Tamil Nadu engineering students can get honours degree by passing 6 extra courses: Report

NEW DELHI: Now, students studying in engineering in Tamil Nadu can get an honors degree in four years by passing six extra courses, the Times of India reported. Around 1 lakh students have taken admission in the BE, BTech programmes in the state this year, it said.

Engineering students can also earn minor degrees in other disciplines by earning 18 credits in those branches, the report said.

Also Read | #JEEAdvancedExtraAttempt: IIT JEE Advanced 2020 candidates demand third attempt in 2022

The decision has been taken in the academic council meeting of Anna University, the report said.

“If students get high grades till fourth semester in BE, BTech programmes, they will be allowed to select specialised courses in ME, MTech degree programmes. If they clear six specialised courses in a related field or get 18 extra credits, they will be awarded with honours degree,” TOI quoted Anna University’s Vice-Chancellor R Velraj as saying.

Also Read | IIT Mandi Catalyst calls for applications for Startup Grand Challenge

Velraj gave an example to TOI that if a mechanical engineering student or a civil engineering student completes six courses in artificial intelligence or machine learning, they will get a BE or BTech degree with a minor in artificial intelligence or machine learning.

The university is considering implementing the decision for the second year engineering students after making necessary changes, the report said.

According to the 2021 regulations of Anna University, a student needs to earn a minimum of 160 credits to receive a BE or BTech degree.

Also Read | IIT Madras re-launches MS in Entrepreneurship programme

Colleges appreciated the step saying that it would increase the placement opportunities, as per the report.

A college principal told TOI that interdisciplinary skills are the need of the hour as companies look for them in students with the emergence of new technologies such as Internet of Things and thus, this move will help students getting more placements.

Another college principal told TOI that while the move to start minor degrees will improve admissions in core disciplines, introducing honors degrees will motivate students to specialise in the area of their interest.