Computer Science Engineering Department, IIT Kanpur

About Computer Science Engineering Department, IIT Kanpur

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was the first Institute in India to start Computer Science education. The initial "computer-related" courses were started at IIT Kanpur in August 1963 on an IBM 1620 system installed in the nation's first "computer classroom," a novelty then even in many North American and European universities. Gradually, the Institute drew upon some of the brightest young Indians in Computer Science to serve on its faculty and initiated an independent academic program in 1971, leading to Ph.D. and M. Tech. degrees. The undergraduate program started later, with the first batch graduating in 1983. The department was formally established in 1984. Many of the nation's leading experts, educationists and consultants in computer science today are the alumni of this department. Currently, the department has a faculty of 18 whose interests span almost all areas of Computer Science.

The department admits about 30 students every year in the B.Tech. program and 30 students in the M.Tech. program. 15 students are admitted to the dual-degree progrom, which results in students getting both a BTech and an MTech degree at the end of 5 years. There are about 5 Ph.D. students registered at a time. There are two software engineers and two other staff attached to the laboratory facilities. Besides, there are a number of research engineers working in various sponsored projects. The department has one of the best undergraduate programs in the country. The course curriculum for the undergraduate program gives the flexibility to the students to prepare for advanced specializations. The department commits to offer a set of electives so that students can plan their academic program in advance. The course structure provides a right mix of compulsory and elective courses. The department has taken initiative to implement the institute wide program for undergraduate minor in computer science for students of other disciplines. The response for this minor has been excellent.

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) was the first department in India to start Computer Science education. It started in August 1963 with an IBM 1620 system - a novelty then, even in many North American and European universities. The department runs BTech, MTech, MS and PhD programs and is engaged in cutting edge research with sponsored projects and consultancies. Many of the nation's leading experts, educationists and consultants in computer science today are the alumni of this department.