DEPARTMENT OF

The BITS Herald

JOURNALISM AND
MEDIA AFFAIRS, BITS
PILANI GOA CAMPUS

S U M M E R I S S U E J U N E 2 0 0 8
THE TEAM

I
Pratik Mandrekar
t has been four years now since the sister campus of the
well-renowned BITS PILANI university was established in
Goa. And since that time the atmosphere in the educa-
Rithika Ardeshir
tional circles has been rife with comparisons between the
two campuses. And the hoopla over the big question “Can
Shalini Lahiri Goa match Pilani?” is quite understandable. With all its pride
and legacy, BITS Pilani has created an image of grandeur that
Abhishek Agarwal very few institutions can match.

Anurag Sharma But it would be unfair to put the argument to rest here. For long BITS Pilani - Goa has been
in a shadow under the spotlight of its better known counterpart, and its achievements have
Ralino Prazeres gone unnoticed. It is time to bring BITS Pilani - Goa Campus (BPGC) into the picture.

A common misconception is that BITS Pilani - Goa offers a degree different from the Pilani
Rithvic Rajah
campus. BITS Pilani - Goa campus is part of the BITS Pilani University and the degree a stu-
dent receives will be the same regardless of the campus where he/she completed his/her de-
Suramya Munshi gree. Furthermore, the curriculum and coursework of the degrees at both the campuses is
the same, and the quality of education received does not differ.

In terms of the atmosphere and the living conditions, it would be safe to say that Goa is way
INSIDE THIS ahead of Pilani. All the students are offered single-room housing, with pre-installed internet
ISSUE: connection. All classrooms, offices and lecture halls are air-conditioned. Shopping, medical
and recreational facilities are available within the campus. The weather remains pleasant
Editorial 2 throughout the year.

But what makes the college really special is the sustained dedication and effort that has been
The 7 3
shown by the students to help in developing the college into what it is today. The student in-
Wonders of
volvement in placements, cultural and technical festivals, sponsorship and extracurricular ac-
BITS tivities has been remarkable. In the first year of its placements, the college managed to attract
From our 5 companies like Microsoft, Yahoo, Godrej, etc.
Online Forum
Quark and waves are the technical and cultural festivals that were initiated in the second year
Helpline 8 of the college, and within two years these festivals went national. Apart from imparting high
quality education, the college caters to the all-round development of its students. The stu-
dents are given opportunities to participate in, and manage a variety of college activities, in-
Fresher's Day 11 cluding clubs, committees and festivals. The involvement of the students in the administration
Out of the college activities is also remarkable. At BITS Pilani - Goa, a student has a handful of op-
portunities to pursue his avocation freely and develop into a versatile individual.

Potential rather than results is what BITS Pilani - Goa has to offer at this stage against the
might of the IIT’s and BITS Pilani - Pilani. And if this state of multifaceted growth continues,
BITS Pilani - Goa will soon challenge these giants for the throne of the best engineering insti-
tute in India.
 PAGE 2

Crash….Boom…. Bang……

Y
ou most certainly would’ve been there and
heard that if you’re reading this. That was
the sound of the results week. The com-
petitive exam results have come in one
BITS Pilani, after the other and with them came the ecstasy, the
Goa Campus agony and the bloodshed (Note to self: Do not exag-
Library gerate the drama element). While they undeniably brought the drama with them, they have
also brought about an abundance of choices. And then some.

The two most common approaches to this side of the week are a complete and unwavering
pledge of dedication and hard work to the task ahead or a slow motion run in the fields to
freedom. The boundary between these two approaches blur in some cases and the catego-
ries overlap into each other. Whatever the case may be, this is, like they say in the movies,
the beginning of everything else.

So where does this leave you?

Have you made up your mind about the branch you want? Are you willing to compromise
on the college you join to get into the field you want? Are other branches worth another
look? Are premier institutes everything they’re made out to be? How important a role
does the faculty of an institution play?
They expect you to have your mind made up. They say it shows the making of a person
with ambition and purpose. Never mind that you’re just seventeen.

