The Master of Computer Applications (MCA), is a 2-year postgraduate program. Students can enrol in this following their graduation from an associated field, such as a Bachelor of Computer Applications or BCA. This course covers subjects like Data mining, programming languages, mathematics, application development, and other IT-related topics. Students enrolled in theMCA course will receive hands-on training to enable them to create programs that have practical applications. Students can choose to enroll in an MCA program if they want to work in IT without studying engineering. This course is divided into six semesters to make the program more flexible.
MCA Syllabus
The MCA syllabus and subjects cover both academic and practical methods. The comprehensive syllabus of MCA consists of subjects and topics like:
Computer organization and architecture
Computer programming with C
Discrete mathematical structure
Data structures with c
Business management
Operation research optimization
The MCA program also offers specializations such as system management, management information systems (MIS), system engineering, networking, internet, application software, hardware technology, etc.
The semester-wise MCA syllabus focuses on learning computer programming, software development, database management, C++, etc. Students are introduced to the theoretical concepts of computer science during the six semesters of the MCA course syllabus. Besides, the course also integrates practical pedagogy, addressing the many applications of the subject matter.
The general syllabus of MCA is classified semester by semester in the below table:
MCA Syllabus First Year
The MCA course subjects as included in the first-year syllabus of the MCA course are as follows:
MCA Subjects: 1st Year
MCA Subjects: Semester – 1
MCA Subjects: Semester – 2
Computer Organization & Architecture
Data Communication & Computer Networks
Business Systems and Applications
Information Systems Analysis & Design
Computer Programming with C
Data Structures with C
Discrete Mathematical Structure
Database Management System I
Business English and Communication
Object-Oriented Programming with C++
Business Presentation and Language Lab
Data Structure Lab
Micro Programming & Architecture Lab
Programming Lab
Database lab
-
Object-Oriented Programming lab (C++)
MCA Syllabus Second Year
The MCA course subjects as included in the second-year syllabus of the MCA course are as follows:
MCA Subjects: 2nd Year
MCA Subjects: Semester – 3
MCA Subjects: Semester – 4
Operating Systems and Systems Software
Software Engineering & TQM
Unix and Shell Programming
Advanced Database Lab
Intelligent Systems
Graphics & Multimedia
Statistics and Numerical Techniques
Database Management System II
Business Management
Operation Research & Optimisation Techniques
Management Accounting
Environment and Ecology
Accounting Systems Lab
Software Project Management Lab
Statistics and Numerical Analysis Lab
Graphics & Multimedia Lab
Unix Lab
-
MCA Syllabus Third Year
The MCA course subjects as included in the third and final year syllabus of the MCA course are as follows:
Elective 2: System Administration and Linux, Windows Programming With VB
Seminar
Elective 3: Advanced Unix programming, Object Oriented Programming with Java
-
Elective 4: Compiler Design, E-Commerce
-
MCA Subjects
Through the MCA course, students can gain a thorough understanding of computer science basics and their applications. The MCA course curriculum includes projects, applications, lab work, and classroom lectures for the holistic development of the students.
The subjects in MCA not only give students an industry-focused understanding of the application ideas but also make them ready for the needs of the workforce.
