New science majors from Ashoka University

Ashoka University is set to launch pure majors in physics and biology from academic year 2017-2018. The institute currently majors in humanities and social sciences, mathematics, computer science and psychology.

The tuition fee remains the same and is not divided as per courses. Students opting for sciences major can avail the university’s need-based scholarship. “While selection at the university is based on merit, including academic and extracurricular achievement, scholarships are entirely based upon need,” says Malabika Sarkar, principal advisor (academic), Ashoka University.

Read more: IITs, IIMs think beyond govt funds and tuition fee

When asked about the rationale behind the university’s decision to introduce the two new programmes, Sarkar says, “The science programme will help create a strong appetite for research in our young students. Students will not only acquire current and in-depth knowledge of science subjects but also learn to contextualise this knowledge with inputs from the humanities and social sciences. Additionally, students will gain exposure to new careers at the intersection of science and humanities. For instance, there are a host of new careers such as science journalism, sociology of science or science policy.”

The university has engaged Indian scientists to the institute’s Science Advisory Committee that will be guiding them on curriculum, resources and faculty recruitment. These scientists include Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, physicist and former director, TIFR Mumbai; L S Shashidhara, biologist, coordinator of biology, IISER, Pune; Rajeeva Karandikar, mathematician and director, Chennai Mathematical Institute.