“Goldmine for students…” – IIT Madras BS Data Science Student Review

A Unique Academic Model

The IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme offers a four-level structure: Foundation, Diploma, BSc, and BS degree, with multiple exit options. Students can pace their learning based on personal commitments, making it possible to balance other degrees or professional work. Prasad Patra, for instance, manages both his B.Tech at NIT Rourkela and IIT Madras coursework by taking fewer courses during busy semesters and adding more during vacations.

In the interaction, Prasad shares how IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications is more than just an academic programme, and how it empowers students and creates a launchpad for entrepreneurship and career growth.

Careers360: Can you brief us about yourself?

Prasad Patra: I joined the programme in 2022, and I am currently at the diploma level. Alongside this, I am pursuing my B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. Since my interests were always inclined towards the software domain, this programme became a perfect match for me.

Careers360: What motivated you to choose this programme?

Prasad Patra: I belong to Rourkela, and though I prepared for JEE Advanced, I wanted to stay close to home and pursue my B.Tech at NIT Rourkela. When I saw this unique opportunity from IIT Madras, I knew it was the right step. The nature of this programme allows me to balance both streams - engineering and data science.

Careers360: What were your expectations before joining, and how did they compare to reality?

Prasad Patra: Initially, I thought it would be just another online course. But the seriousness impressed me a lot, especially since exams are conducted at offline centres. After I joined and spent two terms, the view was totally different because I was engaged in the club activities and later on, I became the placement coordinator.

The experience has been completely transformative. As I said, at NIT Rourkela, I am pursuing metallurgical engineering, and I also have an interest in the software domain; this was like a match made in heaven for me.

Admission Made Accessible

Entry into the IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme is open through two routes: JEE or by clearing a qualifier exam after a four-week preparatory coursework. This inclusive admission process allows students from diverse backgrounds to join the programme. Here is what Prasad told about the admission process.

Careers360: What is the admission process and the qualifying exams for the programme?

Prasad Patra: If any student wants to join the IITM BS Degree programme, there are two routes for it. Either you have qualified for the JEE Mains exam, then you can directly show your JEE Main results and get enrolled into the programme, or they conduct a qualifier exam.

So what happens in the exam, IIT Madras gives you one month of coursework, which is the initial coursework for the first year. And based on that, you have to give the entrance exam. That is not like an entrance exam; it is more of a qualifier exam. I scored about 75 per cent of the total marks in the qualifier exam, after which I could pursue the programme.

Flexibility and Structure at Its Core

One of the key highlights of the programme is its flexible structure. The programme is online and students benefit from weekly live classes, recorded lectures, clubs, and community houses for peer support. Prasad emphasises how these features made his experience transformative and engaging.

Careers360: Did you face any challenges in adapting to online learning and IIT-level coursework?

Prasad Patra: The programme being online was actually an advantage for me because, as I said before, I was a JEE aspirant, and due to Covid, I prepared for the JEE entrance in online mode only. So it was actually more of an advantage to me, rather than being a disadvantage.

Also, they conduct weekly live classes, so interaction is pretty decent. And the lectures are recorded, so you can go back and forth. That was actually the online mode, which helps quite a lot.

Careers360: How has the structure of the programme helped you pace your learning?

Prasad Patra: The programme is split into four levels: foundation, diploma, BSc and BS degree. And one add-on to that is you can choose how many courses you can take every term. So, for example, this is my B.Tech final year and seventh semester. I have a lot of courses to do over here at NIT Rourkela. I can just choose to take two courses at IIT Madras. That will obviously increase the total tenure of my degree.

So I will be getting the degree in, maybe not in four years, but in 4.5 years, but the coursework is flexible as well. So that is something that helps a lot. I can choose to take extra courses or go at a slow pace, as my preference. The degree is split into four levels, which is of great help. So, it gives you multiple exit options, so I can choose to get out of that by just taking the foundation certificate. And that also has value in the industry.