That’s where this newsletter comes in. To help with your decision-making process, because
a decision, you have to make.

Clock The newsletter contains opinions from a cross section of present BITSians. The
Tower at best decision you can make right now is one with thorough background informa-
BITS Pilani, tion to back it up. With questionnaires, excerpts from forums and unbiased opin-
Pilani ions about the BITS structure, the campuses, the varied disciplines and the flexi-
Campus
bility offered, our team aims to provide you with just that.
The team hopes this issue will prove useful, if not instrumental in easing your
decision-making process. Here’s to you making the right choice!

THE BITS HERALD

SUMMER ISSUE PAGE 3

The 7 Wonders of BITS

A
fter two months of grueling entrance exams, long, painful hours of study and perseverance, finally the wait
has come to an end. By June, results of entrances to various reputed institutes across India are announced,
giving relief and tension simultaneously to the aspirants and their anxious parents.

After the results, students are plagued with a barrage of Questions- Where do I join? Why should I choose this insti-
tute over another? Will I get the branch of my choice? Brand or Branch?

To help answer these queries, we have for you

“BITS is called the private MIT of India. This is not just a
7 reasons why you should join the Birla Insti-
random statement, but a fact, for BITS bases its course tute of Technology and Science aka BITS situ-
ated in three locations across India (Pilani, Goa,
structure on that of the MIT and the books used for the
and Hyderabad) and one overseas (Dubai).
course are internationally acclaimed.”

1- The Brand
BITS is unarguably one of the most reputed institutes for Higher Education in India, coming second in
most students’ priority lists after the Indian Institutes of Technology. Over a period of fifty-odd years, BITS has
carved a niche for itself, and is synonymous with excellent education and the cream of students all over India. BIT-
Sians all across the globe have made a name for themselves, and they owe it all to their alma mater, BITS.

If you carry the BITS tag, it will help you climb to greater heights, especially in your professional life
and academic pursuits.
2- The Faculty and The Courses
BITS boasts of a world-class faculty. Several faculty members are from highly reputed institutes them-
selves, and they serve as mentors, preparing us for challenges ahead.
Also, BITS is called the private MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) of India. This is not just a
random statement, but a fact, for BITS bases its course structure on that of the MIT and the books used for the
courses are internationally acclaimed. Apart from the normal courses, there are extra courses you can take up,
spanning a wide range of fields from business, to pure science, to English.

3- The Dual Degree system

Your dream has been to work with computers, but the course you have gotten is M.Sc Bio. You’re
worried that once you take up Biology, you can never become a computer engineer.
Well, this is where the flexible Dual Degree system of BITS comes in. This is specially meant for the
students who have taken up pure science courses. Depending on your CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) in
the first year, you can take up an engineering course along with a science degree.
This gives you the best of both worlds, for, when you leave BITS, you will have a Bachelor’s as well
as a Master’s Degree in five years. Where else in India can you find such a flexible system?
 PAGE 4

4- Placements
Every year, nearly 1500 BITSians finish their courses, and it becomes time for
them to say goodbye to BITS. After four or five years of academics, they are ready to
take their place in the industrial world. BITSians have been placed excellently, and in
many well-known companies worldwide, like Microsoft, Schlumberger, Texas Instru-
ments, Infosys and Yahoo. And quite a few of them have received foreign postings, and
extremely high salaries.
BITS gives you an edge when it comes to placements compared to other
institutes.

