The institute offers a large number of Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral programs in Engineering, Science, Design, Liberal Arts and Entrepreneurship & Management. This includes BTech, BDes, MSc, MTech, MA, MDes and PhD. Currently, IIT Hyderabad has 18 departments + 1 Centre for Interdisciplinary Programs + 1 Greenko School of Sustainability.
IIT Hyderabad follows a semester system. An Academic Year (July-April) consists of 2 semesters, each approximately 16 weeks’ duration. The first semester begins in the last week of July / first week of August and ends by the last week of November. The second semester starts in the first week of January and ends by the last week of April /first week of May. A student is required to register the relevant courses listed in the curriculum for that semester.
IIT Hyderabad offers the BTech undergraduate program for students admitted through JEE (Advanced). IITH has implemented a very novel academic program, referred to as, Fractal Academics – the key idea is to atomize courses, provide breadth and depth, emphasize courses in liberal arts as well as creative arts, emphasize project work, and create an interactive learning ambience. A typical 3 credits course leading to 42 lecture hours in a semester. Fractional credits can be 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 having 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 lecture hours, respectively.
The fractal academic program is a novel holistic approach to undergraduate teaching. It has multiple goals among which fostering undergraduate research, interdisciplinary learning and encouraging creativity are the primary ones. In the first year of study, students are introduced right away to a wide gamut of courses not only from the engineering spectrum but also from science and liberal arts. This is aimed at giving the students a flavor of various engineering disciplines in addition to whetting their appetite for the science, creative and liberal arts. In the second year, an in-depth study of the core engineering courses is undertaken. This is designed to firm up the students' foundations in fundamental areas of their chosen branch. In the third year of study, students are encouraged to pick an area of their choice (within their branch) and take relevant elective courses. By the end of the third year, the students are primed to take on challenging research projects. In the final year the interested and eligible students are encouraged to work on research problems. Two common threads run through all four years of study - independent projects and creative/liberal arts courses. Students are required to pursue independent projects to "learn by doing" as well as to explore engineering problems that pique their interests. Through the study of liberal and creative arts, it is hoped that students appreciate non-technical disciplines which in turn should help them become better engineers.
In addition, IIT Hyderabad offers ‘semester long internship’, ‘double major’, ‘minor’, ‘honors’, ‘BTech to MTech conversion’ and ‘BTech to PhD conversion’ subject to fulfilment of eligibility criteria by the department and Institute. It may be noted that the Branch change option is discontinued at IIT Hyderabad.
Semester long internship: IITH Students can earn 6 credits through a semester-long internship at an industry or academic institution.
Double Major: If a student does say 24 extra credits in a given department, he/she can get a double major.
A “Minor” is awarded to a student after completion of twelve credits. In addition to BTech, the student’s performance in a course is continuously evaluated throughout the semesters and culminates in the award of a Grade on a 10-point scale.
Similarly, “Honors” is awarded to a student after completion of twelve credits with a prescribed set of courses and projects in their own academic curriculum.
Conversion to Dual Degree program (BTech to MTech/BTech to PhD): The primary motivation for a dual degree program is to create a win-win proposition for both students and faculty.
Scope and description of courses
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown over the last decade from being a dream to a reality that impacts each one of our lives. While AI began as a sub-area of Computer Science, the last few years have seen a significant broadening of the field that has resulted in AI becoming horizontal across all engineering disciplines. The 4-year BTech program in AI will provide a comprehensive, holistic pedagogy of AI, from mathematical foundations to applications. The curriculum includes related courses from Computer Science (e.g. Machine Learning, Deep Learning), Mathematics (e.g. Linear Algebra, Probability, Statistics, Optimization), Electrical Engineering (e.g. Signal Processing, IoT, Drones, Control Theory), Mechanical Engineering (e.g. Robotics, Industry 4.0) and Biomedical Engineering (e.g. Computational Neuroscience). The foundational courses of Computer Science are part of the curriculum to provide the students with a gateway for future educational opportunities. The program includes a wide choice of advanced elective courses in topics related to AI including mathematical foundations such as statistical learning theory, information theory, kernel methods, AI and Humanity, Generative AI as well as applications such as computer vision, information retrieval, speech processing, natural language processing, and reinforcement learning. The programme also has a provision to credit courses from other disciplines of science, engineering, creative and liberal arts. There are also many opportunities for students to undertake research projects related to AI during the program, as well as opportunities to carry out internships elsewhere as part of the curriculum. Please see https://ai.iith.ac.in/btech-curriculum/index.html for more details.
