UG Programs | 4 years

B.Tech in Data Science, Economics & Business

This cutting-edge interdisciplinary degree is at the nexus of data science and understanding of humans, economy, businesses and government. The Data Science, Economics & Business program has a strong core in data science, which is blended with a study of how humans think, behave and make decisions, how our society works and how global economic and financial markets operate. Students will be encouraged to explore the real-world applications that emerge at these intersections to create solutions and value for the economy and society.

8 Semester Curriculum The curriculum at Plaksha is dynamic and continuously evolving, based on inputs from faculty, latest research and industry insights. B.Tech in Data Science, Economics & Business syllabus outline is given below.

Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Semester 5
Semester 6
Semester 7
Semester 8

Computational Thinking

Instructor(s) - Dr. K Gopinath, Dr. Manoj Kannan

Coding Café (Python & LINUX)

Instructor(s) - Dr.Srinivasan Vishwanathan

Engineering Math in Action

Instructor(s) - Dr. Amrik Sen, Dr. Saikat Chakraborty

Engines of Life

Instructor(s) - Dr. Monika Sharma, Dr. Manoj Kannan

Environmental Science

Instructor(s) - Dr. Prashanth Suresh Kumar

The Art of Thinking and Reasoning

Instructor(s) - Dr. Aditya Malik, Dr. Brainerd Prince

Universal Human Values

Communication Lab

Instructor(s) - Dr. Brainerd Prince

ILGC: Design and Innovation

Instructor(s) - Dr. Amit Sheth, Dr. Rucha Joshi

Innovation Lab & Grand Challenge Studio V

Continuing their project progress from semester 4, the goal for Semester 5 and 6 will be to implement solutions via projects at the State level, with an eye for expansion at the National level. To achieve this, students will seek validation of concept from various stakeholders, complete the engineering design cycle of their project, while also developing an entrepreneurial spirit from their experiences. Mentored Leadership and Professional Development opportunities will be a constant feature across the 4 year ILGC experience, and will be integrated with project work. These serve to develop the student’s professional skills and also help in creating a more integrated socio-integrated understanding of engineering/design.

Data Analytics & Visualization

In this course, students will learn how data analytics is used in industries ranging from healthcare, e-commerce, sports, social media, etc. by working with a variety of real-world datasets and using concepts of modern algorithmic data analytics. The course will focus on learning methods that are required to analyze large datasets to be able to identify patterns and insights. Students will learn this process through both statistical data analysis tools as well as using computational and algorithmic resources. This course also includes modules that will help students learn mathematical principles, techniques, and applications of data visualization and design, and graphic techniques that are required to create novel and interactive visualizations. The course will culminate with student-led projects that will require the use of analytics, machine learning and visualization on contemporary datasets.

Game Theory & Mechanism Design

This course introduces mathematical tools to model and analyse situations of interactive decision making. It will introduce concepts of ordinal and cardinal games, solution methods to solving static and dynamic games of complete and incomplete information, social choice theory and voting, mechanism design, auctions, etc. Game theory has found applications in various fields apart from economics such as biology, business, law, politics, sociology, and computer science. Real-life applications and case studies to be discussed include - card games, war strategies, understanding firm behaviour such as price-fixing, collusion, and marketing strategies; voting patterns, restaurant locations, etc.

Financial Accounting & Analysis

This course introduces students to the core principles of Management Accounting and Cost Accounting. Students will learn basic accounting concepts of assets, liabilities, double entry system, credits, debits, ledgers and trial balance, and other such topics. Students learn to analyze and interpret financial statements (BS, P&L, Cash flow statements) and key financial ratios, in addition to understanding different costs and costing approaches, cost-volume-profit analysis, and using the analysis to make organizational decisions.

Econometrics

This course will introduce students to basic econometric concepts and methods necessary for conducting empirical analysis. Core topics include simple and multiple regression analysis, hypothesis testing, classical model assumptions, omitted variables, serial correlation, heteroskedasticity, incorrect functional form, and multicollinearity. The course will also highlight the concept of endogeneity and introduce different methods of causal inference such as - randomized experiments, fixed effects and difference-in-differences, and instrumental variables. Topics on time-series analysis will include distributed lag models, dynamic models, forecasting and ARIMA models, etc. Significant part of the course will be devoted to practical application of the course material through hands-on experience using STATA/R.

Application Domain Track II

The Application Domain Tracks are a series of 1 credit modules that help students inculcate skills and mindsets related to research and entrepreneurship. Through these tracks, students will contribute to ongoing research projects in Plaksha's flagship grand challenge research centers, and may work with faculty on their research or on approved external projects in industry/government or startups. Across semesters, students will have the option to work across different disciplinary areas or focus on one area but the purpose is for them to appreciate the relevance of their coursework to a variety of challenges and areas.

Innovation Lab & Grand Challenge Studio VI

Reinforcement Learning

Reinforcement learning is integral to help us realize the full potential of artificial intelligence. This course introduces students to the domain of reinforcement learning, and how it is applied in areas ranging from autonomous vehicles to advertising. Students will learn the basic principles of reinforcement learning, how to use deep RL algorithms and how to apply deep RL methods to contemporary problems. Given the dynamic nature of the discipline, class discussions will revolve around modern-day applications and innovations in reinforcement learning and challenges posed by it.

Operations & Supply Chain Analytics

This course focuses on the applications of data analytics methods in the field of operations and supply chain management covering areas such as logistics, inventory management and forecasting, operations planning, sales and purchase management, etc. Students will learn to apply data analytics methods and tools, and create models that lead to efficient and effective industry decisions. By the end of the course students will be able to apply analytical methods to topics such as forecasting demand, supply chain risk management, distribution economics, product development, and all stages of the supply chain cycle.

