Master of Computer application

A Master of Computer Application (MCA) is a two-year postgraduate program in computer application. MCA is the study of Mathematics behind Computer Science, concepts in core computer and system science, non-core computer courses and software development and design, it is for those who want to learn deep about computer application and development. MCA provides an opportunity to get specialization in a specific field of computer application which is as follows:-
• Systems Management
• Management Information Systems (MIS)
• Systems Development
• Systems Engineering
• Networking
• Internet working
• Application Software
• Software Development
• Troubleshooting
• Hardware Technology
It is a three-year course for those who have a bachelor’s degree in any stream other than Bachelor of Computer Application while for those who have a Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) degree this course is of two-year duration. A student who wants to pursue MCA must have a Mathematics Bachelor degree or in higher secondary. However recently University Grant Commission (UGC) in a meeting decided to make the whole course two-year duration for all.

Eligibility:-

Minimum eligibility is Bachelor in computer application (BCA), however, MCA can be pursued without having BCA also but the condition is one should have Mathematics in graduation or should have Mathematics in 10+2.

Admission Process:-

Two ways are there to get admission in MCA, which are as follows:-
• Admission on the basis of merit that is on the basis of marks obtained in graduation. Colleges set their cut-off marks to give admission to their colleges. Some of such colleges are as follows:-
• Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University – Jaipur, Lovely Professional University
• Rathinam Group of Institutions – Coimbatore Rai University
• Ahmedabad Gulzar Group of Institutes – Ludhiana Ganpat University
• Mehsana Bharat Institute of Higher Education & Research, Chennai Indus University
• Jaipur Apex University, Jaipur, etc.
The second way to get admission is by clearing the entrance examination. Some of such entrance examination at both state and all India level are as follows:-
• NIT MCA Common Entrance Test (NIMCET) is the national level entrance test
• Indraprastha University Common Entrance (APICET), Test conducted for all India.
• Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test (TSICET), Conducted at the state level, only students of Telangana cam give this test.
• Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE), Conducted at the state level, only students of Odisha cam give this test.
• Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Exam (UPSEE), Conducted at the state level, only students of Uttar Pradesh cam give this test.
• Banaras Hindu University: Entrance Exam (BHU PET), is the national level entrance test
• Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET), is the national level entrance test
• Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (Karnataka PGCET), Conducted at the state level, only students of Karnataka cam give this test.
• The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT), An integrated test for the students of Gujarat & Rajasthan
• Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET), Conducted at the state level, only students of Tamil Nadu can give this test.
• Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for MCA (MAH MCA CET), Conducted at the state level, only students of Maharashtra can give this test.

Best Colleges:-

• JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY – [JNU], NEW DELHI
• NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ( NIT TRICHY), TIRUCHIRAPPALLI
• DELHI UNIVERSITY – [DU], NEW DELHI
• KR MANGALAM UNIVERSITY, GURGAON
• JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA UNIVERSITY-[JMI], NEW DELHI
• NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ( NIT), MANGALORE
• INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES – [IMS], NOIDA
• UNIVERSITY OF HYDERABAD ( UOH), HYDERABAD
• NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ( NIT CALICUT), CALICUT
• LINGAYA’S VIDYAPEETH, FARIDABAD
• NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ( NIT WARANGAL) , WARANGAL
• VIVEKANANDA INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES – [VIPS], NEW DELHI
• MOTILAL NEHRU NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ( MNNIT), ALLAHABAD
• MANAV RACHNA INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH AND STUDIES – [MRIIRS], FARIDABAD
• INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY – [IGNOU], NEW DELHI

Syllabus:-

However MCA course has been recently reduced from three years to two years, but two-year syllabus has yet to be developed. The three-year course syllabus is as follows semester wise:-
Semester 1:-
THEORY
• Computer Organisation & Architecture
• Business Systems and Applications
• Computer Programming with C
• Discrete Mathematical Structure
• Business English and Communication

PRACTICAL
• Micro Programming & Architecture Lab
• Programming lab
• Business presentation and language lab

Semester 2:-
THEORY
• Data Communication & Computer Networks
• Information Systems Analysis & Design
• Data Structures with C
• Data Base Management System
• Object-Oriented Programming With C++

PRACTICAL
• Data structure lab
• Database lab
• Object-Oriented Programming lab (C++)

Semester 3:-
THEORY
• Operating Systems and Systems Software
• Unix and Shell Programming
• Intelligent Systems
• Statistics and Numerical Techniques
• Business Management
• Management Accounting

PRACTICAL
• Unix lab
• Statistics and Numerical Analysis lab
• Accounting Systems lab

Semester 4:-
THEORY
• Software Engineering & TQM
• Graphics & Multimedia
• Data Base Management System II
• Operation Research & Optimisation Techniques
• Environment and Ecology

PRACTICAL
• Software Project Management lab
• Graphics & Multimedia Lab
• Advanced Database lab

Semester 5:-
THEORY
• Elective 1
• Elective 2
• Elective 3
• Elective 4
• Values and Ethics of Profession
PRACTICAL
• Elective 2
• Minor project and seminar
Electives for Semesters 5
1. System Administration and Linux
2. Windows Programming With VB
3. Advanced Unix programming
4. Object-Oriented Programming With Java
5. Compiler Design
6. E-Commerce
7. Distributed database management
8. Image Processing
9. Parallel Programming

Semester 6:-
THEORY PRACTICAL
• Major project and seminar

Career Prospects:-

Today that the field of Information Technology (IT) is one of the most demanding and lucrative fields as far as the profession is concerned. Increasing digitalization has not only broadened the scope of IT sector but has also made it a prestigious occupation. The increasing importance and its scope could be understood by the fact that today we cannot think anything without digital equipment, (which are a combination of hardware and software) it is affecting almost every aspect of our life. Hence MCA equipped an individual with the skill and knowledge which help them in pursuing a good profession in the field of IT. Following are the field which is considered as best for the profession
• Software Developer
• Hardware Engineer
• Database Engineer
• Cloud Architect
• Data Scientist
• Business Analyst
• Technical Writer
• Web Designer/Developer
• IT Architect
• Software Consultant
• Manual Tester
• Troubleshooter
• Network Engineer
• Social Media Manager
• Ethical Hacker