Maths, physics not a must for engg: AICTE

Maths, physics not a must for engg: AICTE

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.03.2021 

In a controversial move that would impact the quality of engineers produced in the country, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has made mathematics and physics at Class XII-level optional to get admissions to BE and BTech courses from 2021-22.

As of now, Class XII-level maths and physics subjects are compulsory for admissions to UG programmes in engineering and technology.

The approval process handbook for 2021-22 released by the AICTE has changed the eligibility criteria for UG admissions. Now, students have to pass 10+2 with any of the three following subjects — physics / mathematics/ chemistry / computer science / electronics / information technology / biology / informatics practices / biotechnology / technical vocational subject / agriculture / engineering graphics / business studies / entrepreneurship. Candidates have to score 45% marks (for reserved category students it’s 40% marks) in the above subjects taken together.

Mathematics a foundation for all engineering courses: Experts

AICTE said in its handbook, “The universities will offer suitable bridge courses such as mathematics, physics, engineering drawing for students coming from diverse backgrounds to achieve learning outcomes of the programme.”

The move has come under strong criticism from academicians who said mathematics is a foundation for all engineering degrees. “Bridge course is a remedial course for those who are weak in Mathematics. It cannot replace higher secondary-level mathematics,” said S Vaidhyasubramaniam, VC, SASTRA university. The AICTE’s model curriculum for engineering programmes has Mathematics running up to fifth semester in almost all programmes. “Mathematics and physics have to be compulsory for all engineering courses,” he added.

However, AICTE chairman Anil D Sahasrabudhe told TOI: “It is not the question of optional. The choice of three mandatory courses required as input to engineering education are expanded, and hence for different disciplines there could be different three mandatory courses.”

“Emerging areas such as data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning are all based on mathematics. Without knowing maths, students cannot shine in these areas,” said professor D Arivudainambi, department of mathematics, Anna University.