HIGHLIGHTS

• Students can credit an 8-month apprenticeship with companies or research institutes in their final year.

• Course catalogue includes – Data Visualization Design, Reinforcement Learning, Industry 4.0, and Algorithmic Thinking in Bioinformatics.

• The last date to apply is August 19, 2022 for the September 2022 term.

• Students who complete the 4-year BS can appear for GATE and pursue an MTech in India, apply for postgraduate degrees internationally.

• Class 12 students can also apply and secure admission.

Ranking number 1 in India, IIT – Madras has introduced a viable degree program for candidates without a JEE score. The course offers multifold of eccentricities with multiple entry-exit options via a BS degree in Data Science and programming, the sexiest job of 21^st century (Erik and McAfee). Encapsulating the Bachelor of Science (BS) level, students can do an 8-month apprenticeship or a project with companies or research institutes.

The exit options include a certification, a diploma, and/or a degree. This enhanced pliancy provides students myriad number of choices where they can pursue a degree in Data Visualization Design, Reinforcement Learning, Industry 4.0, and Algorithmic Thinking in Bioinformatics. The students in class 12^th currently can also enroll for this program. On the quirky side, students from any stream can enroll for this program and the declaration contains no age limit whatsoever. The classes are conducted online and hence there is no geographical obligation. Students who completed English and Mathematics in class 10^th are eligible to apply for the course.

The current enrollment numbers sky up to 13,000 students with majority from Tamil Nadu, followed by Maharashtra. In the lines, “The institute is happy to offer this well-designed, contemporary BS in Data Science and Applications degree, which provides access to IIT quality education in an inclusive manner to learners across the country. Data Science is one of the emerging topics. This is a highly employment-oriented program in a domain where the demand is high for skilled resources.”, Prof V Kamakoti (Director of IIT – Madras) laid down the importance of the program. Furthermore, the professor in charge of the Data Science and Applications at IIT – Madras, Prof Andrew Thangaraj said, “As Data Science is a multidisciplinary domain, this BS degree from IIT Madras is open for students from all backgrounds. Students who are pursuing commerce or humanities can also earn a degree from IIT Madras. As content delivery is online and the in-person exams are conducted on Sundays, this degree can also be pursued while attending an on-campus degree or while working full-time.”

This kind of program allows students to study at one of the best Engineering institutions in India without the compliance of going through a bottle-neck competitive exam such as Joint Entrance Examination. The direct impact of this program lays foundation in the rural areas where students can’t afford the expensive amenity of JEE coaching classes. This program offers up to 100% tuition Scholarship which is both need and academic based.

Further, Dr. Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Professor In-Charge, BS in Data Science and Applications, IIT Madras, said, “Admission to the BS program does not require qualifying JEE. Unlike any other entrance exam, the qualifying process for this program is very inclusive. The state-of-the-art pedagogy enables IIT Madras to admit all qualified candidates without any restriction on the numbers. With generous scholarships, IIT Madras has created one of the most inclusive models in the country.”

IIT Madras BS program is a rejuvenating opportunity which will accelerate the approach towards the higher studies and incite possible change in people’s perspective towards going to their ‘dream’ college. The IIT madras team is confident that this program will be a viable and exhilarating opportunity for anyone who believes that their love of the life is Science!

Deadline for applications for the September 2022 term is 19th August, 2022. You can apply through : https://onlinedegree.iitm.ac.in/

Works Cited

Brynjolfsson, Andrew McAfee and Erik. “Data Scientist: The Sexiest Job of the 21st Century.” Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2022, https://hbr.org/2012/10/data-scientist-the-sexiest-job-of-the-21st-century.

“IIT-Madras Offers 4-Year Degree in BS Programming and Data Science; JEE Score Not Required.” The Indian Express, 2 Aug. 2022, https://indianexpress.com/article/education/iit-madras-offers-4-year-degree-option-in-bsc-programming-and-data-science-jee-score-not-required-8063544/.