M.Tech. (ECE)
- Details
The Master of Technology programmes are two-year course-based programmes. Students take about 12 courses from within and outside the department, according to the programme requirements. The courses offered are of high standard, many include advanced topics and topics based on recent research.
UPDATES
[Aug 09, 2021] Information updated below for students interested to credit Stram Pool Group C courses.
Students will be able to register for courses in SAP only if they are mapped to a faculty advisor. This has process been started, and the Department office will update once completed.
This program is listed in the IISc admissions portal with code ELC
M.Tech. Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) is a flagship graduate program offered by the ECE department of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, which is the highest ranked institute in the country and an Institute of Eminence. It is a two-year course-based programme that consists of two parts.
The first part consists of coursework that provides a solid foundational training on topics such as Digital Communications and a host of optional topics such as Communications and Networking, Information and Coding Theory, Microelectronics Devices and Circuits, Microwave antennas and RF circuits, Optical Communications, Machine Learning, and Signal Processing. The courses offered are of a high international standard. Many courses cover advanced, cutting-edge topics. Altogether, the students take about 12 courses from within and outside the department. In addition to the main project and the laboratory course, several elective courses include modern application-oriented mini-projects that offer students ample opportunities for hands-on skills development. The second part is a one-year project in which the student works under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The student is expected to dive deeply into and contribute to a chosen cutting-edge topic. In addition to learning from top-notch faculty members, students have access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities.
The M.Tech. programme has been revised recently to better train the students. It ensures that the students are exposed to the different disciplines within ECE and prepares them better for a career of their choice in the industry or academia. In addition, the program offers an opportunity to learn new skills such as AI/ML, Data Structures, Signal Processing, VLSI Circuits, Antennas, etc., which are valued by the industry. A new Communications Laboratory course has been introduced to expose students to several aspects of modern communication systems. A new feature of the programme is the flexibility it offers to the student to choose courses of their interest and pursue their own dreams.
In terms of career development, the students have a variety of options to choose from. This includes in the thriving high-tech industry in Bangalore to pursuing a Ph.D. in the top universities in India and abroad. Alumni of the MTech programs of the ECE department have reached high positions in the industry and academia within India and abroad. There are also opportunities for internship and placement opportunities through OCCAP. Industry-funded fellowships are also available to some of the students selected for this program. In addition, opportunities are available for student entrepreneurship.
The course requirements in the program include three compulsory core courses and at least one course from each of the three broad baskets of courses listed below. The coursework enables to the students to specialize in Communication, Networks, High Frequency Circuits & Systems, and Signal and Information Sciences. Students are required to complete a minimum of 64 credits based on the following structure.
Compulsory/Core Courses: 9 credits
- Random Processes
- Digital Communication
- Communication Laboratory
In addition, students are required to take at least one course each from the following three Stream Pools.
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Stream Pool A: Communication & Networks |
Stream Pool B: Signal & Information Sciences |
Stream Pool C: High Frequency Circuits & Systems |
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Information Theory Error-Correcting Codes Communication Networks Communication Systems Design Wireless Communication Stochastic Processes and Queuing Theory Wireless Networks Multiuser Detection
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Online Prediction and Learning Matrix Theory [Offered in EE Dept] Digital Image Processing Adaptive Signal Processing Estimation and Detection Theory Foundations of Machine Learning Compressive Sensing and Sparse Signal Processing MIMO Signal Processing Data Analytics
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Analog VLSI Circuits [Course offered in DESE Foundations of Nano-electronic Devices Fiber-optic Communication Integrated Circuits for Wireless Communication Photonics Integrated Circuits Antenna Theory and Practice Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits and Systems CAD for High-Speed Circuits
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Project: 28 credits
Electives: The balance of credits to make up the minimum of 64 credits.
For details of admissions: click here.
This program replaces the previously offered program on M.Tech. (Communication and Networks)
Frequently Asked Questions about M.Tech. (ECE)
1. How do I get admitted to MTech (ECE)?
In order to get admitted to MTech (ECE) you need to have appeared in the GATE (EC) exam within the last three years. You should then apply for the PG programs in IISc by mentioning MTech ECE as one of your choices. Shortlisted applicants will then be called for an online technical video interview. A combination of the GATE score and the interview performance will determine your admission offer.
2. How do I prepare for the technical interview for MTech (ECE)?
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. Due to the prevailing situation, only online interviews will be held in 2021. The interview will test candidates on basics and will be within the undergraduate curriculum / GATE syllabus.
3. How are campus placements for MTech (ECE) students? What are the areas in which students can start a career after MTech in (ECE).
MTech (ECE) is a new master’s program in ECE, IISc starting from 2021. It contains three focus areas that are impactful in designing the next generation of communication systems: 1. Communications & Networking; 2. Signal and Information Sciences; 3. High Frequency Circuits and Systems. The program is broad and offers students to specialize in different areas mentioned above leading to a wide array of specialized job opportunities. The detailed curriculum above, in this page. Some example areas in which one can start a career after the program include modem systems, wireless baseband systems, RF/Analog IC design, multimedia (camera/video) systems, machine learning systems, data scientist roles, and several more.
