Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) is a government owned autonomous university in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala, India. Founded in 1971, the university has three campuses, two in Kochi and one in Kuttanad, Alappuzha, 66 km inland. The university awards degrees in engineeringand allied subjects at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Nearly 2,000 students engage yearly in undergraduate and postgraduate study in this university.

Overview

Originally known as University of Cochin, the university came into being in 1971 through an Act of the Legislature of Government of Kerala that was the result of a concerted campaign forpostgraduate education in the State of Kerala. The university was reorganized into Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in February 1986. The process of reorientation resulted in redefining the objectives as the promotion of undergraduate and postgraduate studies and advanced research in applied science, technology, industry, commerce, management and social sciences.^[1]

Admissions are based on an All India Entrance Examination known as the Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted by the University which includes papers for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Departmental Admission Tests (DAT) are also conducted for some postgraduate Courses.

Motto

The motto of the university is ‘Tejasvinavadhithamastu’, which conveys, ‘May learning illuminate us both, the teacher and the taught’.^[2]

Campuses

The university has three campuses, two of them in Kochi and one at Pulinkunnu, Kuttanad, Alappuzha about 65 km south of Cochin in the state of Kerala.

The Main (Thrikkakara) Campus

The main campus is located 1.5 km off the National Highway 47 in South Kalamassery. The 180-acre (0.73 km²) campus consists of the Administrative office, the Central Library, Computer Centre, departments, labs, workshops, School of Engineering (SOE Campus) and School of Engineering (Siberia Campus), canteens, guest house, hostels and playgrounds.

The Administrative office coordinates all the activities of the departments and affiliated colleges under the University. The fully computerized Central Library acts as a central source of information for the academic community of the University. The Computer Center provides free internet access to the students. The campus hosts the buildings of the departments. The SOE campus has divisions of engineering and corresponding labs and workshops. The Siberia campus block consists of classrooms for engineering courses and a new lab building (NLB) which houses department centers and labs.

The campus has a Triveni Coffee House and other canteens. There are three men’s hostels namely Siberia, Sarovar and Sanathana and three ladies’ hostels, Aishwarya, Anashwara and Athulya. A new B. Tech hostel has been set up for the students from state kerala and states other than Kerala. The campus hosts the accommodation of its employees.

The City (Lakeside) Campus

The Lakeside Campus, ~12 km away from the Main Campus is set in Cochin city on the estuarine waterfront. This campus consists of the School of Ocean Science and Technology, School of Industrial Fisheries, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Chemical Oceanography, Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics and Department of Physical Oceanography.School of Marine Sciences has a library which is regarded as one of the largest marine science libraries in Asia and a research vessel for coastal water studies.The school has academic interactions with other universities and research institutes in India and outside.

The Pulinkunnu Campus

The Pulinkunnu Campus in Kuttanad, Alappuzha District is 65 km away from the Main Campus. This campus is home to the Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad (CUCEK) and the Cochin University College of Computer Applications (CUCCA). The campus is surrounded by water scenery, temples and churches. Allappuzha is called the “Venice of the East” and is famous for the annual Nehru Trophy boat race. Ph: 0477-2707500

Faculties

CUSAT is structured into nine faculties: Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Humanities, Law, Marine Sciences, Medical Sciences and Technology, and Social Sciences.

Faculty of Science

Department of Applied Chemistry

The Department of Applied Chemistry was established in 1976 with the support of University Grants Commission to aid in the development of the industrial belt in the Greater Cochin area by providing scientific support and trained personnel to industry. The department started an M.Sc programme in Applied chemistry in 1971. An M.Phil programme in chemistry was started in 1986. The department has also served as a nucleus for starting the Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology and the Department of Biotechnology, by initiating B.Tech and M.Sc courses.

