Aim:

The primary aim of this programme is to inculcate a scientific awareness of the subject of Astronomy among the young students and to motivate them to pursue careers in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The course work is planned as an extra subject beyond the regular University curriculum. It is conducted outside the normal college hours as weekend classes or evening classes. The course includes theory classes, practical sessions, dissertation writing, and a seminar presentation. On completion of the course, the students will be awarded certificates with grades based on overall performance.

Course Benefits:

The course also provides an in-depth exposure of the technical intricacies involved in the study of Astronomy and Astrophysics to such students who are found to possess an aptitude for the subject. This programme is also expected to set a platform for those students who would eventually be seeking higher studies in the subject and aspiring for further research work in Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Faculty:

The faculty for this course consists of the permanent teaching staff at the institute as well as the internationally acclaimed scientists and professors of various scientific institutions and research organizations in and around Bangalore.

Syllabus:

The syllabus for the certificate course is framed to cover the basic aspects involved in understanding the astronomical and astrophysical concepts. Knowledge of college/undergraduate level of physics and mathematics is necessary to gain a precise understanding of the concepts covered. The students are required to submit individual dissertations at the end of the course and present a seminar lecture before a panel of faculty members.

1. An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics: Bradley W. Carrol and Dale A. Ostlie
2. Astronomy: Principles and Practice - A.E. Roy and D. Clarke
3. Atlas of the Universe - Patrick Moore
4. The Stars: their structure and evolution - R.J. Tayler
5. Stars and Galaxies - K. D. Abhyankar
6. Universe 8th ed.- Roger Freedman and William J Kaufmann, III

Classroom Sessions:

Here the fundamentals of each concept and area in astrophysics will be covered as slideshow lectures.

Practical Sessions:

Activities and exercises (to be performed by the students) are based on the concepts taught in the classroom sessions.

Dissertation:

1. In the duration of the course, students may prepare a dissertation in a topic or sub-topic of their interest in Astrophysics. 
2. Every student is required to submit the dissertation and give a seminar type of talk on the topic of his / her dissertation.
3. Experts from an appropriate panel may assess the dissertations and seminar lectures.
4. On successful completion of the course, the Institute shall give certificates to the students with grades based on attendance, dissertation, seminar lecture, and overall performance.
5. Click here to download the Dissertation Topics.
6. Click here to download the Dissertation Format.

Field Trips:

1. Radio Astronomy center, Gauribidanur.
2. Students will be given an exposure to skywatch during the period of the course.

• The application must be submitted along with one passport size photographs and one stamp size photograph.
• The right to admit will solely rest with the Institute.
• Outstation students are requested to make their own arrangements for accommodation.

How to Apply:

• Students can email the institute to know about the fee structure of a particular course.
• Interested students can download the application from the webpage, fill it and send it by post to the address mentioned below along with a local cheque / DD drawn in favour of "M. P. Birla Institute of Fundamental Research" (payable at Bangalore). Fee structure includes registration and admission fee.
• Students can personally pay the prescribed fee (payable by cash / local cheque / DD).
• If you wish to pay the course fees through netbanking, kindly send a mail to info@mpbifr-blr.in or to mpbifr@gmail.com requesting for the netbanking details. Kindly attach a scanned copy of your filled application form in your email.

M. P. Birla Institute of Fundamental Research,
2nd Floor, M. P. Birla Research Centre,
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Campus,
43/1, Race Course Road, Bangalore – 560001.

Email(preferred contact): mpbifr@gmail.com, info@mpbifr-blr.in
Phone: 080-22385956, 40914507
Fax: 080-22385957

You can also download the application form here.