Indian Institute of Science
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Established | 1909 |
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| Type | Research Institution |
| Location | Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Website | www.iisc.ernet.in |
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.
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[edit] History
[edit] The Founder
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.
[edit] The Institute
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. But in recent times a sharp fall of citations from IISc has been observed, forcing IISc away from the standard of globally ranked institutes. In 2003, the institute ranked in the top 300 [1].
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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. In fact most Auto-rickshaw drivers recognize the institute as Tata institute. Bus routes 252, 256, and 258 serve this Institute from Majestic.
[edit] 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. 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.
[edit] Departments/Centres
The institute has departments and centres grouped under various divisions. The primary divisions are:
- Division of Biological Sciences
- Division of Chemical Sciences
- Division of Electrical Sciences
- Division of Mathematical & Physical Sciences
- Division of Mechanical Sciences
[edit] Departments outside Divisions
- Centre for Continuing Education
- Centre for Scientific & Industrial Consultancy
[edit] Some notable alumni and Fellows
- Homi J. Bhabha
- Satish Dhawan
- G.N. Ramachandran
- C.V. Raman
- Raja Ramanna
- Vikram Sarabhai
- George Sudarshan
- J.R.D. Tata
- Morris Travers
- Sir M. Visvesvaraya
- C.N.R. Rao
[edit] Admission Procedure
Admission criteria may differ based on the department or specialty selected. For M.E. or M.Tech., the admission is through the GATE examination conducted every year. In addition a personal interview may also be required.
[edit] Alumni Organisations
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| Divisions of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore |  |
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| Division of Biological Sciences • Division of Chemical Sciences • Division of Electrical Sciences • Division of Information Sciences • Division of Mechanical Sciences • Division of Physical and Mathematical Sciences |
