The Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) has taken a significant leap forward in embracing the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science (DS) by introducing these subjects as mandatory courses for all undergraduate students. This applies to both BTech and Bachelor of Science (BS) programs, starting from the current academic year.
Professor
Deepankar Choudhury, head of the civil engineering department at IIT-B, who
chaired the committee responsible for the revision of the BTech curriculum,
explained the rationale behind this pioneering decision. He stated,
"Earlier, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology used to be common
courses that 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 flavor of
it by being equipped with the knowledge to use it."
The
committee's recommendations included the introduction of AI-DS as a common
course with mandatory credit in the first semester of the second year. While
all students will receive this foundational education in AI-DS, those who are
particularly interested will have the option to pursue more advanced courses in
the field.
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Professor
Avinash Mahajan, Dean of Academics at IIT-B, emphasized the broad applicability
of AI-DS. He stated, "Except the design course, which is a completely
different field, the common course (AI-DS) is applicable for all Bachelor of
Science (BS) courses too. We have BS in Economics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
They, of course, do a lot of data analysis."
IIT-B already
boasts a center for machine learning and data science offering specialized
postgraduate and PhD programs in AI and DS. The decision to introduce these
subjects at the undergraduate level reflects the increasing need for AI skills
across disciplines.
Choudhury
emphasized the goal of providing students with essential knowledge early in
their undergraduate studies. He explained, "Later, depending on their
department or program requirement, they can opt for another course at a higher
level which will be department-specific… so that our students are future-ready
for jobs and also become successful creators of jobs."
AI and DS are
not limited to computer science and electrical engineering but are increasingly
relevant in other engineering branches like mechanical, civil, and aerospace.
This move by IIT-B underscores the industry's growing reliance on AI and DS and
the necessity of preparing students for this reality.
This decision
aligns with the evolving landscape of undergraduate education at IIT-B. In a
curriculum overhaul last year, the institute introduced a range of
non-engineering subjects to cater to changing trends among students, including
subjects like Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, Management, Entrepreneurship,
and Design.
IIT-Bombay's
move to make AI and DS mandatory for all undergraduates reflects the
recognition of AI's transformative power across industries and the importance
of equipping the future workforce with these skills.
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