Integrated M.Sc. in Biological Sciences 

at BITS Pilani, Pilani

{Source: M.Sc. students & alumni}

BITS Pilani is a reputed institution offering M.Sc programs, and here's a summary of the feedback from students and alumni:

Pros:

* Excellent faculty: Well-qualified and experienced professors with Ph.D.s from top institutions worldwide.
* Industry relevance: Courses are structured to prepare students for the industry, with a strong focus on practical application.
* Research opportunities: Abundant research opportunities across disciplines, allowing students to engage with cutting-edge topics.
* Strong placement record: High placement rates, with many top companies visiting the campus, including Goldman Sachs, Google, Uber, and more.
* Scholarship opportunities: Merit-based and need-based scholarships available for deserving students.
* State-of-the-art infrastructure: Modern classrooms, well-equipped labs, and sports facilities, ensuring a conducive learning environment.
* Cultural festivals: Unique cultural festivals, such as Oasis, BOSM, and Apogee, fostering a vibrant community.

Cons:

* High expectations: Admission process can be highly competitive, leading to pressure and stress.
* Relative grading system: Grading is done relatively, making it challenging for students to achieve high scores.
* Limited attendance policy: Zero attendance policy means students must manage their time effectively.
* Wi-Fi issues: Limited bandwidth and occasional downtime can hinder online activities.
* Campus connectivity: Remote location may require longer travel times to nearby cities.

Overall verdict: BITS Pilani is an excellent choice for pursuing an M.Sc degree, thanks to its esteemed faculty, industry-relevant curriculum, and strong placement record. While there may be some drawbacks, the benefits seem to outweigh the negatives, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a graduate-level education.

{Source: B.Sc. students & alumni}

Here's a summary of the pros and cons based on the feedback from students and alumni:

Pros:

* Good faculty: Many students praised the faculty members' qualifications, knowledge, and willingness to help.
* Industry connections: The college has strong ties with industries, leading to good placements and internship opportunities.
* Campus infrastructure: The campus is well-maintained, with modern facilities, including libraries, labs, and recreational spaces.
* Placement records: The college has a good track record of placing students in reputed companies, with high packages.
* Research opportunities: The college encourages research and innovation, offering students opportunities to engage in projects and collaborations.
* Peer group: Students appreciated the intellectually stimulating atmosphere and the camaraderie with peers.
* Festivals and events: The college hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, promoting extracurricular activities and socializing.

Cons:

* Relative grading system: Some students found the relative grading system challenging, as it relies heavily on peer performance.
* Examinations: Others mentioned that the examinations can be demanding and stressful.
* Limited attendance policy: The college's strict attendance policy can put pressure on students to attend classes regularly.
* Remote location: The college is located in a rural area, which can affect accessibility and living conditions.
* Mess food: While some students enjoyed the meal options, others felt that the food quality was inconsistent.
* Wi-Fi limitations: The college's Wi-Fi speed can be slow at times, causing inconvenience for students.

In conclusion, while there are some drawbacks, the majority of students and alumni agree that the benefits of studying at BITSPilani outweigh the costs. With its reputation, industry connections, and research opportunities, the college offers a valuable education and a memorable experience.

The semester/ term BITS Pilani fee for integrated first degree and higher degree courses is Rs 2,31,500 for the first and second semesters. On the other hand, the BITS Pilani fee for PhD programmes is Rs 21,850 for full-time candidates and Rs 43,700 for part-time candidates for the first two semesters.

Another significant aspect that makes BITS Pilani worth it is the Practice School programme wherein you will get a summer and last semester internship based on your CGPA without an interview.

Yes, a candidate can seek admission to any of the first degree courses offered at BITS Pilani (BE, BPharm, MSc, MSc Tech) after pursuing Class 12, provided he/ she obtains a minimum of 75% overall aggregate in Class 12 and at least 60% aggregate in each of the subjects, including Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics along with a valid BITSAT score. BITS Pilani accepts Class 12 scores for admission to undergraduate courses. BITS Pilani admission 2023 for the first degree is not open yet for the academic session 2023-24, except for MBA. 

Yes, BITS Pilani offers direct admission to Integrated First Degree and Higher Degree courses across the streams of Science, Technology, Pharmacy, Management and Humanities. If a candidate is a central/ state board topper, BITS Pilani offers direct admission to the specialisation of his choice, irrespective of their BITSAT score. BITS Pilani admission to most of the courses is based on candidates' performance in the course-specific entrance test. Apart from the entrance test scores, students are also required to fulfil the minimum eligibility requirement set by the institute. 

The chances of getting BITS Pilani at 220 marks for BE Computer Science is less. Going by the past year trend for Final BITSAT cutoff 2023 for BTech Computer Science offered at Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani stood at 331, for 2022 it was 320 and for 2021 it was 364. Hence, Estimated BITS Pilani BITSAT cutoff 2024 for BTech Computer Science should range between 320 and 364. BITS Pilani offers BE courses across various specialisations at the UG level based on BITSAT scores. To take admission, candidates must appear for BITSAT and also score good to meet the BITS Pilani cutoff marks. 

Yes, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani is a decent choice for BPharm. The institute has been ranked 5th position by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF 2022) in the Pharmacy category. In 2021, BITS Pilani was ranked 3rd position by the NIRF. Talking about BITS Pilani placements, the median package stood at INR 30 LPA during BITS Pilani placements 2023. Further, the overall average package recorded during BITS Pilani placements 2023 stood at INR 30.37 LPA.

BITS Pilani cutoff 2023 for various BE courses is based on BITSAT scores. Also, the institute has released the final BITSAT score cut-offs for various degree programmes for the Academic Year 2023-2024 admission on the official website. BITSAT maximum marks in Admissions 2023 was 390. Tabulated below is the course-wise BITSAT cutoff scores. 

Program	Cut-off Score	BITSAT maximum marks
B.E. Chemical	224	390
B.E. Civil	213	390
B.E. Electrical & Electronics	272	390
B.E. Mechanical	244	390
B.E. Computer Science	331	390
B.E. Electronics & Instrumentation	266	390
B.E. Electronics & Communication	296	390
B.E. Manufacturing	220	390
B. Pharm	153	390
M.Sc. Biological Sciences	212	390
M.Sc. Chemistry	213	390
M.Sc. Economics	257	390
M.Sc. Mathematics	236	390
M.Sc. Physics	235	390

Yes, BITS Pilani accepts GPAT scores for admission to MPharm course. Apart from the Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT), BITS Pilani also accepts BITS HD entrance test scores for MPharm admission. GPAT 2023 will be organised and conducted by the National Testing Agency, NTA. It is expected that the exam dates will be announced in the month of January 2023.

Candidates seeking admission to BITS Pilani ME course must have passed ME/ MPharm from a recognised institute/ university with a minimum of 60% aggregate or Passed MPhil from a recognised institute/ university with a minimum of 55% aggregate. BITS Pilani offers ME course across 14 specialisations including, Biotechnology, Chemical, Computer Science, Embedded Systems, Sanitation Science, Technology and Management, Manufacturing Systems and Communication Engineering, among others.