What: The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education has opened admissions to its PhD programme in Science Education for 2008.

The HBCSE is a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research devoted to research and development in science, technology and mathematics education from primary school to college level. It is India's nodal centre for Olympiads in mathematics, science and astronomy.

Areas of Research

• Cognitive and pedagogic studies of science, mathematics and technology education.
• Socio-cultural and gender studies in science, mathematics and technology (education).
• Visuospatial thinking in science, mathematics and technology education.
• Knowledge organisation
• Curricular issues, assessment and evaluation
• Environment education
• Educational implications of history and philosophy of science

Eligibility
Recent MSc in any of the physical / chemical / biological / earth sciences or mathematics/ statistics; computer science may apply. Final year MSc students may also apply. Applicants must have a consistently good academic record and a strong interest in research in science education.

Financial assistance

• Monthly scholarship of Rs 12,000 enhanced to Rs 14,000 after registration for PhD.
• A contingency grant of Rs 15,000 and a tuition grant of Rs 4,000 per annum. Admissions are made for one year at a time, renewable annually up to a period of 5 years. Accommodation may be provided on campus at nominal cost. After completion of PhD, outstanding candidates have a chance to be considered for absorption into the regular academic stream of HBCSE (TIFR).

Application details

For application forms write, enclosing a 25.5 cm x 15.5 cm self-addressed envelope with stamps worth Rs 10, to:

Administrative Officer,
Homi Bhabha Centre For Science Education,
TIFR, VN Purav Marg,
Mankhurd, Mumbai 400088.

The last date for receiving application form requests by post is April 1, 2008.

Alternatively, you may download the form from the Events link at www.hbcse.tifr.res.in

Submission of applications
Completed forms should be sent by post latest by April 15, 2008 along with two passport size photographs (one pasted and one stapled) and a demand draft for Rs 350 (non-refundable) payable at Mumbai in favour of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education.

A written test will be held for applicants on May 25, 2008 at the following 6 centres: Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Kolkata. Those who qualify in the test will be called for an interview in the third week of June, 2008.

Important dates

• Application deadline: April 15, 2008
• Written test: May 25, 2008
• Interview: Third week of June 2008