Is a B.Sc in Physics a Better Choice for an Academic Career in India?

[Mépris]

You've already started your second year in the M.Sc course, is that correct?

I think you'd be wasting your time - especially seeing as you're happy and doing well in you current program - to start again from scratch elsewhere. It will take you longer as well! If you're in the second year now, you've three years left. If you go to IISc, you'll have 4 more years of undergrad. Even if you're still in the first year, it wouldn't make sense to shift for the first reason. You also have a research project and this program at TIFR lined up! I haven't started college yet, so take what I say with a pinch (or lots of?) of salt but I think things are looking good for you. Why even consider moving at all?

Try asking a faculty member in the physics department at Roorkee where there recent M.Sc graduates have ended up. You might also want to take a look at physicsgre.com

 

[aim1732]

No actually the time span is not a program is not an issue.I will start my second year third sem in July and have four years left in the course.If I go for the IISc course,it will take the same four years.Also that BS is equivalent to an M.Sc that is I can directly go for Ph.D.

And I have talked to many professors including my project guide.They have explicitly said that IISc is better, although one of them did express reservations about the shorter duration of the course.

 

[Mépris]

Them claiming it to be an equivalent degree does not make it so. I'm not certain on how Indian degrees are perceived but as far as I'm aware, a 5-year M.Sc degree is a master's degree and a 4-year B.S is a bachelor's degree!

Sure, you may enter a PhD program with either degree, but switching to the other degree would mean starting again from *scratch*. You will have to take all the introductory courses a second time and you may or may not get a seat in the physics program at IISc! Now, if you aren't comfortable with your previous courses, then starting afresh may be a good move but it would seem that you're doing well, considering you have research projects.

IISc may be "better" (I don't know/care). However, the more pertinent question, in my opinion, is "how far better is it going to be for you?". The goal is to do physics and then keep doing physics in grad school, correct? How is IIT Roorkee hindering you here? You're doing physics right now and you *seem* to be doing well. If you keep doing well, you will be doing a PhD in physics *somewhere*. Again, find out where IIT-R physics graduates have ended up for their PhD.

You asked for opinions, here is mine: starting the degree again looks like a bad idea.

 

[aim1732]

You are very right.But
1.IIT-R is not so great when it comes to physics.Physics graduates from the Integrated M.Sc course(who had entered through JEE) have gone for consultancy jobs rather than Ph.D. Of-course we have had just one batch passing out just last year so that extrapolation may be quite incorrect.
2.IISc is the best science institute in India and I don't think there should be any trouble as far as the acceptability of the BS course is concerned.

The more I read your reply the more I feel it is a bad idea.But I have some solid reasons to prefer leaving my present course.These things just get in the way.It is a risky move but also worth it.