Also, I can choose to go ahead and take a diploma in, let us say, programming or, in data science, so there are two diplomas you can take. And then if you want a bachelor’s, you can go ahead and take a BSc if you want to appear for the GATE entrance examination. But to pursue masters in engineering then you have to complete the entire course of the BS degree. So it gives you multiple exit options, too.

Careers360: How do you balance the coursework with other commitments?

Prasad Patra: I am still figuring out the time management part. I was always interested in the software and data science programme. I try to manage things. Some of the things the BS degree provides are that all quizzes and end-semester exams only happen on Sunday. Usually, there is no clash between my NIT Rourkela and IIT Madras examinations.

Sometimes, the examinations for both programmes can be close to each other, then it becomes a bit difficult to manage, although it is not impossible. If you are dedicated enough, you can manage to find the time. The flexibility part, where I can choose not to take courses or take less courses, helps a lot.

At NIT Rourkela, in the months of May, June and July, we get vacation. So I try to take extra courses in the IITM programme at that time. And, in busy semesters like this one in the seventh semester, I have not taken any courses this time. So that is how I manage time.

Learning Beyond the Basics

The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme goes beyond the basics. Students not only study just through watching videos, but also learn in detail. Prasad emphasises the teaching approach is what sets the IIT Madras BS Data Science programme apart.

Careers360: Which courses have had the biggest impact on your learning journey so far?

Prasad Patra: There was a subject in our diploma level, about Java. So, when it comes to programming language, the common practice is that the professor or teacher first teaches you how to print a statement in that programming language, irrespective of the place from where you are attending the classes.

But our professor in the Java course took weeks. He first explained how the Java virtual machine is set up and how the language is compiled. And then later in week three, he explained how to do the print statement. This was quite a learning experience, and it was impressive as I did not expect it to happen this way.

Also, one of my favourite lectures was from Professor Partha Pratim Das, who is HOD of CS at IIT Kharagpur and also teaches here at IIT Madras. So his course, the database management system, was also very impressive for me.

Careers360: How would you describe the teaching methodology and support from IIT Madras faculty?

Prasad Patra: So, what happens in teaching is that at the start of every week, you will get the coursework and graded and practice assignments for the rest of the week. And the criteria is that you have to score minimum marks in the assignment. So there is no strict attendance policy, but then you have to prove that you studied the course.

So that is how the coursework goes. And, about the support, we have a club culture here. Based on which region of India you are in, they put you in something called houses. There is a community of students in the house whom you can connect with. In the house also there is a hierarchy of secretary and president.

So, one form of support is that you interact with the student body that is in there, and also, there is a good setup in the Google Workspace. So you can mail them over and they reply quite fast.

Industry Exposure and Career Growth

One key aspect of the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme is its strong industry connect. Students get industry exposure through real-world projects. They also get opportunities through hackathons, internships, and the placement cell. Prasad shares how he secured an internship as an AI Engineer after winning a pan-IIT hackathon.

Careers360: What fields within data science and applications excite you the most?

Prasad Patra: Currently, we are in the era of AI, where multiple LLMs and other kinds of ML models are rising. And so data science is currently the hot market here. The best part about this programme is that it is a BS degree in data science and applications.

There is the application part as well. Not only we are taught about data science and machine learning, but we are also taught software development. For example, you build an ML model, but you do not know how to make the API endpoints or front-end so that people can access it. So they also teach you software development fundamentals.

One of the interesting features of the curriculum is a subject called BDM that is business development management, where you get into the role of a data analyst. People, often, consider data science and data analyst the same, but there is a marginal difference.

In data analysis, you get a large amount of data in Excel or Google Sheets, which you have to manually analyse. In data science, you write programs that predict patterns. So, both of the fields are pretty different. Primarily, what happens in BDM theory and BDM projects is that you have to go and consult a business firm for free and give a report to IIT Madras, and then they will give the credits for the course.

