BITS Pilani is one of the few elite institutions in India that maintains a standard curriculum for all first-year students. As described in this article, students must complete fifteen courses from various disciplines and departments in their first year as part of a modernised curriculum.

BIO F110 – Biology Lab

This laboratory is one of the most enjoyable courses available to students in the first year. The experiments require an intricate understanding of the topic. The experiment is explained in the beginning of the session, so being attentive during the explanation is highly rewarding. The experiments involve formation of biological samples, mixing several solutions for biological tests and examining cells for information on their life stages. Lab coats and shoes are a compulsory requirement. Reading the experiment and discussing with people who have done the experiment previously facilitates better performance in the lab.

BIO F111 – General Biology

General Biology, regarded as one of the best first-year courses by students and alumni alike, provides a walk through the realms of the biological universe. The course covers biochemistry, respiration, photosynthesis, cell division, genetics, biotechnology, and physiology. The syllabus is designed at an introductory level, so prior inexperience with biology will not be an issue. Although most ideas are the same as those in the 11th and 12th grades, this course takes a practical approach, routinely discussing the most recent research papers and innovations.

BITS F110 – Engineering Graphics

Engineering Graphics provides an extensive introduction to the AutoCAD framework. The content taught before the mid-semester exam covers basic functions of AutoCAD and topics such as orthographic projections, and projections of lines and planes. After the mid-semester exams, topics such as isometric drawing, sections of solids and development of surfaces are taught, which are more inclined towards visualisation. AutoCAD is very easy to master with occasional practice. Practicing the most recent topics taught is beneficial for any evaluative components, including both the mid-semester and comprehensive exams.

BITS F111 – Thermodynamics

This course primarily introduces thermodynamic concepts, emphasising a practical and engineering-oriented understanding of the subject over a purely scientific one. The course’s first section reviews high school concepts and uses thermodynamic tables. Work, energy, control mass and volume, and entropy dominate the remainder of the course. Practicing textbook problems concurrently with the lecture classes is beneficial.

BITS F112 – Technical Report Writing

As its name implies, the course provides a primer to report writing. Numerous topics are covered, including writing style, grammar, and various report forms. The focal point of the course is the group project, which accounts for thirty percent of the final grade. Students gain hands-on experience writing a professional report using academic formats and styles. The mid-semester and comprehensive examinations assess students’ writing skills, with marks awarded for content and adherence to the format.

CHEM F110 – Chemistry Lab

In this course, students conduct chemistry experiments involving performing titrations, observing readings, and completing calculations. While in the lab, adhering to the safety standards prescribed by instructors is advised. Avoiding errors in lab reports and revising the experiments’ content for the final exam is essential for earning an A grade. 

CHEM F111 – General Chemistry

This course delves deeper into high school chemistry concepts. The first section consists of quantum chemistry, including some foundational concepts from high school but with a deeper interpretation of Schrödinger’s equations. This part will cover the entire portion before mid-semester tests. The second section introduces concepts of inorganic chemistry, particularly coordination compounds and spectroscopy. The third and final section involves organic concepts like NMR spectroscopy, stereochemistry and reaction mechanisms. Frequent revision and consistent performance are the keys to scoring well in this subject.

CS F111 – Computer Programming

Computer Programming, or CP, introduces programming using the C language. The course is structured so that even those students with minimal programming experience can perform well. The first half of the course covers basic mathematics, number systems, and topics like logic and control flow that focus on repetitive or conditional tasks. The second half of the course covers binary search, pointers, memory allocation, and linked lists. This section is comparatively more challenging, and is heavily weighted in the programming test and the comprehensive exam.

EEE F111 – Electrical Sciences

This course is split into two halves. The first half is composed of familiar electrical concepts mingled with new interpretations of circuits. This includes source transformations, concepts of capacitors and inductors in circuits (time-domain analysis) and AC analysis. The second half begins with frequency response which sets the basis for signal filters and is followed by introduction to semiconductor devices such as p-n junction and Zener diodes, bipolar junction transistors and operational amplifiers. The course leaves one with an appreciable level of insight into electrical machines like generators and transformers. Practicing the suggested questions in the book and previous year papers can ensure a good grade in the subject.   

MATH F111 – Mathematics I

This course provides a concrete foundation for the mathematics that is essential to an engineer’s career. It begins with a brief introduction to polar coordinates and limits and continuity of real-valued functions and later emphasises on vector calculus, including the differentiation and integration of vectors in all three dimensions. The final part expands the domain to infinite sequences and series. The tutorials are fairly important as numerous concepts are borrowed for questions in the mid-semester and comprehensive exams. Consistent performance in the quizzes and mid-semester test makes it easier to score a better grade in this subject.  

MATH F112 – Mathematics II

This course consists of two halves: linear algebra and complex analysis. In linear algebra, students learn how to solve systems of linear equations and concepts like vector spaces. Prior familiarity with matrices and their row operations will prove helpful. Complex analysis explores the limits, derivatives, and integrals of complex functions, along with some practical applications. This section contains numerous formulas and methods for evaluating integrals, and it is heavily weighted on the comprehensive exam.

MATH F113 – Probability and Statistics

Probability and Statistics is a highly valuable course due to its real-world applications. The first half of this course elaborates on concepts taught in high school while exploring various types of probability distributions. The second half of the course focuses more on statistics and hypothesis testing. Grading in this subject is meticulous, so practicing problems from the textbook helps in scoring well in the subject.

ME F112 – Workshop Practice

This course heavily focuses on practical knowledge and operation of various machines in the workshop. There are twelve workshop practicals conducted throughout the semester. These include arc welding, foundry, carpentry, 3D printing, metrology, shaping, milling, and grinding.  Appropriate attire (lab coat and shoes) is mandatory for safety purposes. The majority of the weightage of this course lies in the practicals. Thus, performing well and making notes during the practicals help in the written comprehensive exam. 

PHY F110 – Physics Lab

This course covers various experiments in physics. It requires regular lab attendance and report submission. The theory manual helps explain the experimental procedure before attempting it in the lab. The practical exam requires the performance of one of the experiments, while the comprehensive exam is objective and tests all the concepts covered in the lab.

PHY F111 – Mechanics, Oscillations, and Waves

This course, popularly called MeOW, is a more rigorous treatment of high-school physics. The first section covers fundamental mechanics, such as Newton’s laws, momentum, energy, and rotation while the second section focuses on the behaviour of oscillatory systems. This component parallels the course Electrical Science by analysing differential equations that model damped oscillations. The tutorial tests consist of questions from the textbook and those discussed in class, whereas the open-book comprehensive exam consists of concept-rich questions that require a deep understanding of the material.