B.Tech in Computer Science and Masters in Computational Linguistics (5 year Dual Degree)

Computational Linguistics (CL) deals with understanding and developing computational theories of human language. Such theories allow us to understand the structure of language and build computer software that can process language. For example, if a query can be processed (that is, analyzed and understood) by the machine, then it can try to find an answer from a given database or from a set of documents. A search engine of the future is likely to use such a technology.

There is a great emphasis today on machine learning where the machine learns from real life language data. Consequently, the field is close to both Linguistics as well as Artificial Intelligence.

If you have a fascination for scientific study of natural language and combining it with computer science., this area is for you. The dual-degree programme will give you a strong grounding in both Computer Science and Linguistics, and will prepare you for academic research as well as industry research jobs in Computational Linguistics.

Click here for the semester wise curriculum.

B.Tech in Computer Science and Masters in Exact Humanities (5 year Dual Degree)

1. About the Program: This dual-degree program is designed to cultivate frontiers of knowledge that are common to computer science and humanities. Humanities, a body of knowledge encompassing both arts and social sciences, are undergoing deep changes due to rapid growth of digital technology. Computer science, with its expanding applicability, is also seeking humanities for its own development. This program is one of the recent global initiatives underway specifically to nurture trans-disciplinary confluence between the two. This confluence is opening challenging research and technology development opportunities.

Confluence of CS and Humanities is founded on the general background of (1) celebrative bohemia of arts and sciences, (2) common frontiers at the foundational level of knowledge, and (3) deep impact of digital technology on human environment. Theoretical underpinnings of the confluence rest on the rich legacy of the history of ideas, multifarious inquiries regarding nature of intelligence and emerging explorations into discrete worldviews.

The program does not see Humanities as merely an application domain of computer science. Humanities is taken as an equal knowledge partner in the confluence with computer science. The confluence is nurtured at the theoretical as well as applications levels. Courses are designed such that there is (a) wholesome exposure to incredible cultural/social wealth of India, (b) deep understanding of the theories of society and aesthetics, both traditional and modern, and (c) state-of-the-art expertise in computer science and information technology.

Width of Humanities has been divided into three broad streams:

      (1) Cultural Informatics: Arts/Culture/Aesthetics/History

      (2) Ontological Engineering: Philosophy/Indic Analytic Traditions/History of Ideas,

      (3) Development Engineering: Economics/Law/Polity/Values/Education.

Eight core courses introduce theories in these three humanities streams. Sequenced series of three humanities elective courses lead to specialization in one of the three streams. Thus humanities is introduced in its own terms, in width and in depth, interspersed with plausible confluence content. Besides, students will do core courses of computer science as well as four electives from CS research streams of the institute. The course load of humanities and CS will be equal in the first four years. Students will be encouraged to develop specific points of the confluence between CS and Humanities in five project-oriented courses in the third and fourth years. Points of confluence are treated as research explorations through these courses. Students will devote the fifth year to specific research problems dealing with the confluence.

2. Brief Objectives of the Program: Imparting high-quality education in both computer science and humanities with a view to cultivate confluence between the two at research and application levels. Aim is to prepare young minds for conducting de-novo research in understanding human elements and society in the information technology era.

3. Selection Procedure: Students who have applied through IIIT-H admissions portal will be asked to appear for an interview in the first week of July at IIIT-H Campus. Short-listing of applicants for interview will be done on the basis of AIEEE scores.

4. Details of the program:

Computer Science – 21 core and elective courses with 76 credits;

Exact Humanities – 21 core and elective courses with 76 credits;

Maths & Science – 3 courses with 12 credits;

5 project courses with 20 credits; Master’s Thesis with 24 credits.

Click here for semester-wise detailed curriculum.

Visit Center for Exact Humanities to learn about research at CEH.

5. Future Prospects: Rapid growth of information technology has touched all spheres of human activity. Internet is becoming ubiquitous. IT industry is rapidly moving into humanities computing, cultural computing, art computing, heritage computing etc. There are many entrepreneurial opportunities in the area as well. Being a pioneering program, academic and research opportunities are growing rapidly across the globe.

The program aims at creating high-quality professionals – (1) who would lead social computing sectors in IT industry, (2) who would be equipped with knowledge that could steer cultural industry in future, (3) who would be instrumental in developing cutting-edge technology for societal/cultural enterprises, (4) who would lead to knowledge creation at the cross-roads of humanities and computer science, and (5) who could lead developmental/cultural institutions and relevant policy bodies in governmental and international consultancy sectors. Such professionals will cater not only to manpower requirement of upcoming cultural industry (entertainment, media, hospitality, travel, design, festivity, art, legacy and social industry), but also to academia in humanities and computer science.