Ph.D. IIA Indian Institute of Astrophysics

Ph.D. Programme

This is a full-time research programme where in the students work towards their Ph.D. degree under the supervision of an IIA faculty. Students may join the programme in either the first semester beginning in August or the second semester beginning in January.

Course Work

All students are required to undergo a course work normally for a period of one year before beginning the work towards their Ph.D. thesis. The one-year course work programme starts with an orientation programme for one week on Introduction to Astronomy & Astrophysics at IIA. The present course work structure is as follows:

• First Semester :

1) JAP Course AA 362 - Radiative Processes in Astrophysics
2) JAP Course AA 363 - Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and Plasma Physics
3) JAP Course AA 377 - Astronomical Techniques
4) IIA Course - Stellar Structure and Evolution

• Second Semester :

1) JAP Course AA 365 - Galaxies and Interstellar Medium
2) JAP Course AA 370 - Stellar and High Energy Astrophysics
3) JAP Course AA 372 - Numerical and Statistical Techniques
4) Project Work

Tenure of the Programme

Students admitted to the Ph.D. programme are initially offered a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). On completion of two years as a Junior Research Fellow, a student is offered a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) after an assessment. The total tenure of the fellowship may not ordinarily exceed five years, inclusive of the one year course work. Once a student submits the thesis, an enhanced fellowship amount may be given for a further period of one year. The continuation of the fellowship beyond this period is not guaranteed.

Scholarship & Other Allowances

The stipend of a JRF is Rs. 16,000/- pm, and of a SRF is Rs. 18,000/- pm in addition to an annual book grant and medical facilities. Upon submission of the Ph.D. thesis the fellowship may be further increased. Hostel accomodation is normally provided to all students. If a student opts to stay in a private accomodation, a house rent allowance is paid as per the institute rules. Students are eligible to enroll in the contributory medical scheme of the institute. Subsidised canteen is available on-campus in Bangalore as well as at the field stations of the institute. During tours, students get travel and dearness allowances on par with staff members of the institute. They also receive support to participate in national and international scientific conferences.

An Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pondicherry University (Central),Puducherry has been signed on 28^thApril, 2009 to start a joint Ph.D programme in astrophysics. Henceforth, students enrolled for the PhD Programme will register at the said University.

NSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION TO THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME 2014

• Applications are invited from students who expect to complete any of M.Sc. (Physics) / Integrated M.Sc. (Physics) / B.E. / B.Tech. / M.E. / M.Tech. degrees by August 2014 with 55% marks or more. All applicants are required to fill out the application form .

• Unless you have already scored > 96 percentile in JEST (Physics)/ GATE (Physics), or have a UGC-CSIR-NET Junior Research Fellowship, you are required to appear for the IIA screening test (IIAST), at an exam center of your choice.

• Our selection procedure consists of the screening test (IIAST/JEST/GATE/UGC-CSIR-NET) followed by an interview for the short-listed candidates.

When filling out the application form, please:  • Upload your recent photograph. • Mention the names of the educations institutions (colleges, universities etc.) where you are studying, and their affiliations (university, deemed university etc.) if necessary. • Give details of your marks/GPA in all the examinations taken so far. In case of grade point average, normalize to 100%; i.e if your GPA is out of 10, multiply by 10, etc. • If you are currently working toward a degree, mention the expected date of its completion, and, enter the marks received up to the last examination with declared results. • Attach the scanned copies of your mark sheets and certificates alongwith this application form (preview page). We prefer that you upload the scanned copies of certificates etc, but in case of extreme difficulty please send the scanned copies (before the deadline) by email to bgs_info@iiap.res.in. If called for the interview, you will be asked to bring the originals of the relevant documents for verification . • Recommendation letters - Mention the names and contact addresses of two referees. They must be familiar with your academic abilities and should be able to objectively assess your suitability for a research career. Please let them know that if you are selected for the interview, we will contact them independently and request them to submit the online Confidential Assessment Form. Suitable referees are: i) A lecturer or a professor who had recently taught you a science or engineering course for at least one semester. ii) An academic or technical person with whom you have carried out a scientific/technical project for a minimum of three months. • If you have JEST/GATE/UGC-CSIR scores, please mention the percentile received, and upload a scan of the supporting document.

• Upon the successful receipt of your application form etc., we will cross-check the information provided in it against your scanned marksheets etc., and, if required, send you an admit card to your chosen examination center.

When attending IIAST, please:  • Carry your photo-ID card (eg: College ID, Students card, Passport) at the time of admission test. Candidates without a suitable photo-id may be disqualified and barred from giving the test.  • Reach the examination hall before 9 am. • Note that you will only be allowed to use pencils during the exams.

If your scores in IIAST/JEST/GATE/CSIR-UGC meet or exceed our cut-off marks, you will be required to attend an interview at IIA (Bangalore). You will be provided the second class train fare/bus fare by the shortest route for this trip.

For Detailed information regarding course etc. visit http://www.iiap.res.in/opportunities/graduate .

If you encounter difficulties with the on-line form, please contact webmaster@iiap.res.in Instruction to Apply HOW TO APPLY Step 1: Please click here to register. Step 2 : If you have already registered then Login to fill the application form. You already submitted the form