Do you dream of getting into IIT? You might think clearing the toughest examination, JEE Advanced, is the only option. But what if there was a way to get into IIT without sitting for the official JEE examination? Yes, you can get into IIT Madras through the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). Through this blog, we explore this unconventional route to IIT through a unique program offered by IIT Madras.
In this blog, we will discuss:
- The IIT Madras BS in Medical Sciences and Engineering Program
- Program Highlights
- Application and Eligibility
- Future Prospects and Placements
The IIT Madras BS in Medical Sciences and Engineering Program:
The Department of Medical Sciences and Technology at IIT Madras has introduced a unique 4-year BS program in medical sciences and engineering. The goal of this interdisciplinary program is to give students the information and skills they need to innovate in the connection between engineering and healthcare. Students gain a strong foundation in engineering and the biological sciences while exploring a variety of medical technology topics, from biomedical instrumentation to healthcare systems engineering. It offers a curriculum that is practical and interdisciplinary, bridging the gap between engineering and medicine.
Program Highlights:
A strong research foundation is provided by the program’s faculty, which combines medical and engineering backgrounds. Faculty from both the medical and engineering fields will teach the program’s courses, which will give students a solid foundation in research. To connect theory and practice, the course structure includes an internship in a hospital. One or more of the following areas are available for specialisation in this program:
- Development of Organ-Specific Devices
- Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Health
- Medical Image Analysis
- Quantitative Pharmacology
- Drug Design and Deployment
- Translational Research in Medicine and Regulatory Processes
- Fundamental Sciences of Physiology
Admission to the four-year B.S. in Medical Sciences & Engineering undergraduate program at IIT Madras is available. The number of seats available is 32, with 12 seats for the open category and others for different reserved ones. Successful completion of the program’s course requirements results in a bachelor’s degree. Since the program is credit-based, students can advance at their own speed. A minimum level of performance is essential for satisfactory progress.
Application and Eligibility:
All the candidates must simultaneously fulfil each and every one of the following three criteria to apply for the BS in Medical Sciences and Engineering.
- Qualified in IAT 2024: Applicants must be Indian nationals or PIO or OCI card holders in order to apply through the IAT – 2024 channel. Before applying to IIT Madras, one must apply for the IAT 2024.
- Age limit: Candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 1999. Five years of age relaxation is given to SC, ST, and PwD candidates, i.e., these candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 1994.
- Appearance and performance in Class XII examination:
- Candidates must have passed the Class XII (or equivalent) exam with science stream in 2022, 2023, or 2024 from any board recognised by the Council of Boards of School Education in India, COBSE.
- Candidates must have taken Mathematics as a subject and at least two subjects among Biology, Chemistry, and Physics during their Class XII (or equivalent) exam.
- Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PWD should have scored a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in their Class XII (or equivalent) exam. Candidates belonging to other categories should have scored a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in their Class XII (or equivalent) exam.
- Candidates whose Class XII (or equivalent) exam results have not yet been declared can apply for admission to the B.S. program in Medical Sciences and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. However, their admission will be provisional and confirmed subject to fulfilling the minimum eligibility criteria given above.
- For candidates who had appeared in the Class XII (or equivalent) exam for the first time in 2022 or 2023 and reappeared in any subject (for whatever reason) in 2024, the better of two performances will be considered.
- If a board gives aggregate marks considering both Class XI and Class XII, then only Class XII (or equivalent) exam marks will be considered. If a board gives aggregate marks considering the results of all three years of a 3-year diploma or courses of equivalent duration, then only the marks scored in the final year will be considered. Similarly, for boards that follow a semester system, the marks scored in the final two semesters will be considered.
- If a board awards only letter grades without providing an equivalent percentage of marks on the grade sheet, the candidate should obtain a certificate from the board specifying the equivalent marks and submit it before the deadline for the mark sheet submission. In case such a certificate is not provided by the board, the percentage marks will be assessed as follows:
Percentage marks = (CGPA or CPI obtained × 100) / PS, where PS stands for the maximum value of the point scale used by the respective board.
- Application Process: Applicants must visit the official website of IIT Madras for the application process. The application fee is Rs.500 for general, OBC-NCL, and EWS categories and Rs.250 for others. Though filling out the application is quite easy and straightforward, for a step-by-step guide to filling out the application form, check out this video.
Future Prospects and Placements:
Some students may have concerns about the future prospects of this program. However, it’s important to note that IIT Madras, India’s top engineering college, has dedicated significant resources and partnered with renowned institutions and industry experts to develop this program. This level of investment and support ensures that graduates will have excellent career opportunities and be in high demand.
In fact, with the increasing focus on integrating technology and medicine, there will be a growing need for professionals who possess both medical and technological expertise. This program prepares students to play a critical role in research and development in the field of medical sciences, offering them a phenomenal future.
Conclusion:
If you are feeling demotivated by the JEE exam and looking for alternative options to get into IIT, the BS program in medical sciences and engineering at IIT Madras is an excellent opportunity. The program offers a unique blend of engineering and medical sciences, preparing students for a promising career in an interdisciplinary field.
Remember, the future of medicine is evolving, and professionals who can navigate the intersection of technology and healthcare will be in high demand. By joining this program, you can become a part of the future of medicine and make a lasting impact.
So, don’t miss this opportunity to explore a new pathway to IIT. Apply for the IAT and register for IIT Madras to kickstart your journey towards a successful career in medical sciences and engineering. Best of luck!
FAQ:
Q: What subjects/streams should have been taken in Class XII to be eligible for the BS program in Medical Sciences & Engineering?
A: Candidates must have taken Mathematics as a subject and at least two subjects among Biology, Chemistry, and Physics during their Class XII (or equivalent) exam.
Q: What score should a candidate obtain in the IAT examination to be eligible for admission to the BS program in Medical Sciences & Engineering?
A: This will depend on the top percentile of scores obtained in the IAT examination in a given admission year and cannot be predetermined.
Q: Should a student have taken the NEET or JEE examinations to be eligible for the BS program in Medical Sciences & Engineering?
A: No. NEET or JEE are not required for admission to the BS program in Medical Sciences & Engineering.
Q: What is the Application fee for the BS program in Medical Sciences & Engineering?
A: Application Fee (2023 Intake) is:
- Rs.500/-for candidates applying under General, EWS, and OBC- NCL categories.
- Rs.250/-for candidates applying under persons with disabilities and SC/ST category.
- Application fee is non-refundable
Q: Will IITM facilitate placements for students who have completed the BS Program in Medical Sciences & Engineering?
A: Students who have completed the BS Programme in Medical Sciences & Engineering are eligible for placements through the IITM placement cell in the same way as any BTech student of the institute.
Q: Is the BS Program in Medical Sciences & Engineering an online or offline course?
A: The BS Programme in Medical Sciences & Engineering is a fully offline course with a presence required on the IITM campus. There is no online option for the BS Program in Medical Sciences & Engineering.
Q: Can I practice medicine after completing the BS Program in Medical Sciences & Engineering?
A: No. You cannot practice medicine as a doctor after completing the BS Program in Medical Sciences & Engineering.
About us:
SciAstra is a team of scientists and research scholars from the top research institutes around the world like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and so on. Our vision is to promote critical thinking and scientific temperament by helping students in their careers in science.
We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER, NISER, IACS, CMI,ISI IISC Bangalore, etc teach students in live classes, with study materials, mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7,10, 12, and 13 in IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on. If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2024, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!
