IITM BS Glossary

AI: Search Methods for Problem Solving — Degree subject. Classical AI: search algorithms (BFS, DFS, A*), constraint satisfaction, and knowledge representation.

Business Analytics — Diploma in Data Science subject. Quantitative techniques for business: forecasting, optimization, and decision-making.

Business Data Management — Diploma in Data Science subject. Covers data analysis for business decisions, relational databases, and case studies.

Bonus Points for Teaching Assistants — extra credit awarded to students who contribute as Teaching Assistants in System Commands. Counts toward the System Commands grade.

Computational Thinking — Foundation subject covering algorithms, problem-solving, flowcharts, and basic programming logic.

Database Management Systems — Diploma in Programming subject. SQL, ER diagrams, normalization, transactions. Has OPPE exam.

The final level of IITM BS, completing the full Bachelor of Science degree. Students take advanced subjects like Deep Learning (DL), Software Engineering (SE), AI, and electives. Completing this level earns the BS degree from IIT Madras.

The second level of IITM BS. Students choose one of two tracks: Diploma in Data Science (MLF, MLT, MLP, BDM, BA, TDS) or Diploma in Programming (DBMS, PDSA, Java, MAD 1, MAD 2, SC).

Deep Learning — Degree subject. Neural networks, CNNs, RNNs, transformers, and modern deep learning architectures.

An independent, student-built resource platform for IITM BS Data Science students. Provides free notes, GA solutions, PYQs, grade calculator, and grade predictor. Not affiliated with IIT Madras.

Minimum conditions a student must meet to be eligible for a grade. Common eligibility requirements: attending at least one Quiz, meeting the weekly assignment submission threshold, and (for OPPE courses) completing SCT.

The final proctored exam held at the end of each term (Week 12–13). It typically carries the highest weightage in the grading formula (40–80% depending on the course).

The first level of IITM BS. It has 8 core subjects studied over ~4 terms (~1 year): Maths 1 DS, Maths 2 DS, Stats 1 DS, Stats 2 DS, Python, English 1, English 2, and Computational Thinking (CT). Open to anyone who passes the Qualifier Exam.

Excellent — awarded when the final score is ≥80 out of 100.

Very Good — awarded when the final score is ≥70 out of 100.

Good — awarded when the final score is ≥60 out of 100.

Average — awarded when the final score is ≥50 out of 100.

Pass — the minimum passing grade in IITM BS. Awarded when the final score is ≥40 out of 100.

Incomplete — given when a student meets the minimum score requirements but fails an eligibility condition (e.g., did not attend at least one quiz). Treated as a fail.

Outstanding — awarded when the final weighted score is ≥90 out of 100. The highest grade in IITM BS.

Unconditional Fail — awarded when the final score is <40, or when eligibility conditions (minimum quiz attendance, weekly assignment completion) are not met regardless of the final score.

Weekly online assignments submitted through the IITM student portal. Students usually get multiple attempts, with the highest score counted. GAs count toward the final grade as part of the Graded Assignment Average (GAA).

The average of all Graded Assignment (GA) scores for a course in a term. GAA is used in the grade formula for many Diploma and Degree courses, typically contributing 20–40% of the total grade.

A coding-based graded assignment used in programming courses like Python, PDSA, Java, and DBMS. Completed through an online coding platform. GrPA scores contribute to the course grade.

IIT Madras Bachelor of Science Degree — a fully online undergraduate degree offered by IIT Madras, open to anyone in India. Two tracks: Data Science and Programming (DS), and Electronic Systems (ES).

Any exam taken at a registered exam centre with a human proctor. All IITM BS Quizzes, End Terms, and OPPEs are invigilated. The Qualifier Exam is the only major exam taken from home.

Programming Concepts using Java — Diploma in Programming subject. OOP concepts, inheritance, interfaces, and data structures in Java. Has OPPE exam.

Modern Application Development 1 — Diploma in Programming subject. Web development using Flask, HTML, CSS, and REST APIs.

Modern Application Development 2 — Diploma in Programming subject. Advanced web development: Vue.js, REST APIs, authentication, and deployment.

Mathematics for Data Science 1 — Foundation level subject covering Sets and Functions, Calculus, and Graph Theory. One of the core Foundation subjects.

Mathematics for Data Science 2 — Foundation level subject covering Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, and advanced Calculus.

Machine Learning Foundations — Diploma in Data Science subject. Covers supervised learning, regression, classification, and core ML algorithms.

Machine Learning Practice — Diploma in Data Science subject. Practical ML implementation. Has OPPE exam. Includes KA (Knowledge Assessment) component.

Machine Learning Techniques — Diploma in Data Science subject. Advanced ML including SVMs, neural networks, dimensionality reduction, and linear algebra.

Online Programming and Proctored Exam. A live coding exam at a registered centre for programming-heavy courses: Python, PDSA, DBMS, Java, MLP, MAD 1, MAD 2, System Commands. Students write actual code under supervision. OPPE 1 and OPPE 2 are held separately in a term.

Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms using Python — Diploma in Programming subject. Arrays, trees, graphs, sorting, and searching algorithms. Has OPPE exam.

Previous Year Questions — past Quiz and End Term exam papers from earlier IITM BS terms. Practising PYQs is the most effective way to prepare for proctored exams.

Intro to Python Programming — Foundation subject covering Python basics, data structures, functions, and OOP. Has both GA and GrPA components, and an OPPE exam.

A free online entrance test to join IITM BS Foundation level. Tests basic aptitude in English, Mathematics, and Statistics. Held approximately 4 times a year. No eligibility barrier — anyone who has passed Class 10 can take it from home.

The first proctored exam of each term, held around Week 5–6 at registered exam centres across India. Most subjects include Quiz 1 as part of the grading formula.

The second proctored exam of each term, held around Week 9–10. Usually covers Week 5 onwards content. Part of the grading formula for most courses.

A performance-based bonus for Tools in Data Science (TDS) where students who complete advanced tasks correctly earn additional credit. The ROE score is part of the TDS grading formula.

System Commands — Diploma in Programming subject. Linux command line, shell scripting, and system administration. Has OPPE. Has BPTA for Teaching Assistants.

Student Competency Test — a prerequisite test for OPPE-based courses. Students must complete SCT before appearing for OPPE.

Software Engineering — Degree subject. Software development lifecycle, design patterns, testing, and project management.

Strategies for Professional Growth — Degree subject. Career development, communication, leadership, and professional skills.

Software Testing — Degree subject. Testing methodologies, unit testing, integration testing, and test automation.

Statistics for Data Science 1 — Foundation subject covering descriptive statistics, probability, distributions, and basic inference.

Statistics for Data Science 2 — Foundation subject covering hypothesis testing, regression analysis, ANOVA, and statistical inference.

Tools in Data Science — Diploma in Data Science subject. Practical tools: Python libraries (NumPy, Pandas), visualization, and project work. Graded via GAA, ROE, and two projects.

A study period of approximately 12 weeks. IITM BS runs multiple terms per year. Each term has weekly assignments, two proctored quizzes, and an end term exam.