IITM BS Learning Paths: How Many Courses to Take Each Term

The IITM BS Data Science handbook gives suggested learning paths that range from 1 course a term to 4 courses a term. The slowest plans reach one diploma in 3 years. The shortest path reaches the BSc in 8 terms. For the diploma level, the handbook also gives weekly hours: about 40 hours a week for a comfortable pace and 70 or more for the fastest pace.

The suggested paths

The handbook lists paths for five goals: the foundation certificate, the Diploma in Programming, the Diploma in Data Science, both diplomas, and the BSc degree. The tables below show how many courses it suggests each term, counted from your very first term. A year has 3 terms.

Foundation and diploma plans

Degree plans

The handbook's table also has a "BS Degree" column. Its numbers for these 4 years are exactly the same as the BSc plan, and it gives no total. So there is no separate term by term plan for the BS level.

How long each path takes

The one diploma total of 14 matches 8 foundation courses plus 6 diploma courses, and 20 matches 8 plus 12. The handbook does not say whether project courses are counted in these numbers.

Weekly hours for the diploma level

The handbook gives these paces for finishing both diplomas:

• Most aggressive, 4 terms. Only if you study full time, do nothing else, and can put in at least 70 hours a week.
• Comfortable, 6 terms (2 years). For students and working people doing this next to another degree or a job. About 40 hours a week.
• Slower, 6 or 7 terms. Suggested if you come from a non-technical background, are new to programming or have a busy schedule.

Even on a relaxed pace, the handbook says you should aim to finish within 7 or 8 terms. The hard limit for the diploma level is 12 terms. If you take only one diploma, the handbook suggests the same order of courses.

Limits that shape your plan

A slow plan still has to meet the checkpoints:

• Foundation (joined from May 2024): at least 4 courses in 4 terms, 6 in 6 terms, all 8 in 9 terms. See foundation checkpoints.
• Diploma (started from May 2024): at least 3 courses and 1 project in 3 terms, 6 and 2 in 6 terms, 9 and 3 in 9 terms, 12 and 4 in 12 terms. See diploma checkpoints.
• Joined from May 2026: foundation and diploma within 15 terms if you want to go on to the degree level.
• BSc level: at most 4 courses in a term.

At the foundation level, CCC is only a recommendation now, not a hard cap. See credit clearing capability.

Common questions

Can I take 4 courses every term?

The handbook's shortest path does exactly that for most terms. At the BSc level, 4 courses a term is the maximum. Remember the fastest diploma pace assumes at least 70 hours of study a week.

I have a full-time job. Which path fits me?

The handbook's comfortable pace, 6 terms for both diplomas at about 40 hours a week, is written for students and working people. If you are new to programming, it suggests 6 or 7 terms.

Do terms I skip count against my time limits?

Yes. Terms where you paid RKA and terms where you dropped all your courses count towards the foundation and diploma term limits. For students who joined from May 2026, they also count in the 15 term limit.

Should I do the diplomas one after the other or mix them?

Either is allowed. The handbook suggests the same course order in both cases. More in can you do both diplomas.