Introduction
The question of why other Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) do not offer a four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) program, similar to IISER Bhopal and IISc, is often raised. This article aims to clarify the differences and provide insights into the reasons behind these distinctions.
Understanding the Degrees at IISER Bhopal and IISc
Firstly, it is essential to clarify the differences in the degrees offered by IISER Bhopal and IISc. The degrees at IISER Bhopal are equivalent to those at IISc and do not offer a four-year BS program. IISc, however, offers a four-year BS program with the option to extend the period to a fifth year for an MS in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and material science. IISER Bhopal, on the other hand, offers a five-year BS-MS program in the natural sciences, which includes physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology. Additionally, IISER Bhopal does offer a four-year BS program in engineering sciences and economics.
The Reasons Behind the Differences
Why IISERs Opt for a Five-Year Integrated BS-MS Program
The primary aim of IISERs is to produce research-oriented students. Upon graduation, what do these students typically do? They usually apply for a PhD. As the student population in each batch has grown, there has been greater career diversity, including pursuing a Master’s degree or entering the job market. However, the norm remains that students aspire to continue their studies with a PhD.
In most places in Europe and India, having a Master’s degree is a prerequisite for beginning a PhD. In India, the option for an integrated PhD exists, but this route is not available in many European universities. In contrast, most American and Canadian universities accept students who only have a BS degree, with their coursework including Master’s-level classes.
Therefore, the 5-year integrated BS-MS program at IISERs achieves a critical goal: once a student completes the degree, they can apply for a PhD anywhere in the world, not just in a few Indian institutions and limited opportunities in other countries. The extra Master’s degree and the additional summer between the fourth and fifth year provide ample opportunities for original research, strengthening the student's application for a PhD. Additionally, having a Master’s degree can provide an alternative route if a PhD program requires one.
The Downsides of the 5-Year Integrated BS-MS Program
There are a few downsides to this system. Firstly, some students may wish to do their Master’s thesis with a particular research group elsewhere. To accommodate this, some IISERs allow students to spend either the entire year or at least one semester elsewhere, provided they have a local guide at their IISER.
Another downside is that some students may wish to exit with a Bachelor’s degree. This was the case for the economics and engineering sciences degrees at IISER Bhopal, where students might prefer to pursue a Master’s elsewhere. However, for the natural sciences programs, the prevailing mindset is that obtaining an extra Master’s is not necessarily harmful.
The only way to exit with a Bachelor’s degree from a natural sciences BS-MS program is to complete all coursework, excluding the thesis, which can still take around five years at IISER Mohali and 4.5 years at Pune.
How IISc Manages the Roster
IISc has a different approach. It leaves the choice to students. If a student wishes to apply for a Master’s or PhD program that accepts a BS degree, or prefer to exit the program with a BS, they are free to do so. In cases where this does not work out, students can pursue an MS. This flexibility may appeal to some students while the universality of being able to apply for a PhD after the BS-MS degree at IISc and IISERs makes it more attractive to others.
Conclusion
The choice between a four-year BS program and a five-year integrated BS-MS program at IISERs is essentially based on what is expected from its graduating students. If the majority of graduates plan to pursue a PhD, the 5-year program remains more attractive. If the trend shifts towards students seeking Master’s degrees or direct entry into the job market, a four-year program might become more preferred.
Ultimately, the decision lies with the institution and the students. IISc leaves the decision to the students, whereas IISERs make it for them. Having a Master’s degree is necessary for applying for a PhD in some institutions.
I hope this explanation helps clarify the reasons behind the differences in program structures at IISERs and IISc.
Keywords: IISER, Bachelor of Science, Integrated BS-MS