What do you study in an MCA course – Syllabus overview

MCA, as a three year course, is offered by 200 Indian colleges currently. AICTE, which is responsible for framing the norms and standards for technical institutes in the country, has released the suggested curriculum of MCA programmes that should be adhered by colleges offering this programme.

The course is one of the two streams leading to computer education; the other one being BE/BTech. The main emphasis of an MCA degree is on designing information systems for various companies across different sectors like banking, insurance, hospitality, hospitals etc. Basis this, the key function of MCA graduates is to develop application software in diverse areas where the use of computers is significant.

The syllabus of MCA programmes across colleges in India does not focus on topics dealing with hardware, system software and embedded system. The major focus, however, is on imparting students with a sound background of computing, business functioning and mathematics which is relevant to information technology. Thus, the curriculum designed for MCA programmes has these three streams of courses running simultaneously during each of the six semesters.

What is MCA all about – Know the full form, eligibility and scope

According to AICTE, out of the 6 semesters, students should spend one semester in an industry developing a software system. The MCA programme is designed to incorporate 5 theory subjects plus two laboratories in each semester. It has a strong core which covers information technology, business management and mathematics.

 “One of the major problems faced by most colleges offering MCA course is the lack of adequate faculty. This problem has no easy solution as industry jobs are plentiful and very remunerative. This problem can be partially alleviated if good educational material is available to students and staff covering the curriculum. It will be desirable for colleges to have internet connectivity as the net has plenty of educational material”, states the council.

Considering the fast changing nature of the information technology sector, AICTE suggests the MCA curriculum be amended once in every three years. Here’s an overview of the topics (as suggested by AICTE) you would likely study in a MCA programme across 6 semesters:

Semester 1	Introduction in IT
	Computer Organisation & Architecture
	Programming & Data Structure
	Introduction to Management functions
	Mathematical foundations
	IT Lab
	Programming Lab
Semester 2	Info Systems Analysis Design & Implementations
	Operating Systems
	Oral and Wireless Communications
	Accounting and Management Control
	Probability & Combinatorics
	Business Programme Lab
	Unix & Windows Lab
Semester 3	Data Base Management Systems
	Computer Communication Networks
	Object Oriented Analysis and Design
	Management Support System
	Statistical Computing
	DBMS Lab
	Statistical Computing Lab
Semester 4	Network Programming
	Software Engg. I
	Elective I
	Organizational Behaviour
	Elective 2
	Network Lab
	CASE Tools Lab
Semester 5	A.I and Applications
	Software Engg. II
	Elective 3
	Elective 4
	Optimisation Techniques
	AI & Application lab
	Optimisation Techniques Lab
	Industrial Lectures Seminar, Project
Semester 6	Project
	Seminar

Subsequently, AICTE has also listed down the approach in which colleges should offer an MCA programme. Take a look below:

• Colleges should be offering 25 theory subjects and 10 laboratory subjects.
• Of the 25 subjects, two should be from information technology, 6 from business management, 4 from mathematics and 4 should be offered as electives. The council strongly suggests that 2 out of the 4 electives should be from the business management area.
• So overall, 85% of the curriculum should consist of compulsory courses and 15% electives.
• Each laboratory should be of at least 2 hours. Each student should spend at least 4 hours on a terminal per day. And not more than 2 students should be present in each batch at the time of laboratory.
• Besides formal courses, the curriculum should include one lecture per week in the 5th semester by an industry representative. He should be able to present the current application of computer in their industry.