Gender-based and/or handicap (physical/ neurological)-based restrictions: None
Biomedical Engineering
The Biomedical Engineering at IIT Hyderabad is where the boundaries between disciplines fade for
defining excellence in research and education. BME offers interdisciplinary expertise in addressing the
grand healthcare challenges facing humanity. The department offers engaging and dynamic under-graduate,
graduate and doctoral programs in various focus areas to invigorate the passionate minds. We are a
department with 12 faculties, 10 staff members, 87 undergraduate, 33 post-graduate and around 104 PhD students. The primary
mission of the department is to foster interdisciplinary work of highest quality by bringing together a broad
spectrum of faculty expertise under a single umbrella to focus on research in Biomedical engineering.
The department has expertise and offers courses in the domains of Medical device innovation and design;
3-D Bioprinting; Organ-on-chip and Lab-on-chip; Regenerative medicine using stem cells; Biomedical
Imaging and therapeutics; Bio/neuro-mimetics, Natural and Artificial intelligence in healthcare;
Computational and experimental neurotechnology; healthcare data analytics; Computational and
experimental biomechanics; Nano-biomaterials and nano-medicine; Cancer novel treatment strategy,
Biomedical sensors and transducers, to name a few.
Gender-based and/or handicap (physics/ neurological)-based restrictions: None
Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
The Biotechnology department at IITH started its journey in 2010 and since then we have been continuously acquiring new capabilities and producing brilliant future scientists. We have 17 world-class research laboratories and a dedicated teaching laboratory for students. Over the years, our uniquely formulated and tailored academic programs have attracted the best students. The total number of students in our department is currently 203. Our curriculum provides multifaceted opportunities to the students, including exposure to industrial problems so that we can address critical challenges not only faced by society but also industries which is the first and foremost requirement for "AatmaNirbhar Bharat". We are noted for our 17 excellent faculty members with varied expertise, trained in India and abroad.
The Biotechnology Department offers a 4-year B Tech program in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. This program follows an eight-semester fractal curriculum comprising core courses, department elective courses, seminars, experiments in laboratory, projects and creative/liberal arts courses (as free electives).
The B. Tech. program in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics is an application-based program and trains students for solving biological problems using biological and computational approaches. It aims to provide essential skills in Biotechnology, including molecular cell biology, biochemistry, systems biology, protein engineering, genetic engineering, Immunotechnology and nanobiotechnology. It is also designed to train the student with Bioinformatics skills, including DNA sequence analysis, drug discovery, disease characterization, genomics, proteomics and data analysis. The curriculum also provides an excellent opportunity for the students to take courses from different departments such as computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, physics and chemistry in the first two semesters. Apart from the regular BTech curriculum, students will have an opportunity to increase their depth in the subject by undertaking elective courses from any other departments, including Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Material Science. Students also have a wonderful opportunity to get a minor in areas of their interest, outside the department, like entrepreneurship, computer science, etc., by completing 12 credits. The Biotechnology and Bioinformatics program prepares the students for a career in academia and industry related to life science, healthcare, biotechnology, medical coding, data science, Pharma and bioinformatics.
Gender-based and/or handicap (physics/ neurological)-based restrictions: None
Chemical Engineering
The main goal of the department is to create the next generation of chemical engineers who are capable of solving the technological challenges faced by modern society. The carefully tailored undergraduate curriculum prepares a student to take up industry jobs or graduate studies. The undergraduate program covers subject areas from core chemical engineering, advanced electives in chemical engineering, free electives from allied engineering disciplines, laboratory experiments, basic sciences, soft skills and topics from creative & liberal arts.
The holistic pedagogy that is followed in our academic programs provides our graduates with the skills to take up challenges of modern society in an informed way. Several of our alumni are placed in reputed chemical and allied industries. Many of our alumni are also pursuing graduate studies in globally renowned universities across the world. Our outstanding student-to faculty ratio facilitates personalized teaching and research guidance. We strive to create an environment that enables students to identify and pursue their professional goals with integrity and an eye for excellence.
