About the Interdisciplinary PhD Programme in BSSE

    The PhD programme of the Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering (BSSE) at the Indian Institute of Science started in 2012. Students in this programme have two advisers who belong to two different departments. This is to ensure that cross-pollination of ideas takes place, which hopefully will lead to research that is different from research done in the traditional engineering and biology departments in IISc. Additionally, students in this programme will be able to speacialize in two distinctly different subject areas, which makes them well poised to excel in their careers in today's interdisciplinary research environment.

    Currently, the programme has advisers who are from eight engineering departments and eight science departments, and these numbers are growing. The students admitted into this programme had prior background in biotechnology, computer science, ecology, electronics, mechanical engineering, pharmaceutics, etc. The diversity of the students is also growing.

    The programme, with its structured curriculum, aims to provide well-rounded background to its students so that they are prepared to pursue exciting careers in bioengineering.

    The students and faculty of this programme are encouraged to collaborate with clinicians. Some already work with hospitals and clinicians. Thus, the programme covers fundamental as well as translational research in bioengineering.

  • Who can apply to the BSSE PhD Programme?

    • The Interdisciplinary PhD Programme in BSSE is open to both Master's and Bachelor's degree holders. Eligibility requirements to apply are:

    1. For Master's degree holders: MSc, ME, MTech, MPhil, MD, etc., in any branch of engineering or science.
    2. For Bachelor's degree holders: A four-year degree in engineering, medicine, science (BE, BTech, MBBS, BS) in any engineering or science discipline.
    3. For both Master's and Bachelor's degree holders: At least two mathematics courses after 12th standard are mandatory for all applicants.

    It is important that you understand the mathematics requirement. Please look at the Course Curriculum to ensure that you can handle the core courses. The courses are designed to help students of varied background but certain basic level of mathematics is necessary.

  • Is this the right PhD programme for you?

    • Please read the information about the programme and its research in order to see if this PhD programme suits your interests and goals. Please feel free to contact any faculty member listed under the People page.

    This programme particularly encourages those students who are interested in working at the cutting-edge of interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology and engineering. The ideal PhD candidate for this programme is someone who is looking to gain a rounded research experience spanning the sciences and engineering.

  • Where to apply?

    • See: IISc admission page to learn about how to apply online.

    Admissions Jan 2021

    The Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering offers PhD programme. Each student in this programme may have one or two advisers. If there are two advisers, each is from a different department, most often one in a biology department and another in an engineering department. This ensures interdisciplinarity in research.

    Basic qualifications for eligibility (anyone of the following)

    1. Bachelor's degree in any branch of Engineering/Technology or Graduates of 4-year Bachelor of Science programmes
    2. MSc or equivalent degree in any branch of Science with minimum of two Mathematics courses beyond 12th Standard in BSc/MSc
    3. Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in any branch of Science (four-year degree) with minimum of two Mathematics courses beyond 12th Standard
    4. Medical degree at Bachelor's or Master's level in any specialization; Mathematics in 12th standard is preferred.

    Interview process

    Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of their past performance in the subject matter (GATE etc.). Shrotlisted candidates will be called for an interview to be selected for the program.

    Current areas of research

    Biodesign, biomechanics, biomaterials, biomedical instruments, biotechnology, biomedical imaging, cell and tissue engineering, computational bioengineering, drug-delivery, immuno-engineering, mechanobiology, medical electronics, neural engineering, systems biology, telemedicine, tissue engineering, and allied topics.
    For more information about admissions, see: http://www.iisc.ac.in/admissions/

    PhD Projects Jan 2021

    Following are the PhD research projects being offered for Jan 2021:

    S. no. Faculty 1 Faculty 2 Topic
    1. Rachit Agarwal (BSSE) - Developing Tuberculosis Vaccines
    2. Rachit Agarwal (BSSE) Kartik Sunagar (CES) Engineering nano carriers against snake venoms
    3. Dipshikha Chakravortty (MCB) Jagadeesh Gopalan (Aero.) Development of novel shockwave-based needle-free vaccine delivery systems for human use
    4. Mohit Kumar Jolly (BSSE) - Computational Systems Biology of Cancer Therapy Resistance
    5. Sanhita Sinharay (BSSE, joining in early 2021) Evaluating pH-sensitization of immunotherapy treatment regimens with noninvasive Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI

    First year

    • Three BSSE core courses and two Practicum courses; and elective courses
    • Get started with research (where is the tunnel?)
    • Organize a book-discussion (mid-June)
    • Help with the Open Day (Feb.-Mar.)
    • Attend monthly BSSE Happy Hours
    • Attend BSSE Journal Club meetings
    • Attend BSSE and other seminars
    • Attend the Annual Symposium (Jan.)
    • Attend annual BSSE outing (June)

    Second year

    • Research (you identify the tunnel)
    • Comprehensive examination (by April 1st)
    • Organize new student orientation in August
    • Help with Open Day activities (Feb-Mar.)
    • Attend monthly BSSE Happy Hours
    • Attend BSSE Journal Club meetings
    • Attend BSSE and other seminars
    • Attend the Annual Symposium (Jan.)
    • Participate in BSSE book-discussion (June)
    • Attend annual BSSE outing (June)

    Third year

    • Research (you are in the tunnel)
    • Teaching assistantship (Jan. or Aug. semesters): It is highly recommended that you do your TA for a BSSE course after you have finished your comprehensive. If in case you do your TA for a non-BSSE course and there is still requirement for TAs in BSSE courses then you will be asked to do your TA again
    • Coordinate the Open Day activities (Feb.-Mar.)
    • Attend monthly BSSE Happy Hours
    • Attend BSSE Journal Club meetings
    • Attend BSSE and other seminars
    • Participate in BSSE book-discussion (June)
    • Attend annual BSSE outing (June)
    • Attend the Annual Symposium (Jan.)

    Fourth year

    • Research (you see light at the end of the tunnel)
    • Organize Annual Symposium (Jan.)
    • Help with Open Day activities (Feb.-Mar.)
    • Attend monthly BSSE Happy Hours
    • Attend BSSE Journal Club meetings
    • Attend BSSE and other seminars
    • Participate in BSSE book-discussion (June)
    • Attend annual BSSE outing (June)

    Fifth year

    • Research (you are out of the tunnel)
    • BSSE Colloquium
    • Submit thesis
    • Help with Open Day activities (Feb.-Mar.)
    • Attend monthly BSSE Happy Hours
    • Attend BSSE Journal Club meetings
    • Attend BSSE and other seminars
    • Attend the Annual Symposium (Jan.)
    • Participate in BSSE book-discussion (June)
    • Attend annual BSSE outing (June)

    Academic Procedures

    • Interdisciplinary course curriculum for bioengineering
    • Practicum course
    • Coordinated comprehensive examination schedule
    • Rehearsing presentations with faculty and students
    • Teaching assistantship
    • Annual evaluations (forms and presentations)
    • Novel thesis colloquium format
    • Optional clinical immersion exercise
    • Optional summer internship in the industry

    Intellectual Development

    • BSSE seminars; interaction with seminar speakers
    • Focused discussion during BE-happy hours
    • Monthly journal club meetings
    • Annual book-discussion
    • BSSE library (books, magazines, and online materials)
    • Annual research symposium
    • Mentoring BEST and BEST+ interns
    • Pictorial depiction of the theme of the thesis
    • A discussion session after any student travels abroad, sharing personal journeys (included in Happy Hour)

    Personal Wellbeing

    • The BEhive and being a cohesive group
    • Orientation sessions for new students
    • Taking a few courses together and helping one another
    • Monthly BE-happy hours; celebrating accomplishments
    • Annual picnic
    • Ombudsman
    • Open Day activities
    • Third year mentors for new batch students
    • Planting a sapling on convocation day
    • Planning a farewell for outgoing students

    Administrative Framework

    • Office and lab staff
    • Anonymous compulsory faculty feedback
    • BSSE Calendar
    • Safety procedures and Signage
    • A visiting counselor/committee to discuss student mental wellbeing
    • BSSE Blog (to be included on website)
    • BSSE Sports committee
    • Seminar coordination
    • Student-organized events
    • BSSE Alumni committee