The Institute offers high-quality academic programs leading to B.Tech., B.S. and Dual Degree programs in thirteen disciplines; B.S. in Medical Sciences and Engineering, B.S. in Chemistry; M.Sc. in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics; M.Tech. in several advanced streams; M.B.A, E.M.B.A; M.A. (in Economics, Development Studies, and English Studies), and research degrees through the M.S. and Ph.D. programs and online B.S. in Data Science and Applications degree, with an exit option for a B.Sc. in Programming and Data Science, B.S. in Electronic Systems degrees through its technology, engineering, science, management, and humanities and social sciences departments. Students seeking a wholesome, academically rigorous, intellectually challenging, personally enriching and value-laden educational experience have for long found IIT Madras an ideal Institute for pursuing their higher studies.
The four-year B.Tech./B.S. and the five-year dual degree (B.Tech. + M.Tech.) programmes consist of an amalgamation of core courses in the chosen engineering/science discipline along with courses in basic sciences, humanities and practical engineering skills. Laboratory courses and an industry internship give students a platform to test the fundamentals acquired in the classroom. The Institute follows a policy of relative grading and continuous assessment done through class tests, assignments and examinations. The curriculum of the five-year dual degree programme is common with the four-year programme for the first three years, after which electives are offered based on the chosen M.Tech. specialization.
The design of the undergraduate curriculum at IIT Madras and course-work requirements in both programs is designed to be highly flexible, with various stream-specializations within each program. Electives constitute nearly 50% of the curriculum at IIT Madras, which also allow students to take courses across different Departments. Students would also have the option of upgrading to a 5-year Dual degree program (i.e. getting an additional MTech or M.S. degree).
Honours Programme
Students admitted to IIT Madras in four-year B.Tech. or five-year dual degree programmes can opt for B.Tech. (Honours) during fifth semester.
They should have a minimum CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 8.5 (on a scale of 10), and should have cleared all the courses as prescribed in the curriculum in the first attempt. In addition, B.Tech. (Honours) students must complete additional courses specified and a project. Dual degree students who meet the above criteria will be awarded B.Tech. (Honours) and M.Tech. /B.S. (Honours) and M.S. degrees.
Programme Description
With focus on research and development, in the complex changing scenario of today’s industry, IITM curriculum constantly reflects key trends and emerging areas of interest. The curriculum is reviewed regularly and changes are incorporated to enable IITM students to be well-prepared for the future. The greatest strengths of the IITM curriculum are its academic rigor and the variety it offers one to pursue one’s interest in diverse disciplines ranging from engineering, technology, pure sciences, management, and humanities and social sciences including economics, sociology, philosophy, development studies and literature. Interdisciplinary learning is encouraged and achieved through the policy of giving students freedom in choosing their electives and minor streams. The curriculum, pedagogy and the atmosphere together infuse in our students a strong spirit of inquiry, the joys of learning, and the excitement of discovery.
Credits
(i) One credit indicates an effort of 50 minutes (1 credit-hour) per working week.
(ii) One credit-hour of lecture is assumed to need two credit-hours (1 hour 40 minutes) outside the class room in terms of student effort to thoroughly comprehend the subject material, do the home works etc. Thus, a course with 3 lectures a week will be a 3+(3 x 2)=9 credit course, indicating that a student needs to put in 9 credit-hours (7 hours 30 minutes) of work a week on this course, inside and outside the classroom put together.
(iii) A one credit-hour supervised session with no effort required outside should count for one credit. Thus, an afternoon (2 hours 30 minutes) laboratory session, where the student runs an experiment, collects data, interprets it and writes a report should be awarded 3 credits. If a laboratory course requires effort outside of the allotted 2.5 hour slot, appropriate credit should be awarded (1 credit for 1 credit-hour, i.e., 50 minutes). In the same vein, a 1 credit-hour tutorial session should be awarded 1 credit, if no work is expected outside.
The number of credits for various programmes of study are given below:
B.Tech./B.S : Minimum credits - 400 ± 2
B.Tech. (Honours) : Minimum credits - 400 ± 2 + 27 credits (36 for
Computer Science)
DD [B.Tech. + M.Tech.] : 520 ± 2 (Including IDDD program 520 ± 2 credits)
DD[B.Tech.(Honours)+M.Tech.] : 547±2 including IDDD (556 ± 2 for B.Tech Honours
Computer Science & M.Tech /IDDD)
Inter-disciplinary Dual Degree programmes (ID-DD) The Institute also offers ‘Inter-disciplinary Dual Degree programmes’ (ID-DD) in the following areas:
1. Advanced Materials and Nano Technology
2. Biomedical Engineering
3. Computational Engineering
4. Data Science
5. Energy Systems
6. Robotics
7. Tech M.B.A
8. Quantum Science and Technology
9. Complex Systems & Dynamics
10. Cyber Physical Systems
11. Electric Vehicles
12. Quantitative Finance
13. Atmospheric & Climate Sciences
14. Public Policy
ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES – IIT Madras (in detail)
Ø AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme
Aerospace engineers are concerned with the design, analysis, construction, testing and operation of flight vehicles, including airplanes, helicopters, rockets and spacecraft. The core programme is based on the fundamentals of fluid dynamics, materials science, structural analysis, propulsion, flight controls and guidance, and aerospace design. The curriculum also includes courses in basic sciences, basic engineering and humanities, along with flexibility to choose from a basket of post-graduate professional and free electives. An optional individual engineering project in the final year is also available.
