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PHD Entrance Examination2015 - Written Test Syllabus
PHD Entrance Examination2015 - Written Test Syllabus
Written test willbe of 2 hour duration. The question paper consists of two parts:
Elementary multiple choice questions from the following topics: Mathematical Logic, Set Theory and
Algebra, Combinatorics, Basic Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Reasoning ability. The level of difficulty
would be at 10+2 standard.
PART- II
This part consists of eight sections: Electronics, Communication and Signal Processing, Computer
Science, Physics, Mathematics, Economics and English Studies (EES), and ICT in Agri and Rural
Development (ICT-ARD).You may attempt as many questions from as many sections; however, it is likely
that you attempt most of the questions from a section that matches your core area of expertise. We
expect that you will have enough time to answer at least four questions. EES and ICT-ARD applicants
however, should attempt only their respective section.
Syllabus and suggested books for each of the sections are given below. Questions will be of a difficulty
level similar to a BTech or equivalentlevel course.
Electronics
Basic Electronics:
Time and frequency domain analysis of simple RLC circuits; Thevenins and Nortonstheorems;
Maximum Power Transfer; Simple Diode Circuits, Clipping, Clamping, Rectifiers
Digital Electronics:
Basic Logic Concepts; TTL and CMOS; Combinational Logic; Sequential Logic and Finite State Machine
Design; Monostable Multivibrators
Recommended books :
1. Engineering Circuit Analysis by Hayt, Kemmerly& Durbin
2. Basic Electrical and Electronics Engineering by M.S. Sukhija, T.K. Nagsarkar Oxford Press
3. Microelectronic Circuits by Adel S. Sedra and Kenneth C. Smith, Oxford University Press
4. Digital design by M. Morris Mano and Michael Ciletti
5. Low Power Design Essentials Jan Rabaey, Springer
Communication Systems
Electromagnetic Theory
Electrostatic Fields, Electric Fields in Material Space, Electrostatic Boundary Value Problems,
Magnetostatic Fields, Magnetic Forces, Time Varying Field & Maxwell's Equations, Propagation of EM
Waves, Plane Waves, Wave Impedance, EM Wave Equation, EM Energy and Power Flow,
PoyntingTheorem, Waveguides, Coaxial cable, Antennas and Radiating Systems. Single and Multi-port
Networks, S-Parameters and Scattering Matrix, Transmission Line, Reflection coefficient, Standing Wave
Ratio, Impedance matching
Suggested Books:
1. An Introduction to signals and noise in electrical communication by A. Bruce Carlson and Paul B
Crilly, Fifthedition, McGraw Hill
2. Modern Analog and Digital Communication Systems by B. P. Lathi and Zhi Ding, Fourth edition,
Oxford University Press.
3. Alan V. Oppenheim and R. W. Schafer, Discrete-time Signal Processing. Third Edition. Prentice
Hall, 2009.
4. Jordan, Edward C. & Balmain, Keith G., Electromagnetic Waves and Radiating Systems,
Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi, 2003.
5. Hayt, William H. & Buck, John A., Engineering Electromagnetics, Sixth Edition, TataMcGraw-
Hill, New Delhi, 2001.
6. Alan V. Oppenheim, Alan S. Wilsky, and D. Hamid, Signals and Systems. Second Edition,
Prentice Hall, 1996.
Computer Science
Algorithms
Basic Data Structures such as Stacks, Queues, Priority Queues, Heaps, Trees, Hash Tables, and
Dictionaries; sorting and searching; data structures for graphs; shortest path algorithms; basic algorithm
design paradigms such as Greedy, Divide and Conquer Method.
Theory of Computation
Regular languages, finite state automaton, regular expressions, pumping lemma, and properties of
regularlanguages; context free languages, pushdown automaton, pumping lemma, and properties of
context free languages.
Computer Networks
ISO/OSI protocolstack. LAN technologies, Basic concepts of hubs, switches, gateways, and routers.
Flow and error control techniques. MAC protocols. Routing algorithms. Congestion control. IP, TCP/UDP
and ICMP protocols. Application layer protocols (dns, smtp, pop, ftp, http).
Operating systems
Process concept and management, scheduling, process synchronization, concurrency control, critical
section problems, deadlocks, memory management, file systems.
Suggested Books:
1. Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest
2. Introduction to Theory of Computation by Michael Sipser
3. Silberschatz, Korth&Sudarshan, Database System Concepts, McGraw-Hill
4. Kurose and Ross, Computer Networking, A Top Down Approach, Pearson
A. Silberschatz, P. B. Galvin, G. Gagne, Operating System Concepts John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mathematics
Calculus--Functions of single and two variables: limit, continuity, differentiability, mean value theorems,
Theorems of integral calculus, improper integrals, partial derivatives, total derivatives, maxima and
minima, double and triple integrals. Sequences and series of real numbers: tests for convergence, power
series, Linear and non-linear 1st order ordinary differential equation, higher order linear differential
equation with constant coefficients, system of linear differential equations, initial and boundary value
problems.
Abstract Algebra and Linear Algebra--Groups: basic definitions and rules, subgroups, cyclic groups,
Lagranges theorem and its applications.
System of linear equations, Determinants, inverse, rank, Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalisation of
matrices, Cayley-Hamilton theorem.
