Evolution of Academic Programs

The PhD program

Since its inception, the department set an agenda for excellence in teaching with a strong research component. Thus the doctoral programme got started right in the beginning in 1960-61. In the first convocation of the institute held in 1965, out of a total of five PhD degrees awarded, three were in Mathematics. The agenda for strong research was set with introduction of graduate level courses and comprehensive examination. The PhD students of the department constitute a vibrant academic community. They have their own weekly seminars during the regular semesters, where by turn, they present their work. In addition to their own research work, they actively participate in teaching through conducting tutorials and assistance in courses having large number of registrations.

The two-year Master’s program in Mathematics

By 1965, the faculty size had become reasonably large and the department was in a position to start an additional independent program. Thus a two-year Master's program in Mathematics was started in 1965 to provide quality training after B.Sc. This program had flexibility in course structure and was envisaged to produce students who were well-trained and motivated for research. This also provided an input to the PhD program of the department. From the academic session 2004-2005, admissions to this and similar programs in other IIT's are made through an all India Joint Admission Test, called Joint Admission Test for M.Sc.'s (JAM).

The two-year Master’s program in Statistics

By 1970, some faculty members in the area of Statistics had also joined. In order to strengthen the PhD program and to utilize the available faculty in Statistics, the department started a two year M.Sc. (Statistics) program in July 1971. Students in this program also get admission through JAM.

The M.Sc. (Integrated) programs in Mathematics and Statistics (Discontinued)

In 1971, the institute took an initiative to start 5-year M. Sc. integrated programs in sciences, where the intake was through Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and National Talent Search (NTS). Thus, in the academic year 1971-72, the department started M. Sc. (Integrated) programs in Mathematics as well as in Statistics. While some very good students (including NTS scholars) joined these programs, the number of students opting for these programs remained small. These programs produced some very motivated students for research, who are now well-placed in various research and teaching institutes.

The five-year M.Sc.(Integrated) program in Mathematics and Scientific Computing (Discontinued)

In the early 1990s, scientific computing was recognized as a new thrust area in many mathematics departments across the world. In order to keep pace with the new developments and also to better utilize its expertise, the department replaced the existing M.Sc. (Integrated) program in Mathematics and Statistics with a single 5-year M.Sc (Integrated) program in Mathematics and Scientific Computing. This new program started from the academic year 1995-96, and attracted very good students. Two students of this program were awarded the President's Gold Medal (PGM) for the best academic performance in the graduating class amongst all disciplines of B. Tech. and M.Sc. (5-year Integrated) degree programs of the institute.

The BS and MS programs in Mathematics & Scientific Computing

From 2011, the five-year M.Sc. (Integrated) program in Mathematics & Scientific Computing was discontinued, and a new four-year BS program in Mathematics & Scientific Computing was started. This BS program is completely credit based and students have the option (subject to fulfilling certain eligibility criteria) to also earn an MS degree along with the BS degree by spending one extra year.

The BS and MS programs in Statistics & Data Science

The field of Statistics has undergone a paradigm shift in the last few decades. Theoretical and mathematical properties of data are not studied in isolation, but in conjunction with practical considerations of real-world implementations. Recognising this, a BS and BS-MS program in Statistics & Data Science was started by the department from the academic year 2021-22. More information on the program proposal can be found here.

In the news: Times of India, Hindustan Times, Indian Express.