The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has initiated an online diploma and BSc programme in data science and programming. The NIRF graded the institute as the best Indian Institute in India. The institute has launched the course in online mode while the exams shall be conducted in the offline mode. Any 12th passed student can take up the course and the course have no age limit.
The director of IIT Madras, Bhaskar Ramamurthi, said that these courses will reach larger number of students and that it shall benefit them greatly. Students will a certificate, diploma, and degree based on when they exit the course. The 12th passed students will have to take a foundation course. Those students who have a college-level degree can directly enrol for the diploma.
The course is divided into six semesters. A student will get a certificate after completing a foundation-level course. Diploma will be awarded after completing a year and a degree certificate will be given after completion of 3 years.
IIT states that the curriculum has been designed with the industrial concept. The first-year students will get to learn the basics of programming and data science. Diploma students will learn about the skill courses and degree students will be specializing in Data Science. At the end of three years, a BSc degree will be offered.
The program consists of various videos and weekly assignments will be given to assess the students. If the candidates are eligible, they can apply for the qualifier exam by paying a fee of Rs 3000.
The HRD minister during the launch said that it is the first-ever entirely online degree programme and whoever interested can take up the course throughout India. He mentioned that the country needs such a course.
Students who wish to join the course can apply in the official website onlinedegree.iitm.ac.in. The applications will be open soon and the students can apply by September 15.
This program is open to students who have passed class 12 with English and Maths in class 10 and has enrolled in any on-campus undergraduate course. Graduates and professionals can also take up this course.