There are two types of MCA course subjects included in the MCA degree program, which are discussed below:
MCA Elective Subjects
Given below is a list of core subjects in MCA:
Microprocessors
Advanced Data Structure and Algorithms
Advanced Computer Architecture
Web Based Programming
Cloud Computing and IoT
Compiler Design
Wireless Networks
Parallel and Distributed Systems
MCA Core Subjects
Given below is the list of elective subjects in MCA:
Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science
Database Management System
Object Oriented Programming
Operating Systems
Software Engineering
Java Programming
Data Structures and Algorithms
Web Technologies
Data Analytics
Machine Learning
Computer Networks
MCA Specializations
A specialization can be chosen by students in addition to their normal MCA program. Studying a specialization aids in giving students in-depth understanding of a particular field of interest. Students have the option to select a specific specialization as they begin their third or final year of the MCA study program as per their preferences and areas of interest. The following are a few of the specializations available in MCA:
Specialization
Specialization Subjects
Data Mining
Data Processing
Mining Frequent Patterns And Advanced Pattern Mining
Classification Techniques
Clustering Techniques
Outlier Detection and Application
Internet of Things
IoT Introduction
IoT Programming
IoT Applications
Network of Wireless Sensor Nodes
MAC, Routing, and Transport Control in WSN
Artificial Intelligence
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Local Search Algorithms
Knowledge Representation
Game Playing
Natural Language Processing
Wireless And Mobile Networks
Wireless Telecommunications Systems and Networks
Common Cellular System Components
Wireless Network Architecture and Operation
GSM and TDMA Technology
CDMA Technology, CDPD and Edge Data Networks
Wireless LAN/ PAN
Data Science
Data, Relations and preprocessing
Correlation and Regression
Association Rule Mining and Classification
Clustering and Time Series Analysis
Visualization and Applications
Digital Marketing
Going Digital - The Evolution Of Marketing
The Search For Success
Search Engine Optimization
Email Marketing And Social Media Marketing
Web Analytics
MCA Course Structure
The three-year MCA course content is designed to help candidates gain technical and soft skills that will help them contribute to the industry in the future. In addition to the lectures and labs, the MCA course also includes seminars and industry projects.
Students' exposure to a workshop or seminar experience puts them closer to the realities of the computer application industry. The whole final semester of the MCA course syllabus is devoted to developing the candidate's practical understanding through projects and seminars.
The MCA course subjects structure is provided below:
six semesters
Core subjects
Elective subjects
Practical work/ Lab training
Individual Project
Group Project
SeminarsSkills
Workshops
MCA Syllabus: IGNOU
This section displays the semester-wise MCA syllabus as offered byIGNOU:
MCA Subjects Semester 1
MCA Subjects Semester 2
Design and Analysis of Algorithms
Discrete Mathematics
Software Engineering
Professional Skills and Ethics
Security and Cyber Laws
DAA and Web Design Lab
Software engineering Lab
Data Communication and Computer Networks
Object-oriented Analysis and Design
Web Technologies
Data Warehousing and Data Mining
OOAD and Web Technologies Lab
Computer Network and Data Mining Lab
MCA Subjects Semester 3
MCA Subjects Semester 4
AI and Machine Learning
Accountancy and Financial Management
Data Science and Big Data
Cloud Computing and IoT
AI and Machine Learning Lab
Cloud and Data Science Lab
Digital Image Processing and Computer Vision
Mobile Computing
Project
MCA Syllabus: IPU
Listed below is the semester-wise syllabus of the MCA course atIPU University:
First Year MCA Syllabus IPU
Semester 1
Semester 2
Introduction to Information Technology
Digital Electronics
Problem-Solving Using C
Discrete Mathematics
Financial Accounting
Practicals
Data Structures
Theory of Computation
Computer System Architecture
Computer Graphics
Object Oriented Programming
Practicals
Second Year MCA Syllabus IPU
Semester 3
Semester 4
Operating Systems
Database Management System
Front End Design Tools
Microprocessor
Design and Analysis of Algorithms
Practicals
Software Engineering
Java Programming
Computer Networks
Organizational Behaviour
Elective 1: Computer Networks
Elective 2: Internet Technologies
Practicals
MCA Syllabus: DU
