IITM BS Minor in Cloud Computing for AI: Courses and Rules

The IITM BS Minor in Cloud Computing for AI needs three courses: Deep Learning Practice, Introduction to Big Data, and MLOps. Each is 4 credits, so the minor is 12 credits. These count inside the 142 credits of the BS in Data Science. The minor has no prerequisite of its own.

Courses in the Cloud Computing for AI minor

This minor has been available from the September 2025 term. The details below come from the degree level course table (updated 18 March 2026).

The course table writes the last course as "ML Ops". It is the same course, with the same code.

All three are level 5 courses. The handbook says level 5 courses are more complex than level 3 and level 4 courses, but they carry the same credits and fee as a level 4 course.

Prerequisites for each course

• Deep Learning Practice needs Deep Learning (BSCS3004), which is a mandatory BSc level course.
• Introduction to Big Data has no prerequisite in the table.
• MLOps has no prerequisite in the table.

Rules for this minor

• The 12 credits count within the 142 credits for the BS degree. They are not extra.
• You get the minor only with the BS degree, not with the BSc.
• IIT Madras issues a separate document for the minor. Your transcript and degree certificate do not change.
• You can earn more than one minor if you finish every course of each.
• One course can count for only one minor.
• If a minor has a prerequisite, it is checked when the minor is given, and the order does not matter. This minor has none.

The one course, one minor rule matters here. Deep Learning Practice is also a course in the Generative AI minor, and the prerequisite for the Multimodal AI Systems minor. The handbook uses Deep Learning Practice as its own example: you can claim it in only one minor. It does not name a replacement course. So if you want this minor and the Generative AI minor, ask support first.

See the full list of IITM BS minors to compare.

Who this minor may suit

The course names point to practical deep learning, big data and MLOps, with no maths foundations course in the set. It may suit you if you like the hands-on, systems side of AI.

How to plan it alongside your electives

After the five mandatory BSc level courses, you have about 36 elective credits across the BSc and BS levels. This minor uses 12 of them. The DS electives list shows the other options for those slots.

Watch the offering pattern in the March 2026 table. Offering also depends on registration numbers.

Introduction to Big Data is marked only for September 2026 out of these three terms. Check the course list every term and take it when it appears.

Common questions

Does this minor include a cloud platform course?

The handbook lists only the three courses above. It does not describe what each course covers, so ask support if you need the syllabus before you register.

I finished Deep Learning Practice for the Generative AI minor. Can I reuse it here?

No. A course that was already counted for a minor in an earlier term will not be counted again. If you finish both minors in the same term, you choose which one gets it.

Is MLOps in any other minor?

No. In the current handbook list, MLOps appears only in this minor. Introduction to Big Data also appears only here.