The placement opportunities are as good as other leading institutes in the country and the world. If you do well in the program, you can be sure of a very good position in top companies with attractive pay packages.
4. What is the difference between MTech (ECE) and other programs such as MTech (Microelectronics and VLSI), MTech (Signal Processing), MTech (Artificial Intelligence) and MTech (DESE)?
MTech (ECE) is the flagship program of the ECE department at IISc. The ECE department also participates in three other masters programs: MTech (Microelectronics and VLSI), MTech (Signal Processing), MTech (Artificial Intelligence). The difference among these programs are primarily in the core courses of these programs. The MTech (ECE) program positions students to make impactful contributions in industry, academia in the broad area of communications. However, there are several aspects of communications that overlap with VLSI design, signal processing and artificial intelligence. Thus all these programs interact with one another and students from several of these programs often take similar courses.
The MTech (ECE) program offers the flexibility to start from basics of communications and explore interactions with several related areas. At least half the course requirement in MTech (ECE) consists of electives. Thus, the students have the flexibility to choose from a wide array of other courses in the institute in consultation with the faculty advisor.
5. Suppose I join MTech (ECE) but after a term perhaps I wish to switch to Signal Processing/VLSI. Is there a way?
As mentioned earlier, there is enough flexibility in the MTech (ECE) program that allows a student to take signal processing or VLSI design related courses and specialize in these areas as part of the MTech (ECE) program. The only requirement in the MTech ECE program involves taking the core courses and a few other courses that satisfy the breadth requirement of different areas (Please see above for the course curriculum). On successful completion of the program an M.Tech. (ECE) degree will be awarded. It must be reiterated that most reputed recruiters look for acquired skills than nomenclature of the degree.
6. Do I get to choose an area/advisor for MTech project? What is the procedure?
The project forms an important part of the masters program at IISc. The advisor-advisee assignment for the projects is done towards the end of the first semester taking into account the area of interest of the student and mutual consent of the faculty and the student. Please visit this page for current areas of interest and specializations of faculty members of the Department.
7. How exactly is M.Tech (Res) different from M.Tech? Does one get to do more research?
MTech (Research) is a research program while MTech is a course based program. Thus the course requirements of MTech (Research) are much less than that of the MTech program. Also, thesis requirements of the MTech (Research) program correspond to those that are typically desired in peer reviewed high quality publications. The project requirements of the MTech program are slightly different and can be achieved through research work, publications, interesting prototypes, system building etc. The scope of work is usually decided based on mutual discussions between the student and the faculty advisor.
8. Can I take courses from other departments? Is a course common for students from Masters, PhD, undergrad, other departments? How are they graded considering the wide difference in background?
In MTech (ECE), apart from the core courses and the breadth requirement courses (which roughly account for 6 courses), the remaining courses (roughly another 6) are electives, which can be taken from within or outside the department. It is common for courses to be taken by both Masters and PhD students. We usually observe that Masters students do as well as the PhD students. The background of the student does not matter after the first semester. In the first semester, the courses are taught assuming very minimal background.
9. Suppose I have a job after Bachelors in ECE domain, what does the Masters programme at ECE add to my career profile? What are some advantages?
A master’s degree (ECE) offers to strengthen fundamental concepts in advanced areas like communications, signal processing, high frequency circuits, machine learning, etc. A bachelor’s degree often does not provide enough training to contribute to cutting edge work in these areas. A master’s degree also provides a stronger foundation training such that one is able to seamless move across areas easily during the course of professional career growth. Our master’s students also end up as leaders in their technical teams by virtue of their ability to impact technology in industry.
10. Having joined for Masters if I wish to convert/continue for a PhD what is the procedure?
Masters students have the option to convert to the PhD program after the first or second semester based on their satisfying a minimum performance criterion during their first year. In this case, the student is treated like a direct PhD student i.e. students who have been admitted to the PhD program with only a bachelors degree. A graduating student is given both an MTech and a PhD degree in this case.
11. What are some Masters projects? What do they involve?
MTech ECE is a new program in which MTech CN has been significantly modified. An example list of masters projects for the MTech (CN) students floated last year is available here (list of projects)
12. How different is M.Tech (Microelectronics & VLSI) different from M.Tech at DESE? Why was cut-off GATE score so high for M.Tech (Micro) whereas it appears to be quite relaxed for M.Tech at DESE?
M.Tech at DESE has been selecting students through a rigorous interview process te. On the other hand, MTech (Microelectronics) program used to have a small number of seats and was admitting qualified students directly without an interview. Since 2019 the strength of the program has been increased and an interview process has been initiated. However, due to the prevailing situation, a cumulative academic marks (CAM) based on the performance at 10th standard onwards will be used for admission for these programs (M.Tech (ED) DESE and MTech (MV)) in 2021.
13. What are the active research areas under ECE?
The faculty in the ECE department broadly work in the areas of communication and networks, signal processing, machine learning, microelectronics, photonics, RF and microwave engineering and cyber-physical systems. Please look up individual faculty pages for a more current view of topics they work on.
