Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences (BITS), Pilani

Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani - K K Birla Goa Campus (Hindi: बिरला प्रौद्योगिकी एवं विज्ञान संस्थान पिलानी- गोवा परिसर) (also referred to as BITS Pilani Goa Campus or BITS Goa) is a campus of BITS Pilani. The institute is privately supported and fully residential.

The institute was started in 2004 by BITS Pilani in response to the increasing number of students opting for engineering education in India. The campus, located in Zuarinagar,Goa, on the banks of the Zuari River, close to the industrial sprawl of Zuari Industries,currently houses around 2,600 students and was formally inaugurated on May 5, 2006 by the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Autonomy 

The institute was named as a campus as opposed to a separate university. Graduating students are awarded degrees from BITS Pilani with no mention of the Goa Campus, as only the parent university has the right to grant degrees. However, with respect to most other aspects, the campus is autonomous. As an example, the institute has its own faculty and administration.

Admission

Admissions to all integrated first degree programs of BITS Pilani at Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad campus are made on the basis of a computer-based online test conducted by BITS Pilani. The test is called ‘BITS Admission Test’, commonly known as BITSAT. 

BITSAT differs from the conventional written examination as it is an online exam held at more than 20 places all over India.

Admission to Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani – Dubai is based on the marks secured on the 12th standard qualifying exam and no other entrance test. Though BITS Pilani-Dubai campus was set up to serve the educational requirements of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, admissions to the college are open to all nationalities

Academics

Integrated First Degree 

BITS Pilani Goa Campus offers 4-year first degree programs (divided into 3 Groups, as mentioned below) in the following fields:

• Group A:

1. B.E.(Hons.): Chemical Engineering
2. B.E.(Hons.): Electrical & Electronics Engineering
3. B.E.(Hons.): Mechanical Engineering
4. B.E.(Hons.): Computer Science Engineering
5. B.E.(Hons.): Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering

• Group B:

1. M.Sc.(Hons.): Biological Sciences
2. M.Sc.(Hons.): Chemistry
3. M.Sc.(Hons.): Economics
4. M.Sc.(Hons.): Mathematics
5. M.Sc.(Hons.): Physics

• Group C:

1. M.Sc.(Tech.): Information Systems

Higher Degrees 

Besides undergraduate studies, currently BITS Pilani Goa Campus also offers M.E. programs in the following fields

• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering
• Design Engineering
• Embedded Systems
• Microelectronics
• Software Systems

Doctoral and Postdoctoral research programs are conducted in the individual departments, with the overall supervision being performed by the RC & EDD (Research Consultancy and Educational Development Division).

Campus 

The BITS Pilani Goa Campus was designed by the Indian arm of the RSP design group, which has its head office at Singapore. The description of the campus by the company reads as follows:

The university campus overlooking the Zuari Estuary is a formal and axial composition with clearly demarcated academic, residential and recreation zones. The academic block forms the focus of the campus... With 250,000 sq ft (23,000 m2) of academic and administrative blocks, 2000-seat auditorium, 50,000 sq ft (4,600 m2). library, 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m2). computer center, 500,000 sq ft (46,000 m2). of hostels and faculty housing, 60,000 sq ft (5,600 m2) of support facilities and 1.3 km covered walkways, this campus is one of the largest university campuses in India. For Further information: http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/