Five-Year Dual-Degree Programme (B.Tech. and M.Tech.)
The dual-degree is an integrated programme in Aerospace Engineering that revolves around the design, analysis, construction, testing and operation of flight vehicles, including airplanes, helicopters, rockets and spacecraft. The core programme is based on the fundamentals of fluid dynamics, materials science, structural analysis, propulsion, flight controls and guidance, and aerospace design. The curriculum also includes courses in basic sciences, basic engineering and humanities, along with flexibility to choose from a basket of professional and free electives. A number of M.Tech. - level electives are available for further specialization in one of the above areas. Teams of dual degree students also go through a flagship design course over one year (6th and 7th semesters) that involves design, development, fabrication and demonstration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This is a course that synthesizes the theoretical concepts learnt in the courses related to aerodynamics, aircraft structures and flight mechanics to realize the UAV hardware. Furthermore, students carry out a fourteen-month guided project in their area of interest, and can avail modern experimental and computational facilities of the department and the Institute for their project work.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research programme, laboratories and infrastructure facility and various department level student activities please visit http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/
Ø APPLIED MECHANICS & BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Applied Mechanics & Biomedical Engineering has been at the forefront of interdisciplinary research ever since the inception of IIT Madras in 1959. The department is now launching the following two ground breaking interdisciplinary B.Tech programs
🔹 B.Tech in Computational Engineering & Mechanics (CEM)
🔹 B.Tech in Instrumentation & Biomedical Engineering (iBME)
with admissions starting July 2025. These cutting-edge programs, meticulously designed in collaboration with global industry, leading academic experts, and our well-placed IITM alumni, will equip students with a strong systems approach to problem solving, blending core engineering principles with the latest technological advancements. These programs will prepare the graduates for leadership roles in solving complex real-world challenges both in academia and industry. With a future-focused curriculum, these programs will redefine engineering education and empower the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
Both programs offer students the opportunity to upgrade to the 5 year Dual Degree (B.Tech+M.Tech) through the Interdisciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD) programs, three of which - (a) Computational Engineering, (b) Biomedical Engineering and (c) Complex Systems & Dynamics - are coordinated by department faculty.
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme in Computational Engineering & Mechanics
CEM prepares students for future digital engineering careers—where physical systems converge with computational intelligence. This unique program blends a learning of classical engineering knowledge with modern computational tools, to position the graduate to address tomorrow’s complex, real-world engineering challenges. This program integrates state-of-art computational methods, including machine learning, data science and high performance computing along with foundational training in solid and fluid mechanics, core electrical engineering (circuits, signals, and embedded systems), material science, and dynamics. This powerful combination enables students to simulate, analyze, design and experiment physical systems across scales. This training opens the graduate to high-impact careers in the industry ranging from aerospace, robotics, automotive, and manufacturing, to emerging areas like digital twin design, smart infrastructure and sustainable energy. The program offers an excellent launchpad for graduates aspiring to shape the future of engineering and technology either in industry or academia, by becoming equipped to take leadership roles in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, in this era of intelligent and computationally driven engineering solutions.
Explore how CEM can fuel your aspirations at https://apm.iitm.ac.in/pages/new_program.
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme in Instrumentation & Biomedical Engineering
The iBME program trains students to develop next-generation medical devices by integrating core Biomedical Engineering with strong foundations in electrical and instrumentation engineering. Its unique structure blends foundational engineering courses with modern, application-driven topics such as IoT, AI, and web-enabled medical technologies - all centered around Biomedical Engineering. Graduates of this program will be able to design clinically regulated, ethically sensitive solutions that address global healthcare challenges. The program prepares graduates for leadership as well as entrepreneurship roles in the medical device industry, rehabilitation technologies, and AI-driven healthcare systems, while fostering innovation in diagnostics and therapeutics. With a strong interdisciplinary approach and societal focus, iBME equips students to contribute meaningfully to improving patient care and offers excellent pathways to pursue higher education and/or research globally or within India, with strong opportunities in both academia and industry. More details of the curriculum is available at https://apm.iitm.ac.in/pages/new_program.
