Have a strong interest in physics and an aptitude for science and engineering? A primer on the courses available in engineering physics.

Only a few institutions offer B.Tech-level programme in engineering physics. Four-year-long B.Tech course, five-year integrated M.Tech course and five-year dual degree M.Tech programmes are being offered by institutes like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Institute of Technology of the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Selection to these institutes is through a national-level IIT joint entrance examination conducted annually.

Meritorious students who have passed Plus Two or equivalent examination in the regular stream with 60 per cent marks in aggregate in physics, chemistry and mathematics are eligible to apply for IIT-JEE. Final year Plus Two students are also eligible to appear for the exam.

Study facilities

IIT-Madras, Bombay and Delhi offer B. Tech programmes in engineering physics. Institute of Technology at Varanasi under the Banaras Hindu University offers five-year integrated M.Tech course in engineering physics. IIT-Bombay offers five-year dual degree M.Tech programme in engineering physics with specialisation in nanoscience. The Department of Physics of IIT Bombay offers both B.Tech and dual degree M.Tech in engineering physics. The B.Tech programme is the oldest of its kind in the country. The curriculum lays stress on the basic physics that underlies new technological developments. The engineering physics students are also offered electives in several applied areas such as VLSI technology, electronics instrumentation and fibre optic communication. A dual degree programme in engineering physics was started in 2005-06. After the five-year-long programme students are awarded a dual degree B.Tech and M.Tech in engineering physics with specialisation in nanoscience.

At IT-BHU

The Institute of Technology (IT) of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi offers a five-year M.Tech integrated course in engineering physics which trains young students in the area of space physics, plasma physics and fibre optics. Courses in solid state physics, quantum mechanics, thermodynamic, statistical mechanics, materials physics, applied nuclear science and remote sensing are also included. For more details visit www.itbhu.ac.in. Admission is based on IIT-JEE that covers three separate sections on chemistry, mathematics and physics. For more details visit http://jee.iitm.ac.in

Career prospects

Those who successfully complete the above courses will have employment opportunities with government organisations such as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), and National Physical Laboratory apart from teaching profession. Campus placement facilities are also available in IITs.

Higher study options

Those who successfully complete B.Tech. in engineering physics can utilise the following higher education facilities. GATE qualified candidates are eligible to get scholarship/fellowship.

Indian Institute of Technology, Roorke–247667 conducts M.Tech. in solid state electronic materials. It is a suitable higher study option for meritorious B.Tech. degree holders in engineering physics. The institute also offers M.Tech. in computer science and engineering and M.Tech. in information technology. Entry qualification is BE/B.Tech. degree in any branch. (www.iitr.ernet.in).

Amrita School of Engineering, Ettimadai, Coimbatore-641105 under the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham conducts M.Tech. in remote sensing and wireless sensor networks. Entry qualification is BE /B.Tech in any branch or M.Sc. Maths/physics/computer science with minimum 70 per cent marks (www.amrita.edu).

International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore–560100 offers M.Tech. programme. A first class BE / B.Tech. is the minimum qualification for admission. Selection is based on an online admission test and interview (www.iiitb.ac.in)

Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata- 700108 offers M.Tech. programme in computer science; M.Tech. in quality, reliability and operations research. Meritorious engineering/ technology graduates are also eligible for admission (www.isical.ac.in/deanweb).

Amrita Centre for Nanoscience under the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi – 682041, conducts M.Tech. course in nanomedical science courses. B.Tech. holders are also eligible for admission (www.amrita.edu)

National Institute of Industrial Engineering, NITIE, Vihar Lake. P.O, NITIE, Mumbai – 400087 offers PG diploma in industrial engineering. GATE qualified first class engineering/ rechnology graduates in any branch are eligible for admission www.nitie.edu.

BU-DRDO Centre for Life Sciences under Bharathiar University Campus, Coimbatore- 641046 conducts M.Tech. in remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Any graduate in engineering are eligible for admission. Selection is based on an entrance test and interview (www.b-u.ac.in)

Rajiv Gandhi Poudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal – 462036 offers M.Tech. in energy technology and environment management. BE/ B.Tech. holders with 55 per cent marks and above are eligible for admission (www.rgtu.net).