The Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Blended) is one of the University of Melbourne’s premier undergraduate teaching and learning initiatives in India.
We are proud to lead a program in collaboration with exceptional Indian research and higher education institutions that offers a highly integrated and strongly foundational training for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) student of the future and capability building opportunities for teachers.
What is the BSc (Blended)?
Developed in 2014 by the University of Melbourne, and launched in 2016, the BSc (Blended) program offers the opportunity for higher education institutions in India to deliver an innovative new three-year curriculum that is designed and quality assured by the University.
The course integrates the four major disciplines of science (mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology) into a common curriculum for all students for two years, followed by a strategic but diverse choice of major streams in third year.
It is primarily designed to prepare graduates for further study in postgraduate science and related areas, particularly internationally, but it is also well-suited to workforce participation in science-related companies that have industry-specific workplace training.
Where is it taught?
The Bsc (Blended) program is now being taught at the following institutions: Savitribai Phule Pune University and its affiliated Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce – Shivajinagar and Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce – Ganeshkhind; GITAM Hyderabad (Deemed to be University); P.V.K.N. Govt College Chittoor (affiliated with Sri Venkateswara University Tirupati); Bharathiar University (Coimbatore); University of Madras (Chennai).
All enrolled students will graduate with a degree from one of the above teaching partners and have the prospect of enrolling in selected Master courses offered by the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne.
About the curriculum
The subjects and curriculum elements are carefully sequenced to ensure that all topics are preceded and supported by prerequisite elements in their own and other disciplines. Shared contextual examples and topics (e.g., thermodynamics) serve to implicitly and explicitly reinforce the integration of the curriculum.
Learning outcomes, graduate attributes, and academic standards are explicitly articulated and monitored, and it is supported by a quality assurance programme backed by the University of Melbourne.
This curriculum is sufficiently broad to encompass and integrate the key elements of maths, physics, chemistry and biology, and rigorous enough to prepare students for transition into a variety of majors in third year. It is also sufficiently applied and contextual so that students who would normally not consider themselves either capable or willing to participate in a particular discipline at tertiary level (e.g., mathematics), can be engaged and comfortable in a subject that is mandatory.
The University of Melbourne has several teaching partners in India who offer the BSc (Blended) degree. Students wishing to undertake the BSc (Blended) must apply directly to one of our teaching partners.
Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce - Shivajinagar
Affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University
More information about the BSc (Blended) [PDF]
Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce - Ganeshkhind
Affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University
More information about the BSc (Blended) [PDF]
The University of Melbourne is dedicated to supporting the expansion of the BSc (Blended) in India as it enhances opportunities for its graduates to excel internationally in the STEM field and ensures that students undertaking the program will graduate with a degree of the highest quality.
Five outstanding graduates of the BSc (Blended) program have enrolled into postgraduate study at the University of Melbourne. Rucha Patil, Soumitra Bhide and Paritosh Bedekar have all since completed our Master of Science (BioSciences). Rucha and Soumitra are now undertaking a PhD within our School of BioSciences. Chinmayee Joglekar and Ramah Gokhale are currently studying the Master of Biotechnology and the Master of Management (Finance) respectively.
Soumitra Bhide
Soumitra commenced his studies at the University of Melbourne in 2020 with a full fee remission scholarship granted to him for his academic achievements.
Soumitra received the top mark nationwide (out of more than 10,000) in the Joint Admission Test for MSc (JAM) in the Biological Sciences category.
In a Times of India report, Soumitra attributed his success to hard work, good teachers, and the BSc (Blended) curriculum and said that he decided to undertake the JAM admission test “out of curiosity”.
Rucha Patil
Rucha commenced the Master of Science (BioSciences) in 2019, and was the recipient of the Helen Freeman Women in STEM scholarship granted to the top female graduate of the 2019 graduating BSc (Blended) cohort.
Rucha aims to “formulate ways to achieve high nutritive value in food items…” she says, “for the advancement of my country, India. The scholarship… granted to me by the University of Melbourne has given me real confidence that my progress towards succeeding in building a career in science, a very challenging field for women to succeed in, will be supported during my studies and beyond.”
2022 BSc (Blended) research camp
The University was pleased to welcome students and teachers from partner organisations across India for the second, in-person iteration of the BSc (Blended) Research Camp. Running 19-27 November, the Camp provided high-achieving third-year BSc (Blended) students with the opportunity to experience life at the University of Melbourne and participate in a rich program of academic activities and social events run by the Faculty of Science.
Keep reading here: Students and teachers from India experience Melbourne life during the 2022 BSc (Blended) Research Camp (unimelb.edu.au)
Past BSc (Blended) research camp
In 2018, the University hosted a special Research Camp ‘Applications of Cell and Molecular Biology in the Biological Sciences’ for students enrolled in the first two cohorts of the BSc (Blended) at SPPU’s affiliated Modern College of Arts, Science, and Commerce. The students enjoyed engaging academic sessions, met with Australian animals at a national park and experienced Melbourne culture. They also had a once in a lifetime meeting with the President of India who visited the University to give a lecture on ‘Australia and India as knowledge partners’. The students reported that their experiences during the camp helped them to discover exciting new areas of research and inspired their next chapters in science.
In 2020, the University hosted another unique student experience, this time virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The BSc Blended 2020 Virtual Workshop provided the opportunity for students enrolled in the BSc (Blended) program to connect with academics and learn about the cutting-edge research being undertaken within the Faculty of Science through a series of masterclasses spanning the areas of biology, chemistry, and environmental science. Students also had the opportunity to explore possibilities for postgraduate study in Science and connect with recent BSc (Blended) graduates who are now undertaking the Master of Science (BioSciences) at The University of Melbourne.