So that was pretty interesting. We have to go to a company and gather insights into real-time data on what is happening. That was the data analyst part and software development of the application-centric part of the programme. That interested me a lot!

Careers360: Have you had opportunities to intern, freelance, or work on real-world projects during the programme?

Prasad Patra: Currently, I am working with a company called Scogo.AI, a Mumbai-based mid-size startup. I got this opportunity through a hackathon. It was conducted in the month of January 2025. It was a pan-IIT alumni hackathon. The alumni association of IIT from all the cities in India organises a yearly hackathon.

I was the first runner-up. And I met the CTO of Scogo.AI. From there, I got the opportunity of working as an AI engineer in the team. I have been here for the last five months. I have been doing this AI engineering internship part-time and earning Rs 80,000 per month.

Careers360: How does IIT Madras support students in terms of placements, career guidance, or industry exposure?

Prasad Patra: We have the student placement council, and it is headed by IIC (Industry Interaction Council). I was fortunate enough last year, I became the placement coordinator for the IIT Madras BS degree. You can also pursue this BS Degree as a standalone programme.

Then, after you complete any of your diplomas, you are eligible to apply for internships through the student placement cell portal. And once you get a degree, that is your base, you are eligible for the placement. The placements here are pretty decent. You can check the placement portal at IIT Madras. The roles vary from software developer to data analyst to data scientist.

Check the placement stats: IIT Madras BS in Data Science: Salaries, Career Growth for 2024 & 2025 Job Outcomes

From Student to Entrepreneur

Many students, after completing the IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme, consider higher education or corporate jobs. But for Prasad, this has been more than an academic pursuit. He shares how the programme has been a launchpad for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Careers360: What are your plans to leverage this degree in your future career?

Prasad Patra: I am not much into academics. So, I am not planning to join a masters programme in the future. I am considering getting into an MBA, but that is not happening anytime soon, maybe after two or three years. Apart from working at Scogo.AI, which I love to do, I am also a co-founder of a company called Stethaim.

In Stethaim, we are trying to build smart stethoscopes that doctors use and give an AI diagnosis through it. There is a lot of technicality to it. So, my plan is that after I complete both my BS and B.Tech degrees, I want to pursue entrepreneurship more, as I am a co-founder.

A Piece of Advice for Aspiring Learners

As today’s world is internet-driven, opportunities to gain skills and advance careers extend far beyond traditional education systems. Reflecting on his journey, Prasad believes students and professionals to remain open-minded about alternative modes of education.

Careers360: What piece of advice would you give to someone considering joining the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme?

Prasad Patra: As we live in India and the education system here is scrutinised and criticised a lot, I think programmes like IITM BS degree and others are bringing that change, where you do not have to go through the general examination system, but choose your stream through your interest.

I think people should consider all models of education that they can get, and not just get into the rat race. Obviously, JEE is good and it trains you a lot. But it is okay if you fail, because there are a lot of ways, as we are in the era of the internet now. There are a lot of ways you can get skilled and get employed. I think my suggestion would be that do not get too involved in the formal education system. Just be open-minded while learning. Do not get into the nitty-gritty of the education system that we have.

Why “Goldmine for students”

For students passionate about data science, software development, and entrepreneurship. IIT Madras BS Data Science programme offers unmatched flexibility, practical exposure, and career opportunities. This is what Prasad said for students.

Careers360: What makes the programme unique? Describe in 3 words.

Prasad Patra: I would say a single phrase for it: it is a treasure. I would completely give the gold mine tag to this IITM programme. Because it totally stands out! If you have time and are into data science and software, it is a goldmine for students in India right now!

I would also like to suggest one last thing about the BS degree programme. If we consider the data science market is booming, everyone, not only students of my age, but working professionals who are in different sectors should skill up, because data science has huge applications in a variety of sectors.

I think working professionals who are thinking of switching careers or just want to enhance their skills in their particular field should also consider these kinds of online programmes. So that is something I should advice the audience of Careers360.