Ø BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Dept of Biotechnology at IIT Madras offers two unique 4-year undergraduate degree programs, a B.Tech. degree in Biological Engineering and a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences. Biology at school level is not a prerequisite for admission to these programs. Students lacking high-school biology can easily bridge the gap with the introductory course taught in the first semester. The design of the undergraduate curriculum at IIT Madras and course-work requirements in both programs is designed to be highly flexible, with various stream-specializations within each program. Electives constitute nearly 50% of the curriculum at IIT Madras, which also allow students to take courses across different Departments. Students would also have the option of upgrading to a 5-year Dual degree program (i.e. getting an additional MTech or M.S. degree) within the Biotechnology Department or a 5-year Inter-Disciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD) program if they fulfil the Institute requirements for doing so.
Four-Year B.Tech. Degree Programme in Biological Engineering
The B.Tech. program in Biological Engineering has a broad-based curriculum, which provides a solid foundation towards the application of engineering principles to biological systems. The programme emphasises core courses in basic sciences, engineering and molecular bio-sciences and stream specializations based on a basket of electives in different areas such as bioprocess engineering, biomaterials engineering and computational biology. The knowledge in different areas of the biology-engineering interface enables the students to evolve interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving and develop bio-technologies having applications in diverse areas such as biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, biomaterials, bio-energy, food processing and environment.
Four-Year B.S. Degree Programme in Biological Sciences
The B.S. program in Biological Sciences provides a strong foundation in various aspects of modern biology. This programme encompasses the study of living organisms and life processes at all levels, from individual organisms to tissues, cells, subcellular structures, and molecules. The programme offers fundamental courses in biological sciences and stream specializations in bio-medical sciences. The curriculum imparts specific skills on interfacing cellular, molecular and computational biology. A unique feature which differentiates the Biological Sciences program at IIT Madras from other such undergraduate programs is the level of training that students get in quantitative and analytical skills, which gives them a distinct advantage compared to other graduates in bio-sciences. These skills are highly sought after by industry as well as by top-notch institutions offering doctoral programs in bio-sciences.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research programme, laboratories and infrastructure facility and various department level student activities, please visit https://biotech.iitm.ac.in/
Ø CIVIL ENGINEERING
Four-Year B. Tech. Programme
A Civil Engineer is concerned with planning, analysis, design, construction and maintenance of a variety of facilities such as buildings, highways and railways, airports, waterways and canals, dams and power houses, water treatment and waste water disposal systems, environmental quality control, docks and harbours, bridges and tunnels. A civil engineer is also required to deal with critical problems of today such as disaster mitigation and management, constructing offshore structures for oil production, flood forecasting and flood control, traffic congestion, transportation planning, use of non-conventional energy resources, for example, wind, tides, waves, etc. The breadth and diversity of the civil engineering profession make it particularly attractive. Computer Aided Design (CAD) and software development for various civil engineering facilities have become integral parts of civil engineering profession.
All the students are first admitted to the 4-year B Tech programme in Civil Engineering. Students who are interested in upgrading to the Dual degree programme will be provided option at the end of their 6thsemester. By then, they will have a better perspective of the specializations and will be in a position to make a right choice. The allocation of specialisation will be done based on the academic performance at the end of 6thsemester and choice exercised by the student.
Five-Year Dual Degree Programme (B. Tech & M. Tech) (as upgradation option from B. Tech)
The following specializations are available for B. Tech students who are upgrading from B. Tech (Civil Engineering) to Dual Degree programme in Civil Engineering.
Building Technology, Construction Materials and Management (CE1)
Building Technology, Construction Materials and Management (BTCM) is a multi-faceted group of faculty members who work in broad areas of Construction Materials, Construction Engineering, Project Management, and Functional Design of Buildings and Infrastructure systems.
BTCM has four independent state-of-the-art laboratories on Construction Materials, Construction Automation, and Building Sciences areas. These laboratories are the nuclei for a consortium of facility owners, contractors, consultants and researchers and serves as a learning center for architects, civil, electrical and mechanical engineers on the use of advanced construction materials, digital tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and integrated project delivery. In essence, the laboratories facilitate in preparing future generations of professionals with the latest tools to improve industry effectiveness.
The group is focused towards providing new, innovative and efficient methods of construction practice for buildings and infrastructures. BTCM shoulders responsibility of spearheading the industry sponsored M. Tech (UoP) in Construction Technology & Management for M/s Larsen & Toubro Limited, India. Besides, the faculty members undertake research and consultancy projects on projects of national and international importance, and have won awards for their contributions.
This unique specialization offers courses covering a range of subjects in Building Sciences, Construction Materials, and Construction Engineering and Management areas, which include: (1) Building Science: Functional design of buildings, Building services; (2) Construction Materials: Modern construction materials, Characterisation of construction materials, Mechanics of cement based systems, Advanced concrete technology, Non-destructive testing, and Maintenance & rehabilitation of constructed facilities; and (3) Construction Engineering and Management: Construction methods and equipment, Sustainable Construction, Construction planning and control, Construction project management, Construction economics and finance, Quality and safety management, Lean construction, Construction contracts & specifications, and Computer applications in construction.
