Newly Launched Courses At IITs: Relevance & Future Scope

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the leading hubs of innovation and startups in India, introduced a number of new BTech courses this year. From BTech in Data Science at IIT Guwahati to BTech in Space Science and Engineering at IIT Indore, students are opting for several unique courses. Explore these courses, their structure, relevance and future scope. 

IIT Jodhpur

The Department of Physics at IIT Jodhpur has introduced an innovative Bachelor of Science in Physics with specialisation programme. It offers a flexible curriculum that allows students to explore various challenging career paths through capability-linked specialisations in Energy, Photonics, Quantum and Advanced Plasma Technologies.

Prof Ashutosh Kumar Alok, Head, Department of Physics, IIT Jodhpur, told BW Education, “We are aiming at imparting theoretical foundations and practical skills in fundamental and applied physics for engineering innovation.  The goal is to acquire new knowledge of physics and integrate with engineering concepts to create new and innovative technologies for current and future applications with emphasis on Advanced Energy Materials, Photonics, Quantum and Plasma Technologies."

“The programme will enable students to design complex engineering systems containing hardware and software (including Quantum algorithms) modules; next generation communication systems, devices for energy generation and storage, medical devices, technologies related to Photonics and Terahertz, Quantum, Plasma and connected applications,” added Alok. 

On the relevance of this new programme from a future perspective, Alok said, “Global business is driven by rapid technological advancements in emerging areas such as Quantum Technology, Quantum Computing, Communications beyond 5G, Sustainable Generation and Storage of Energy, etc. The programme will equip the students with the desired skill sets to address challenges in these domains and take forward the advancements for a better society in the future.” 

Admission to this four year programme will be based on the candidates' JEE Advanced scores and they must have completed their Class 12 in the Science stream.

IIT Madras

Recently IIT Madras has launched the most number of courses in a very short period of time. From PG Level course in Applied Petroleum Engineering & Hydrogen Energy to Certification Course in Construction Technology and Management to an online programme in Electronic Systems and launching the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology, IIT Madras has introduced a number of unique courses this year. Here is all about the newly launched courses.   

Advanced Certification Programme in ‘Applied Petroleum Engineering & Hydrogen Energy’ (PGPEH): The Digital Skills Academy of IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation has partnered with Zemblance Hydrocarbons Private Limited to launch this web-enabled PG Level course. 

This hybrid programme combines web-enabled courses in Petroleum Engineering, Renewable energies and Hydrogen Energy, addressing industry requirements. With a rigorous academic curriculum and state-of-the-art research facilities, the programme prepares students for success in the field.

The programme's evaluation process will also include offline exams conducted at centres across India to ensure a thorough assessment and qualification of participants. The Participants must have passed graduation in engineering/technology or Master’s degree in any relevant science subject or working professionals in oil and gas industries or allied areas 

Online certification course on Construction Technology and Management: The course is to teach the latest advances in construction technology and management practice and aimed at working professionals in structural design and construction firms but also at faculty in engineering colleges as well as students who intend to work in the construction industry and will expose them to cutting-edge construction management techniques and methods.

The first batch will be commenced on September 1, 2023. The last date to apply is August 20, 2023. While there are no specific eligibility criteria, a background in architecture, civil, mechanical, electrical or management is preferred. 

Highlighting the importance of this course, course coordinator Prof Ashwin Mahalingam, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “India will invest significantly in developing infrastructure and buildings in the years to come and it is important that we build on time, on budget, using new technologies and to the highest standards of quality possible. This course is intended to be accessible to every practicing and aspiring civil engineer and will address exactly these aspects and provide specific tools and guidelines that will enhance their skills.”

Department of Medical Sciences and Technology: It will provide a four-year BS programme in Medical Sciences and Engineering. It offers an interdisciplinary approach to equip students with the skills needed for designing life-saving medical devices, drug discovery, artificial intelligence in medicine and fundamental medical research.

Highlighting the unique aspects of this programme, Prof Boby George, Head, Department of Medical Sciences and Technology, IIT Madras, said, “With this interdisciplinary approach to improve the healthcare outcomes by leveraging engineering and medical knowledge, new technologies can be developed that monitor vital parameters of various organs, detects signs of disease and help to provide targeted prevention & treatment options. As engineering and medicine continue to converge, the possibilities are endless.”

Online Bachelor of Science programme in Electronic Systems: By expanding its offerings beyond the conventional courses. Embracing inclusivity, the program now welcomes learners of all ages, regardless of their JEE Advanced scores. Delving into the specifics, this innovative four-year online program differs from traditional BTech programs as it is accessible to individuals who have completed Intermediate or its equivalent with Physics and Mathematics. The program's primary objective is to equip professionals for the rapidly emerging electronics manufacturing sector in India.

IIT Guwahati

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati launched an online Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree programme in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence on Coursera. The applications for the BSc (Honours) in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence programme is opened from July 9, 2023 and classes are set to commence in October 2023.

Moreover, a JEE Main score is not mandatory for admission, but candidates who are eligible and have registered for JEE Advanced (in any year) will be granted direct admission. For those who do not have a JEE Advanced registration, they can still gain entry by completing an online course and demonstrating their performance.

IIT Gandhinagar

IIT Gandhinagar introduced a fresh BTech course specialising in Artificial Intelligence. While some subjects overlap with the BTech Computer Science program, the majority of courses are distinct. This four-year full-time undergraduate degree programme is divided into eight semesters. Each semester, candidates will study 6 to 7 core subjects along with elective options.

Admission to all the programmes will be based on the JEE Advanced score. Furthermore, candidates must have successfully completed the class 12 (or equivalent) examination from any recognised state or central board.

IIT Indore

In the current year, IIT-Indore has introduced an extensive range of new courses, encompassing BTech in Engineering Physics, BTech in Mathematics and Computing and BTech in Space Science and Engineering. These courses are set to commence admissions from the 2023 academic session onwards. As per the information provided by the institute, admission to these courses will be based on the JEE Advanced score. Additionally, candidates must have successfully completed the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination from any recognised state or central board.

IIT Hyderabad 

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad has introduced an industry-oriented BTech programme in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. Students pursuing this programme will gain insights into the role of information technology and computer science in comprehending biological data. It is a full-time, four-year undergraduate course consisting of eight semesters. Each semester, candidates will be required to study 7 to 8 subjects. Admission will be based on the JEE Advanced rankings.

For more detailed information about the courses, students can visit the official website of the respective IITs.