Applying to IIT Madras’ BS Data Science Program : A Comprehensive Guide for both JEE and Non-JEE Applicants

Eligibility Criteria for International Students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras

Renowned for its exceptional engineering education, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has consistently ranked at the pinnacle of engineering institutions in India since its inception in 2016, as per the Ministry of Education's National Institutional Ranking Framework.

IIT Madras is currently inviting applications for its BS program in Data Science, a pioneering initiative introduced in 2020, where admission is granted without the necessity of passing the national competitive exam, JEE.

Prospective students interested in this program can initiate their application process through the provided link:

https://study.iitm.ac.in/ds/

A stable internet connection is imperative for attending classes, and participation in quizzes and exams at designated centers is mandatory for each semester.

Eligibility criteria for the IIT Madras BS Program in Data Science encompass completion of Class 12 from a recognized board, regardless of age or prior educational qualifications. Even students in Class 11 are eligible for enrollment, irrespective of their board or stream.

Candidates meeting the eligibility requisites can promptly apply for admission to the program. The application process entails filling out a straightforward form and payment of an application fee.

Two entry pathways are available:

1. Regular Entry: Open to all applicants, irrespective of background.

2. JEE-based Entry: Candidates eligible to sit for the current JEE Advanced Exam are granted direct enrollment to the Foundational level.

To apply for the Foundational Level, regular entry candidates must undergo the Qualifier Process, which includes four weeks of lectures, assignments, and live sessions in each of the four foundational level courses: English I, Maths I, Statistics I, and Computational Thinking. Submission of assignments for grading is mandatory, and upon completion of the four-week tenure, candidates will sit for a qualifying exam based on the course content learned.

Qualification Process Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to appear for the Qualifier Exam, candidates must meet specific criteria. The scoring method involves calculating the average of the top two out of the top three assignment scores for each course. Only candidates who achieve the minimum average assignment score across all four courses listed below will qualify to take the Qualifier Exam:

1. English I courses

2. Maths I courses

3. Statistics I courses

4. Computational Thinking courses

JEE-Based Entry Procedure

For candidates entering through the JEE-based pathway, verification of their JEE Advanced proof by IIT Madras authorities is mandatory. Upon verification, candidates can directly enroll in foundation-level courses.

Following enrollment, candidates are required to pay the course fees to register for specific courses, namely English I, Maths I, Statistics I, and Computational Thinking. Depending on their study requirements, candidates can choose to enroll in one, two, three, or all four courses.

Access to course content is granted only upon registration. Once registered, candidates can proceed with the program as full-time students, even if concurrently enrolled in another college or pursuing another degree.

Eligibility for International Students

The BS program in Data Science at IIT Madras is open to students from various countries, irrespective of their nation of origin. Prospective students from the following countries are eligible for this program:

1. UAE - Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi

2. Sri Lanka - Colombo, Jaffna

3. Bahrain - Manama

4. Kuwait - Salmiya

5. Oman - Muscat

Students from these countries must sit for exams at designated exam centers approximately once a month for in-country exams.

Additionally, irrespective of nationality, candidates can gain admission to the program through remotely proctored exams.

For any further inquiries regarding admission, students can reach out via email to:

ge@onlinedegree.iitm.ac.in

Over 2,500 students enrolled in the BS program in Data Science have secured placements in prestigious companies.

The application window for the BS Program in Data Science opened on February 26, 2024, and will close on May 26, 2024.

A staggering count of over 27,000 students have been admitted to the IIT Madras BS Program in Data Science. Classes are conducted online, with examinations held across 150 centers nationally and internationally, breaking geographical and age barriers to provide quality education.

Through fee waivers and other forms of assistance, the program ensures equitable access to education for socially and economically disadvantaged communities.

More than 850 students have been accepted into MSc and PhD programs at esteemed universities such as Cornell University and the Georgia Institute of Technology in the US, as well as Aalto University in Finland. Some students have successfully transitioned from their original disciplines to pursue careers as Computer Scientists or Data Scientists.

For female students with an annual family income below Rs 5 lakh and male students with an annual income of Rs 1 lakh, the entire fee is waived. This initiative is made possible through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support from companies like Verizon, Renault Nissan, HSBC, Tata AIA, Sutherland, LTTS, L&T Thales, Dun & Bradstreet, Walmart, among others, along with contributions from private individuals and support from various Government Scholarship Schemes. Over 3,645 students have benefited from these provisions, allowing them to concentrate solely on their academic pursuits without financial constraints hindering their progress.

