BCA Course Subjects

Bachelor of Computer Applications or BCA is one of the most opted computer courses after 12th standard. Running for a period of 3 years, it imparts extensive knowledge in Computer Fundamentals, Programming Languages, Database Systems, Information Security and Web Development. With the inclusion of programming languages like C++, the course nurtures you to become a specialist in the field of Information Technology. When it comes to the BCA syllabus, the name of the topics/subjects can vary from one university to another. However, the core components remain the same. So, if you’re someone who is looking for a list of BCA course subjects, you are exactly at the right place! 

Name of the Course	BCA – Bachelor of Computer Applications
Duration	3-4 years depending upon the university
Eligibility	10+2 preferably in Commerce stream BCA Entrance Exams in India: IPU CET BCA, KIITEE BCA, LUCSAT BCA, etc. BCA Entrance Exams abroad: SAT/ACT; TOEFL/IELTS
Subjects Covered	Fundamentals of Computers C Programming Operating Systems Multimedia Systems Understanding Organisational Behaviour Data and Database Management Systems Web-Based Application Development Computer Lab and Practical Work
Average Salary	3-6 lakhs per annum
Careers	Mobile Phone Application Developer Computer Programmer Software Programmer Web Designer Computer Technician Computer System Analyst Computer Maintenance Engineer

Also Read: What to do After BCA?

About Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)

Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) is a three-year undergraduate course which imparts students with the foundational and advanced knowledge of Information Technology and Computer Applications. BCA course provides students with the knowledge of computer applications as well as how to solve various problems and issues related to a computer or its applications. The BCA subjects cover programming languages like C++ and JAVA, Networking, Fundamentals of Computers, Multimedia Systems, Data Structure, Web-Based Application Development, Web Designing, Software Engineering amongst others. BCA is also offered in the following subjects and specialisations:

• Animation
• Accounting Applications
• Systems Analysis
• Personal Information Management
• Programming Languages
• Internet Technologies
• Computer Graphics
• Music and Video Processing
• Cyber Law

BCA Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for BCA course is that the applicant must have completed 10+2 preferably in Commerce and some universities might also have their own specific entrance tests for this course. Major BCA entrance exams include IPU CET BCA, KIITEE BCA, LUCSAT BCA, etc. If you are planning to study BCA abroad, then you might be asked to provide SAT and ACT scores in countries like the USA. Additionally, you will also have to submit language proficiency scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc. as well as SOP and LORs.

Prominent BCA Course Subjects

Though there are scores of subjects which you will study during the journey of the program, here are some of the most important BCA course subjects:

• Fundamentals of Computers
• C Programming
• Operating Systems
• Multimedia Systems
• Understanding Organisational Behaviour
• Data and Database Management Systems
• Web-Based Application Development
• Computer Lab and Practical Work

BCA Course Syllabus [Semester Wise]

Semester	BCA Subjects
I	Fundamentals of IT & Computers Digital Electronics Basic Mathematics English Communication C Language Lab
II	Operating Systems and Fundamentals Organisational Behaviour C Language Advanced Concepts Advanced Mathematics Advanced C Programming Lab
III	Database Management Systems Open Source Technology Software Engineering Web-Based Applications DBMS and Web Technology Lab
IV	Web Designing Data Structures Introduction to Linux Object-Oriented Programming Elective
V	Software Engineering – II Java Programming Python Language eCommerce and Marketing Elective Advanced Java and Python Lab
VI	Artificial Intelligence Information Security Application Development Elective Project/Dissertation

Note: This is a generalised list. The core subjects and electives can vary from one university to another. 

BCA Electives

Apart from the core subjects, the Bachelor of Computer Application degree also has open elective courses which one has to opt in different semesters in order to complete the degree program. Here is a list of some of the popular electives in BCA course:

• Cloud Computing
• Gaming and Animation
• Computer Graphics
• Digital Marketing
• Data Mining
• MATLAB
• Agile Frameworks

BCA Subjects in Detail

Now that you are familiar with the list of BCA course subjects and syllabus, let us have an overview of some of the important subjects.

