The Bachelor of Technology programme in Chemical Engineering was introduced as the first programme when the
department was established in 1959. The first set of graduands were awarded their degrees in 1964. Nearly 50 students
are admitted each year to the Bachelors programme through the Joint Entrance Examination ( IIT-JEE ). About 10 students
are admitted to the Dual Degree programme each year.
The B.Tech is an eight semester ( four year ) programme
whilethe Dual Degree is a ten semester ( five year ) programme. In the B.Tech. programmme, basic concepts of Chemical
Engineering areintroduced through courses and practical experience is providedthrough laboratories. The B.Tech
curriculum also has a 'Minor'requirement, wherein the students choose four courses in a field other
than Chemical Engineering. The graduands of this programme either go
on for higher studies abroad or absorbed in the industry.
The Dual Degree curriculum was launched in 1998 and the first class of graduands graduated in
2003. The Dual Degree curriculum comprises of a mixed Bachelors and Masters programme. The students are in the B.Tech
curriculum in the first seven semesters and then during the next three semesters choose electives from the Masters
curriculum. They work towards a ComprehensiveThesis during the last three semesters.
In the Bachelor's
curriculum the emphasis is on the exposure to concepts in Chemical Engineering. The curriculum caters to industries
looking for design engineers or operation managers with sound technical background. In the Dual Degree curriculum, the
students are exposed to subjects of deeper significance and the Dissertation determines the field of specialisation.
The Master of Technology programme in Chemical Engineering was introduced in 1959. Over
25 students are admitted each year based on the scores in Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering ( GATE ). The four
semester curriculum includes 12 courses and a project in a field of choice of the student. Certain core courses need to
be completed in the earlier semesters before the student can take up electives in the later semesters. An industrial
practice course where contemporary industrial problems is an attractive feature of the programme.
A post
graduate study in a time bound programme like M.Tech demands excellent work and meticluous planning by the student. The
masters programme has the possiblity of financial assistance in the form of Half-Time Teaching Assistantship ( HTTA )
wherein the students assist faculty in teaching courses or conducting undergraduate laboratory experiments. Only the
students who qualify through GATE are eligible for this assistantship which currently include a 50% tuition waiver with
a monthly stipend of Rs. 5000.
Admissions to the M.S
programme are based on the GATE score of the candidate as well as his performance in an interview. The M.S by research
programme has more emphasis on thesis/ dissertation and less emphasis on course work as compared to the M.Tech
programme. The number of courses a student must take is a minimum of five. A significant part of the programme is spent
on work on his thesis. He works in collaboration with a faculty member on a research problem. The progress of his
research work is monitored by a committee of the department called the GTC.
This programme is not a time
bound programme and its duration is around two and a half years. Half time teaching or research assistantships are
available for students where in they students assist faculty in teaching courses or conducting undergraduate laboratory
courses, conducting exams etc.. This is available only for students who qualify through GATE exam. The assistantships
currently include a 50% tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend of Rs5000.
Admissions to the Ph.D
programme are based on his performance in an interview conducted by the department. The number of courses a student must
take is a minimum of four. A significant part of the programme is spent on work on a comprehensive thesis. He works in
collaboration with a faculty member on theresearch problem. The progress of his research work is monitored by a
committee of the department called the DTC. The primary purpose of the program is to aim at giving quality education and
encouraging the candidate to do research independently.
This programme is not a time bound programme and its
duration is approximately four years. Half time teaching or research assistantships are available for students where in
they students assist faculty in teaching courses or conducting undergraduate laboratory courses. They are also required
to assist with conducting exams etc.The assistantships currently include a 50% tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend
of Rs9500 for the first two years and Rs10 000 for the remaining period.