Environmental Engineering (CE2)
Environmental Engineering is a group of seven core and allied accomplished faculty members with diverse research expertise. The broad teaching and research areas of the group are Environmental Engineering, air quality management, atmospheric and climate science, etc. Some specific areas of research under these broad areas include:
Environmental Engineering: Air and water quality modelling, monitoring and management; Water and wastewater treatment; Solid and hazardous waste management; Bioremediation of contaminated sites; Subsurface contaminant transport, air quality management and control, atmospheric and climate science, etc.
This interdisciplinary Programme is designed to meet the need of government departments/ public sector and industry, with emphasis on various aspects like protected water supply and sanitation for public health, pollution control, sustainable development, and fundamental science of various climate interaction and processes. The topics to be covered include protected water supply, waste water management, air pollution control, solid waste management, ground water pollution-fate, transport and remediation, environmental planning and impact assessment, modelling of air and water quality environmental chemistry, environmental microbiology biotechnology and environmental systems analysis, fundamentals of atmospheric and climate sciences.
The laboratory is equipped with sophisticated instrumentation facility with Gas chromatographs, High pressure Liquid Chromatograph, Ion chromatograph, Elemental analyser, Total organic compound analyser, FTIR and UV Spectrophotometers is one of the best facilities in the Country for environmental sample analyses. State-of-the-art and high end instruments for air pollution and climate research including aerosol research. The climate modelling facilities including WRF, GEOS – Chem, CALPUFF, AERMOD are routinely used to deal with air pollution and climate change related studies.
Geotechnical Engineering (CE3)
Geotechnical engineering is an active group of nine faculty members with expertise in different areas. Some of the major research areas include Soil mechanics; constitutive modelling; geomechanics; shallow and deep foundations; numerical analysis; soil dynamics and earthquake geotechnical engineering; soil stabilization, geosynthetics and reinforced soil structures; tunnelling and underground excavations; field instrumentation and monitoring; geoenvironmental engineering; unsaturated soil behaviour; reliability analysis of geotechnical systems. Well-equipped laboratories aid in both imparting world-class education to undergraduate and postgraduate students and facilitate fundamental and applied research. Some important facilities available include geotechnical centrifuge, cyclic triaxial test setups, Bishop-Wesley stress path systems, large-scale geosynthetic pull-out test facility, resonant column test apparatus, cyclic simple shear test apparatus, atomic absorption spectrometer, gas chromatography, high-pressure gas sorption analyzer, thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA/DTA), differential scanning calorimeter, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, xenon arc weather meter, MASW, WP4, SWCC cell, and a shake table, temperature control triaxial for gas hydrate research.
Faculty members actively participate in research projects and offer several short-term courses and training programmes for college teachers and practicing engineers. A wide range of subjects such as advanced soil mechanics, advanced foundation engineering, rock mechanics, soil exploration and testing, applied soil mechanics, soil dynamics and machine foundations, earthquake geotechnical engineering, geoenvironmental engineering, geosynthetics and reinforced soil structures, ground improvement, finite element analysis and constitutive modelling of soils, geotechnics for infrastructures, and seismic site characterization are included in the curriculum.
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering (CE4)
The Hydraulic Engineering laboratory, established in 1969, is one of its kind in the country and has facilities like large towing tank, different types of flumes, open air physical models, and latest table-top hydraulic models.
Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering is a group of nine core and allied accomplished faculty members with diverse research expertise. Some specific areas of research under these broad areas include: Hydrologic modelling including stochastic and spatial hydrology; Conjunctive use of surface and ground water; Aquifer modelling and management; Urban water supply; Water resources planning and management; GIS/remote sensing applications; river engineering.
The major emphasis in Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering is to provide specialized and practical knowledge in: soft computing in water resources, hydrologic modelling, stochastic and spatial hydrology, computational hydraulics, river flow, flood mitigation, dam-break flow, tsunami and storm surge propagation, coastal and estuarine flow, conjunctive use of surface and ground water, aquifer modelling and management, pollutant and sediment transport in rivers, water resources planning and management, irrigation water management, climate change, urban water supply and GIS/remote sensing applications. The laboratory has several flumes for conducting various open-channel flow experiments. In addition, the laboratory is equipped with several table top models (hydraulic benches) to demonstrate basic hydraulic and hydrologic phenomenon. Further, a number of high end workstations are available to meet the requirements of the graduate students. The computational laboratory is equipped with commercial software packages such as ArcGIS, ERDAS, MIKE FLOOD, TUFLOW, FLO-2D, MODFLOW, MT3D, HYDRUS, HEC-GeoHMS, HEC-RAS, SWMM, SWAT, Comsol Multiphysics, RSWMS, FE FLOW. Advanced technical, computational and mathematical software tools required for design and simulation of water and environmental systems are available for class projects and research use. Faculty members undertake many socially relevant projects and offer various training programmes to solve pressing water and environmental issues in a sustainable way.