Department of Physics

The Department of Physics was established in 1962. The specialized areas such as Electronics, Computer Science and Photonics later branched out to form independent departments. In addition to M.Sc and M.Phil courses in Physics, the department researches Applied Optics, Laser and Spectroscopy, Magnetism, Opto-electronic Devices, Solid State Physics, Thin Film Photo-voltaic and Advanced Materials.

Department of Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics conducts a Masters Degree programme in Mathematics and Operations Research and Computer Applications along with M.Phil and Ph.D programmes. The research scholars in the department are in receipt of fellowship from Government of India funding agencies such as University Grants Commission, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM). Current research activities of the Department are in the areas of Analysis, Algebra, Operator Theory, Functional Analysis, General topology, Fuzzy mathematics, Graph Theory, Combinations, Convexity Theory, Fluid Dynamics, Non-linear waves, Stability, Stochastic Processes in general and Random Graphs, Operations Research and the History of Mathematics.

[edit]Department of Statistics

The Department of Statistics was formed by converting the Division of Statistics, a constituent of the now defunct School of Mathematical Sciences established in 1994. The Department offers M.Sc. and M.Phil. programme in Statistics and M.Tech in Engineering Statistics (Quality and Reliability Engineering) besides research programmes leading to the Ph.D degree in the areas ofBayesian inference, Reliability, Modelling, Distribution Theory, Queueing models, Stochastic processes, Inference in time-series models and Demography. The department is affiliated to foreign and Indian universities and have students working and doing research abroad as well as in institutions in India like IITs.

Faculty of Technology

department of marine engineering. The marine engineering is conducted by KUNJALI MARRAKKAR SCHOOL OF MARINE ENGINEERING.The course was started in 2003. Currrently 5 batches have been passed out.out of which the first two batches have been completely placed in various shipping companies.but now the placements have been brought down due to global recesion.

Department of Electronics

The Department of Electronics was established in
1975.The department has Microwave Electronics instrumentation and Microprocessor Research laboratories for carrying out research and the doctoral programmes mainly in fields such as Underwater acoustics, Ocean electronics, Microwave propagation antennas, Microwave image processing, pattern recognition, microprocessor applications in signal processing and display devices. This department also offers post-graduate programmes include M.Sc. Electronics and M.Tech Electronics with specializations in Microwave & Radar Electronics and Digital Electronics. External agencies like the DST, ISRO, AICTE, DOE, DRDO, MOD and the state Government support this department through research projects and fellowships. The Department conducts two National symposia as biennial events – the National Symposium on Antennas & Propagation (APSYM)^[3] – which commenced from 1988 and – the Symposium on Ocean Electronics (SYMPOL)^[4]– from 1991 onwards. Department has already established international collaboration with Delft University, Netherlands, Polarizone Incorporation, Malaysia University of Kent, England and University of Surrey, England for different research projects.^[5]

Department of Instrumentation

The Department of Instrumentation was established in 1995. It was derived from the University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC). The Centre was elevated to the status of an academic Department when UGC accorded it the status of Level III USIC. The department conducted a postgraduate diploma programme in Instrumentation for a few years starting from 1994. From 1999 onwards, the Department offers four year (eight semester) B.Tech. course in Instrumentation. The Department has a research programme in the areas of Instrumentation and Applied Physics. The Department has completed research projects sponsored by external funding agencies like DST, DAE, UGC, AICTE, STED (Kerala) and TWAS. It has been the venue for national symposia and the faculty members have published research papers in national and international journals.

Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology

The Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology was started in 1971 by introducing a two year post- B.Sc. B.Tech Programme in Polymer Science and Rubber Technology. This was reorganized into a three year programme to fall into the all India pattern in 1977. This programme was then revised into a four-year B.Tech course. The starting of an M.Tech. course in 1985 was a major milestone in the growth of the department. The Department organizes seminars to bring polymer scientists, technologists and engineers from academic and research institutions and industrial organizations together. At present the department was headed by Dr.Sunil K Narayanankutty

The department offers PhD in Polymer science. MSc Chemistry/Polymer Chemistry/M.Tech Chemical Engg/Polymer Technology is the eligibility of PhD Programme

Department of Ship Technology

The department is one of the pioneers in the field of Naval Architecture education in India, established in 1974. A B.Tech programme in Naval Architecture and Ship Building was started in 1975. In technical collaboration with the University of Rostock, Germany since 1978, it is producing Naval Architects to meet the requirements of shipbuilding industry, Ship Classification Societies, R&Dorganizations, the Indian Navy and other related organizations. The department maintains collaboratews with IITs, Universities outside India, Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL),Vizag and shipyards. These organizations extend their facilities and expertise to impart training to the B.Tech students.

The Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, approved the B.Tech course for the M.O.T. Certificate Examination. The Indian Navy has recognized this department as a centre for the higher education of their officers. The Department has qualified faculty, a library, computer centre, laboratories and workshops. The faculty have over 100 research publications to their credit. The course is also accredited by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), UK as satisfying the Engineering Council (UK) requirements for the registration at stage 1 of the Chartered Engineer section. An academic collaboration took birth with Chosun University, Republic of Korea in 2003 whereby exchange of students and faculty members take place.

The department achieved 100 percent job placement of its graduates in India and abroad. In the year 2007-08 the job placement of the 29th batch of Naval Architects was as high as 426% with salaries as high as 1.8 million INR per annum.

International School of Photonics

Manpower development and establishment of research activities in photonics and related fields are the major objectives of ISP. A three semester M.Tech course in Optoelectronics and Laser Technology and an M.Phil course in Photonics are offered, with an objective to train teachers in the area of photonics. The school has collaborative research activities with institutions in India and abroad, including the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. The joint programme is supported under the MHO assistance offered by the Dutch government to ISP.

Department of Computer Applications

The Department of Computer Applications offers Master’s programme in Computer Applications and research programmes leading to Ph.D., sanctioned to the University jointly by U.G.C, and Department of Electronics, Government of India. Guest lectures, seminars by experts in IT, workshops and symposia are organized in the department. The Head of Department of Computer Applications is Dr. K.V. Pramod. The Other Faculties Members are Ms S.Malthi. Dr. A. Sreekumar & Dr.B.Kannan

In Cochin University College of Engineering Ms.Deepa Nair is the Head of The Department.

Department of Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science offers three M Tech programmes and Ph.D programmes.

M.Tech Computer and Information Science

The M.Tech. in Computer & information Science is intended to develop Human Resources for System Integration, Data Base Design & Administration, Information Technology Enabled Services, etc. It is a cross migratory programme where any engineering graduate can enroll, with limited entry to post graduates in Science.

Eligibility

• First class ( 60% marks ) or percentage equivalent of GPA in B.E / B.Tech in any discipline or AMIETE / AMIE or in M.Sc Physics with Electronics as special subject or in M.Sc Mathematics .
• A valid GATE score.

M.Tech Software Engineering

The M.Tech in Software Engineering is intended to train Computer Engineers to become Software Engineers and professionals, expected to lead software design and development teams, with good proficiency in testing, verification and validation. Software functionality as well as methodology is given adequate importance in the course content.

Eligibility

• First class B.Sc ( Engg ) or B.Tech degree ( 60% marks ) or percentage equivalent of GPA in Computer Science / Information Technology or AMIETE / AMIE ( CS ) or M.Sc in Computer Science / Computer Software / Operational Research and Computer applications or MCA.
• A valid GATE score or a score in the DAT where GATE qualified candidate are not available

M.Tech Computer Science with Specialization with Embedded Systems(Part Time)

Eligibility

• First Class B.Tech degree in Computer Science & Engineering / Electronics Engg. / Information Technology / Electrical Engg. or equivalent branches or M.C.A with 60% marks or equivalent CGPA
• Minimum of 1 year experience in Industry / University / Institution recognized by appropriate statutory bodies.^[8]

The lab ha
s LANs with Windows NT and GNU/Linux servers with Silicon Graphics workstations, and oracle RDBMS server with 15 clients^{[citation needed]}. The department has completed projects funded by agencies like UGC, AICTE, and DST. The department has a library with around 3500 titles and a handful of leading journals.Department also offers MTech Course in Computer Science.

