Harvard Summer Program in Bangalore, India
At a Glance
Dates:
June 28–August 22, 2010
Application deadline:
February 5
Cost:
$5,250
Accommodations:
Dorms
Slideshow
Contact
- Venkatesh N. Murthy, e-mail
Harvard College students can attend an information session for this program.
Harvard Bangalore Science Initiative
Faculty: Venkatesh N. Murthy and additional faculty in Bangalore
This unique summer experience allows students to combine cultural immersion in India with sophisticated scientific research.
At the hub of Indian science, Bangalore is an ideal setting for scholarly exchange between Harvard and 3 elite research centers—the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, and the Indian Institute of Science. Students are introduced to a range of techniques useful for performing modern quantitative research in the life sciences, joining the ongoing research activities of the host lab. We welcome chemistry and applied physics students interested in biology.
To complement the supervised laboratory research, students can also attend the many seminars held daily and the lecture component of advanced summer courses offered by the host institution. In addition to the science component, students can attend cultural events in Bangalore and participate in wildlife conservation at nearby national parks. There will also be organized overnight and multiday trips to historic sites in south India. Additionally, interested students can explore seminars at the Srishti School of Art, Design, and Technology located very close to NCBS.
Course of study
BIOS S-98rb Study Abroad in Bangalore, India: Supervised Reading and Research in Quantitative Life Sciences (32539)
Venkatesh N. Murthy.
(8 credits: UN) Limited enrollment
Students conduct supervised research in quantitative life sciences—including chemical biology and biophysics—in a host laboratory. Participating laboratories are chosen from a large set based on the individual student's interests and the specific direction of the course. Students join the ongoing research activities of the host lab, and are introduced to a range of techniques useful for performing modern quantitative research in the life sciences. Depending on the laboratory, this could include molecular biology, cellular biology, synthetic biology, chemical biology, single molecule biophysics, neuroscience, nucleotide and protein analysis, medicinal chemistry, genetics of model organisms—C. elegans, Drosophila, and mice—and cutting-edge microscopy techniques such as confocal, total internal reflection, and multiphoton microscopy.
Prerequisites: introductory coursework in basic biology, chemistry, physics, and math. We welcome chemistry and applied physics students interested in biology.
Course credit
See Study Abroad Credit Information.
Faculty
Venkatesh N. Murthy, PhD, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University
Additional faculty in Bangalore
Application
Students must be at least 18 years old, have completed at least 1 year of college or be a first-year student, and be in good academic standing to apply.
The application materials, outlined below, are due February 5:
- A completed online application (available in early December) that includes:
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee
- A supplementary statement describing interest in the program, relevant coursework, and travel experience abroad (previous travel is not a prerequisite)
- Official transcripts (sent directly to the address below; unofficial transcripts are accepted for Harvard College students only)
Transcripts should be addressed as follows:
Matilda West
Study Abroad Coordinator
Harvard Summer School
51 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Students will be notified of admission decisions by late February or early March.
Cost
The cost of the program is $5,250 and a nonrefundable $50 application fee. This covers the following:
- Tuition
- Room and some meals
- Excursions (including meals when appropriate)
In addition to the program fee, students are responsible for:
- A health insurance fee ($175; waived if students have US insurance that provides coverage outside the United States)
- Transportation to and from Bangalore
- The cost of passports and visas (if the latter is needed)
- Any immunizations
Program directors will advise students of likely additional expenses. A sample budget for estimating expenses will be available soon.
How to pay and funding options
See How to Pay for payment deadlines, deposit amounts, and more information including funding options for Harvard College students.
Accommodations
Students live in student housing located in the expansive and wooded NCBS campus. Rooms most likely will be singles with private baths, or shared by 2 students from this program. The main cafeteria is within walking distance and offers all meals.
Additional information
Contact Venkatesh N. Murthy, vnmurthy@fas.harvard.edu.
Students with disabilities should contact the disability services coordinator as soon as possible. See Students with Disabilities for more information.