IITM BS Electronic Systems Foundation Courses and Labs

The foundation level of the IITM BS in Electronic Systems has 9 theory courses and 5 labs. The theory courses give 36 credits and the labs give 7, so the whole level is worth 43 credits. Every ES student starts here, because the ES programme has no direct entry into the diploma.

Foundation theory courses

All 9 theory courses carry 4 credits each.

Learn the short names ESTC and EEC early. The handbook uses them in many places.

Embedded C Programming has a CS2 code, but it is still a foundation course. You need it to finish the level.

The 5 foundation labs

Four of the labs are small 1-credit courses. The Electronics Laboratory is the big one at 3 credits.

Add the lab credits: 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 1 = 7. With 36 theory credits, you get 43.

Each lab lists its theory course as a corequisite. In simple terms, you take the theory course before the lab or in the same term. Two labs also need an earlier lab:

• The Electronics Laboratory needs the ESTC Laboratory first.
• The Embedded C Programming Laboratory is tied to the C Programming Laboratory. The prerequisite section says the C lab must come first. The main course table lists it as a corequisite instead.

Labs also involve campus visits. Read how ES labs work and how many campus visits you need before you pick your labs.

Suggested order of the foundation courses

The handbook's course table splits the foundation into three blocks, called semesters.

The semester 3 block also has the first diploma courses in it. Treat this as an order, not a timetable. The newer lab rules move the labs to later terms, so check the ES study plans for a term by term view.

Prerequisites inside the foundation level

• English II needs English I.
• EEC needs both ESTC and Math for Electronics I.
• Embedded C Programming needs Introduction to C Programming.
• Introduction to Linux and Programming lists Introduction to C Programming as a corequisite.
• Digital Systems is unclear. The course table says it needs ESTC. The prerequisite section says it needs Introduction to C Programming. Confirm with support before you plan around it.

The full list for all three levels is in ES course prerequisites.

Moving from foundation to diploma

• The handbook says you must finish courses up to the Electronics Laboratory before you register for diploma courses.
• Embedded C Programming (CS2101) must be passed earlier or taken in the same term as your first diploma courses. The same line also names "CS2109", a code that does not appear anywhere else in the handbook.
• When you finish all foundation courses, you get the Foundation level certificate.

What comes next is covered in ES diploma courses and labs.

Common questions

Can I skip the foundation level if I already studied electronics?

No. The ES handbook says you cannot register for the diploma directly. Everyone who joins starts at the foundation level, whatever their background.

Can I take a lab without its theory course?

No. Every foundation lab lists a theory course as a corequisite. You either take that course in the same term or finish it before the lab.

Why is the Electronics Laboratory worth 3 credits?

The handbook does not give a reason. It is the only foundation lab tied to two theory courses (EEC and Digital Systems), and it also needs the ESTC Laboratory first. By credits, it is the largest lab of the level.

Is Math for Electronics II part of the foundation?

It is not in the list of foundation courses. Only Math for Electronics I (MA1101) is part of this level.