Research laboratories

The research laboratories have been developed/augmented using the 2007 MHRD grant.

1. Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory (HCI Lab)
2. Embedded Systems Laboratory (ESL)
3. Mobile Computing Lab (MCL)
4. Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL)

Faculty of Engineering

School of Engineering, Thrikkakara

The School of Engineering (SOE) at Thrikkakara offers Bachelor of Technology courses in the following engineering branches:

• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Information Technology
• Safety and Fire Engineering

Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad

• Computer Science and Engineering
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Information Technology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Applications

Faculty of Environmental Studies

• School of Environmental Studies

Faculty of Humanities

• Department of Hindi
• Department of Culture and Heritage

Faculty of Law

School of Legal Studies

The School of Legal Studies is located in the main campus. The school was established in 1962 as the Department of Law of Kerala University and subsequently merged with Cochin University in 1971.

Faculty of Marine Sciences

• School of Ocean Science and Technology
• School of Industrial Fisheries
• Department of Atmospheric Sciences
• Department of Chemical Oceanography
• Department of Marine Biology,Microbiology and Biochemistry
• Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics
• Department of Physical Oceanography

Faculty of Medical Sciences and Technology

Department of Biotechnology

The Department of Biotechnology was established in 1991. The M.Sc. course in Biotechnology which was started in the Department of Applied Chemistry was later transferred to this department with an annual student intake of 10. It offers a Ph.D. programme. The professional M.Sc. course is designed to train students in frontier areas of biotechnology. The research activities of the Department are on areas in Microbiology, Molecular Neurobiology and Cell Biology, Medical Biochemistry, Genetic Engineering and Plant Biotechnology.

Faculty of Social Sciences

Department of Applied Economics

The Department of Applied Economics offers a postgraduate degree in Applied Economics (M.A Applied Economics) M.Phil and Ph.D.programmes. The department’s research focuses on economics of technology. Apart from economics, two areas where the department has teaching capability are econometrics and operations research. Cochin city has an industrial belt and a coastal area suitable for fishing activities. The industrial and fishing activities have contributed much to environmental pollution in the area. Therefore, the department researches the technology problems of industry and the fisheries sector, and the economics of the environment.

School of Management Studies

The School of Management Studies (SMS) is one of the oldest academic units of the university. Being one among the first five management schools to be established in the country, it started functioning in the premises of the Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd. (FACT) in October 1964 as a part of Kerala University with Professor Emeritus (Dr.) M.V.Pylee as the director. When University of Cochin was formed in the year 1971 (which later became Cochin University of Science and Technology) the school became an integral part of the University. Since then, the school has striven tirelessly in pursuit of excellence in management education.It pursues four areas of academic activity: teaching, training, research and consultancy. It offers Three four-semester- full-time MBA programmes(General MBA, MBA in International Business and MBA in Travel and Tourism) and a six-semester part-time M.B.A. All these programmes provide options for specialization. The school offers Ph.D. programmes.

 

Departments

CUSAT has 29 departments of study and research offering graduate and postgraduate programmes across a spectrum of disciplines in engineering, science, technology, humanities, law & management.

Centre of Excellence in Lasers and Optoelectronic Sciences (CELOS)

CUSAT established a separate CELOS in July 2002 which conducts manpower training in Photonics and related fields. The activities under CELOS have been proposed by the Department of Physics and Department of Electronics in CUSAT. CELOS offers a five year integrated M.Sc degree course in Photonics.

See also

• List of colleges affiliated with Cochin University of Science and Technology

References