Structural Engineering (CE5)
Structural Engineering with a dynamic group of sixteen faculty members extensively involve with theoretical, practical and real problem solving expertise in various themes. The broad areas of research of the group include: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation, Computer Aided Analysis and Design, Structural Dynamics, Structural Stability, Structural Optimisation, Design of Masonry, Fracture Mechanics, Reinforced and Pre-stressed Concrete, and Steel Structures, precast and prefabricated structural systems, origami-based foldable structures and metamaterials.
This Programme deals with the following major areas: advanced structural mechanics, finite element analysis, structural dynamics, structural stability, structural reliability, structural optimization, reinforced and pre-stressed concrete, fracture mechanics, precast and prefabricated structures, steel structures, design for wind and earthquake, plates and shells, bridges, tall buildings, towers, computer applications in structural engineering, fracture mechanics, masonry structures, power plant structures, composite structures.
The Structural Engineering Laboratory, one of the best experimental facilitator in the country, has two facilities for testing and casting of large scale structural systems. Large scale prefabricated specimens can also be tested. Testing facility has two zones; first is provided with a strong floor with loading frame capacity of 2000kN. Other test facilities such as 6000kN compression testing machine, and high and low frequency pulsators for fatigue test machines. Various academic and research activities are undertaken in this zone. The second testing zone has a strong wall and floor system with 1000kN attached with computer controlled actuators for pseudo-dynamic tests. In addition, relaxation and smart materials testing facilities are available. A shake table facility for performing earthquake resistant studies on buildings is a new addition to the Structural Engineering Laboratory.
The Structural Engineering group continues to participate for social and industrial development of the country by involving in various challenging sponsored research and industrial consultancy projects to solve several practical problems including analysis, design, optimization, repair and retrofitting of buildings, bridges and other industrial structures. This group actively participates in preparation of design provisions for various standards and codes.
Transportation Engineering (CE6)
The programme covers planning, design, operations, and management of roadways, broadly under two major areas of Pavement Engineering and Traffic Engineering & Transportation Planning. Under Pavement Engineering, Characterization of pavement materials; Investigation on binders; Performance based design of bituminous mixes; Concrete pavements; Valorization of Waste Materials; Pavement construction and maintenance; and Road infrastructure asset management are some of the research topics of interest. Important facilities available include vacuum capillary viscometer, simple performance test equipment, gyratory compactor, CORELOK, rotary evaporator, ARRB’s handheld Roughometer, Dynamic Cone Penetrometer and automatic penetrometer. Under Traffic Engineering & Transportation Planning, Traffic operations and control, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Traffic-flow modeling, Traffic Simulation, Congestion Analysis, Activity-based travel demand modeling, Dynamic and stochastic modeling of transportation networks, urban freight transportation, sustainable transportation, and traffic safety are some of the major areas of research. A state-of-the-art ITS Laboratory receiving real-time local traffic data from various sensors such as video, infra-red sensor, radar sensor, inductive loop sensors, wi-fi and Bluetooth sensors, and GPS devices is one of the major facilities available.
Besides, an exclusive 24-hour computing facility, with latest versions of several software packages for research is accessible to graduate students and research scholars. The programme trains the students with the needed expertise and proficiency for a professional career in the field of transportation engineering. The students are imparted hands-on training on using state-of-the-art equipment by associating them in several industry-sponsored research projects. The students specialized in the area of Transportation Engineering are well placed in leading consultancy and research organizations/institutions in India and abroad.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research programme, laboratories and infrastructure facility and various department level student activities please visit https://civil.iitm.ac.in/
Ø CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme
Chemical engineering deals with the development, control and improvement of processes and materials. Chemical engineers work in diverse fields such as petroleum refining, petrochemicals and polymers, personal care products, semiconductor manufacturing, food and agricultural products, conventional and unconventional energy production, batteries, fertilizer technology, drug discovery, water and water distribution networks, and analysis, prevention and control of environmental pollution. They also work in design, construction, operation, management and safety of the plants built for these processes. Research in chemical engineering focusses on developing cleaner, safer and more efficient processes that ensure sustainability of natural resources.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research programme, laboratories and infrastructure facilities, and various Department-level student activities, please visit: https://che.iitm.ac.in/
Ø COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme
The program deals with scientific and engineering aspects of designing and building computing systems. The students learn foundational subjects such as Programming, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Automata Theory, Data Structures, and many aspects of Theoretical Computer Science. Building on these foundations, the engineering aspects address the theoretical and applied aspects of system building including Computer Organization and Architecture, Systems and Application Software, Compiler Design, Operating Systems, Database Systems, Computer Networks, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cryptography, Big Data and Human-Computer Interaction, and so on. The department also offers a large number and variety of elective courses from which students can explore various aspects of computer science.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research programme, laboratories and infrastructure facility and various department level student activities please visit http://cse.iitm.ac.in/
Ø ENGINEERING DESIGN
The Department of Engineering Design was established in the year 2006 with a focus on interdisciplinary teaching and research to meet the industry demand for professional designers. The mission of the department is to develop design professionals with a strong multidisciplinary background and a deep sense of aesthetics, with a focus on emerging fields of engineering, and design for life. The academic programme is aimed to impart important class-room and practical learning aspects in the development of a concept, form, and engineering to meet functional, aesthetic, and environmental needs in designing a product or a device. The mission of the programme is to make IIT Madras a Global centre of Excellence in Engineering Design. We are looking at students with exceptional abilities to provide leadership to the Indian industry in the area of design and manufacture of new products in an increasingly globalised economy.
