BITS Pilani Distance Learning course

I started BITS course last year and some how reached the second semester now. Might be after starting BITS, am out of this blogger world. But now felt the need for blogging about BITS pilani distance learning package which would be helpful for future aspirants of the same course.

FAQs

What is the course fee & course usefulness ?

Course fee changes every year. Currently its 25000/semester. You have to complete 4 semesters to get the degree which would take around 2 years. If you are busy around a particular period of time, you can drop out without paying for a semester. Its very flexible and useful for people who plan to work + study.

What is the course contents & toughness ?

I know only about MS Computer Science degree. So let me explain about it. The course contents are almost the same as B.E Computer Science with some advanced subjects like Pervasive computing, Embedded systems, Real time systems etc. The course syllabus is more practical and exams/valuation is made tough to make you understand the course. Its not easy to score marks unless you understand the concepts and give some reading of the books prescribed.

What all  inclusive of the course package ?

After you register for the course package, you get a roll number, login ID for email and online learning portal. So, without internet, its very tough to make the course complete. Just by reading books also many do pass. So, Not a big issue. But all the communication from BITS will be through internet only. You have to purchase books at your own cost. Following are included in the package,

• Online recorded + Live sessions accessible
• Course Handouts + Old question papers for reference
• Course presentations
• Email access – you will get an email address like: xxx <> dlpd.bits-pilani.ac.in
• BITS Virtual University (just for tracking your current course and other course related details)
• Mailing lists for each course in which you can contact other students + staff + TAs

How to access online recorded sessions ?

This is the most confusing part and many won’t try. You need internet or at least the downloaded sessions on a CD. The current portal URL is: Portal Work-Integrated Learning Programmes Portal. You have to create a new login & password here. After getting it, you can access all the recorded-cum-live sessions using the Java Interwise client from browser itself or use Interwise.
Update: Interwise is acquired by AT&T and current sessions are not compatible with old Interwise application. This link: http://vu.bits-pilani.ac.in/lecturehelp/onlinelecturehelp.html is out-of-date
Download and install AT&T Connect Participant Enterprise Edition to get the sessions without any problem. Check out: http://uc.att.com/support/
After you install it, its like a cake to attend to all the sessions. The sessions gives lot of hints on the type of questions that would be asked on the exam. So, to score high attend the sessions without fail.

Will it help in my professional career if i go for this course?

I don't have any practical examples. But only advantage i see on my side is, i get lot of interview calls from big companies who filter based on IIT/BITS. After the initial filter also interviewers sees the BITS MS degree and in some companies you can even negotiate salary with it.

Biggies anyway wont consider this as a degree. But what i feel is, in long run, the degree speaks!!

Some of the companies do not recognise distance learning and always look for the full time course ?

Yes!! Some directly reject distance learning even if its BITS. There is a clear certificate from AICTE that the degree given by BITS is equivalent to a normal degree.

Even in BITS regular campus, there is no attendance system. People can register for classes and attend it as they wish. They can register for a semester or drop out. But only requirement is, they have to complete the degree within 7 yrs. The same thing applies for distance learning as well.

So, there is no difference. If still some companies dont recognise, you need to carry the letter given by AICTE (along with your degree).

I have also completed my redhat linux rhce certification will this degree be added to my qualification????

This is a degree for professional enhancement and also improvement in research field. it never can give a good step up in particular field of computer science. Its a boost up overall. If you are a Electronics major in bachelors, go for this degree. You get to learn a lot about computer science and related subjects.

Can I enroll into the program being in the US? Are there any mandatory classroom sessions that I need to attend? How are the semester exams conducted? Can I write the exams online?

Semester exams are conducted offline. No online exams available. Only for Dubai, BITS opened a exam center. Still its not in US yet.

How to get admitted into BITS?

Track this page for announcements http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/dlp-home/admissionnotices/admissionnotices.html

There are 2 entry points:
- 1st semester (March)
- 2nd semester (November)

Whichever convenient, you can start on that date.

Could anyone please tell me if MS computer science from BITS pilani is useful for pursuing regular Ph.D ?

Ph.D can be awarded even when you are at ur Bachelors.. So, MS distance learning will never affect the prospects of Ph.D.. But the quality of research done in MS is important as i heard.

But mostly, its tough to get Ph.D admission for distance learning in foreign university or any other reputed university.

You can apply in BITS for Ph.D regular if you have any professor contact during ur MS computer science studies.

If i do MS software systems from BITS pilani thorough Distance learning,is there a possibility to get a professor/lecturer job?

Without work experience in teaching, i don't think so you could get a professor or lecturer job.

This MS degree might help to get into a college in teaching profession and apply for Ph.D still. It's all based on the college you apply for. If they tell you no correspondance allowed, carry the letter given by AICTE (along with ur degree) to show that its equivalent to regular. Next is your interview, if you clear, you are into Ph.D + lecturer job. :)

Though they say this is like regular MS, any idea whether any university in Tamilnadu accepts it for their part time PHD ?

I guess its accepted. For all Ph.D, you need to take an interview and you need to showcase atleast 1-2 journels/papers published. If it is just for timepass you want to do Ph.D, yes, you can do it any open university.

But if you are trying for serious Ph.D and a good job in big companies and colleges, its tough. For top colleges like IIsc, IIT, they will never take candidates from distance learning because they never do proper research in MS to pursue a Ph.D. It will become professors headache to even guide these students.

Does BITS pilani award students with M.S degree certificate?

I have actually compared by BITS Pilani degree with one of my regular BITSian friend. It is the same. There is no difference between my degree and his regular degree.

But you cannot show work experience & MS degree at the same time. Definitely you have to accept to the company that you did it in correspondence. That is enough to degrade you from a regular.

Some companies don't care if you are correspondence, since you have the experience and the MS degree to showcase to the clients.

So, don't Worry!!

I will do MS in system Software from BITs Pilani ,then will I be eligible for UGC NET exams or not ?

Sorry, am not sure about Fellowship programs. You have to check in BITS site. They have fellowship programs too.

If there are some more queries, please do comment. Will add more FAQs based on comments.