IITM BS Data Science Degree Level Electives: Full List

The DS handbook's degree level course table (updated 18 March 2026) lists 5 core courses and 31 electives. Every one of them is 4 credits. It also lists 2 comprehensive exam courses of 2 credits each. Not every elective runs every term, and the handbook says a course runs only if enough students register.

How to read the tables

• Level: "Degree" is a regular degree level course. "L4" and "L5" are level 4 and level 5 courses. L5 courses are harder, but their fee and credits are the same as L4.
• Tags: the handbook tags each course BP, BD, BD/BP, HM or SE. It does not spell these out. Going by the BS level rules, BP appears to mean the programming stream and BD the data science stream. HM courses are the humanities and management type.

The BS level needs 2 programming and 2 data science courses at level 4 or higher, so the level matters. See the BS degree level.

Core courses

These five are mandatory when you enter the BSc level.

Programming electives (BP)

Data science electives (BD)

Electives tagged both BD and BP

Humanities and management electives (HM)

The first three are "Degree" level courses. The other four are L4.

SE electives

Comprehensive exam courses

The table lists their level as "GATE". See comprehensive exam courses.

The two newer hands-on electives

The Data Science and AI Lab (BSDA4001) and the Application Development Lab (BSCS4010) are the two newer 4 credit electives. They are fully hands-on, with weekly graded assignments, a project and a viva, plus extra industry topics. Seats are limited because of the project part.

Prerequisites and corequisites

The table leaves the Application Development Lab prerequisite blank. The Diploma in Programming requirement comes from the handbook's section on the two new electives. More in IITM BS course prerequisites.

Which electives run in January 2027

The table marks whether each course runs in May 2026, September 2026 and January 2027. These are marked as not running in January 2027:

• Design Thinking for Data-Driven App Development (BSMS4002)
• Introduction to Big Data (BSDA5001)
• Privacy and Security in Online Social Media (BSCS4003)
• Mathematical Thinking (BSMA2001)
• Linear Statistical Models (BSMA3012)
• Computer Systems Design (BSCS3031)
• Reinforcement Learning (BSDA5007)
• Game Theory and Strategy (BSMS4023)
• i-NLP (BSDA5005)

i-NLP (BSDA5005) is marked as not running in any of the three terms.

Code mismatches to know about

• The handbook's list of minors gives Large Language Models as BSCS5004 and Deep Learning for Computer Vision as BSCS5006. The course table uses BSDA5004 and BSDA5006. Check the code shown when you register.
• The handbook says a 2xxx code means a level 2 course, yet Mathematical Thinking (BSMA2001) sits in the degree level table. Confirm how it counts before you rely on it.

Common questions

How many electives do I need in total?

At the BSc level, 8 credits beyond the five core courses, and up to 4 of those can come from NPTEL. At the BS level, 28 credits that include 2 programming and 2 data science courses at level 4 or higher, plus 4 HS/MG credits.

Can I take level 4 electives during the BSc level?

Yes. The handbook's fee table for the BSc level includes combinations with level 4 courses, such as two level 4 courses for the 8 elective credits.

Is Game Theory and Strategy part of a minor?

Yes. It is one of the three courses in the Minor in Economics and Finance, along with Corporate Finance and Managerial Economics. See IITM BS minors.

Will every elective in this list run next term?

No. Each course has its own term plan, and the handbook says offering depends on how many students register. Check the list on the registration page each term.