MPhil/PhD Programme in Theoretical Physics

School of Mathematical Sciences

MPhil/PhD Programme in Theoretical Physics

Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University was declared by Government of India through its Ministry of Human Resource Development as an institution deemed-to-be- University under Section 3 of University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956. It was formally inaugurated on 4 July 2005, the day of mahasamadhi (passing away) of Swami Vivekananda who envisioned just a couple of days before he passed away that Belur Math would develop into an all-round University. Again, it was Swami Vivekananda who inspired Sir Jamshedji Tata to establish an institute for fundamental science in India which resulted in the now famous Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore. In our new University in Swamiji's hallowed name, we have started a School in Mathematical Sciences which has three Departments: Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science. While the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science offer MSc and PhD in their respective subjects, the Department of Physics offers MPhil/PhD in Theoretical Physics.

In most cases the background of students who take a Masters degree in Physics is quite inadequate to start research directly. To orientate the students for research as well as to give them an exposure to the different research areas, the various research institutes across the country have introduced post-M.Sc. courses or pre-Ph.D. courses for their incoming research students. All the Universities in the advanced countries have pre-Ph.D. courses for their students. But then, the Indian Universities offering PhD programmes hardly ever provide any scope for systematic training in advanced Physics at the Post-MSc/Pre-PhD level. This usually leads to the student acquiring on his/her own just enough background with great difficulty, in the very narrow field of his contemplated research topic. As a result, most of these students do not always acquire enough confidence to be able to carry on independent research during their PhD programme nor do they find themselves equipped to take up research in other developing fields at the post-doctoral level. The MPhil course started at our new University is intended to fulfil this important need of (i) providing research orientation to the students and (ii) giving them an opportunity for in-depth study in the various research areas.

The MPhil course in Theoretical Physics is a four-semester course. The first two semesters would be fully devoted to course work (four courses each). In the third semester, there would be three courses and project/dissertation work planning including the relevant literature survey. The fourth and the last semester would be devoted entirely to project/dissertation work. The project/dissertation work will be under the guidance of teachers on an advanced topic in physics, intended to give an orientation for PhD research work.

After successful completion of the MPhil programme, students who are eager to pursue further research may be allowed to go in for PhD programme and will be offered research fellowships according to availability of resources. Students joining the PhD programme after qualifying at the UGC/CSIR NET examination for Junior Research Fellowship will be able to receive their fellowships through the University.

Fellowships:

Selected students will be awarded fellowships of Rs. 4,000/- per month during the MPhil programme.

Courses:

The student should take the following courses during the MPhil programme:

1. Mathematical Methods in Physics I (including computational methods in Physics)
2. Mathematical Methods in Physics II (including computational methods in Physics)
3. Quantum Field Theory I
4. Quantum Field Theory II
5. Statistical Mechanics
6. Condensed Matter Physics
7. Nuclear and Particle Physics
8. Atomic & Molecular Spectroscopy and Quantum Optics
9. General Relativity and Cosmology
10. Elective courses (to be specified)
11. Research Methodology
12. Project/Dissertation Work

Eligibility to apply:

Students with MSc degree in Physics from any recognized University/Institute with 55% marks will be eligible to apply.

Important dates (last date to apply, admission test, etc) :

The following important dates may please be noted:

• 31 March: Last date for receiving applications for admission to MPhil course
• 10 April: Written admission test (11 am to 2 pm)
• Date and time of interview to be announced at the time of the written test
• 1 July: Classes begin

How to apply:

Application forms may be downloaded using this link. They are also available from the University's central office at Belur (just outside the Belur Math main gate), during office hours. More information in this regard may be obtained by calling phone no. 2654 9999.

Submission of Application Forms

Completed application forms, along with necessary certificates, can be submitted either by post or in person (during office hours at the university office), together with a demand draft of Rs.200/- in favour of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Belur Math. An attested passport size photograph should be affixed in the application form. The applications should reach the university office by 31 March.

The admit card with the attested photograph must be retained by the candidate for the entrance examination and brought to the examination hall.

Please download the admit card too if you are downloading the application form.

Registrar

(Please refer to the admission notice for exact dates.)