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A B.Sc. or Bachelor of Science is a 3-year undergraduate degree after 10+2 level, focused on the study of hardcore science subjects, like Physics, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Statistics. Some subjects like economics, which are otherwise studied in B.A. programmes are also offered as B.Sc. specialisations by certain universities. A BSc programme is best for those who wish to make a career in academia, as a researcher or as a professor, or in applied research in the industry. The degree provides students with a deep dive into a scientific sub-stream of their choice.
Post a BSc, many students opt for a rewarding career in research or teaching. Some go on to pursue higher degrees like MSc to strengthen their understanding of the field, or an MBA to bolster their job prospects in science-based industries like pharmaceuticals. Some others may land an opportunity in such industries with their BSc as well, and hence begin working right after.
Overall, a BSc degree is highly recommended for those who are intrigued by the sheer depth of human understanding of science . BSc syllabus, subjects, and books depend upon the area of specialisation of the BSc student. Here in this blog, we will explore these for the most popular BSc specialisations. Each institution provides its curriculum with , commonalities and general structure.
BSc: Syllabus, Subjects & Books
Generally, a BSc programme is 6-semester spread over three years, though some institutions provide an annual scheme of examinations as well. Some of the best BSc universities and colleges in India include
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
- Delhi University
- Loyola College
- Madras Christian College
- IITs
- Christ University
- St. Xavier’s College
- Stella Maris College
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
- Presidency University
Most colleges allow for direct admission on the basis of merit, while some conduct entrance exams or accept scores of other exams like CUCET, JET, BHU UET and NPAT.
As stated previously, the purpose of a BSc degree is to provide the students with a complete basic to intermediate understanding of their chosen scientific area. Most commonly studied and taught BSc specialisations include Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics and Computer Science. Given below is a brief overview of these subject streams followed by the year-wise syllabus for common specialisations.
BSc Specialisation Subjects
BSc Physics
Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. Some subjects included in BSc Physics are as follows.
Classical Mechanics | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | Electromagnetism and Photonics |
Relativistic Mechanics | Optics and Acoustics | Quantum Mechanics |
Thermal Physics | Condensed Matter Physics | Waves and Optics |
Solid state Physics | Mathematical Physics | Nuclear and Particle Physics |
BSc Chemistry
The branch of science concerned with the substances of which matter is composed, the investigation of their properties and reactions, and the use of such reactions to form new substances, is Chemistry. Subjects studied under BSc Chemistry include -
Organic Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry | Industrial Chemistry |
Green Chemistry | Energy and Fuel Cells | Material Science |
Nanotechnology | Polymer Chemistry | Biochemistry |
BSc Botany
Botany is the scientific study of a selected class of living organisms: plants, algae and fungi. Core subjects studied under BSc Botany are as follows -
Biodiversity- Mycology and Phytopathology | Plant Development and Anatomy | Plant Resource Utilisation |
Cell Biology | Molecular Biology | Anatomy of Algae and Fungi |
BSc Zoology
BSc Zoology graduates undertake scientific study of animals and their biological processes. Mandatory subjects studied by them are as follows -
Cell Biology | Molecular Biology | Animal Biology |
Microbiology | Biotechnology | Genetics and Genomics |
Immunology | Evolution | Biosphere |
BSc Mathematics
Those looking to make a career in Mathematics almost always begin with a BSc Mathematics. Following are some subjects that all BSc Mathematics students study.
Calculus | Algebra | Real Analysis |
Differential Equations | Trigonometry | Analytical Geometry |
Vector Analysis | Group Theory | Mechanics |
Probability & Mathematical Statistics | Complex Analysis | Metric Spaces |
BSc Computer Science
A BSc in Computer Science helps build a strong foundation for a career or higher studies in the domain of IT and Digital Tools. Some core subjects studied include -
Introduction to Computers | Programming Concepts | Functions and Arrays |
Computer Organisation Skills | Database Management Systems | Introduction to Embedded Systems |
Number Systems and Codes | Data Mining | Computer Networks |
Control Structures | Mathematical Foundation for Computer Science | Operating System Softwares |
Other BSc Subjects
Other popular subjects in which a Bachelor in Science (BSc) degree can be earned are -
- Biotechnology
- Agriculture
- IT
- Forensic Science
- Nursing
- Horticulture Science
- Aquaculture
- Food Technology
- Fashion Technology
- Microbiology
- Psychology
- Physiology
- Economics
- Statistics
- Home Science
BSc 1st Year Syllabus
BSc 1st year subjects and syllabus are such that they lay a strong foundation and introduce the students to the fundamentals of their chosen field.
BSc Physics First Year Syllabus
Mechanics and Properties of Matter | Semiconductor Devices |
Waves and Optics I | Computer Programming |
Organic Chemistry | Thermodynamics |
Physical Chemistry | Classical Mechanics and Relativity |
Physics Lab Practicals | Chemistry Lab Practicals |
BSc Chemistry First Year Syllabus
Organic Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry |
Physical Chemistry | Computer Applications of Chemistry |
Practical and Project | Modelling and Drug Design |
BSc Botany First Year Syllabus
Introduction to Biology | Mycology and Phytopathology |
Archegoniate | Algae and Microbiology |
Biochemistry | Chemistry I and II |
BSc Zoology First Year Syllabus
Ecology | Microbiology |
Cell and Molecular Biology | Wildlife Forensics |
Biochemistry and Cellular Basis of Life | Evolution and Genetics |
Microbial Diversity | Biosphere |
BSc Mathematics First Year Syllabus
Elementary Algebra and Trigonometry | Differential and Integral Calculus |
Analytical Geometry and Vector Analysis | Group Theory |
Real Analysis | Differential Equations |
BSc Computer Science First Year Syllabus
Introduction to Digital Electronics | Basics of Computer Science |
Introduction to Windows | Foundational Mathematics |
Principles of Computer Organisation | Database Management Systems |
Introduction to Programming | Fundamentals of Open Source Software |
BSc 2nd Year Syllabus
After gaining insights into the fundamentals of their chosen science sub-stream, BSc students in second year attempt to gain understanding of higher and advanced concepts.