"The inaugural cohort of the 4-year BS degree program is yet to complete their journey and graduate, but their early achievements are already remarkable," noted Professor Andrew Thangaraj, Professor-In-Charge of BS (Data Science and Applications). "From securing admissions into esteemed universities to securing valuable research and internship opportunities with reputable companies, their accomplishments speak volumes about their potential and the program's quality."

Professor Vignesh Muthuvijayan, also Professor-In-Charge of BS (Data Science and Applications), highlighted the program's integration of multiple exit options, empowering students to acquire necessary skills at each level and pursue their desired goals effectively. "Moreover, its holistic approach, encompassing project-based assignments, research projects, academic competitions, and leadership roles within student communities, enhances the educational experience and cultivates valuable skills among participants."

The BS team at IIT Madras is actively enhancing opportunities for high-achieving students. Collaborating with various top-tier institutes, they facilitate BS candidates to attend courses on their campuses and credit these towards the program. This initiative fosters face-to-face interaction with faculty and opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, the program has established positions for teaching assistants and mentors who provide academic support to students. These teaching assistants and mentors are offered hostel accommodation at IIT Madras for the duration of their work.For female students with an annual family income below Rs 5 lakh and male students with an annual income of Rs 1 lakh, the entire fee is waived. This initiative is made possible through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support from companies like Verizon, Renault Nissan, HSBC, Tata AIA, Sutherland, LTTS, L&T Thales, Dun & Bradstreet, Walmart, among others, along with contributions from private individuals and support from various Government Scholarship Schemes. Over 3,645 students have benefited from these provisions, allowing them to concentrate solely on their academic pursuits without financial constraints hindering their progress.

"The inaugural cohort of the 4-year BS degree program is yet to complete their journey and graduate, but their early achievements are already remarkable," noted Professor Andrew Thangaraj, Professor-In-Charge of BS (Data Science and Applications). "From securing admissions into esteemed universities to securing valuable research and internship opportunities with reputable companies, their accomplishments speak volumes about their potential and the program's quality."

Professor Vignesh Muthuvijayan, also Professor-In-Charge of BS (Data Science and Applications), highlighted the program's integration of multiple exit options, empowering students to acquire necessary skills at each level and pursue their desired goals effectively. "Moreover, its holistic approach, encompassing project-based assignments, research projects, academic competitions, and leadership roles within student communities, enhances the educational experience and cultivates valuable skills among participants."

The BS team at IIT Madras is actively enhancing opportunities for high-achieving students. Collaborating with various top-tier institutes, they facilitate BS candidates to attend courses on their campuses and credit these towards the program. This initiative fosters face-to-face interaction with faculty and opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, the program has established positions for teaching assistants and mentors who provide academic support to students. These teaching assistants and mentors are offered hostel accommodation at IIT Madras for the duration of their work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1) Who is eligible for the BS Data Science program at IIT Madras?

Students from any geographical location are eligible to apply for the BS in Data Science offered by IIT Madras. The age of applicants must fall between 17 to 81 years.

2) Is the IIT Madras BS Data Science program online or offline?

The BS Data Science program at IIT Madras is exclusively designed as an online program and does not offer an offline mode of study.

3) Which is preferable, BSc in Computer Science or BSc in Data Science?

If you thrive on innovation, a career in computer science might be more suitable. However, if you excel in analysis, research, and drawing conclusions from data, then data science could be the ideal choice for you.

4) Who typically earns more, a Chartered Accountant (CA) or a data scientist?

According to TeamLease’s latest report, a data scientist with five years of experience can earn up to Rs 75,000 per annum, whereas a CA may earn only Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000 per year, and an engineer Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 per year.

5) Can I find employment after completing a BS in data science?

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Data Science can pursue careers in various fields such as Data Analytics, Data Engineering, and Database Administration. They find opportunities in industries like Business, Marketing, Health Care, Transportation, and e-Commerce.

6) Which specialization in data science offers the highest salary?

Specializations in data science that typically offer high salaries include roles such as data analyst, data scientist, and machine learning engineer. There are abundant lucrative career prospects within the field of data science