There are many avenues for studying Analog, Mixed-signal, or Digital VLSI design at IIT Madras. You can join our MS/PhD programs and carry out research. If you are in our course based programs, you can specialize in Analog, Mixed-signal, or Digital VLSI design by taking the elective courses and doing your final year projects with our faculty.

It is most important to keep in mind that PhD and MS are not “routine” degrees in that a great deal of independent thought and work is expected from the student. In course based programs, the syllabus defines the limits of the subject to be studied and the content is presented in lectures as cleanly defined packages. The contents of a course are well known and the problems dealt with are thoroughly worked out. The solution to a research problem on the other hand is by definition not yet worked out. A research student is expected to play a big role in charting the course of his/her study; there is no fixed syllabus; during the course of research there will be several journeys down blind alleys which, while contributing to overall learning, may not end up in the final report. For success in a research program, the student must be willing to take the initiative, go along a path not yet clearly defined, and work independently. At the end of an MS/PhD, the student is expected to know a lot more than the advisor about his/her research problem.

Admission to our MS/PhD programs are through interviews held twice a year-roughly in May and November. The interview will be preceded by a screening test. Details of the programs, the entrance test, and procedures and requirements for application can be found at the links below:

• IIT Madras research admissions page
• EE dept. MS and PhD admission page

There are several modes of admission to research positions at the institute. Some of these are given below. In all cases you need to qualify in the interviews(held every six months). Students receiving institute stipend are required to perform teaching assistantship.

• You can apply directly to the interviews and, if selected, you will receive stipend from the institute. Typically students with a bachelors degree apply to the MS program and students with a masters degree apply to the PhD program. Students with a bachelors degree can directly apply to the PhD program under certain conditions. See IIT Madras research admissions page for more information.
• If you are a masters student(MS or MTech) at IIT Madras, you can apply for conversion of registration to PhD after identifying an advisor.
• If you are employed as a project assistant at IIT Madras, and there is scope for research in your project, you can apply to the interviews under the project category after securing permission from the project co ordinator. If selected, you receive admission to the research program and stipend from the project. (Project assistant openings depend on ongoing projects. Watch the EE dept. and VLSI group pages for postings.)
• If you are working in a company, you can opt for “External registration” wherein you spend a semester at IITM to complete the coursework and conduct your research at the company.
• If you are a teacher at an AICTE approved institution, you can apply to our PhD program through the Quality improvement program.

A valid GATE score is mandatory for admission to our MS program, except under external registration. A valid GATE score is also required for direct admission to PhD after a bachelors degree. GATE score requirement for MS/PhD is waived for IIT BTech students with a GPA more than 8.0.

Students seeking MS/PhD positions are encouraged to talk to faculty in their areas of specialization and become familiar with their areas of research. Each research student will be conducting research under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Advisors are chosen after discussions between students and faculty regarding their research interests. Students who are sure of their specialization can talk to the faculty before their admissions to choose their advisor.

If you want to pursue research, advanced product development, or teaching at the highest level, PhD is the first step. It involves in depth examination of a problem in your chosen area and publication of resulting original research. A PhD candidate is expected to have a firm grasp of the basics in analog/digital circuit design. The candidate is also expected to have thought about the sub field of VLSI in which s/he wants to conduct research. It is not necessary to have formulated the research problem beforehand. In addition to knowledge of the basics, motivation and ability to conduct research independently are essential. A masters degree in electrical engineering is the expected prerequisite. At IIT Madras, a PhD student is required to credit four courses with average grade of at least a B and pass a comprehensive examination dealing with basics of several areas of electrical engineering. The duration of PhD is typically 3-4 years after finishing the course work and comprehensive examination.

IIT Madras offers two types of masters degrees. The MS program has greater emphasis on research and fewer courses to be credited. Research work resulting in an original thesis and journal publications is expected from MS students. The MS program is recommended for students aspiring to a career in cutting edge VLSI industry or those who wish to get a taste of research before committing to a doctoral program. The flexibility in selecting courses and the time available for research means that the student can gain thorough knowledge of the area of specialization before starting a career in the industry. MS students who show promise in research can convert their registration to PhD. At IIT Madras, an MS student is required to credit five courses with an average grade of at least a B. The duration of an MS is typically 1.5-2.5 years after finishing the course work.

A frequently asked question about our MS program is how is it different from the MTech degree and why one would want to do an MS instead of an MTech. In the area of analog/mixed signal integrated circuit design, the short answer is: MS! Click here to find out why.

We now have a research associateship programme with Texas Instruments leading to an MS degree from IIT Madras. The features of this program include opportunities for internship at Texas Instruments, higher monthly stipends, and a non-binding offer of employment by Texas Instruments upon completion of the programme. Follow this link for more details.

IIT Madras offers two types of masters degrees. The MTech program has a larger number of courses than the MS program and covers wider ground. This program is recommended for students undecided about their area of specialization within the field of microelectronics, and those who aspire to a teaching career. A final project lasting a year is part of the MTech curriculum. During this time, students interested in VLSI can work with one of our faculty and design a part of an integrated circuit, or analyze some aspect of VLSI design. The practical knowledge so obtained will complement the courses taken during the MTech program. Selection to the MTech program is through GATE.

The last two years of a dual degree program constitute an MTech degree. For their final year project, students interested in VLSI can work with one of our faculty and design a part of an integrated circuit, or analyze some aspect of VLSI design. The practical knowledge so obtained will complement the courses taken during the Dual Degree program. Selection to the Dual Degree program is through JEE.

A bachelors student is not expected to specialize in any particular area, but gain general knowledge of all parts of of electrical engineering. Students wishing to pursue higher studies or employment opportunities in VLSI design may take some of the courses offered by the VLSI group and undertake the final semester project with one of the faculty. Students interested in advanced study in VLSI can convert to Dual Degree at the end of the sixth semester. One can then credit specialized electives in VLSI and do a full year final project. Selection to the BTech program is through JEE.

The institute has a summer fellowship programme open to BTech students from other colleges in the summer after their third year. Details of the application process is posted on this site, usually in the last week of January before the summer. Typically one or two students are selected in the VLSI group and do a two month project with one of the faculty. The number of applications for internship positions is much larger than the number that can be accommodated. So please do not be disappointed if you are not selected. The amount of time available during an internship is limited and it is not possible to design and verify a circuit completely. Typical internship projects tend to be in the area of simulation of existing designs, system level simulations, design automation, CAD, PCB design etc.

Students at IITM(and elsewhere) can gain a wealth of knowledge about VLSI by tinkering around with digital and analog systems or software. As you take courses, the practical knowledge you gain from the hobbies can be coupled with the theory you learn to gain a solid background in the basic concepts. Some ideas for hobbyist projects include radios(e.g. for amateur radio), electronic controls for all sorts of electrical and mechanical systems(e.g. model aircraft), building things that you see around you-e.g. clocks, using the computer to acquire data and control things etc. At IITM, the Centre for Innovation provides opportunities for students interested in hobby electronics. There are also departmental level groups such as the Electrical Engineering Association. The annual event Shaastra is a showcase for engineering systems designed and built by students.