B.Tech Information and Communication Technology with Minor Computational Science Hons

Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Gandhinagar

DA-IICT launched the unique four-year undergraduate program leading to the degree of B.Tech. (Honours in ICT with minor in CS) from the 2013-14 academic session. DA-IICT is the first institute in the country to design and offer a teaching program in the area of Computational Science at the undergraduate level.

The ICT embodies the convergence of Computer and Communication systems and has obtained wide acceptance as a distinct discipline. It is also expected that ICT graduates would enjoy a special niche only if they have certain performance capabilities not found in conventional CSE and/or ECE graduates. Logically this convergence takes place at the systems level, but at the same time, it is necessary to accept a certain level of granularity as one goes down to the level of circuits, devices, and materials. In other words, given the four-year span of a B.Tech. The program, there has to be a trade-off between the breadth demanded by comprehension at the systems level and the depth desired by scientific understanding of the fundamentals.

Computational science involves the use of mathematical models, numerical methods, quantitative analysis techniques, advanced computing capabilities and IT knowledge to understand and solve complex science, engineering and social problems aimed in improving products, processes, and workflows. DA-IICT started this program in the area of Computational Science to impart the necessary knowledge and insight to the students to build computational models to understand, analyze and address fundamental problems in the areas of societal importance.

The minor in CS program is focused on two main lines - theoretical learning and practical implementation. The students must take core/group-elective courses in the areas of Mathematics, Physics, Numerical and Computational Methods, Modeling and Simulation, High-Performance Computing, Parallel Programming, Data Analysis, and Visualization. The electives are further designed to sharpen this skill-set by providing domain knowledge in interdisciplinary areas ranging from engineering to biological applications.

The B.Tech.(Honours in ICT with minor in CS) programs are designed to operate on a semester-based credit system. Each course is associated with a fixed number of credits. Credits (C) are assigned on an L-T-P-C system, i.e., a number of hours required for Lectures (L), Tutorials (T) and Practicals (P) in a week. For both the degrees, the students are required to complete the prescribed curriculum in a minimum of four years.

The minor in CS provides an opportunity to pursue a focused set of courses that emphasize all main aspects of Computational Science. The program has significant research and development components as part of the course structure. The minor requires extra core credits (compulsory core courses and electives from the list given below) in addition to what an ICT undergraduate takes.