About IIT Madras
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) is an institute of national importance established through an Act of Parliament in 1959. It offers quality education in Humanities,Sciences, Engineering, Management and Technology at UG/PG level. The academic environment promotes an all-round and holistic development of personality, excellence in knowledge, self-confidence, discipline, and values of responsible professionalism, and citizenship. The academic programmes of the Institute have a credit-based system, which offer flexibility to acquire knowledge and skill in a variety of disciplines. The alumni of the Institute hold key positions in academia, industry and government in both India and abroad, and have made notable contributions in their respective fields. The Institute also has an excellent placement cell.
About MST
The Department of Medical Sciences and Technology at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras was established in February 2023. The Department aims to set up a world-class research environment for medical sciences and technology in order to develop and train Physician Scientists and Engineering Physiologists of the future.
By applying engineering principles to medical knowledge, this new breed of professionals who transcend medicine and engineering have the potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery both in hospital settings and outside. With a combination of the principles of design, bio-mechanics, electronics technology and the science of ergonomics, powerful medical devices can be developed that enhance the efficacy, safety, and reliability of medical treatments.
The Department aims to build a platform for the convergence of engineering teams and medical professionals where products are developed with a clear understanding of the unique needs of patients, how a device might interact with various medical treatments, and pre-existing conditions of the human body.
With this interdisciplinary approach to improving healthcare outcomes by leveraging engineering and medical knowledge, new technologies can be developed that monitor vital parameters of various organs, detects signs of disease or stress, and provides targeted prevention and treatment options. As engineering and medicine continue to converge, the possibilities are endless. With the right platform and resources, Physician Scientists and Engineering Physiologists will be able to create groundbreaking technology that have a positive impact on patients’ lives for generations to come.
About MSE Programme
The BS Programme in Medical Sciences & Engineering is a game-changing interdisciplinary programme that bridges Medicine & Engineering
The course structure involves an internship in a hospital to tie theory and practice. The courses in the programme will be taught by both medical & engineering faculty, and will provide a strong research base for students.
About Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry is one of the first Departments to function after the Indian Institute of Technology Madras was founded in 1959. The Department began with one Professor and one lecturer as faculty members, to conduct classes for the undergraduate engineering programme of the Institute.The Department conducted its classes initially, in A. C. College of Technology, Madras University. Later, it moved to occupy the “Building Sciences Block” in 1961, the first-ever building raised in the Institute. The Department started its own and independent M. Sc programme in 1963 with three students. Later in 1968, foundation was laid for a new Chemistry building, which was completed in the year 1971.
Ever since, The Department has grown in multiple dimensions and today it has 34 faculty members, and 27 technical and administrative staff members. The Department is home to around 100 M. Sc students and 300 Ph. D students at any given time. A new wing was constructed in 2014 to meet additional space requirements due to its increased intake and to carry out the cutting edge research activities in all important areas in Chemistry, effectively. The Department is among the best in the country in both teaching and research and is well recognized throughout the world through many of its Alumni. The Alumni of this Department have been excelling in their chosen professions all over the world which is evident from the fact that a significant number of them have been awarded by IIT Madras as its Distinguished Alumni. Today, the Department stands tall in terms of quality research at the national and in the international platforms. Its outstanding and dedicated faculty and students are among its core strengths. The Department is highly successful in attracting some of the brightest young minds as faculty members. The areas of research include atmospheric chemistry, bio-inorganic chemistry, bio-organic chemistry, Boron chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, clean energy, colloidal and interfacial chemistry, coordination chemistry, electrochemistry, fuel cells, green chemistry, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, ionic liquids and phase equilibria, main group chemistry and inorganic polymers, materials chemistry, molecular spectroscopy, nano-porous materials, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging, photochemistry, polymer chemistry, quantum chemistry, solid state chemistry and inorganic materials, statistical mechanics, supramolecular chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, total synthesis of natural products and medicinal chemistry. Faculty members of the Department have excelled and are instrumental in the setting up of three different research centres, namely, Thematic Unit of Excellence (TUE) for nanoscience, National Centre for Catalysis Research (NCCR) and Centre for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy (MRI). They are dynamic and attract excellent funding from both Government and Industry.
About Chemistry Programme
The B.S.(Chemistry) is a 4-year undergraduate program with an upgrade option to M.S. in Chemistry started from the academic year 2025-2026. The B.S. program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in Chemistry and allied Science subjects, blending theoretical knowledge with practical laboratory experience to prepare them for careers in research, industry, and academia. Also, the curriculum offers a large number of choice based learning opportunities ensuring an enjoyable learning experience at IIT Madras Campus.
The B.S.(Chemistry) at IIT Madras offers the following unique features:
- Opportunity to avail minor degree along with B.S. or M.S. (eg. B.S. Chemistry with Data Science)
- Carry out project work in allied science and engineering departments at IIT Madras
- Opportunity to collaborate with other universities and Institutes during MS project
- Well equipped teaching and research laboratories