Five-Year Dual Degree Programme (B.Tech. & M.Tech.) in Engineering Design
Engineering Design is an exciting dual degree programme at IIT Madras and only one of its kind. The programme consists of B.Tech. and M.Tech. degrees in Engineering Design with a post graduate specialization in Automotive Engineering or Biomedical Design. The choice between these 2 specializations is made at the end of 4th semester based on the student’s academic performance, choice and seat availability. Students can also opt for interdisciplinary dual degree programs (IDDDs) such as robotics, data science, electric vehicles, etc., offered at IIT Madras.
Engineering Design with M.Tech. in Automotive Engineering
This is a dual degree programme with a B.Tech. in Engineering Design and a M.Tech. with specialization in Automotive Engineering. The objective of the programme is to produce engineering graduates well versed in the process of design with the domain knowledge in automotive systems. This involves designing products to meet customer requirements, for the required quality standards, taking into account manufacturability, serviceability, reliability, human factors, efficiency of operation and economics.
The programme represents a shift in emphasis from analysis to skill sets appropriate for design, development and prototyping and will encompass best design practices followed world-over. Emphasis on creativity, efficient use of materials, sensitivity to environment and managerial skill development are some of the aspects of the programme. The curriculum focuses on the aspects of learning to learn and teaching of concepts through case studies especially in unstructured design situations.
Engineering Design with M.Tech. on Biomedical Design
This is a dual degree programme with a B.Tech. in Engineering Design and a M.Tech. with specialization in Biomedical Design. A medical equipment is any instrument, apparatus, or material that is used in diagnosing, treating, and/or preventing diseases in humans. Medical devices constitute one of the fastest growing industries. An analysis of the costing of medical devices reveals that the highest component is the intellectual content and development costs of the invention, and the actual product cost is very much less by comparison.
The major objective of this course is to develop biomedical designers who have the background to design, manufacture, test and market such products. Biomedical instrumentation, as referred to in many Indian universities, is usually tuned towards maintenance of medical instrumentation and is heavily biased towards electrical engineering. Though such courses are no doubt important, there is a need to develop biomedical designers, who have an interdisciplinary background in mechanical design, controls, mechatronics and manufacturing science. Apart from this they should be well versed in human anatomy and physiology, mechanics as applied to physiology and biology, biosensors, protocol and procedures for animal models, signal processing and so on. This programme systematically imparts the corresponding skills.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research domains, laboratories and infrastructure facilities, and various department level student activities please visit http://www.ed.iitm.ac.in
Ø DATA SCIENCE & ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme in AI and Data Analytics (AIDA)
The curriculum (program) is designed to impart students with skills and knowledge in several key areas, including mathematical foundations in data science and artificial intelligence, ML/AI models (including mathematical, statistical, and network models), learning algorithms, and statistical inference. It also covers programming skills essential for building data science and AI solutions, data acquisition, pre-processing, and curation, as well as systems thinking for deploying ML solutions. Students will gain expertise in mathematical modeling, computational methods, and system simulations.
The curriculum emphasizes the real-world application of ML and AI, addressing fields such as healthcare and biotechnology, manufacturing, supply chain and process industries, finance and econometrics, smart cities and infrastructure, energy and sustainability, agriculture, and education.
Additionally, the department offers a wide range of elective courses, allowing students to explore various aspects of Data Science and AI.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research programme, laboratories and infrastructure facility and various department level student activities please visit https://dsai.iitm.ac.in/.
