IIT-B allows students to club courses now

From this year, the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) will allow students to opt for courses from a senior year if they are eligible. For example, second-year students could take up a third- or fourth-year course along with their current programmes. This will allow students to free up time for other activities such as exchange programmes.

From this year, the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) will allow students to opt for courses from a senior year if they are eligible. For example, second-year students could take up a third- or fourth-year course along with their current programmes. This will allow students to free up time for other activities such as exchange programmes.

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“There should also be vacancies in the courses students have opted for. They should have a good Cumulative Performance Index (the grading system for IITs) and an aptitude for the course,” said S. Biswas, dean, academic programmes.

Called ‘Open Bulletin’, the option will be implemented across departments. The system is followed in all foreign universities. Students will be given credits for the courses they take up. “If a student moves ahead by a semester, he or she will free up six months and can use that time for an exchange programme. All he or she has to do is inform the department and follow procedure,” said Manas Rachh, general secretary, academic affairs (undergraduate).

The choice is open only for students from the second year because first-year students are new to the IIT system.

Open Bulletin is part of the larger curriculum revamp that began in 2007, which also allows inter-disciplinary studies where students can opt for courses from humanities to design along with their regular programmes.