IIT Bombay Makes AI and Data Science Mandatory Course for BTech, BE Students; Check Details Here

New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay has decided to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science (DS) as mandatory courses for undergraduate students of BTech and Bachelor of Science (BS) programs from the academic year 2023-24.

Courses like Humanities, Arts, Social Science, Management, Entrepreneurship and Design have begun to gain importance and popularity. Last year, IIT Bombay introduced its non-engineering subjects to the changing needs of choosing non-core engineering jobs. 

Professor Deepankar Choudhury, Head of Civil Engineering Department said, “Earlier, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology used to be common courses which everybody had to learn. Now AI-DS is a new addition to that list in our curriculum. Whether they use it or not, everybody will get the flavour of it by being equipped with the knowledge to use it.” He also headed the panel set up to look at the revision of the BTech curriculum.

The IIT Bombay committee recommended the introduction of AI and Data Science as a regular course with mandatory credit in the first semester of the second year for BTech and BE. Students interested will be able to take up more advanced courses in the field later.

Professor Avinash Mahajan, Dean of Academics said “Except the design course, which is a completely different field, the common course (AI-DS) is applicable for all BS courses too. We have BS in Economics, Chemistry and Mathematics. They, of course, do a lot of data analysis.”

Professor Mahajan further added that the Institute also has a centre for machine learning and data science that offers higher-level specialised post-graduate and PhD programs in AI and Data Science. 

The idea is to provide initial knowledge to students early in their undergraduate studies. Prof. Choudhury stated that depending upon the requirement of the department, it will bring different other courses at a higher level which will be department-specific.

He further stated “Earlier, we used to think that only computer science and electrical engineering may be using more AI. But now, even other branches of engineering such as mechanical, civil and aerospace, are using AI for various reasons; students of these branches cannot avoid learning AI.”

According to him, AI is the present and future of the industry, and our students must be equipped with it. The decision comes at a time when AI and DS are gaining popularity as specialised courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

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