Gender based and/or handicap (physical/neurological)-based restrictions: None
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a fundamental discipline that directly influences the development and well-being of society. It encompasses the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure critical to daily life, including buildings, transportation systems, water supply networks, and environmental management. The close relationship between civil engineering and society is evident in how engineered solutions address public needs, enhance safety, and improve quality of life.
Recent advancements in civil engineering have significantly impacted various sectors. In structural engineering, innovations such as high-performance materials, earthquake-resistant designs, and smart building technologies have enhanced the durability and resilience of infrastructure. Transportation engineering has benefited from intelligent transportation systems, sustainable urban mobility plans, and advanced traffic management, all aimed at improving efficiency and reducing congestion.
Water resources engineering has seen progress through improved water treatment processes, sustainable drainage systems, and integrated watershed management, ensuring access to clean water and mitigating flood risks. Environmental engineering advancements focus on waste management, pollution control, and renewable energy integration, promoting sustainability and protecting ecosystems. In geotechnical engineering, developments in soil stabilization techniques, ground improvement methods, and advanced geotechnical instrumentation have increased the safety and reliability of foundations and earth structures.
In conclusion, civil engineering remains intricately connected to societal advancement by providing essential infrastructure and embracing innovative technologies. Its continuous evolution across structural, transportation, water, environmental, and geotechnical domains reflects a commitment to building safer, more sustainable, and resilient communities.
Gender-based and/or handicap (physical/neurological)-based restrictions: None
Computational Engineering
Modern industry uses computer modelling in almost all aspects of product and process development, be it in the designing of modern aircraft or discovering a new medicine. These computer modelling software and methodology use advanced mathematics, numerical methods and algorithmic approaches. The BTech program in Computational Engineering aims to produce graduate engineers who will have the expertise in using modern computational methods for a wide variety of industrial applications. The program will train students capable in using computer modelling and simulation tools for these engineering applications.
Computational Engineering is envisaged to be an interdisciplinary BTech program. The curriculum consists of four important components: (a) Applied Mathematics, (b) Core Engineering, (c) Data Structures & Analytics and (d) Computational Applications. Through these four pillars of the program, the student will gain proficiency not only to use the various engineering methodologies, but also get trained in some of the important aspects of core engineering so that the bridge between computational solutions and physical principles is established. The Core Engineering and Applied Mathematics courses are designed to give a broad understanding of the general engineering principles. The depth in the curriculum is achieved by introducing the students to various computational methods that include fundamentals in scientific computing, data structure and its analysis and the application of computational tools. The graduates from this program are expected to be employed in a wide variety of engineering and consultancy firms that use computational methodologies to design products and processes.
Gender-based and/or handicap (physics/ neurological)-based restrictions: None
Computer Science and Engineering
The 4-year B. Tech. program in the dept. of CSE seeks to lay a strong foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of computing. Fundamental courses with theoretical and mathematical underpinnings like discrete mathematics, algorithms and their analyses, data structures, theory of automata, formal languages and computation are offered in the initial years. These courses also emphasize on practical applications of the rich theory and mathematics in computer science. This knowledge dovetails well into systems courses that emphasize on the practical and engineering aspects, such as architectures of computers, programming languages, compiler design, operating systems, and design of databases, computer networks and application software.
The program includes a choice of advanced elective courses in each of the above topics, as well as in areas such as machine learning, computer vision, big-data analytics, wireless networks and mobile computing. The program also has a provision to credit courses from other disciplines of science, engineering, creative as well as liberal arts.
Gender-based and/or handicap (physical/ neurological)-based restrictions: None
Electrical Engineering/ Electrical Engineering (IC Design & Technology)
The department offers a four-year Bachelor of Technology (BTech) program. The eight semester fractal curriculum comprises core courses, department elective courses, free electives, seminar, experiments in laboratory, projects and creative/liberal arts courses. The fractal program offers unprecedented flexibility so that the students can undertake various elective courses that provide exposure in various disciplines of EE such as Communications and Signal Processing, Microelectronics and VLSI design, Power Electronics and Power System, Control System and Embedded Systems. The undergraduate students can also undertake various research projects through BTech projects. More details about undergraduate research opportunities are given in the website.