Industrial Organization

This course is about studying market power and competition, strategic interaction between firms and decision-making by firms, institutions, and industrial policy. It will explore some interesting topics such as pricing strategies, branding strategies, product bundling, asymmetric information, horizontal mergers and vertically integrated markets, antitrust, networks, intellectual property, entry deterrence, etc. The course will introduce multiple economic and game-theoretic models, numerous real life examples and case studies. Some examples of real-life applications that will be discussed include - Airbus vs Boeing and the market for aircrafts, selling used products over Ebay, adverse selection in second-hand car markets, patents in the pharmaceutical sector, reputation on amazon marketplace, expensive popcorn cost at the movies, etc.

Technical Elective I

Sample Electives include: Deep Learning and Computer Vision, Computing at Scale, Negotiation and Analysis, Digital Innovation & Transformation, Large Scale Data Analysis for Public Policy, Economics of Big Data, Computational Finance and Risk Assessment

Application Domain Track III

Economics of Networks

Networks are everywhere in society - be it social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, our network of friends and colleagues, or the complex trading networks that underlie financial markets and supply chains, etc. These networks have a major impact on the economy, in multiple ways. This course will introduce a variety of tools relevant in studying the economics of networks including - graph theory, optimization, and game theory; and cover a wide variety of applications including - financial and trading networks, formation of social groups and racial segregation, information networks and the world wide web, spread and control of epidemics, voting behaviour, etc.

Marketing Analytics

This course introduces students to the principles of marketing and how the field has been transformed by the advent of data. Students will learn the fundamentals of marketing analytics, including data modelling and web analytics. Through practical exercises and real-world case studies, students will learn how to leverage data to be able to draw key insights, understand consumer preferences and trends, how analytics can boost marketing and business outcomes, and how data can be used to create marketing strategies and campaigns. Key topics include demand forecasting, market segmentation, revenue forecasting, customer lifetime value, product entry, pricing mechanisms, marketing return on investments, among others.

Technical Elective II

Humanities & Social Science Elective I

Innovation Lab & Grand Challenge Studio Capstone

ILGC transforms and culminates as a two semester capstone design project. By the end of the seventh semester a detailed design of the final product (this could be a device, system, process, software, etc. that results from this design experience) needs to be completed. This includes but not limited to the following: Description of the overall project, including a description of the customer and their requirements, the purpose, specifications, and a summary of the approach. Description of the different design approaches considered and evaluation of each design approach. Detailed description of the final proposed design.

Corporate Finance and Banking

This course focuses on theoretical and institutional aspects of banking and corporate finance. It will explain the role of financial intermediaries in the economy and point out the structural weaknesses of the banking sector (exposure to runs and panics, persistence of rationing on the credit market, recurrent solvency problems) that may justify public intervention. Topics to be covered include functions of financial intermediaries, market structures in the banking industry, lender-borrower relationship, credit market equilibrium and its macroeconomic implications, bank runs and systemic risk, managing risks (including credit risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, etc.) , regulation of banks and its economic justifications, etc.

Technical Elective III

Technical Elective IV

Humanities & Social Science Elective II

Sample electives include: AI for Social Good, Technology, Policy and Law, Decision Making Under Uncertainty, Fairness, Transparency, Accountability, and Ethics in Data Science

Innovation Lab & Grand Challenge Studio Capstone

ILGC transforms and culminates as a two semester capstone design project. By the end of the eighth semester, students will have a working product (this could be a device, system, process, software, etc. that results from this design experience). Therefore, the focus of this semester is to implement, test and evaluate the design approach chosen in your first semester. The following are the expected requirements and deliverables for this semester: Working final product Testing and evaluation of product design Demo of the final product Completed Project Description, Final Reflection and Completed Outcomes Matrix

What can you create?

Digital business systems

You can lead the digital transformation at your workplace to make better decisions, and deliver more optimal and scalable solutions. You will be able to apply your business acumen and data insights to guide your firm to create efficient systems and processes that maximise value for all stakeholders.

Financial innovations

You can master areas like cryptocurrency, blockchain, and algorithmic trading, engineer innovations that change the way we look at the financial markets and instruments, or even create value through ventures in FinX sectors.

Policies for governance and business

You can play a crucial role in the design and evaluation of policy decisions through your understanding of data and the economy. Think Tanks, governments, and corporate firms use large datasets and econometric techniques to carefully study data to determine important outcomes such as funding requirements, resource allocation, and welfare optimization.

Learning Experiences

Multidisciplinary approach & interdisciplinary perspective

Interacting with and drawing from multiple fields of expertise, making connections between disciplines, analyzing the humanistic, socio-economic, and technical contexts of problems.

Foundational Tech core

Developing an interdisciplinary foundation featuring math, physics, computer science and engineering principles such that they come together as an integrated whole, not segmented topics.

Design and research ability

Identifying and understanding human needs and solving problems creatively through sustained critical investigation.

Innovation & entrepreneurship mindset

Finding opportunities, identifying business models, embracing ambiguity to create value in the marketplace or in society.

Societal responsibility

Considering the social and human consequences of actions and responsibilities to others in local, national, and global communities; acting to improve the human condition.

Leadership & self-reflection

Creating impact through actively developing skills like communication, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.

Experiential Learning

Integrated learning experience across 4 years. Students work on authentic, real world projects through industry and community engagement or by research with faculty.