5- Practice School System

The Practice School system in BITS exists in no other institute in India, not
even the IIT’s. Practice school is the term for an internship undertaken by students in
their 2nd and 4th years (5th year for dualites) in various companies across India and over-
seas.
The best thing about Practice School is that it is fully centralized, and Practice
School stations for all campuses are handed out by Pilani.
So you do not have to find an internship yourself, and BITS can even arrange
accommodation for you. Plus, in the 4th year, you get paid for it too, and we hear the sti-
“The Waves and
pends are quite nifty!
Quark of Goa, and
6- The Festivals and Co-Curricular Activities
Oasis and Apogee
BITS, being an Institute of international standards holds excellent national
of Pilani have and international Tech and Cultural festivals. The Waves and Quark of Goa, and Oasis
and Apogee of Pilani have raised the bar for college fests all across India. These fests
raised the bar for
give students a chance to show off their talents in various fields. And since these are
college fests all solely organized by students themselves, they help to develop various managerial skills in
across India. “
them. We also have the inter-hostel fests which bring out the best in every BITSian.
There are innumerable extra curricular activities in BITS. Does your singing
stop people in their tracks? Are you interested in becoming an entrepreneur? BITS has
various clubs and departments to accommodate your talents and interests. The clubs or-
ganize various events during the course of the year, so you can have all the fun in the
world.

7- DC (Direct Connect)
Last but not the least, we have the DC! DC is software that works on the
campus’ internal LAN, which can link your computer (if you have one) to every other!
DC enables you to share stuff from your computer, and also to obtain media from others
as well, similar to peer-to-peer software like Limewire.
The latest movies, TV shows and Games, and a wealth of e-books, all available
to you. And the share size in BITS is of the range of 30-40 Tb.

So what are you all waiting for? BITS is definitely waiting for you!!!

THE BITS HERALD

SUMMER ISSUE PAGE 5

From our Online Forum...

www.bits360.com is a website which offers an entire 360° virtual cam-
pus tour and has a very active forum which houses varied discussions. A
must visit for all aspiring BITsians.

The following is an excellent post by our very own BITS360° forum expert, “The_Shadow”.

This post is meant for all the aspirants who’d like to know more about the MSc. Courses at BITS

Pilani (Pilani , Goa , Hyderabad Campuses) and the Dual Degree Scheme.

Q.1)What are these MSc. Courses?

MSc. Courses are Science-based courses , similar to that offered in other Institutions. In BITS
they are of 2 types :
1)MSc.(Hons) in P , C , M ,Eco ,Bio
2)MSc.(Tech) in Information Systems , Finance , Gen. Studies.

Q.2)What is this Dual Degree Scheme?

All MSc. (Hons) (and not Tech) will get an assured BE Degree , allotted to them at the end of the
1st year , based on their CGPA for 1st year.

Q.3)Is it tough to get a good dual?

Not at all. For a CS or EEE dual, you need an above average CGPA , while Mech./Chem/Civil can
be got at lower CGPAs too. But you will get some BE Dual assured.

Q.4)So what Degrees do I pass out with?

You get a BE and an Integrated Msc and you spend 5 years. Integ MSc. basically is BSc + MSc combined, and it
can be done by a 12th pass student. Time duration for it is 4 yrs (without a Dual).

Q.5)So , you basically waste another year?

That’s a bad way of saying it. You get another degree from BITS , and you get 2 Practice Schools
(i.e. 1 year). So basically you spend that extra year working. This is imp for PS2 Placements. And that MSc. does
help when applying abroad.
 PAGE 6

Q.7)Do you get separate Degrees?

Yes , they are absolutely separate.

Q.8)What other such schemes are there at BITS?

Based on your 1st Year CGPA

1)Vertical Transfers :If you are in the Top 30 students in any of the Campuses , you can leave your old
course(MSc. or BE) and take a new course(MSc. or BE).Time taken = 4 years

2)BE + BE: Offered to only Top 10 students in each campus. Preferred choices include Mech + EnI , CS +
EEE. Time = 5yrs , 2PS2s

3)MSc. + MSc.: Offered at lower CGPAs. Very rare. Preferred choices include MSc.Phy + MSc.Maths(5yrs)

4)MSc.(Tech) + BE Dual : rare , offered to only very high CGPA students.(5yrs)

