Ashoka University offers a year-long Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Studies and Research (DipASR) to students who have completed the three-year Bachelor’s Programme, during which students can take a wide range of elective options across a variety of subjects, as well as gain valuable research experience in specific disciplines. Students must complete 32 credits to graduate from the ASP and may choose to complete an advanced major in a particular discipline or may choose to study subjects across disciplines.
The Biology Department also offers a structured program for students who are interested in learning advanced concepts in biology and gain experience in some of the modern and interdisciplinary areas of biology. This is in the form of an advanced diploma for students who have finished 3 years of undergraduate in biology and related area. The program is for one year. The major emphasis is to give opportunity to students to learn some of the advance and contemporary topics in biology along with a hand-on experience in conducting research. Students with a major in a different disciple (chemistry/physics/maths/computer science) are also eligible to join the Biology program. There is an opportunity to carry out interdisciplinary research in a number of areas in Biology. The program has been designed keeping in mind appropriate courses to fill knowledge in gap areas and offer significant research opportunities.
1. Those who have completed the requirement for the biology major and continue to do ASP with Biology as major.
7th Semester Total: 16 credits |
Required |
Genomics, proteomics and NGS (BIO 4206) – 2 credits Specificity in gene expression and cell signalling (BIO 4226/6230) – 2 credits Biology Research I (BIO 4606) – 8 credits |
Optional |
Any one 4 credit course within or outside the Department |
|
8th Semester Total: 16 credits
|
Required |
Research Methodology and Ethics (BIO 4209) – 4 credits Biology Research II (BIO 4607) – 8 credits |
Optional |
Timing in Biology (BIO 4028) – 2 credits Ecological and epidemiological dynamics (BIO 4026) – 2 credits OR Any one 4 credit optional course offered in 6th semester or outside the Department |
2. Those who have completed their major in computer science/ physics /chemistry /mathematics and want to pursue ASP with Biology as a major.
7th Semester
Total – 16 Credits |
Required | Introduction to Biology 2 OR Introduction to Biology 3 – 4 credits
Biostatistics and Bioinformatics – 4 credits Research – 4 credits |
Optional | One regular course or two advanced courses (2 credits each) offered by the Department or a course from outside the department – 4 credits | |
8th Semester
Total – 16 Credits |
Required | Research methodology and research ethics – 4 credits
Introduction to Biology 1 – 4 credits Research – 4 credits |
Optional | One regular course or two advanced courses (2 credits each) offered by the Department or a course from outside the department – 4 credits |
3. Those who are pursuing ASP in any other discipline as a major may take any of the undergraduate courses in Biology, which are at the introductory level. Those students may consult concerned faculty to register in those courses.
In order to obtain this degree, students must complete a minimum number of 32 credits (or whatever is prescribed) and a dissertation.
The ASP student(s) should approach the PI(s) well ahead of time to discuss with the PI(s) the prospective projects and vacancies . Once the ASP student and the respective PI(s) have mutually agreed, the ASP student should apply officially to the OAA for the ASP program clearly elaborating all the required details and providing the name(s) of PI(s) in the application. The OAA will register the ASP(s) after confirmation from the respective PI(s).
Department of Biology Handbook
All undergraduates graduating with Bachelor’s Degrees at the end of their third year, or who have completed by that time at least academic 92 credits of their degree programme, are eligible for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Studies and Research programme, also known as the Ashoka Scholars Programme (ASP). Students who need to complete up to 8 credits of their undergraduate degree must do so within the first semester of the ASP. All students who fall into either of these categories must formally apply for admission to the ASP towards the end of the Spring semester of their third year. The exact date will be circulated by the OAA.