Education, Courses and Research In Madras University

1. University at a Glance

The University of Madras was established in the year 1857 by Lord Elphinstone with twin departments, viz., (i) High School for the cultivation of English Literature, Regional language, Philosophy and Science, and (ii) College providing instruction in the higher branches of Literature, Philosophy and sciences. The grant of the Charter for the Madras University was organized on the model of London University. The University of Madras is one among the five Universities in India to receive the special status of "University with potentials of Excellence" from the University Grants Commissions, New Delhi. The award of this special status will entail the University of Madras to receive special grants for creating islands of excellence in the emerging areas and for provision of superior education of merit and distinction.

Accreditation by NAAC

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous body of the University Grants Commission (UGC) has assessed the past performance of the University of Madras in terms of criterion-wise inputs like (i) Curricular aspects, (ii) Teaching learning and Evaluation (iii) Research, Consultancy and extension (iv) , Infrastructure and Learning Resources (v) Student support and progression (vi) Organization and Management; and (vii) Healthy practices. Based on the excellent performance, the University of Madras was accredited by NAAC at FIVE STAR LEVEL. The University has been growing from strength to strength since its inception. Its geographical jurisdiction for academic activity spreads over three Revenue Districts of Tamil Nadu covering about 20 million people. It has been continuously diversifying and expanding its teaching and research programmes. It imparts education and research through the following three channels: University Departments of Study and Research Affiliated Colleges and Approved Institutions Institute of Correspondence Education

2. University Departments of Study and Research

The University of Madras has at present 68 departments of study and research which spread over four campuses at Chepauk,Marina, Guindy, and Taramani in Chennai. Sports and Madhuravayil centers are also included. These departments have been grouped under 18 Schools and each School functions with a Chairpersons. Currently Post-Graduate Courses like, M.A., M.Sc., M.Com., M.C.A.,M.B.A., besides P.G. Diploma / Certificate Programmes, Research Programmes like M.Phil., and Ph.D., and sponsored Research Programmes (from UGC, CSIR, DST, Etc.,) are available in the various University Departments.

COURSES OFFERED IN THE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS

M.A.

Historical Studies, Ancient History, Archaeology, Anthropology, Criminology & Criminal Justice Administration, Sociology, Work Education, Adult & Continuing Education, Defence and Strategic Studies, Public Affairs, Public Management, Economics (Indian Economics), Econometrics, Communication, Comparative Religion & Philosophy with specialization in Christian Studies / Vaishnava Studies / Jaina Studies / Saiva Siddhanta Studies, Indian Philosophy, Islamic Studies, Indian Music, English, French, Tamil Studies, Applied Linguistics, Tamil Literature & Culture, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Applied Sanskrit, Hindi, Arabic, Urdu.

M.Sc.

Human Resource Development Psychology, Information Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Geography, Spatial Information Technology, Geology, Applied Geology, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Science, Biophysics, Physics, Electronic Science, Advanced Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Applied Plant Science, Industrial Microbiology, Zoology (Special), Medical Biochemistry, Biomedical Genetics, Environmental Toxicology.

M.Phil.

Historical Studies, Education Professional Psychology, Defence & Strategic Studies, Public Affairs, Public Administration, South and south East Asian Studies, International Relations, Economics, Development Economics, Journalism & Communication, Christian Studies, Philosophy, Indian Music (Full/Part-time), English, Tamil Studies, Tamil Literature & Culture, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Sanskrit, Hindi, Arabic, Urdu, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, Applied Geology, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Theoretical Physics, Nuclear Physics, Scientific Instrumentation, Advanced Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Endocrinology.

M.L.

International Law and Organisation, Constitution and Legal Order.

M.Com.

Trade & Services.

Self Supportive Courses.

MBA Full time (Evening 3.00 pm - 8.00 pm) - Management Studies (Chepauk Campus) M.Com. (International Business) - Commerce (Chepauk Campus) Molecular Biology (Interdisciplinary) - Genetics (Taramani Campus) M.S. Neuroscience (Interdisciplinary) - Anatomy (Taramani Campus)

