UNOM Experiences

I had applied to various colleges and universities around the city seeking admission towards the course MSc Physics. Each Institute had its own criteria and mode of selection. The Guindy campus of the University of Madras accommodates Science courses while Arts & Humanities are housed at Chepauk campus. Applications are to be filled and submitted to the respective departments. To have acquired 60% and above in your ug course is sufficient to apply. Elaborating on my course two departments offer Masters in Physics with each department conducting its own entrance exam. The exam should be quite easy to crack as it consists of MCQs and application-based questions. After a week or so, results were put up and shortlisted candidates were intimidated through call and email. The point to be noted is that, the process of admission is transparent and through MERIT.

Physics has been an ever-fascinating subject for me and I wasn't ready to let it go easily. With an urge to pursue it further, I chose UNOM where the faculty-to-student ratio is 1:18. It's self-explanatory as to the attention of the faculty on each student. Faculty makes sure that every class culminates with insights into the current research pursued on the topics dealt with. The syllabus is framed in such a way that the students are ready to face exams such as CSIR-NET, GATE, JEST , which are necessary to move further in the field. With scholars conducting research under the guidance of Professors, there's always someone to guide and clear one of the doubts. Grades were awarded based on internal and external exam means. Internals, which included demonstrations and presentations by students, were conducted and consolidated very much prior to semester exams which gave students the time and facilities to prepare themselves.

UNOM encourages its students to take up internships more often than not. Students of my batch (2018-2020) acquired internships in Institutes such as the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSC) Chennai, Indian Institue of Technology (IIT) Madras, Raja Ramana Centre for Advanced Technology( RRCAT) Indore, Radio Astronomy Centre(RAC) Ooty, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) Kolkata, Pondicherry University Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CBS) Mumbai to name a few. These opportunities help the students to gain exposure and clarity to choose the path of their future careers. In addition to that, since the Institutes are aware of the respective students' capability and working style through the internship, opens the possibility of acquiring positions as research assistants, project assistants to name a few.

Students are eligible for campus placements in their final year. UNOM doesn't offer scheduled campus recruitment regularly but I was lucky enough to interview for a post in the Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India through the arrangement made by the University for its students, which I'm pretty sure would not have been possible in any other city college. Most students go on to pursue Ph.D. in their respective fields after PG at UNOM while some choose Higher studies.

Students with first-class ranks in their UG courses could apply and receive scholarships under INSPIRE Scholarship scheme funded by the Department of Science & Technology (DST). UNOM fee structure for PG courses ranges approximately 7k / year. The University and its departments encourage its students to undertake internships in Institutes all over India or even abroad, some of which offer a monthly stipend too. Acquiring letters of recommendation to apply to internships, jobs, higher studies is never a problem. I belong to the batch of 2018-2020. Right after completion of my course, the university conferred campus recruitment from The Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India. I'm sure I wouldn't have got this opportunity elsewhere.

Starting off with a well-stocked library within the campus accompanied by an e-search system and computer lab to browse. Adding to this, each department has its own department library, stocked and maintained by its own faculties. Each department has an air-conditioned seminar hall and smart classrooms, with labs equipped for students to get hands-on experience. In addition to this, scholars and students blow off steam with activities that include badminton, cricket to name a few. Along with staying updated with their field, students are diversely opinionated and socially active. Students and scholars are often seen on the receiving end of opportunities to attend conferences abroad enabling them a smooth transition to industries and/ or Institutes. Last but not least, UNOM embraces all cultures, languages, and traditions. Festivals such as Pongal, Onam are widely celebrated on campus every year.