Suggested Books:
1. M.D. Weir, J. Hass, and F.R. Giordano: G.B. Thomas Calculus, 11th Edition, Pearson, 2011.
2. R. Kreyszig: Advanced Engineering Mathematics, 8th Edition, John Wiley, 1999.
3. Michel D. Greenberg, Advanced Engineering Mathematics, Pearson Education, 2002.
4. K.H. Rosen, Discrete Mathematics and its Applications with Combinatorics and Graph Theory,
Edition, Tata Mcgraw Hill Education, 2011.
5. I.N. Herstein, Topics in Algebra, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1975.
6. S. Ross: A First Course in Probability, 8th Edition, Pearson, 2010.
Physics
Classical Mechanics:
Newtons laws of motion and applications, Simple Harmonic Oscillator, Keplers laws, Gravitational Law
and field, Conservative and non-conservative forces.System of particles, Centre of mass, equation of
motion of the CM, conservation of linear and angular momentum, conservation of energy.Elastic and
inelastic collisions. Rigid body motion, fixed axis rotations, moments of Inertia. Lagranges and Hamiltons
formalisms.
Electromagnetic Theory:
Coulomb's law, Gauss's law, Field and Boundary Conditions, Laplace equation, Conductors, capacitors,
dielectrics, dielectric polarization, volume and surface charges, electrostatic energy. Biot-Savart law,
Ampere's law, Lenz's law, Faradays law of electromagnetic induction, Displacement current, Maxwell's
equations and plane electromagnetic waves.Lorentz Force and motion of charged particles in electric and
magnetic fields.
Quantum Mechanics:
Mass energy equivalence, Blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton effect, Bohr's atomic model,
X-rays. Wave-particle duality, Uncertainty principle, Schrodinger equation and application to simple
examples like particle in a box, potential barrier, square potential, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom.
Nuclear Physics
Structure of atomic nucleus, mass and binding energy.Radioactivity and its applications. Laws of
radioactive decay. Nuclear fission, Nuclear Fusion, Nuclear Fusion in stars.
Mathematical Physics:
Cartesian system of base vectors: orthogonal basis, position vector. Vector differentiation: derivative of a
vector, del operator, Gradient and its concept, Divergence, Curl.
Integration of Vectors: line integral, conservative forces, Gauss' divergence theorem, Expression in plane
polar coordinate, cylindrical coordinates, spherical polar coordinates.
Suggested reading:
1. An Introduction to Mechanics by Daniel Kleppner, Robert Kolenkow.
2. Introduction to Electrodynamics by D. J. Griffiths.
3. Concepts of Modern Physics by Arthur Beiser.
4. SchaumsOutlines.
5. Daniel Schroeder, An Introduction to Thermal Physics
6. Classical Dynamics, Thornton and Marion
Other than books recommended above, candidates can refer to their own study materials to prepare for
the entrance exam.
Economics and English Studies
ECONOMICS
Basic understanding of development issues of Indian Economy
SuggestedReading:
1. Dutt and Sundaram, "IndianEconomy". S. Chand Publisher, 2011 edition (Chapters to be referred:
Chapter 3, 6, 14, 16, 22, 24, 29, 31.)
ENGLISH STUDIES
Understanding of the themes and trends in any of the following areas:
1. British Literature
2. European Literature
3. Literature written in English
4. South Asian Textual Cultures
5. Literary & Cultural Theories
6. Hermeneutics & Critical Theory
7. Classical, Western & Indian Aesthetic Theories
8. Theatre & Performance Studies
9. Gender studies
10. Translation studies
11. Modernity & Secularization (with reference to South Asia)
12. Political Theory
Pattern: Essay type questions that examine the student's ability to interpret the text and critically analyze
it.
ICT-ARD Ph.D. entrance exam will be of 2 hours duration. The question paper will have 3
sections:
Part A- Analytical Reasoning, Basic Data Analysis and Interpretation (35% Weightage)
Syllabus:
Basic Data Analysis and Interpretation: Introduction to data (types of data, data
visualization, descriptive statistics), Graphs and distribution shapes, Measures of Central
tendencies and dispersion, scatterplot, Correlation
Readings: Any graduate or undergraduate textbook that covers the content above will
contain sufficient coverage to prepare for the exam.
The research areas, syllabus and suggested readings can be seen below.
1. Sustainable Livelihoods
Suggested Readings:
Ian Scoones (1998) Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: A Framework For Analysis IDS
Working Paper 72; https://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/david.harvey/AEF806/Sconnes1998.pdf
Diana Carney with Michael Drinkwater and Tamara Rusinow (CARE), KoosNeefjes
(Oxfam) and Samir Wanmali and Naresh Singh (UNDP) Livelihoods Approaches
Compared http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x9371e/x9371e11.htm
2. Rural Development and Sustainable Development
Suggested Readings:
3. Participatory Development
Suggested Readings:
Abbasi S (2005) Capacity Building and Institutional Framework for e-Governance, egov,
August 2005, Vol 1, Issue 5, Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies, New
Delhi, India.
Government@net- new governance opportunities for India, Sage Publications India Pvt
Ltd, New Delhi, India
Gupta M.P (2004) Promise of E-Governance: operational challenges, Tata McGraw- Hill
Publishing Company Limited, New Delhi, India.