14. What are chances of getting into foreign universities for higher studies after an MTech in IISc?
An MTech degree from IISc can significantly improve your chances of getting admitted to a top ranked doctoral programs across the world.
15. What will be the course curriculum of MTech (ECE)?
Please see above for details on the course structure. There is a total requirement of 36 course credits consisting of 9 core course credits and another 9 credits from three stream pools: a. Communication and Networks, b. Signal and Information Sciences, c. High Frequency Circuits and Systems. The rest of the 18 credits can be taken from with ECE or other departments in consultation with the faculty advisor. As you can see, the curriculum offers plenty of flexibility to take courses in other areas such as AI/ML, Data Structures, Signal Processing, VLSI Circuits, Antennas, etc. The project contributes to an additional 28 credits. The project offers a unique opportunity to work on impactful problems and latest techniques.
16. Suppose I get admitted to the MTech (ECE) program and also wish to get trained in emerging areas like AI. What can I do?
Several courses such as Random Processes (core course), Matrix Theory (stream pool course), Foundations of Machine Learning (stream pool course) in MTech ECE are also taken as core courses by students of MTech AI. Thus, students get trained in basics that are relevant across different areas. Students eof MTech (ECE) will seamlessly be able to work on various AI applications.
17. What kind of a student life can I expect at IISc?
IISc will offer you a memorable student experience during your stay here. You can take a look here for some excerpts on student perspectives.
18. In the current covid situation, will the classes for the year 2021-2022 be online or offline?
The mode of operation of the semesters is decided as and how the situation evolves. Students will be kept informed of the developments. Both semesters in the 2020-2021 year were conducted in online classes.
19. How is the MTech (ECE) program different from the MTech (Online) program in ECE?
The MTech (Online) program in ECE is meant for professionals working in industry. These students need to be sponsored by the organization in which they are currently employed and need to apply through the organization. On the other hand, the MTech (ECE) program is a full time residential program, where classes are ideally held offline. All classes in the Institute are held online this year (2020-21) due to the exceptional nature of the current circumstances.
20. Are there any entrepreneurship opportunities that one can pursue at IISc?
Society for Innovation and Development (SID) and AI and Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) at IISc offer several opportunities to translate ideas to technical products.
M.Tech Communication and Networks (CN)
M.Tech Communication and Networks is a flagship graduate program offered by the ECE department till 2020 admissions. It consists of two parts: a solid foundational training consisting of course-work on topics such as Communications and Networking, Information and Coding Theory, Microelectronics, Microwaves, Photonics, Signal Processing, Optical Communication, and Wireless Communication; followed by a one-year research-oriented project. Students also have access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities. M.Tech projects often lead to peer-reviewed publications in premier conferences/journals..
The well-trained M.Tech(CN) students have a variety of options to choose from, starting from jobs in the high-tech industry (Broadcom, Imagination Technologies, Ittiam, Samsung, Seagate, Siemens, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, DRDO, ISRO etc.) to pursuing a PhD followed by an academic career in the top universities in India and abroad. There are also opportunities for internship and placement opportunities through OCCAP.
A new feature of the programme is that it gives the students the option to graduate with one of 5 “Minors”:
(i) Minor in Artificial Intelligence
(ii) Minor in Integrated Circuits & Systems
(iii) Minor in Photonics
(iv) Minor in Radio-Frequency Systems
(V) Minor in Signal Processing
The selection of a Minor is not mandatory. The selection of a minor takes place during the course of the programme by the student in consultation with his or her Faculty Advisor.
The M.Tech project forms a major part of the course. Students work on their project with the guidance of a faculty advisor for over a year.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 64 credits for M.Tech (Communication & Networks) based on the following structure.
Core Courses: 12 credits (All courses are compulsory.)
E2 202 3:0 Random Processes
E1 244 3:0 Detection and Estimation Theory
E2 211 3:0 Digital Communication
E2 221 3:0 Communication Networks
Soft Core:
(a) Students are required to take a total of 3 courses from the two pools, Pool A and B below.
(b) At least 2 of these courses must be from Pool A.
Pool A
E2 205 3:0 Error-Correcting Codes
E2 223 3:0 Communication Protocols
E2 201 3:0 Information Theory
E2 203 3:0 Wireless Communication
E2 242 3:0 CDMA & Multiuser Detection
E8 203 3:0 RF & Optical Engineering(proposed new course)
E2 204 3:0 Stochastic Processes and Queueing Theory
E2 241 3:0 Wireless Networks
Pool B
E1 251 3:0 Linear and Nonlinear Optimization
E2 212 3:0 Matrix Theory
E9 201 3:0 Digital Signal Processing
E1 254 3:1 Game Theory
E9 211 3:0 Adaptive Signal Processing
E9 221 3:0 Signal Quantization and Compression
E9 202 3:0 Advanced Digital Signal Processing:Non-linear Filters
Project: 28 credits
Electives: The balance of credits to make up the minimum of 64 credits.
latest OBC-NCL /EWS certificate issued after 01 April 2021 by 31 May 2021