Listed below is the semester-wise syllabus of the MCA course atDelhi University:
The tabulated form below mentions the important books that can be used while preparing for the syllabus for MCA:
Subject
Book Title
Authors
Computational Mathematics
Discrete Mathematics with Applications
Fundamental Approach to Discrete Mathematics
Thomas Koshy
D.P. Acharjya, Sreekumar
Database Management System
Database System Concepts
Database Management System
Abraham Silberschatz, Henry Korth, S. Sudarshan
Raghu Ramakrishnan, Johannes Gehrke
Object Oriented Programming
The Complete Reference C++
Object Oriented Programming in C++
Herbert Schildt
Robert Lafore
Operating Systems
Operating Systems Concepts
An Introduction to Operating Systems
A Silberschartz, Peter B. Galvin and Greg Gagne
H. M. Deitel
Software Engineering
Software Engineering
Software Engineering Concepts
Software Project Management in Practice
Ian Sommerville
Richard Fairley
Pankaj Jalote
Java Programming
Java The Complete Reference
Core Java: Volume I - Fundamentals
Herbert Schildt
Cay S. Horstmann
Data Structures and Algorithms
Data Structures – A Pseudocode Approach with C
Design and Analysis of Algorithms
Richard F. Gilberg and Behrouz A. Forouzan
S. Sridhar
Web Technologies
Fundamentals of Web Development
PHP and MySQL Web Development
Randy Connolly, Ricardo Hoar
Luke Welling, Laura Thomson
Data Analytics
Making Sense of Data I: A Practical Guide to Exploratory Data Analysis and Data Mining
Data Mining for Business Intelligence
Glenn J. Myatt, Wayne P. Johnson
Galit Shmueli, Nitin R. Patel, and Peter C. Bruce
Machine Learning
Introduction to Machine Learning
Machine Learning: A Probabilistic Perspective
Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning
Ethem Alpaydin
Kevin P. Murphy
Christopher M. Bishop
Computer Networks
TCP/IP Protocol Suite
Computer Networks
Behrouz A. Forouzan
Tannenbaum, A.S.
Internet of Things
Internet of Things – A hands-on approach
Architecting the Internet of Things
Arshdeep Bahga, Vijay Madisetti
Dieter Uckelmann, Mark Harrison, Michahelles, Florian
MCA Entrance Exams
NIMCET is the entrance exam used for MCA program admissions at prestigious colleges, including the NITs. Other colleges administer MCA entrance exams, such as VIT MEE, UPSEE, and TANCET. The majority of regular colleges admit students based on their grades from the tenth and twelfth grades, then on their graduation results.
Distance MCA is usually a three-year course that students can finish in six years, whereas regular MCA is normally a two-year program. The regular MCA syllabus and the distance learning syllabus are identical. In order to study their desired subjects or to enhance their employment prospects, students can choose to specialize in distance learning MCA. The online MCA program provides flexibility with regards to online exams, course materials, and class schedule. Compared to a traditional course, the qualifying requirements for admission to distance learning MCA programs are more flexible.
Top Colleges for MCA
According to recent surveys, government rankings, and placements, the following is a list of the best MCA colleges:
MCA Subjects includes Computer Programming with C, Discrete Mathematical Structure, Database Management System, & Unix and Shell Programming.
Is MCA hard to study?
Many institutes and colleges offer MCA these days, and it has become easier to get into the courses. However, the rigorous coursework often challenges the grit of the pursuing candidates..
Is MCA a 3 year course?
MCA i.e. Master of Computer Applications is a 2-years PG professional degree course that deals with the in depth study of various concepts of Computer Science such as computer programs, computer architecture, application software, operating systems, and more.
Does MCA require maths?
MCA does not essentially require maths, although a basic understanding of maths and computer science concepts is helpful, it is not essential for admission into most MCA programs.
What is the MCA salary?
MCA Salary is one of the benefits of getting an MCA degree. The annual salary for an MCA graduate in India is an average INR 10 lakhs.
Is MCA better or MBA?
MBA is a better option for candidates who are more likely to hold leadership and management positions, whereas, an MCA is more suitable for students who wish to focus on their technical talents.
Is MCA in demand?
MCA graduates are in high demand across various industries. Specializing in a particular domain not only enhances your skills but also opens doors to lucrative job opportunities.