BSc Physics Second Year Syllabus
Electricity Magnetism and Electromagnetic Theory | Nuclear Physics |
Atomic and Molecular Physics | Basic and Digital Electronics |
Biophysics and Radiation Science | Statistical Physics |
Inorganic Chemistry | Physics Lab Practical |
Quantum and Laser Physics | Waves and Optics II |
BSc Chemistry Second Year Syllabus
Chemionfications | Basic Analytical Chemistry |
Chemical Technology and Society | Chemical Biochemistry |
Industrial Chemistry | Polymer Chemistry |
IT Skills in Chemistry | Practical |
BSc Botany Second Year Syllabus
Plant Resource Utilisation | Cell Biology I and II |
Molecular Biology I and II | Ecology and Phytogeography |
Plant Development and Anatomy | Biomathematics and Statistics |
BSc Zoology Second Year Syllabus
Biology of Vertebrates | Biology of Invertebrates |
Entomology | Wildlife Conservation |
Organismal and Population Biology | Animal Behaviour |
Ethology | Zoo Science |
BSc Mathematics Second Year Syllabus
Theory of Real Functions | Multivariate Calculus |
Riemann Integration and Series of Functions | Partial Differential Equations |
Vector Spaces and Matrices | Advanced Algebra |
BSc Computer Science Second Year Syllabus
Introduction to Embedded Systems | System Analysis and Design |
Fundamentals of PHP | Object Oriented Programming (C++) |
Fundamentals of Java | Arrays |
BSc 3rd Year Syllabus
After two years of studying fundamentals and certain advanced concepts, BSc 3rd year students are exposed to some more heavy-lifting and application-based understanding.
BSc Physics Third Year Syllabus
Applied Optics | Renewable Energy |
Oscillations and Waves | Quantum Mechanics |
Solid State and Nano Physics | Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy |
Waves and Optics III | Statistical Mechanics |
Physics Lab Practical | Numerical Analysis |
BSc Chemistry Third Year Syllabus
Inorganic Chemistry II | Organometallic Chemistry |
Nuclear Chemistry | Physical Chemistry II |
Inorganic and Organic Chemistry Practical | Physical Chemistry Practical |
BSc Botany Third Year Syllabus
Plant Physiology | Environmental Management |
Plant Systematics and Evolution | Bioinformatics |
Genetics and Genomics I and II | Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms |
Plant Metabolism | Plant Biotechnology |
BSc Zoology Third Year Syllabus
Marine Ecology | Oncology and Immunology |
Behavioural Physiology | Parasitology |
Community and Population Ecology | Anthropogenic Threats to Biosphere |
Behaviour of Domesticated Animals | Wildlife Conservation |
BSc Mathematics Third Year Syllabus
Complex Analysis | Mathematical Statistics |
Ring Theory and Linear Algebra | Functions of Several Variables |
Numerical Methods | Group Theory |
BSc Computer Science Third Year Syllabus
Operating Systems Concepts | Fundamentals of Python |
System Softwares | Computer Networks |
Number Systems and Codes | Numerical Analysis |
Data Structures | Introduction to Software Engineering |
Best Books for Bsc
BSc Physics Best Books
Book Title | Book Author |
Modern Physics | John R. Taylor, Chris D. Zafiratos |
Optics | G. Kaur and G.R. Pickrell |
Waves and Oscillations | N K Bajaj |
Quantum Physics | E.H. Wichman |
Concepts of Modern Physics | Arthur Beiser |
BSc Chemistry Best Books
Book Title | Book Author |
Inorganic Chemistry | Shriver and Atkins |
Organic Chemistry | IL Filner |
A Guidebook to Mechanism in Organic Chemistry | Peter Sykes |
Physical Chemistry | P Atkins and J De Paula |
Advanced Problems in Physical Chemistry | Neeraj Kumar |
BSc Botany Best Books
Book Title | Book Author |
Plant Physiology | Taiz and Zeiger |
Cell - A Molecular Approach | Cooper and Hausmann |
The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms | Micheal Hickey and Clive King |
Concise Encyclopaedia of Plant Pathology | P. Vidhyasekaran |
Principles of Biochemistry | Lehninger |
BSc Zoology Best Books
Book Title | Book Author |
Ecology | PD Sharma |
Animal Behaviour | VK Aggarwal |
Physiology: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology | Tortora |
Genetics: Concept of Genetics | Klug and Cummings |
BSc Mathematics Best Books
Book Title | Book Author |
Contemporary Abstract Algebra | Joseph A Gallian |
Introduction to Algorithms | Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, Stein |
Calculus - Single and Multi Variable | Hughes-Hallett |
A Text Book of Vector Analysis | Narayan Shanti and Mittal P K |
BSc Computer Science Best Books
Book Title | Book Author |
Theory of Computer Science | K. L. P. Mishra and N. Chandrasekaran |
Mathematical structures for Computer Science | Judith L. Gersting |
Fundamentals of Database Systems | Ramez Elmasri |
Data Structures with Java | J. R Hubbard |
Practical Data Acquisition For Instrumentation and Control Systems | John Park and Steve MacKay |
To conclude, BSc is a great way to kickstart your career in science; the avenues ahead are very lucrative and during the time of study, useful and practical insights are offered. Hope this blog was helpful for understanding BSc syllabus, subjects and books. All the best!
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