS-MS dual degree programme. These
should be read in conjunction with the main guidelines.
1. The first year of the 5-Year BS-MS Dual Degree Programme will have
i.
courses in five disciplines of basic sciences viz., Biology, Chemistry, Earth
Science, Mathematics, and Physics
ii.
courses on Computational Sciences, Humanities and Statistics could also be
provided, depending on requirement
iii.
total number of credits in each semester in the first year is 27
2. In the second year, a student has to complete 24 credits in each semester. Here a student must
choose three pre-major disciplines from among the five disciplines mentioned above, each
offering courses totalling 8 credits.
3. In the third year, students are required to decide on a major (discipline) from the three premajor disciplines chosen in the second year. The student will have to take five core courses
from the selected discipline (major). In addition, two courses from other disciplines have to
be chosen as minor subjects. Total number of credits to be taken in the third year is 21 (15
from the major and 6 from two minors) in every semester. In order to choose minor subjects,
a student is allowed to select at most one from the second year courses.
i.
For choosing the major, a student must clear all the relevant pre-requisite
courses in the previous four semesters. The HoD will inform the Academic
Cell about the prerequisite before the commencement of the 4th semester. Each
Department may specify at the most one subject as prerequisite.
ii.
A major subject will be offered to a student according to merit (CGPA) and
also the availability of seats for a particular major.
iii.
Each Department will specify the maximum number of students they can
accommodate in a particular academic year. However, this number cannot be
less than 25% of the total number of students enrolled in the third year of that
particular year.
iv.
If a student is unable to qualify for a major due to failure in any relevant course
in the second year (especially due to medical or other unavoidable
circumstances), the Department may allow a waiver after suitable evaluation
process.
v.
If the student is unable to qualify for any major after the second year owing to
multiple failures or does not qualify for the major of his/her choice, he/she will
be detained in the second year even if the total number of failed subjects is four
or less.
vi.
If a student does not get a major of choice, he/she may choose to remain in the
second year to get a major of his/her choice.
4. A student can change his/her major/minor (in which he/she has registered by the end of 4th
semester) within a fortnight of the start of the 5th semester. A change in minor after that will
not be allowed.
5. In the fourth year, core, elective(s) and/or interdisciplinary courses are taught along with
seminars. A student must credit all the core courses being offered in his/her major subject.
Total credit is 18 per semester.
6. In the fifth year, a student has to do a dissertation (research project) along with some
advanced courses. Total credit is 15 per semester.
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7. Special awards are awarded to the best performing students of each major subject at the end
of the course. One student is chosen from each major on the basis of the highest CGPA in ten
semesters. To be eligible for this award a student must have a CGPA higher than 8.0, and
must not have failed in any course in all the five years.
8. In case a student in the final year fails to have cleared any course or courses in that year
he/she may request for a summer course on these topics. A registration fee of Rs 5000.00
(Rupees five thousand only) will be charged for each summer course. The summer course will
be conducted during mid-May to mid-July every year if necessary and will be followed by a
supplementary examination which will cover the entire course. The summer students will be
appearing for this supplementary examination which will be considered as their end-summer
course examination. If a student does not opt for summer course, he/she can sit for the
supplementary examination with a fee of Rs 200.00 (Rupees two hundred only) per course.
The summer examination grades will be considered the final grades of the student for that
particular course.
The HoD should inform the Academic Cell about the summer course Instructor.
9. A student has to finish the BS-MS programme in a maximum of 7 years, but fellowship will
be given for a maximum period of 5 years.
10. A student can apply for switch over from BS-MS to PhD programme of the Institute any time
after the commencement of 5th year of the programme. The student must have CGPA of 7.5 or
more at the time of switch over and passes a comprehensive viva voce, conducted by the
Department, and maintains his/her CGPA at least 7.5 until the end of the 5 th year. In case the
CGPA of the student falls below 7.5, his/her candidature as a PhD student will be terminated.
If a student is selected for the switch over programme and maintains his/her CGPA of 7.5 or
more, he/she will be entitled to get a scholarship of Rs 10,000.00 (Rupees ten thousand only)
during his/her 5th year. However, the rest of the amount will be paid to him/her as an arrear,
after his/her registration as a PhD student of the Institute. The student is encouraged to clear
the National level eligibility test to avail his/her own fellowship.

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