MCA
by Dr. Ali Khwaja
Though there is so much hype about the IT industry and its employment potential, one should remember that the best jobs are still being bagged by engineers.  The others who get lucrative openings are those with MCA-Master of Computer Applications.
Of course, an ideal combination would be an engineering degree combined with an MCA.

For those who have not gone into the engineering stream, MCA  is still a good option regardless of what one has done graduation in.

Basic Qualification:
Any 3 year bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in all subjects, including languages if any.  Along with this, one should have studied Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science as a subject for two years at the PUC (+2) level.

There are over a dozen colleges affiliated to Bangalore University offering the MCA course, though it is better to check out the credentials, computer facilities, and the staff, particularly of the newer ones.

In the more established colleges, there is a tough competition for selection, and only those with a good academic record, coupled with a strong aptitude for computers, will be able to make it.

Other universities also offer MCA courses through their affiliated colleges, and the pattern of study is more or less standardized in all the states:

Course:
MCA is a three year (six semester) course approved by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).  The selection is based on performance in the qualifying exam, written test and personal interview.  It is a very practical program with 26 instructional courses and 14 practicals each of 4 hours per week, spread over the first five semesters, and seminars and
project work in the fifth and final semesters. During the sixth semester students generally go to the industries and implement a real time project which is directly useful to the organization concerned.

It should be kept in mind that it is a rigorous three years of intensive theory and practical work, hence even before appearing for the entrance test, one should have had enough exposure to computers, and a confidence that one can go deeper into the subject with ease.

Care:
If one has done graduation without mathematics, one should preferably prepare for  some tough subjects like statistics, accounting, linear algebra, etc. which are taught in the first semester itself.  The other subjects are Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science, Computer programming and problem solving, Computer organization and assembly language
programming.  In the subsequent semesters, the course goes on to include personnel management, database management systems, computer assisted management, and artificial intelligence, among others.

While an MCA degree opens doors for a good career, it may be necessary for those aspiring to move onto the fast track, to supplement their knowledge with the latest programming languages.  This can be done by taking up specialized part time courses in private computer institutes.  One has to keep in mind the financial aspect, because most such courses are quite
expensive, and a wrong choice could blow a hole in the pocket, and not increase one’s market value.

Before taking up such a course, it is better if a candidate focuses on which area of computer applications one wants to specialize in.  The choice could be from engineering, accounts, materials management, graphics, multimedia, web page design, marketing, medical, or many others.  While the choice is large, one’s background and basic education can play an important role in choosing.

For those taking up an MCA course, it is always preferable to set up a computer at home and supplement the learning process by oneself. Although this involves an additional investment of around 30 to 40 thousand rupees, the returns are worth it.

For Admission Notices Click here
Some addresses in Bangalore:

Central College
 Ambedkar Veedhi, Bangalore - 560001

Christ College,
Hosur Road,  Bangalore
E-mail: princi@christcollege.edu  Web site: www.christcollege.edu

Administrative Management College,
30th Cross, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore - 560011
 Ph-6638991, 6638992, Fax- 080-6638994
 E-mail: amcport@blr.vsnl.net.in

Al - Ameen Art, Science and Commerce College,
Hosur Road, Near Lalbagh Main Gate,
Bangalore - 560027,  Ph-2222402

Dayananda Sagar College of management and Information  Technology,
Shavige Malleshwara Hills, Kumaraswamy Layout,  Bangalore - 560078,
Ph- 6661104, 6660789 Fax-080-6635929
E-mail: sagar@blr.vsnl.net.in

East West PUC-JOC-Degree college,
2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, (Subramanyanagar), Bangalore - 560010
Ph- 3322909, 3321270, 3321933,  Fax-080-3323284
Web site: eastwestgroup.org

Garden City College of Science & Management,
No.9, BCIE, Old Madras Road,  Bangalore - 560016
Ph- 8518955, 8512240, 8518929, Fax-080-5291414
E-mail: gcetrust@blr.vsnl.net.in  Web site: www.gardencitycollege.org

National Institute of Management & Information Sciences,
100 Ft. Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore - 560008
Ph-5261735, Fax- 080-5263042
E-mail: nhel@blr.vsnl.net.in Web site: www.newhorizonindia.org

C M R Institute of Management Studies,
2079, 2nd Main, 3rd Block, HBR Layout, Kalyananagar, Bangalore - 560043
Ph-5469008, Fax- 080-5470956
E-mail: cmrims@hotmail.com   cmrims@yahoo.com

Oxford Educational Institutions,
1st Phase, J P Nagar, Bangalore - 560078
Ph-6630855,  6552500, 6552501, 6552502, 6552503, 6552504
Fax- 080-6548658

PES College,
50 ft. Road, Hanumanthanagar, Bangalore - 560050
Ph- 6529391, 6529392, 6679646

Indira Gandhi National Open University
293, 39th Cross, 8th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore - 560082
web site: www.indialog.com\ignou

BMS College of Engineering,
Bull Temple Road,
Basavanagudi, Bangalore - 560 019
Ph-080-6520530

M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology,
Gokul Extn Bangalore - 560 054

Belimatha Mahasamsthana Institute of Technology,
6162, Indiranagar, Nelamangala, Bangalore - 562123
Ph - 08118 - 23181, 24344


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