IIT Madras: Powerhouse of innovation

This course curriculum is designed to be quite relevant and in a comprehensive manner based on practical and real world approaches. The course is quite flexible allowing the students to balance learning with other commitments, which attracts students from all parts of the country. The course offers subjects which include a number of assignments and projects which are directly applicable to real world problems, making the students industry-ready. I just believe the course could incorporate more coding sessions or group projects to improve peer learning and management. There are multiple practice papers given at the end of each week's module, mockes are conducted before each exam which covers 4 weeks each. Online proctored exams are conducted for the coding subjects which help us to properly understand and apply the subject knowledge in the right manner.

The BS program provides the students a variety of internship opportunities through IIT Madras' Industry Collaboration Program. Companies that offer internships to IITM BS students include Aditya Birla group , SymphonyAI ,Trinity, Kyro, Tiger Analytics etc. They provide roles in data analysis, software development and machine learning research to the students. The stipends differs from company to company. For data analysis, students analyse large datsets to derive insights, automate reporting or build a predictive model for the companies to improve their decision making processes. For ML projects, the interns fine tune algorithms for automation, fraud detection or recommendation system. They get a hands-on experience with tensorflow,R or python through these projects. For Software Development Internships, students work on building applications, or develop features for existing platforms , which often results in live contributions to company's software products.

IITM BS program is an online course so it does follow a traditional placement model. However, the institute is making a lot of efforts to enhance the employability of its students through various means. Students become eligible for internships, placements once they complete either of their diplomas, i.e when they can start sitting for the mock interviews and preparation rounds offered by our placement council. We have a student placement council which approaches the potential employers, and bring in the right opportunities for its students. They conduct various interaction talks by different experts for the guidance of students, and for them to setup a good skilled portfolio for themselves which help them get the right opportunities. The average package offered to the students ranges from 10 to 15 lakhs, depending upon the students portfolio and company profile. A good number of students get placed as there is a high demand for data science skills across industries.

This is the breakup of fees for different years: Foundation level(1st yr) - Rs 32,000 Diploma level (2nd yr) - 2 * 62500 = Rs 1,25,000[there are 2 diplomas] Bsc degree(3rd yr) - Rs 70,000 BS degree(4th yr) - Rs 1,24,000 Also, they charge 200 rupees activity fees every term Rest they give fee waivers depending on different family income slabs and different categories. All in all they provide a fee waiver of 50% - 75% to those in need of it, as in they verify the required documents. Application fees(category based): General - Rs 3000 SC/ST/PWD(>=40% disability) - Rs 1500 SC/ST with PWD - Rs 750

As this BS program offered by IITM is fully online, we just get to participate in the on campus fests like shaastra , paradox , sarang ,etc. IITM has a central library that offers a vast collection of books,journals and research papers. we,online students get access to many digital journals and e-books ,providing study support. The online program is designed with interactive tools,recorded lectures,and quizzes for an engaging learning,Live coding environments are integrated into platform to simulate a good learning experience. BS students get to participate in various sports events organized in fests and the campus has an excellent sport facilities from cricket,football,tennis and indoor games like chess. There are various online portals and forums where students can interact,discuss assignments, attend workshops and group discussions,share resources.

I had applied to delhi university othern than this course. I did get an admission there but i was more inclined towards polishing and learning analytical skills which would help me in my future plans. I left it because IITM was offering such an amzing course at an affordable fees with a flexible curriculum. Also, the thing which attracts the crowd towards the course is the point that we'll be an alumni of IITM without appearing for JEE. Anyone can apply for this course, including woking professional,graduates,11th & 12th school students and post graduates,etc. It has a simple admission exam called the qualifier exam and it is conducted thrice in a year. They teach four subjects i.e statisitcs, computational thinking, maths and english for 4 weeks and then conduct the exam on the basis of whatever has been taught by them. It is an easy admission procedure making it student-friedly.

The faculty is quite good and experienced. They have an amazing way of teaching and explaining things. We get the recorded lectures and live sessions are also conducted. As far as approaching for doubts is concerned, we have a discourse forum and our queries get resolved as soon as possible. In a term, which is roughly of 3 months include two quizzes and one end term, all of these are conduted in the CBT mode at different exam centers. The exam level depends on the subject most of the time. But at a general level, they are moderate. Our instructors and TAs conducts various session before our exams to make sure we have all our queries resolved and also take up revision & PYQ sessions.