Computer Science and Engineering at IITs

• December 21, 2021
• By Editor
• Academic

What is Computer Science 

Computer science deals with the theory of computation, the design of computers, and the study of automating algorithmic processes. Computer science is considered as part of a family of five separate yet interrelated disciplines: computer engineering, computer science, information systems, information technology, and software engineering. This family has come to be known collectively as the discipline of computing. Computer science and computer engineering play a pivotal role in building the technology that transforms the world. It is rapidly becoming an essential component of nearly every profession and sector of the economy and is changing the world at an ever-increasing pace.

 Computer science has many sub-fields: Mathematical foundations; Theory of computation; Algorithms and data structures; Programming languages and compilers; Concurrent, parallel, and distributed systems; Software engineering; Computer architecture; Communications and Security; Databases; Artificial intelligence, Machine Learning; Soft computing; Computer graphics; Scientific computing.

 Relationship with other fields

Computer science originated within mathematics, mainly through mathematical logic and electrical engineering using Boolean algebra and switching theory to describe electronic circuitry. Computer science has an equally strong connection with engineering. When applied in an interdisciplinary fashion, students can also draw on their other areas of interest such as biology, business, cyber security, economics, engineering, environmental science, information assurance, languages and linguistics, mathematics, physics, public policy, etc., to address a wider range of complex issues.

Computers are now indispensable when it comes to designing and building any complex structure, from a skyscraper or submarine to a computer. High-performance computing has fundamentally changed the way biologists do science. Healthcare is another example in which fundamental computational problems are emerging. Researchers from many fields now regard computation as a third paradigm of scientific investigation, alongside theory and experimentation.

Why study Computer Science at IITs

Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are renowned globally for excellence in engineering education, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. They create a unique ecosystem that offers interactive learning, a highly flexible academic structure, cutting-edge research, strong industry collaboration, and entrepreneurship. Researchers at IITs work to innovate and develop solutions that meet the present and emerging needs of India, Asia, and the world. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of the research sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.

They have an outstanding faculty, many of whom are reputed for their research contributions internationally. IITs provide State-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities. IITs also build links with peer universities and institutes, both at the national and the international levels, to enhance research and enrich their educational programs. They have a vibrant residential campus that allows students to flourish personally and professionally. IIT alumni have distinguished themselves through their achievements in and contributions to the industry, academics, research, business, government, and social domains.

 Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Delhi

 IIT Delhi Department of Computer Science and Engineering is a leading computer science and engineering department for higher learning known for its excellent curriculum, outstanding impactful research, and talented faculty. The department offers BTech, Dual Degree, MTech, MS (Research), and Ph.D. programs. The doctoral program in Computer Science and Engineering offers students the possibility of doing intensive research in an area of their choice. It has a vibrant research program and provides the best facilities and working environment to the research students.

Broad areas of research include Algorithms and Complexity Theory; Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML); Natural Language Processing (NLP); Databases and Data Analytics; Architecture and Embedded Systems; Graphics and Vision; Computer Networks and Distributed Systems; Programming Languages, Semantics and Verification; Operating Systems, High-Performance Computing and Systems Software; Information and Communication Technologies for Development; Neuro-informatics and Medical informatics; Cyber Security and Secure Information Systems.

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay is one of the largest computer science departments in the country, renowned for its research and academic programs. The postgraduate and undergraduate degrees offered by the department, Ph.D., MTech, and BTech, are highly regarded. The department has internationally recognized research groups in most of the areas in Computer Science. The faculty regularly publish papers in leading international conferences and journals and serve on the editorial boards and program committees of leading international journals and conferences. The department has a star-studded alumni body consisting of leading researchers worldwide, entrepreneurs, experts, successful engineers, and impactful policymakers.

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras

The Department was started as the Computer Centre in 1973 with an IBM 370, perhaps the most powerful computer in India at that time. It offered MTech, MS, and Ph.D. degree programs. In 1983, the BTech degree program was started. Global excellence and local relevance in research, teaching, and technology development is the vision of the Department. Department is actively engaged in research activities in various research areas such as Computer Systems, Intelligent Systems, and Human-Computer Interaction, Theoretical Computer Science, etc. 

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kharagpur

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur was formed in 1980. Since its inception, the department has been recognized all over the world for excellence in research and teaching. The department has a thriving research environment with active research groups in Algorithms and Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Complex and Social Networks, Data and Web Mining, Formal Methods, Information and System Security, Software Engineering, and Systems and Networking. Graduates from the department are heavily recruited by both academia and industry, and ex-students of the department occupy top positions in both academia and industry all over the world.

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kanpur

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was the first Institute in India to start Computer Science education. It started in August 1963 with an IBM 1620 system – a novelty then, even in many North American and European universities. The department runs BTech, MTech, MS, and Ph.D. programs and is engaged in cutting-edge research with sponsored projects and consultancies. Researchers at the CSE department have achieved many milestones. Their research and initiatives have opened up new horizons. Many of the nation’s leading experts, educationists, and consultants in computer science today are alumni of this department.

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institutes of Technology at Guwahati, Roorkee, Varanasi (BHU), Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Patna provides an outstanding research environment complemented by excellence in teaching. Other IITs, i.e. IIT Ropar, IIT Mandi, IIT Indore, IIT Dharwad, IIT Palakkad, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, IIT Jodhpur, IIT Bhilai, IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, IIT Goa also offer excellent research and teaching programs in computer science and engineering

In addition to the computer science and engineering departments at these IITs, various other departments, schools, and centers such as mathematics, electrical, information technology, artificial intelligence, biosciences, and bioengineering at different IITs also offer research programs in computer science and engineering.