Courses not covered under Choice Based System

M.Sc 3 years Anatomy, Microbiology, Physiology(Taramani Campus) M.D. (Three Years) Microbiology, Pathology ,Pharmacology (Taramani Campus) Diploma in Clinical Pathology(Two'Years) (Taramani Campus) Diploma inAdvanced Laboratory Methods Haematology and Pathology(twoyears)(Taramani Campus) University Library at Chepauk Campus was established in 1907. Now the Library is spread over all campuses of the University with a holding of 6.5 lakhs books and 1145 periodicals. Local Area Network (LAN) has been installed in all the Campuses with Fax and E-mail facility. CD-ROM Search Service, Inter Library Loan Service, CAP Service, Video Film shows and Xerox Service are theother facilities extended to all staff members and students. The University Industry Community Interaction Centre (UICIC) was started during 1997-98. In its existence for the last 5 years, UICIC has operated consultancy projects, which include individual service consultancies technical service consultancies, institutional R & D consultancy projects, testing and certification, co-ordination of part-time diploma courses, students training/ counseling programmes and conduct of campus interviews for manpower recruitment to industries. The Madras University Union Promotes activities in the field of Sports and games. The hostels for men students at Marina, Guindy and Taramani campuses and for women students at Chepauk Campus function with modern facilities. University Guest House is housed at Marina Campus. A Special Cell for the Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes was set up in the University during 1985 with assistance from the UGC. The Cell functions under the Charimanship of the Vice-Chancellor.

Other Facilities in the University

1. The Centre for Curriculum Development in theUniversity is responsible to develop new inter-disciplinary and socially relevant courses and to frame suitable schemes and to formulate the required syllabi. 2. 'The University of Madras has 48 Endowment -Fellowship/Scholarships, 106 Endowment Lecture. ship Seminars and 151 Endowment - Medals and Prizes. 3. The Academic Staff College implements Programmes for Academic Orientation and Refresher Courses to teaching staff of the Affiliated Colleges on a regular basis since 1988. 4. The University Students Advisory Bureau was established by the Government of Madras in 1908. The Bureau has its main function as supplying information about various courses available in India and guiding the students for admission to various courses abroad. 5. The College Development Council which was established in the University during 1979 assists the Affiliated Colleges in getting various funds, particularly from UGC under Plan and Non-Plan I grants, for the academic development of the Colleges. 6. The National Service Scheme (NSS) started in 1969 in this University with a strength of 2000 student members and at present NSS has been operating in over 110 Affiliated Colleges.

3. Affiliated Colleges and Approved Institutions

Seven Private Colleges were affiliated to. University of Madras during 1858 - 1871. During this Academic Year the University of Madras has 115 Affiliated Colleges viz. Arts and Science -95 Management - 13 Education -6, Physical Education - 1. Besides there are 33 Research Institutions and 3 Approved O. T. Institutions.Many of the Arts and Science Colleges have Evening Classes also to cater to the demands of the working students. Twelve Arts and Science, and Education Institutions are conferred with Autonomous Status Over 30 Affiliated Colleges, conduct Research Programmes leading to the award of M.Phil. and Ph.D. Degrees as part of their endeavour in sustaining academic excellence. Twentyfour colleges have introduced Vocational Education Schemes of UGC at first degree level. A few of the Affiliated colleges are effectively engaged in Continuous Education Programme. About 1.5 lakhs of students are on roll in various departments and Affiliated Colleges.

4. Institute of Correspondence Education

The Institute of Correspondence Education of the University of Madras was established in the year 1981. The Institute is headed by a Professor-cum-Director with 18 faculty members. Admissions are made under Academic year and Calendar Year patterns. The Institute offers programmes under the Regular Stream and as well under the Open University System. The Regular Stream implies formal education with pre-requisite education qualification (ie. A pass in H.S.c./PUC/Inter-Mediate/Pre-degree) as applicable to the candidates seeking admission to the Affiliated Colleges. The Open University System does not require pre-requisite educational qualification, but it requires the completion of 18 years of age as on 1st July of every year and a pass in the Entrance Test. Seventeen Under-Graduate Programmes and Ten Post-Graduate Programmes are being conducted under its Regular Stream. Under the Open University / System as well as under Credit System, fifteen Under-Graduate Courses are being offered in English and Tamil media. SeveralCertificate and Diploma Courses are also offered under both the streams. The ICE has PCP study/spot selection Centres at various places in India including Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Under various Programmes offered by the ICE about 1.50 lakhs students are on roll.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SYSTEM CENTRE (ENVIS)

Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Centre on ‘Microorganisms and Environment Management’ funded by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India is functioning in the Department of Zoology, University of Madras. This is the largest networking program at National level and the basic objective of the ENVIS Centre is collection, collation and dissemination of environmental information on the assigned thematic area to user community through information technology. The centre has developed a scientific and dynamic resourceful website both in English as well as in vernacular language (Tamil).