B.Sc.-M.Sc Integrated program in Ayurevda Biology
Goals
The 5-year integrated B.Sc.-M.Sc. program in Āyurveda-Biology program at the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, JNU started in 2020 with the following goals:
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To study the vast expanse of traditional knowledge of India in the field of Āyurvedic and related sciences from the perspective of mainstream contemporary studies in Biological sciences.
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To train students in the Sanskrit texts of Āyurveda with a view to integrate the deep knowledge contained in these texts to create a holistic and sustainable model for study and research in contemporary life sciences
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To train students to update existing knowledge and create new comprehensive knowledge in the field of Āyurveda
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To train students as researchers for advanced studies in the field of integrated Āyurvedic sciences from contemporary perspectives
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To train students as R&D manpower for academic institutions, industry and health services
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To train students as potential entrepreneurs in Āyurvedic enterprises
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To train students to act as interface between institutions and society and disseminate Āyurvedic knowledge for social welfare
Thrust areas
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Teaching and research for integrating Āyurveda and contemporary sciences
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Studying Sanskrit Āyurvedic texts
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Learning methods and practices in Āyurveda
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Exploring Biological sciences and their empirical experimental methods
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Doing research projects, internship and dissertation
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Training in entrepreneurship and setting up startup companies
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Preparing for partnership and collaboration with academic institutions and industry
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Promoting novel concepts from Āyurvedic sciences for social welfare
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Planning for a doctoral research program in Āyurveda Biology
Structure of the program
The five year integrated program consists of 3 year B.Sc. and 2 year M.Sc. in the following format
B.Sc. in Āyurveda Biology (6 semesters)
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18 credits (6 courses x 3 credits) each semester x 6 semesters = 108 credits (or as prescribed by UGC/JNU rules)
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A 2-week training program in online/offline mode (during winter break) every year in the newer and emerging areas of Āyurvedic sciences
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6th semester will include a compulsory Āyurveda entrepreneurship course of 6 credits which includes internship and report writing with presentation by the student in which the students will learn entrepreneurship skills and do an internship in their intended area of interest
M.Sc. in Āyurveda Biology (4 semesters – 64 credits)
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7th to 9th semesters will offer optional masters level courses. The students have to do 12 courses worth 48 credits.
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In 9th semester, the focus will be on research methods, data standards, research project and product design with 2 compulsory courses
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The 10th semester will offer only 1 course worth 16 credits where the students will write their masters dissertation in collaboration with academia/industry under collaborative supervision
Eligibility for admissions
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12th grade pass students are eligible for entrance test
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Basic knowledge of Sanskrit
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Admission through online test
Rules and regulations
1. Rules regarding compulsory and optional courses
i) The courses in the first four semesters are compulsory.
ii) The 5th semester has only one compulsory course “Environmental Studies” required by UGC.
iii) The 6th semester has Āyurveda Entrepreneurship – a 6 credit course as compulsory.
iv) 7th, 8th semesters have all courses optional.
v) The 9th semester has two compulsory courses – “Research Methodology” and “Seminar Course - Research Project in Āyurveda”.
vi) The 10th semester has only one course (16 credits) which is compulsory and will be in the form of a dissertation to be completed in collaboration with academia/industry.
2. Internship with report
In the 6th semester, the students will do a 6-credits compulsory internship course titled Āyurveda Entrepreneurship and submit a report at the end of the semester.
3. M.Sc. dissertation
i) In the 10th semester, the students will be writing their masters dissertation worth 16 credits after doing an academic/industrial collaborative research under the supervision of a faculty and external collaborator. A select group of students will be encouraged to set up startups and write their dissertation on the work being done.
ii) Since the course will be offered in the winter semester (Jan-May), the synopsis will be submitted by end of January. There will be a presentation of the synopsis in the week of February before the synopsis committee chaired by the dean of the school.
iii) The students opting for startup mode will also submit a synopsis (plan layout) and proof of startup creation by end of January.
iv) The students will be expected to work on the proposal for next 3 months and present their work before the same committee. The suggestions, if any, for improvement will have to be incorporated in the final dissertation by the student in consultation with the supervisor/s.
v) The dissertation in the prescribed format and length will be submitted by the first week of May under the supervision of a faculty and academia/industry collaborator. The dissertation will be submitted electronically or in print or both as per the university norms. All guidelines and regulations of JNU on ethics, bio-safety and plagiarism must be followed.
vi) The supervisor, external collaborator (or an expert from industry in case of startups) and an external expert outside the school will examine the dissertation. A viva-voce will be conducted in the fourth of week of May which will assess the performance of the students. The dean of the school will chair the viva-voce.
4. Setting up startups
During the 9th semester, while doing the compulsory Seminar course - Research Project in Āyurveda, the students will be encouraged to register a startup and submit the details to the faculty supervisor for dissertation proposal.
