MCA or Master of Computer Applications is a postgraduate course that deals with computer applications, technology, and programming. The three-year MCA course is divided into 6 semesters to make the program more flexible. MCA syllabus and subjects covers both academic and practical methods. The comprehensive syllabus of MCA consists of subjects and topics like computer organisation & architecture, computer programming with C, discrete mathematical structure, data structures with c, business management, operation research & optimisation, etc.
The MCA program offers specializations such as system management, management information systems (MIS), system engineering, networking, internet, application software, hardware technology, etc to offer multiple career and job opportunities to the MCA aspirants.
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MCA Salary in India |
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MCA Syllabus Semester Wise
The semester-wise MCA syllabus deals with the learning of 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.
It must be noted that students can visit the official website of the chosen college to download MCA syllabus pdf to learn about the areas of study in that particular university of college.
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 MCA course are as follows:
MCA Subjects: 1st Year |
|
MCA Subjects: Semester – 1 |
MCA Subjects: Semester – 2 |
Computer Organisation & 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 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 MCA course are as follows:
MCA Subjects: 3rd Year |
|
MCA Subjects: Semester – 5 |
MCA Subjects: Semester – 6 |
Elective 1: Distributed database management, Image Processing, Parallel Programming |
Project Work
|
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 |
- |
Check out the Course wise Subjects Breakdown in the section below -
MCA Subjects
Students can gain a thorough understanding of computer science basics and their applications through the MCA course. 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 they also make them ready for the needs of the workforce. It will be beneficial for the students if they acquire the MCA syllabus PDF before enrolling in the program.
There are two types of MCA course subjects as included in the MCA degree program, which are discusses below:
MCA Core Subjects
Given below is a list of core subjects in MCA:
- Computer Programming with C
- Discrete Mathematical Structure
- Database Management System
- Unix and Shell Programming
- Software Engineering & TQM
- Operation Research & Optimisation Techniques
- Object Oriented Programming with Java
MCA Elective Subjects
Given below is the list of elective subjects in MCA:
- Advanced Database Management Systems
- Operational Research
- Numerical and Scientific Computing
- Distributed Systems
- Software Project Management
- Organizational Behaviour
- Multimedia Technologies
- Advanced Computer Architecture
Check Also: BCA+MCA Integrated Course
MCA Specializations
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. Candidates have the opportunity to gain a greater level of knowledge in a particular MCA course through these specialties, thus improving their job prospects.
Most schools and institutions offer the following Master of Computer Applications specializations:
- Systems Management
- Management Information Systems (MIS)
- Systems Development
- Systems Engineering
- Networking
- Internet
- Application Software
- Software Development
- Troubleshooting
- Hardware Technology
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
- Seminars
- Workshops
MCA Syllabus IGNOU
This section displays the semester-wise MCA syllabus as offered by IGNOU.
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 MCA course at IPU 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: Recommended Books
The tabulated form below mentions the important books that can be used while preparing for the syllabus of MCA:
Name of the Book |
Author Name |
Theory of Computer Science |
Mishra & Chandrasekharan |
Computer System Architecture |
Morris Mano |
Data Communication & Networking |
Forouzan |
Database Management System |
A.K. Pujari |
Management Information System |
O'Brien |
Discrete Mathematics with Applications |
Rosen |
Operating Systems |
Galvin & Silverschatz |
System Analysis & Design Handbook |
V.K. Jain, Wiley Dreamtech |
Fundamentals of Data Structures |
Horowitz and Sahani |
Data Structure Using C |
Radhakrishnan & Srinivasan |
UNIX: Concepts & Applications |
Sumitava Das |
Computers and C Programming |
Bajpai, Kushwaha, Yadav |