Software Development

In this course, topics like multithreading, inheritance, networking, database programming and web development are covered along with gaining experience in advance programming languages like Python, Java, Assembly, COBOL, C, Lisp, etc. You also get to design, implement, test and debug large programs.

Software Engineering

This subject covers the fundamentals of Software Engineering which aims at providing methodologies and procedures for designing, developing, and maintaining a reliable software system useful to humans. Some of the few units covered in this subject are, designing software solutions, software implementation, and maintenance.

Multimedia Systems

Multimedia data has become an essential part of today’s world and modern research projects. The subject gives a thorough understanding of multimedia standards, system and tools, content representation to multimedia retrieval and also multimedia network communication.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence or AI is one of the major components of Web 3.0 creating machines or computers as intelligent as humans. This is one of the unique BCA course subjects covering two of the major topics: machine learning and algorithms, building intelligent agents, robots, and solving AI problems using Python programming. With an expeditious development and growth in technology, we can expect more thrilling features and uses of AI in the future.

Web-Based Applications Development

The subject focuses on designing and developing web-based applications using a wide range of tools and programming languages. Learning in-depth HTML and XHTML coding along with design concepts in CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) allowing students to create webpages. The course also gives an advance knowledge about PHP, which is one of the world’s most eminent programming languages for web development.

Theoretical Computer Science

Theoretical computer science comprises of the understanding of the theory of computation along with mathematical tools. These include topics like algorithms, automata theory, logic, computational complexity and combinatorics. 

Database Management System

Database Management System or DBMS primarily aims at providing a mechanism to store and retrieve database information efficiently and conveniently. Some of the core concepts covered in this subject are relational algebra, SQL, relational design theory, online analytical processing, data mining and much more. 

Data Communication and Computer Networks 

The transmission of digital data between a computer network or data network and two or more computer is termed as data communication. A computer network allows computers to exchange data either through cable media or wirelessly. In modern information and retrieval system, the communication platform is channelised towards a more creative and interactive mode. Essential topics covered in data communication and computer network (DCN) include signal transmission, encoding, and interfacing, transmission media, data link control and multiplexing, LANs and WANs. 

Top Colleges for BCA in India

Here are the major colleges offering BCA in India:

• Loyola College, Chennai
• Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research, Pune
• Amity Institute of Information Technology
• Vellore Institute of Technology
• Lovely Professional University
• Parul University
• University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES)
• Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies

Top Colleges Offering BCA Abroad

There are a number of BCA colleges that offer a diverse curriculum and opportunities to gain industrial exposure through their comprehensive program in this field. Some of them have been listed below:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Stanford University
• University of California – Berkeley
• University of Birmingham
• Harvard University
• Carnegie Mellon University
• University of Michigan
• University College London
• Cornell University
• The University of Texas at Austin
• University of Cambridge
• University of Warwick
• University of Toronto

BCA Scope and Salary

After completing your bachelor in Computer Application, you can readily go for a post-graduation degree like a master’s in Computer Application (MCA) or master in Business Administration (MBA). This will help you dwell deeper into the subject and develop the necessary skills and tools to be successful in this field. Here are the most popular BCA jobs:

• Programmer
• System Engineer
• Web Developer 
• Web Designer 
• Software Developer
• Software Architect 
• Network Administrator
• System Manager
• System Security Officer
• Software Tester

In India, the average salary of a BCA graduate is 2.5 Lakhs to 5 Lakhs per annum depending upon the profile and company. The top IT companies that hire BCA graduates are, Microsoft, Wipro, Cognizant, Aricent, HCL and TCL.

FAQs

Are you ready to kick start a career in computer application and IT? The mentors and career counsellors at Leverage Edu are here to help you discover the right college or university offering all the desired BCA course subjects.