Based on BITSAT Marks

“Choose your and vacancies
MSc. depending 1)Campus Transfers: Very rare , not advisable to join a campus thinking you can get out later. Basically it
on the subject you happens at the end of 1st semester. Your BITSAT marks only matter. Along with 2nd semester admission
people , all BITSAT Marks are arranged in descending order and seats(based on vacancies , usually in
like the most and/
Chemical and Bio Sci , B Pharma) are alloted.
or are good at. “
Q.9)Isn’t this tough?
NOT AT ALL. Remember that for 1st year. ALL students in BITS do exactly the same courses ,
so getting a Dual through MSc. Chem is same as for MSc. Phy .
2nd year , most courses are the same .
3rd year , BE students will do their Core Courses for their BE Degree.MSc ppl will do for their MSc.
4th yr , BE Students will go for PS2(1 sem) and will do a few extra courses in the other sem(Very light
sem).MSc. ppl will do their Dual Degree Core Courses.
5th yr BE students will have passed out. MSc. students will now go for PS2 for 2 sems.

Q.10)Which MSc + BE Combos are the best?(Like MSc. Phy + EEE , MSc Chem + Chemi-
cal ... )

NONE OF THEM!
Choose your MSc. depending on the subject you like the most and/or you are good at. In my Myths abt
Engg post I have discussed why. And there is a trend for people to choose MSc. Phy much above

THE BITS HERALD

SUMMER ISSUE PAGE 7

Msc. Bio Sci. Frankly this is silly. MSc. Bio Sci is basically Bio Engg and is quite interesting. Many students from other
MScs tried for an MSc Bio (at the end of their 1st yr), out of which very few were given. So, don’t fall into the trap of
choosing Phy because it sounds glamorous. In reality it is very tough and only those genuinely excellent at it will enjoy it.

And don’t bother about Placements. Your BE degree will ensure this. Choose your MSc. out of interest.
MSc. will help you greatly in applying abroad (assuming you have actually done something worthwhile in your MSc.
field).

Q.11)How is MSc. at BITS different from that in the IITs?

-No Dual Degree is given in the IITs
-In IITs it is for 5 years

For more such posts and related discussions head to

www.bits360.com/forum.
MUST READ: Myths and Facts about Engineering

“I'm in MSc. Economics now, and I'm really happy about that. Before getting admission

into BITS, I'd have preferred EEE over Economics, but after a year at BITS, I’m VERY

glad that I'm in a dual degree program as it provides me more flexibility after I

graduate. If I end up not liking techie stuff, I can pursue economics as a career too.”

-Anmol Sharma (Hostel Cultural Representative – BPGC)

 PAGE 8

Helpline
A
warm welcome to all the BITSians-to-be! This is definitely a difficult
period in your lives, with attending different counsellings and being
tensed about what branch you will get.
While coming to BITS-Goa, I’m sure many of you will have quite a few doubts regarding
how to get here, where to stay etc. Well, here’s something that will help you out!

♦ How to get to Goa?

Flights: There are many flights from the metropolitan cities to Goa; after all, we are in a
“Get all your tourist place! Otherwise, you can catch flights to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and
Chennai and then a flight to Goa.
original
Trains: There are a large number of trains connecting Goa to different parts of India. Most
certificates and of these trains pass through or end at Vasco-Da-Gama or Madgaon station, both of
which are not very far from campus.
a copy of them
Delhi: Rajdhani, runs between Delhi and Madgaon. Also passes through Rajasthan (Kota
for submission Jn.) and Madhya Pradesh (Itarsi Jn).
at BITS” Goa Express also runs between Delhi and Goa and passes through Madhya
Pradesh.

Calcutta/ Bhubaneshwar: The Amaravati express runs from

Howrah Jn. right up to Vasco-da-Gama. Has a stop at Bhubaneshwar.

Mumbai: A Shatabdi is there, as well as the Konkan Kanya Express which terminates at
Madgaon.