Ø ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme
Electrical Engineering (EE) is seen everywhere around us. The gadgetry that surrounds us, from smartphones, microwave ovens, and robotic vacuum cleaners at home, to dazzling displays, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems outdoors are made possible by advances across the breadth of electrical engineering. The department of electrical engineering at IIT Madras encompasses all areas labelled under “electrical”, “electronics”, “communication”, and “instrumentation”. The department has more than 70 faculty working in the areas of Communications and Signal Processing, Power Systems and Power Electronics, Microelectronics and VLSI Design, Electronic System Design and Instrumentation, RF and Photonics, Integrated Circuits and Systems, and Control and Optimization. About 1400 students are enrolled in one of our undergraduate, master, or doctoral degree programmes and another 350 are in our web-based MTech programme for industry professionals.
The B.Tech. (EE) programme is one of the flagship programmes at IIT Madras that prepares students with a solid foundation in EE and enables students to pursue career options in industry and academia with confidence to handle real-world challenges. The B. Tech. (EE) curriculum offers flexibility for students to specialise in their areas of interest. Students with good academic performance are given the opportunity to take up the B.Tech. (Honours) and the Dual Degree Options, and to pursue a Minor in diverse inter-disciplinary areas. The students of the EE department have excellent opportunities for job placements and to pursue higher studies. The innovation culture of IITM provides a platform for students to explore the entrepreneurship ecosystem. With highly trained staff and modern infrastructure to support the academic programmes, the EE department of IITM is globally recognised and is one of the leading comprehensive EE undergraduate programs in India.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research projects, laboratories and infrastructure facilities and EE student activities, please visit http://www.ee.iitm.ac.in/
Ø MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme
Mechanical Engineering involves using the principles of Physics in combination with Mathematics to Design, Manufacture and Market an extensive set of products. There is almost no product or service today that does not involve Mechanical Engineering. This ranges from large size systems such as automobiles, satellites, robots, power-plants and aircraft to small systems such as sensors and switches. The degree programme is quite versatile as a student can pursue fundamental concepts and also focus on application-oriented courses across many sub-disciplines.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research programmes, laboratories and infrastructure facilities as well as various department level student activities please visit https://mech.iitm.ac.in/
Ø METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme
Advances in science and technology are intimately linked to the design and development of high-performance materials. The field of metallurgical and materials engineering has expanded enormously in the recent past and has encompassed a variety of materials such as ceramics, polymers, electrical and magnetic materials, glasses and composites, along with the traditionally important metals and alloys. Design and development of materials for advanced engineering applications in high technology areas such as space, energy, transport and communications, is of utmost importance. In view of depleting natural resources, development of sustainable materials and recycling is also critical.
The B.Tech. programme encompassing metallurgical and materials engineering has been designed to train engineering graduates to become highly competent in meeting the critical needs of the globe in advanced materials and processes as well as in conventional metallurgical engineering. This comprehensive programme allows the student to grasp the fundamentals of metal extraction, materials processing, characterization and design, development and selection of engineering materials along with basic concepts of modeling. A wide variety of electives which include materials for sustainability and recycling during the third and fourth years of study to give an opportunity to the student to develop comprehensive understanding in an area of his/her choice.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research programme, laboratories and infrastructure facility and various department level student activities please visit http://mme.iitm.ac.in/
Ø NAVAL ARCHITECTURE AND OCEAN ENGINEERING
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme
Naval Architecture deals with the design, construction, repair, maintenance and recycling of all water transport vehicles and systems including ocean going ships and inland vessels/ships. Recently introduced subjects include the application of AI and ML for autonomous underwater and surface vehicles and marine robotics. The curriculum also includes the subjects in Ocean Engineering related to offshore and coastal structures. These subjects well-structured courses in fluid and solid mechanics, wave hydrodynamics, ship hydrodynamics, ship structures, analysis and design of ships. The ocean energy devices and systems are introduced at basic and advanced levels. The department offers state of the art facilities for model testing of ships and structures in a unique facility such as large wave basin, wave flume and towing carriage for testing ship hulls for resistance and propulsion studies. The department has procured large number of software tools for the analysis and design of ships and structures and the same can be used by the final year students to conduct thesis project.
A wide variety of job opportunities are available to the graduates in companies dealing with ship building and ship repair including modelling and application to AI and ML, port and offshore engineering consultants, shipping companies, classification societies, statutory bodies, Port Trusts, Coast Guard, the Indian Navy and consulting organizations. The department offers varied nature of courses in allied areas and thus making them to be eligible for employment in allied engineering professions and management. Graduates can also pursue higher studies in naval architecture, ocean engineering and related disciplines.
Upgradation from B.Tech. to Dual Degree (B.Tech. & M.Tech.)
B.Tech. Students with a minimum CGPA of 8 without any backlog at the end of 5th semester are eligible for transfer from four-year B.Tech. to five-year Dual Degree (B.Tech. & M.Tech.) programme in the same department with effect from the 7th semester. In the final year (9th& 10thSemester) the student will have to pay the fees as applicable to M.Tech. Students. The student will receive the HTTA as per the norms of the institute as per M.Tech students.
