Biology and Physics: new compulsory courses at IIT-B

It seems the IITs (Indian Institute of Technology) are on an innovation spree! After IIT-Delhi introducing a certificate management course, IIT-Bombay is all set to introduce compulsory courses in Biology and Physics!

As per a set of academic amendments passed by the institute’s senate that aims at churning out educationally well-rounded engineers, the first-year B.Tech students at IIT- B will now have to take compulsory courses in Biology and Physics from the coming academic year. The final decision will be taken after the minutes of the meeting are declared.

“This could be the first IIT that recognises that engineers should know biology. It is an essential component for a basic sciences foundation," said a professor, who is also a senate member, to a national daily.

Biosciences and bioengineering are highly sought-after areas and engineering graduates might work in these areas later on, explained another professor. He further added that basic sciences courses had been in the curriculum until some years ago, and that the decision to bring them back in would help “broaden the base”.