Hyderabad: The Yeshwantpur Goa Express runs between Kacheguda and Vasco-Da-
Gama. This train is linked with the Amaravati Express in Karnataka.

After Arrival: After arriving in Goa, you can easily take a taxi from Dabolim Airport (takes
about 10 min to reach Campus) or from Vasco (takes 20-30 min) or Madgaon (40 min-1
hr).

♦ Where to stay in Goa?

Hostel rooms: As soon as the student arrives on Campus, he/she will be allotted a hostel
room. One parent or a close relative can stay with the student in the room for upto 3-4
days for free. After that, they will be charged.

Fathers or Brothers can stay with the guys, mothers or sisters for the girls.

VGH: Visitors Guest houses are available on Campus, where parents can stay for about
Rs.200 per person. But you should call ahead and book the rooms; else they will be all
taken.

THE BITS HERALD

SUMMER ISSUE PAGE 9

Hotels: Obviously, there are the hotels. We recommend that you stay in Vasco-da-Gama or
Madgaon because these are closer to the campus. Vasco is a mere 8 km from Campus while
Madgaon is farther. Panaji is about an hour away from Campus.

♦ What to bring with you?

- Clothes: Preferably lighter fabrics because Goa is a humid place and you
will sweat, hopefully not a lot. A raincoat for July-August if you wish. A
sweater could be needed during winter. Also remember to bring at
least one pair of full pants; you may need it for Workshop.

- Footwear: July-August will be full of rain and mud, so you could bring
along some sneakers. Also, you will have to walk a lot on campus
(personal vehicles aren’t allowed), so sturdy footwear, preferably flat
shoes or rubber sandals should be good. Take this from someone who tried wearing heels here!

- Bedding: The mattresses, bed sheets, blankets, curtains, pillows can be bought on Campus.

- Other stuff: Umbrellas! Never forget these things, ‘cause when it rains, it pours in Goa. Also a
lock for your room. Naphthalene balls, for your wardrobe, toiletries, etc are available in the
Shopping Centre. And if you have a laptop, do get it. It will prove very useful, because you’ll need
to study from slides and you can practice Engineering Drawing on it. Or you can always play
games or use the DC!

- Academic things: Get all your original certificates and a copy of them for submission at BITS.

♦ What to do after arriving on Campus?

- Report at the B-dome first. As you enter the gate, go perfectly straight and you can see the B-
dome towering over you.
- After checking your credentials, you will be allotted a hostel room. Eg: CH4-331 i.e. the hostel no.
and room number. The C hostels are to the left of the B-dome, and the A hostels to the right.
- You will need to buy mattresses and things like buckets for your room.

♦ Where to buy stuff?

- Mattresses: Mattresses will be available in the common rooms of the hostels. You can buy them,
and transport them to your room.
- Books: Books are available at the Higginbotham’s store in the Shopping Complex on Campus. The
seniors sell used books at lower rates as well.
(The latter is a better option!!!!!!)
- Other things: Buckets, brooms, washcloths can be brought at the store in the Shopping Complex.
PAGE 10

♦ What do I do on admissions day?

- Firstly, report on time for the admission process. The 4th iteration will be announced
that day, and there will be every possibility of an upgrade.
- The admission will involve several procedures like taking a photo for your ID card, filling
in the admission form, paying money etc.
- The admission form is very important, be sure to fill it in carefully. The form will also
contain an additional form which will help you open a bank account.
- The account is to be opened at SBI. There is a branch within Campus in the Shopping
complex.
- After filling the form, you are required to submit it, along with some documents. After
submission, you will have a interview with a faculty member.

♦ What do I do on registration day?

- Prior to registration day, you will be handed a timetable book, with a list of the courses
you have to take in the first semester, the professors taking them, and the days and
times the lectures will be held.
- Also, there will be student guides who will help you with the timetables, explaining
what will be done in each course etc. This is a good way to get to know how it all
works!
- You will be allotted a priority number, and according to that, you have to take a time-
table. The registration is done in the library.

