Design of Certificates

Design of Certificates for the 4 Levels of the IIT Madras BS Degree Programme

The IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Applications awards formal certificates at four key exit points, each with a distinct design and official status. The certificate designs have been finalized and are displayed on the programme website. Below is a summary of the certificate types, their features, and the process for issuance.

1. Foundation Level Certificate

• Awarded for: Successful completion of all 8 Foundation courses.
• Design Features:
  • Bears the official IIT Madras insignia.
  • Clearly states “Foundation Level Certificate” along with the programme name.
  • Includes the learner’s name, roll number, and date of issue.
  • Signed by the designated IIT Madras authority.
• Purpose: Certifies that the learner has acquired foundational skills in mathematics, statistics, computational thinking, Python programming, and English, making them eligible for the next level.

2. Diploma Level Certificates

• Awarded for: Successful completion of the required courses and projects in either or both of:
  • Diploma in Programming
  • Diploma in Data Science
• Design Features:
  • Each diploma has its own distinct certificate.
  • The certificate specifies the diploma stream (Programming or Data Science).
  • Features IIT Madras branding, learner details, and date of issue.
  • Signed by the appropriate IIT Madras official.
• Purpose: Recognizes completion of specialized training in programming or data science. Learners may exit with one or both diplomas.

3. BSc Degree Certificate

• Awarded for: Completion of all required credits and courses up to the BSc level (including Foundation and both Diplomas).
• Design Features:
  • Official IIT Madras degree certificate format.
  • States “Bachelor of Science in Programming and Data Science.”
  • Includes the learner’s name, roll number, date of issue, and official signatures.
  • IIT Madras seal and degree conferral language.
• Purpose: Confers the BSc degree, signifying undergraduate-level mastery in programming and data science.

4. BS Degree Certificate

• Awarded for: Completion of all programme requirements up to the BS level (including all previous levels and additional credits/electives).
• Design Features:
  • Official IIT Madras degree certificate format.
  • States “Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Applications.”
  • Contains learner’s details, date, and signatures of institute authorities.
  • IIT Madras seal and formal degree language.
• Purpose: Awards the BS degree, the highest credential in the programme, indicating advanced expertise and readiness for industry or further study.

General Certificate Design Elements

• All certificates are designed to be visually distinct for each level, preventing confusion between levels.
• Each certificate includes:
  • IIT Madras logo and branding.
  • Title of the certificate or degree.
  • Learner’s name, roll number, and date of issue.
  • Official signatures and seal.
• The designs are finalized and showcased on the official programme website for reference¹.

Issuance Timeline and Process

• Certificates are issued after completion of the required credits and upon approval by the IIT Madras Senate.
• Senate meetings for certificate approval are held three to four times a year.
• Learners receive provisional certificates first, followed by the original certificate after Senate approval.
• The photo used for the hall ticket is printed on the provisional certificate¹.

Recognition and Status

• Foundation and Diploma Certificates: Recognize academic achievement at intermediate levels; learners who exit at these stages are not considered alumni.
• BSc and BS Degree Certificates: Full undergraduate degrees; recipients are considered IIT Madras alumni.

Note: The actual certificate designs (visuals) can be viewed on the programme website. All certificates are official IIT Madras documents, ensuring national and international recognition¹.