Do you equate our IITs with technology alone? And did you rue that while there is the IIT label for technology, and the IIM label for management, humanities got left out and stands without a label to propel it ahead? Well, IIT Madras stands a little apart here, offering a few packed courses on humanities! IIT-M offers a five year integrated master's programme in Humanities for students completing their plus-two. This integrated masters' course may be taken with specialisations in the disciplines of Economics, Development Studies or English.

Eligibility

Class 12 students of commerce and humanities streams are eligible to apply for this five-year integrated masters programme. Selection would be made through the Humanities and Social Sciences Entrance Exam (HSEE) to be held on May 18 in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi. The total number of seats available is 30. Students completing the course are eligible to pursue doctorates at international institutes like the London School of Economics.

Examination Structure and Syllabus

The examination syllabus is structured on English and comprehension skills, analytical and quantitative ability, Indian and world history, Indian economy, environment and ecology. The question pattern would be objective and exam duration is three hours. The question paper will pose 180 questions, and negative questions will be awarded to wrong answers.

Job opportunities

Job opportunities are plenty. Students specialising in English have career options in news media, corporate communication, English language training, etc. Students specialising in developmental studies can pursue careers in international organisations like UNESCO, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) domains of corporate houses, and NGOs involved in rehabilitation and development. The government also offers postings in research in the avenues of population studies, and environment and health care. The job opportunities for those specialising in economics is even more exhaustive and extend from the corporate sector to banking organisations, organisations like the Central Statistical Organisation, the media industry, world organisations like UNDP, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Trade Organisation, government departments like Department of Company Affairs and the Ministry of Planning, etc.

Application procedure

Application forms can be obtained by post. The cost of the application form and examination fee is Rs. 600. For women, physically challenged persons, and students from scheduled caste or tribe, the application form costs Rs.300.

Interested students, who have completed their plus two exams or would be completing it in March, may apply for this integrated course by sending a demand draft favouring the Chairman, HSEE, IIT, Madras, payable at Chennai, along with two self-addressed slips. The last date for receiving postal requests for application forms is February 25. The completed application forms should be sent to the Chairman, HSEE 2008, JEE Office, IIT Madras, Chennai- 600 036. Tel.: 044-22578220. The last date for receipt of completed application forms is March 3.