Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences
Coordinates: 19°04′14″N 72°51′19″E / 19.070555°N 72.855180°E
 | |
| Type | Science Education and Research Institution |
|---|---|
| Established | 17 September 2007 |
| Director | Prof. R.V. Hosur |
| Location | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Campus | University of Mumbai, Kalina campus |
| Website | cbs.ac.in |
Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (Hindi: मौलिक विज्ञान प्रकर्ष केंद्र ) (or UM-DAE CBS) is an autonomous institute with an affiliation to the University of Mumbai. It was set up in the University of Mumbai by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in collaboration with the university . This institute offers undergraduate science education and research opportunities. It aims at improving the quality of basic science education in the country at the undergraduate level and developing a pool of scientists for the various scientific works of the country. The Institute was established on 17 September 2007 by Dr R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.
Organisation
This autonomous institute is managed by a governing council headed by the Secretary of Dept. of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India which is the supreme decision making body for the institute. The Governing Council consists of eminent scientists, academicians and professors from proximate institutions. The Director of the institute, Prof. R.V. Hosur, is also a Senior Professor (Chemical Sciences) at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
Matters related to academic activities are handled by the Academic board chaired by Professor S.M. Chitre. It comprises educationists and academicians including Prof. J.V. Narlikar (IUCAA), Prof. N. Mukunda (IISc), Prof. Dipan Ghosh (IITB), Vice Chancellor (University of Mumbai) etc. as its members.
Campus
CBS functions from the Kalina Campus of the University of Mumbai, Santacruz(E), Mumbai. Prefabricated buildings near Annabhausathe Bhavan in the University campus serve as classrooms, library, computer lab and chemistry and biology undergraduate labs. Physics undergraduate labs function in the University Health Centre building. Research labs are located both in the Health Centre building as well as in the prefab complex near Annabhausathe Bhavan.
Currently, CBS students are housed in the Annabhau Sathe Bhavan and in the new hostel building which is located a little distance away from the present building. In addition to the facilities provided by the institute, the University of Mumbai also extends its own facilities to the students which include library (Jawaharlal Nehru University Library) and sports facilities. The new CBS campus (Hostel + Administrative and faculty building) is under construction within the University Campus.
Admissions
The students studying in undergraduate courses are selected through the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST), also used by National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar.
Selected students are called for counselling and admission to CBS. Provisional allotment of streams of integrated M.Sc. course are made at the time of counselling and students are required to pay fees and other charges in full amount on the date of admission.
The graduate students are selected by interview subject to certain criteria in the master's degree.
Academic Office
The Academic board of the institute exists to facilitate, initiate and co-ordinate the academic work of the Institute, particularly the teaching and assessment of students. It acts as the repository of grades and academic records of all students, both past and present.
Departments and research activities
The institute at present has 4 departments which are:
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Chemical Sciences
- Life Sciences
Various research works are being carried out at CBS in close association with institutes like TIFR, BARC, Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology (UDCT) in nuclear physics, astrophysics, archaeo-astronomy, free electron lasers, biophysics, genetics, chemical biology, cell and developmental biology, and cancer biology and therapeutics.
Student Life and Culture
Students of UM-DAE CBS, known as CBScients, reside at Anna Bhau Sathe Bhawan and the newly built pre-fabricated housing structures in the Mumbai University campus. Library, common room, maintenance and mess facilities are provided by the institute. In addition, students can use the sports facilities provided by CBS as well as the University. The campus is located in the lush green premises of University, thus providing an ideal atmosphere for studying and research activities.
Students joining UM-DAE CBS are nurtured within the rich cultural and scientific environment of Mumbai. They are given opportunities to attend talks and colloquiums at TIFR along with the other cultural activities held there. Besides, every Tuesday, a colloquium is organised in the institute through which students get a chance to interact with eminent scientists and are exposed to the latest research works happening all around the world. Also, many educational trips are organised round the year, including visits and camps at scientific and research institutions around the nation.
For the all round development and to promote healthy interaction among students, clubs like sports club, arts club, literature club and adventure club are set up by the students which regularly organise events. Main fests are the Sports Fortnight,Ragnarök held every 2nd fortnight of January and the Arts fest, Oris held in February. All members of CBS participate in the two events. CBS day is celebrated every year on 17 September.
Dhwani, the CBS musical evening is organised around the third week of March. In addition to professionals performing Indian classical pieces, students and faculty members also showcase their musical talent.
Mentor Institutions and Faculty
CBS is one of the many institutions set by Government of India to improve the quality of science education in the country. It has been set up in Mumbai, the largest city in India. This city boasts of world-renowned scientific institutions like TIFR, IIT Mumbai and BARC. Most of all them happen to be its mentor institutes. This gives a major boost to the institution in achieving the goal it has set for itself and the country.
Scientists and professors from these institutes, University of Mumbai and its affiliated colleges have designed and given courses to the undergraduate students of the institute.