Apart from the normal BTech curriculum, students have an opportunity to increase their depth in Electrical Engineering by undertaking additional courses. By completing 12 credits from a broad list of prescribed courses, a student can earn Honors in Electrical Engineering. Students can also get a minor in areas of their interest, outside the department, like entrepreneurship, computer science, etc. by completing 12 credits in their area of interest.
Gender based and/or handicap (physical/neurological)-based restrictions: None
Engineering Physics
Physics has been central to technological development as it can be seen from day to day life. A lot of developments took place in the past few decades which promise to change the face of technology in the coming years. But to understand and appreciate these developments and to translate these to technology, it is very essential to grasp the fundamental principles of Physics. The Engineering Physics course at IIT Hyderabad aims to provide students basic understanding in Physics in terms of offering various basic level courses coupled with hands-on training. In addition, the curriculum also contains Engineering courses, across departments which provide the bridge between engineering and technology. Moreover, the liberal art and creative art courses inculcate the capability in the students to express the ideas more effectively to the community. The curriculum is designed to provide students the depth needed to understand the advanced level physics courses followed by various courses such as, quantum mechanics, mathematical physics, statistical mechanics, condensed matter physics, particle physics, computational methods, laser technology, accelerator physics and photonics etc. In addition to these, advanced level courses on various research fields are offered. The Engineering Physics course is a real concoction of fundamental Physics and applied sciences and technology courses, which can ignite young minds to be driven towards creativity and innovation for new age technologies.
The Engineering Physics program prepares students to face all kinds of challenging careers in industry, advanced study in engineering, science, and technology and in academia.
Gender-based and/or handicap (physics/ neurological)-based restrictions: None
Engineering Science
Engineering Science is a unique interdisciplinary B.Tech program started at IIT Hyderabad for the first time in 2012. It focuses on the ‘T-EDUCATION’ model where the horizontal line in T corresponds to breadth while the vertical line corresponds to the depth. The curriculum is designed such that for the first two years of this program students take courses from different departments such as Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Material Science, Math, Physics and Chemistry. Later, eligible students will be given the option to select their core branch in the third year as per their preference and continue to specialize in them. The core options could be either Sciences or Engineering stream as it is left to the student choice. This ‘T’ based model gives a holistic perspective in engineering education. It is believed that the graduates from this program will excel in any organization because of their strong multidisciplinary background. However, if a student wishes he/she can continue in ES for four years. All the faculties in Engineering Science Program are adjunct faculties drawn from various branches. 10% of the existing batch will be permitted to enter in one particular specialization after completion of second year. However, there will be no cap on number of students continuing with four-year ES program.
Industrial Chemistry
The chemical industry of India is a major contributor to the Indian economy, contributing 7% of the country's GDP. The market size for the production of agrochemicals, fertilizers, and petrochemical sectors in India currently stands at US$178 billion and is expected to grow to US$400 billion by 2030. These fast-growing chemical/petrochemical industries have an excessive demand for dedicated chemists/engineers with expertise in industrial skills to work on novel research and technological developments. The expertise to work in Industrial Chemistry has to transcend beyond the realm of a Chemistry Lab and focus on an application-oriented practical approach with sound knowledge of both engineering and fundamental Chemistry. Department of Chemistry has designed a unique 4-year B. Tech Program in Industrial Chemistry with particular emphasis on producing the finest graduate students with adequate knowledge of Chemistry and Technology to work in various chemical industries, such as pharma and drug design, polymer industry, green hydrogen, batteries, petrochemical industries, AI/ML in chemistry, and several industries in energy science.
The BTech program in Industrial Chemistry aims to promote academic excellence in solving Industrial Chemistry problems and provide the stimulus to students to excel in higher education, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in academia and industry. This BTech program offered by the Chemistry Department at IITH is a perfect blend of advanced experimental/computational research, industry exposure, and co-curricular activities, offering vibrant experiences to budding engineers for various chemical industries. This program is expected to bridge the gap between Chemistry and Industry; this would be accomplished through training in current topics like green chemistry, materials for energy and environment, drug design and development, biochemistry, nanochemistry, machine learning, and computer simulations in Chemistry. Such an all-around training in basic and applied chemistry will also enable them to handle any challenging, real-world chemistry-oriented problems.
Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering
Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering (MSME) is an interdisciplinary field at the confluence of science and engineering. It focuses on the discovery, design, synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of materials for a wide range of applications—an approach encapsulated by the materials paradigm.
As a rapidly evolving and expanding discipline, MSME constantly updates its curriculum to incorporate the latest advances in both fundamental research and technological innovation. At IIT Hyderabad, the department offers a dynamic blend of teaching and research encompassing structural, functional, and computational domains of materials science and engineering.
The B.Tech. program in MSME equips students with a rigorous grounding in core concepts while nurturing a strong awareness of emerging multidisciplinary frontiers.
The curriculum at IITH stands out for its emphasis on both depth and flexibility with:
• a broad set of department electives that introduces students to trending and high-impact areas in materials science and metallurgical engineering
• a wide range of free electives that enable cross-disciplinary learning and specialization across departments
• project-based coursework and guided research, wherein students gain hands-on exposure to cutting-edge scientific tools and advanced facilities.
Graduates of the program are well-prepared for research, industry, and higher education, with a well-rounded perspective and technical agility. The department is committed to fostering an inclusive and intellectually stimulating environment that supports the holistic development of every student.
Gender based and/or handicap (physical/neurological)-based restrictions: None
Mathematics and Computing
The curriculum is designed in a unique way to nurture future industry professionals and scientists. There are three stages of the curriculum. Students do introductory mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, and bio-engineering courses in the first stage. The program also begins with courses on programming and skill development such as English communication, introduction to entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and creative arts electives.
The second stage is a phase of nurturing students to make them multiskilled both for industry and academics. During the 3rd to 5th semesters, the program covers the core foundational courses related to pure and applied aspects of Mathematics, Statistics and Computing from Maths, AI, CSE and EE Departments. The blend of carefully selected theoretical, applicable, and computing courses enable students to choose the career they wish to pursue.
The third stage is all about exploration. The dream career that students decide to pursue by the end of the second stage begins from the 6th semester. The exploratory nature comes from the fact that 38 credits out of 46 credits from the 6th to 8th semesters come in electives. Students have 12 credits of free elective courses to choose from any department in the institute. The students have an option of a semester-long Industry project in the 6th semester. Department also offers credited research projects for two semesters in this stage up to a total of 6 credits.
Upon successfully completing the Mathematics and Computing program, students will be able to pursue the dream of industry professionals. This program also provides an opportunity for higher education in Mathematics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence etc. in world-class universities.
Gender based and/or handicap (physical/neurological)-based restrictions: None
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is the broadest and most versatile of engineering disciplines and is concerned with designing, developing, manufacturing and controlling systems for human use that have moving parts as well as developing and delivering the energy needed for them to operate effectively. Founded on classical subjects like Mechanics of Solids and Fluids, Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Manufacturing and Design, the field gives entry into the design, analysis and manufacturing of automobiles, aircrafts, rockets, ships, thermal power-plants, robots and inter- disciplinary areas like aerospace and defense, energy and environment, earth and planetary sciences, nuclear energy, biomechanics, renewables and alternate energy. The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at IITH is one of the largest departments having 38 faculty members specializing in diverse fields of Additive Manufacturing, Drone Design, Smart Robotics and Automation, Alternative energy and Fuels, Nanomaterials and Nanoscale Systems among others.
The B Tech program in Mechanical Engineering at IIT Hyderabad is designed to provide students with state-of-the-art and industry relevant training in Mechanical Engineering to cater to the dynamics needs of modern industry as well as prepare them for higher studies in India and abroad. The curriculum has a healthy mix of hands-on labs and skill development courses along with numerical modelling and simulation courses so as to prepare the students through all the stages of the mechanical product design process. Students can also choose Minors in Robotics or Aerospace Engineering as Departmental specializations to further enhance their skill set. Incoming students also have the option to join research groups led by faculty and engage in B Tech research in some of the advanced areas of Mechanical Engineering.
Gender-based and/or handicap (physics/ neurological)-based restrictions: None