The dual degree offers further insight in to advanced courses offered to the M.Tech students in offshore and coastal engineering subjects and thus enhancing the knowledge and skills in interests of their choice.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research programme, laboratories and infrastructure facility and various department level student activities please visit http://www.doe.iitm.ac.in.
Ø PHYSICS
Four-Year B.Tech. Programme in Engineering Physics:
The Engineering Physics programme at IIT Madras encourages students to learn the fundamental and applied aspects of frontier areas in Physics and Electrical Engineering. In addition to several core courses in Physics, Electrical Engineering and other engineering branches, special topics will be covered by elective courses such as IC Design, Quantum Information and Quantum computing, Materials Technology, Nanotechnology, Communications Engineering, and Photonics. The academic curriculum provides excellent academic / laboratory training in Thematic Physics laboratories, Digital Electronics, VLSI, Communication Systems, and experiments based on advanced principles of physics.
These academic programmes will be suitable for those students who intend to pursue higher studies in physics (basic and applied), or would like to take up advanced studies in engineering requiring a good grasp of physical principles or wish to branch out after graduation in industrial research and development programmes. Good employment opportunities for Engineering Physics graduates exist in universities, Industry and in research and development sections of national and international laboratories.
Students in the EP Program have the option of upgrading to a 5-year M.Tech. degree through one of the 9 interdisciplinary dual degree (IDDD) programs offered by the Institute. B.Tech. students with a good academic record can convert to one of these specialised M.Tech. programs at the end of their 5th semester. Three of these IDDD M.Tech. programs are coordinated by the physics department, namely, (i) Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, (ii) Complex Systems and Dynamics and (iii) Quantum Science and Technology.
Four-Year B.S. Programme in Physics:
This special course is designed to impart an exciting curriculum in the foundations and applications of Physics to students who would become distinguished scientists and/or leaders in the academic world or play a lead role in pure and applied research and development in interdisciplinary areas which requires a strong background in Physics. Students would also have the option of upgrading to a 5-year Dual degree program (i.e. getting an additional M.S. degree) within the Physics Department or a 5-year Inter-Disciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD) program if they fulfill the Institute requirements for doing so. BS students can get a good exposure to research through undergraduate research projects. In addition, upgraded BS-MS students would have a strong research exposure in their 5th year through the final-year project.
Students will get accelerated exposure to advanced principles and applications in a curriculum that is carefully paced to make physics learning an exciting and fulfilling experience. Some of the advanced electives available for the students in this program include Numerical Methods and Programming, High Energy Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Quantum Information and Quantum computing, Superconductivity, Gravitation and Cosmology. A strong research component in the final year is a stimulating aspect of this programme.
For detailed information on faculty expertise, courses offered, research programme, laboratories and infrastructure facility and various department level student activities please visit https://physics.iitm.ac.in/
Upgradation from four-year UG programme to Dual Degree (B.Tech. / B.S. & M.Tech. / M.S.)
B.Tech. Students who are able to maintain a CGPA of 8 without any backlog at the end of 5th semester are eligible to upgrade from four-year UG programme to five-year Dual Degree (B.Tech. / B.S. & M.Tech. / M.S.) programme in the same department with effect from the 7th semester. In the final year (9th& 10thSemester) the student will have to pay the fees as applicable to M.Tech. Students.
Dual Degree Specialization Stream Allocation
Change of specialization will be considered in Dual Degree Programmes where there are more than one specialization, at the end of 6th semester, (at the end of 4th semester in the case of Dual Degree in Engineering Design), the student should have a minimum CGPA of 8 at the end of 5th semester (3rdsemester in case of Dual Degree in Engineering Design)
Upgradation from B.Tech. – B.Tech. + MS (Entrepreneurship) Programme
At the end of 6thsemester, student with a minimum CGPA of 8.0 or qualify through GATE are eligible for HTRA from their 9th semester onwards. The students will be required to complete all the credits required for their B.Tech. programme (Dept. specific), and the B.Tech. project of 9 credits in the form of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) establishing pre-feasibility of the product/process to be developed. 5 courses for MS(E), but on case-by-case basis, General Test Committee (GTC) can decide to waive up to 3 courses, based on performance of the student and the expertise that he/she has acquired. DoMS quarter system-based courses to be counted towards course requirements of MS(E) thesis.
Upgradation from Dual Degree (B.Tech. & M.Tech.) to B.Tech. + MS(Entrepreneurship)
Dual Degree students can convert to B.Tech. + MS(E) programme at the end of their 3rd or 4th year, and will have the same requirements as B.Tech. students converting to B.Tech. + MS(E) programme at the end of their 3rd year. They have to complete the B.Tech. requirement in parent department (except the project) with the project credit being merged with their MS thesis. They will have to take 5 courses for MS(E), as discussed above.