As industries expand and begin to overlap, knowledge is quickly becoming interdisciplinary. In light of this, many students and universities are opting for dual-degree curriculums that seem to be the next big trend on campus.

Shan Sundar Balasubramaniam, a professor in the computer science department with the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani said student gains better exposure when he or she is provided with a mechanism to work on two degrees simultaneously, which have a good percentage of commonality between them. If the degree combinations are well conceived, it gives a distinct edge to the student in the market place.”

BITS, Pilani offers a dual-degree combination in BE mathematics/ computer science. This degree program offers the study of subjects such as applied mathematics, the integration of computational techniques, the application of algorithmic techniques in pure mathematics, and the integration of foundational mathematics and theoretical computer science.

Several areas of mathematics have now become computational in approach and even in those areas that are not computational, visualisation and other computational approaches are useful in aiding the learning of mathematics. In particular, computational approach has become the vehicle for applying mathematics in several areas of science and engineering. Students can pursue their higher studies MS or a PhD to become researchers in theoretical computer science where there is a huge need for a strong maths background or in different areas of mathematics where computing is an essential component. These researchers will in turn be employed in research labs or in the industry in different sectors such as banking, cyber-security, market analysis, genetics and manufacturing,says Balasubramaniam.

scheme of dual degrees, where a science degree is pursued along with an engineering degree, will strengthen the engineering knowledge by several folds, he adds.