BS (Data Science)
Pranav V made an uncommon choice. Right after finishing school, he decided to take two demanding degrees at the same time. He enrolled in a B.E. in CSE at Anna University College of Engineering, Chennai, and alongside it, he joined the IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Applications. From the start, he was managing two very different learning environments, one with on-campus classes and labs, and the other fully online, built around recorded lectures, weekly assignments, proctored and in-person exams, and projects.
With a strong interest in Mathematics and Statistics, Pranav was keen to pursue advanced studies in these subjects. The IIT Madras BS degree came to him as a valuable opportunity at the right time. What initially felt like a new direction soon turned into a deeply rewarding academic experience. The coursework helped him build strong foundations in Mathematics and Statistics, and he could clearly see this growth reflected in his academic performance and internship experience later on.
Balancing both degrees was not easy, especially during the early stages. The engineering program involved heavy theory and lab work, while the BS degree demanded consistent weekly effort. Over time, Pranav learned to manage this load. The flexibility of recorded lectures allowed him to study around his offline college schedule, and the weekly assignments helped him stay disciplined and engaged throughout the term.
One particularly challenging weekend stands out in his memory. He had two major end-semester exams at the offline college, one on Friday and another on Monday – with an IITM BS end term exam scheduled on the Sunday in between. At the same time, he was also handling responsibilities as a Teaching Assistant (TA). Managing everything was challenging, and he often survived on only 4-5 hours of sleep. Despite the pressure, he managed to perform well across all fronts. That experience taught him how to prioritize, stay focused, and handle intense academic pressure.
TAship became an important part of Pranav’s journey. Starting in May 2023, he worked as a TA for Python and later took on roles in Java, SC lab, and MLP project. These responsibilities helped him develop teaching and mentoring skills, while the stipend supported his course expenses.
Alongside academics, he remained active in co-curricular pursuits. He regularly played badminton and also participated in sports events during Paradox. Attending Paradox over multiple years, especially events like the DJ Night, gave him the opportunity to interact with peers in person, helping him build friendships and feel more connected to the student community despite being part of this non-campus degree.
For Pranav, the real strength of the BS degree lies in the quality of learning. The structured curriculum and hands-on projects, including multiple diploma-level projects and a mandatory software engineering project, gave him practical exposure that proved valuable during his software engineering and AI-focused internship.
The MLT course stood out as his most impactful learning experience. Pranav is now preparing to apply for master’s programs in Artificial Intelligence at universities abroad, aiming to begin in September 2026. Alongside this, he has completed several NPTEL courses, such as Cloud Computing and Data Mining, and credited them toward his BS degree.
His advice to students is clear and honest – commit to the degree till the end. While the journey can feel demanding, especially during later stages, the degree-level courses offer depth and learning that are worth the effort. He also encourages students to go beyond the lectures, as additional exploration strengthens understanding and confidence.
– written by Pushpanjali
