"The mission of the programme is to make IIT Madras a global centre of excellence in Engineering Design."
Message from the Head of the Department
Welcome to the Department of Engineering Design, one of the most vibrant departments at IIT Madras. The Department of Engineering Design was established to address the emerging need for highly qualified and motivated design professionals who can drive the nation's economic growth through innovation, research, and development.
The program began in 2005 as a dual degree in Engineering Design with a specialization in Automotive Engineering and was elevated to a full-fledged department in 2006. Today, the department offers two dual degree programs leading to a B.Tech. in Engineering Design and M.Tech. in Automotive Engineering or Biomedical Design, with additional options for an interdisciplinary M.Tech. in Robotics and M.Tech. in Electric Vehicles.
We have launched a new M.Tech. in Electric Vehicles (Two years) from July 2025 for candidates with B.E/B.Tech. and valid GATE Scores, and a new M.Tech. in Robotics (Two years) will be launched from July 2026.
We have established cutting-edge laboratories in Battery Engineering, Power Electronics, Motors, Wireless Charging, Robotics, Vehicle Dynamics and are expanding into Medical Device Design and Development.
The 5-year dual degree curriculum is carefully designed to balance breadth and depth. The initial three years emphasize strong fundamentals in mathematics, science, engineering, graphic art, design, and aesthetics. In the later years, students engage in domain specialization, advanced skill-building, and a mandatory 6-month industry internship.
Over the past 15 years, our graduates have become accomplished designers, entrepreneurs, and leaders, both in India and abroad. Beyond the dual degree programs, the department also offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs, supported by a team of highly qualified and dedicated faculty.
Dr. Jayaganthan R
Professor and Head, Department of Engineering Design
Education — Programmes Offered
- 1. Dual-Degree Program in Automotive Engineering
- 2. Dual-Degree Program in Biomedical Design
- 3. Inter-Disciplinary Dual-Degree Program in Robotics
- 4. Inter-Disciplinary Dual-Degree Program in Electric Vehicles
- 5. M.Tech. in Electric Vehicles (2 years) — from July 2025
- 6. M.Tech. in Robotics (2 years) — from July 2026
- 7. Master of Science (M.S.) by Research
- 8. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
The Programme and the Curriculum
"From concept to a component that meets a desired function" aptly describes Engineering Design. It is a decision-making process, often iterative, in which the basic sciences and the engineering sciences are applied to convert resources optimally to meet a stated objective.
Students are introduced to the design process in the first year along with fundamental mathematics, science and engineering, graphic art, design, and aesthetics. They are trained not only on the mechanical aspects of design, but also in electronics, controls, and embedded systems for all-round skill development. Courses in geometric modelling, finite elements, materials engineering, automotive engineering, robotics and biomedical device engineering are also offered.
The Industry Connection
Providing a balanced mix of theory and practice, the curriculum also includes courses in business management, economics, foreign language and ethics. The department has several state-of-the-art facilities including graphic arts studios and modern laboratories for automotive systems, automotive engines, computer aided design, rapid prototyping, ergonomics mechatronics, product design, controls and vehicle dynamics.
The program has been planned in conjunction with major manufacturing and product engineering companies right from its inception. A unique feature of the curriculum is the semester-long internship in industry during which students work on a 'live' project and receive exposure to current global design practices.