♦ Where do I eat?
-
Now we come to the very fundamental, food! On the first day, as you take ahostel
room at the B-dome, there will be counters to buy coupons for the two messes.
- We have two messes, one in the C-wing (run by Sarath babu) and one in the A-wing
(run by Atish). The food consists of rice, rotis, dal, vegetable curries, and curd. Non-
veg and juices are available in either mess, but you have to pay separately.
- There are four meal times, breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.

♦ Where else do I eat?

- At the hangout spots in the Campus, of course! We have a Monginis and Nescafe where
you can buy puffs, rolls, maggi, soups, coffee etc.
- There is Ice n’ Spice- the juice centre, with a range of yummy juices and
shakes.
- The shopping complex has the Atish Café, where you can buy your regular Chinese and
Dhaba foods at nominal prices.
- The Institute Cafeteria is located in the bowels of the main building. You get idli, dosa,
and delicious chat too. They serve lunch as well.

♦ What will I find in my Hostel?

-No lizards or rats, hopefully :-D ! You’ll have a bed, a wooden chair, a study
table, a mantelpiece, and a large wardrobe. And oh, a tube light and fan as well.
-Regarding bathrooms, there are four bathrooms on each floor, with four baths, and four
restrooms. Clothes can be washed there.
-A hostel assistant whose wrong side you shouldn’t get on.

THE BITS HERALD

SUMMER ISSUE PAGE 11

♦ What else?
-Familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Newbies sometimes lose their way in the larger hostels. I know I did!
-Get to know the campus, and know which hostel is yours. Guys, don’t end up in a girls’ hostel!
-Know the main landmarks like the Library, Computer Centre (CC), the Shopping Complex and get to know the
shortcuts to them.
-Have a look at the classrooms and lecture theatres, so you know where to go
for classes.

So hope this calms you down and eases your fears! And there are always people to help you out, here at BITS!

WE ARE EAGERLY WAITING TO WELCOME YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!

“Having been close to the family for so long, I wanted to experience campus life. And it has
been a wonderful experience, better than I could have imagined. Everyone in their lives should
at some time experience studying while staying away from home. Unlike what many say, a
reputed college is not great because of its faculty or facilities. It is the experiences with friends,
seniors and juniors that really define how you turn out after your 4 or 5 years at BITS. Also
BITS gives person tremendous opportunities to grow in extracurricular and other ways.”
- ARJUN P. KAMATH (General Secretary, BPPC)

A Fresher’s Day Out

It was nearly 4.00 a.m. and I rubbed my left forearm again, in vain attempt to ease the "satisfying pain", still
originating from the self inflicted wound. I had nearly pinched away my arm during the course of last 24
hours, just to ensure that I was not dreaming...I had arrived a day prior to the "admission day" and had am-
ple opportunity to voraciously devour (with my eyes of course!!) my campus, more so with the Rain GOD
sparing me that day. After the short journey from the airport, the campus rose before our eyes (me and
my father) from NH17-B much like what Hogwarts did for Harry, grand, graceful, green and gorgeous. Af-
ter securing a hostel room for me, we took a self tour of the campus and were for the most of our jour-
ney, either open-mouthed with air or beaming happily. The grandeur of the campus lay before us in its full
might and it was with reluctance that we finally called it a night. The "admission day" was even more exhila-
rating (and exhausting!!). Hundreds of students, moving through the corridors, breathed life into the walls. I
had butterflies in my stomach; I felt like a child being introduced to his new playhouse (though I was aware
that B.E.(Hons) CS was no play !!) and at the same time confused with the varied discussions about place-
ments, preferences, faculty...which I couldn't help but hear from the throngs of anxious parents who had
collected. Nevertheless, once I got my admission slip (after standing an hour in line!!), a sense of joy, relief
and exhaustion swept through me -- I was finally a BITSIAN. For the institute it was just another student,
but to me it was everything…