The Complete List of BCA Subjects for Colleges

Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) is a three-year undergraduate degree course. It focuses on computer application and software development basics. BCA helps students hone multiple computer skills. BCA students can opt for careers in IT and similar domains. Computers and tech are the basis of business and commerce. Hence, graduates with BCA degrees are in high demand.

A BCA degree is similar to a B.Tech/BE degree in Computer Science or Information Technology. The course helps students form a solid foundation for a long career in computer applications. It includes subjects like database management systems, operating systems, software engineering, and web technologies. Students also learn languages like C, C++, HTML, and Java in the BCA program.

The cost of the BCA degree varies from INR 37,500 to INR 5 lakh. All universities need the same basic requirement for BCA. Students must have a score of 45%–50% in Class 12. In contrast to B. Tech, there are no topic-level limits for studying BCA. Thus, students of any subject in Class 11 and 12 can apply.

Specialized BCA Course List

• Animation: This course helps students combine art with tech. Computer software and design knowledge add a modern touch to any field. The 3-year full-time multimedia programme focuses on key skills in the fields of animation and graphics. The syllabus has subjects like computer graphics, technology, and the nature of the moving picture. Students who are fond of multimedia and graphics should enrol in this program. Those with research aptitude and an analytical mind are a good fit for this course. Good knowledge of media and culture is useful.
• Accounting Applications: This course aims to develop students’ accounting skills. It teaches students how to manage transactions, expenses, and other fixed assets.
• Systems Analysis: It refers to the process of gathering and evaluating information, detecting issues, and deconstructing systems. System analysis is used to investigate a system or its components to know its objectives. The system’s behaviour is specified through analysis. It is a method of studying systems to model them. Learning this is also helpful in detecting the pros and cons of a system.
• Personal Information Management (PIM): The subject deals with activities related to creating, organising, maintaining, retrieving, and using informational items. It offers control over personal information in PIM systems. PIM keeps data safe in online storage software. Data is thus maintained in a shareable form whenever required.
• Programming Languages: Knowledge of programming languages is a basic need for those working with computer software. The course hones students’ skills over two years.
• Internet Technologies: The course covers website designing, webpage creation, etc. Topics like computational thinking and the planning of tech are also included.
• Computer Applications: The course gives practical skills to deal with issues that occur in computer systems. The wide appeal of the course has led to the emergence of Computer Science Schools. These institutes provide Computer Science graduate degrees that are on par with BCA education.
• Computer Graphics: It teaches 2D and 3D design, web design, and animation. The course also includes physics, optics, and geometry.
• Music and Video Processing: This course has music composition, mixing, and audio production subjects. It prepares students to work as professional sound engineers, mixing engineers, music arrangers, and in the field of audio post-production.

• Cyber Law: In this specialization, students learn how to deal with criminal and illegal cyber activities. Students explore legal issues related to criminal activities like online forgery, theft, and fraud.

Most Important Subjects in BCA

• Fundamentals of Computers: This is one of the most basic BCA subjects. It involves the history and types of computers. It also teaches students about hardware operating systems.
• C Programming: C is a programming language used in computers. It is a structured and procedural coding language. It is used in software for corporate and academic domains.
• Software Engineering:This course covers the principles of software engineering. Students find out the approaches and processes to design, build, and maintain a dependable software system. The subject has topics such as software design, software implementation, and software maintenance.
• Operating Systems (OS): An operating system is software that manages all application systems in a computer/phone. This includes hardware resources that enable the functioning of computer programs.
• Multimedia Systems: A multimedia system can process all media applications and data. It deals with processing, storing, and manipulating data. The course covers multimedia standards, systems, and tools, content presentation to multimedia discovery, and multimedia network communication.
• Organisational Behaviour: In this course, students learn about behaviour within a firm. It talks about ways to boost employee fulfilment and performance. Students also study research topics like job satisfaction, leadership, and innovation.
• Data and Database Management Systems: A company’s data is stored in server databases that need expertise and training. Topics in this course are relational design theory, SQL, relational algebra, online analytical processing, data mining, etc.
• Web-Based Application Development: Creating and using apps for various web-related functions needs special training. Students learn coding languages like HTML and XHTML and design concepts in CSS. Students also find out about PHP, an important programming language.
• Software Development: This course covers multithreading, inheritance, networking, database programming, and web development. Students can develop, implement, test, and debug huge programmes.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): A key component of Web 3.0 is the development of robots or computers. With rapid technological advancement and expansion, students can look forward to more exciting AI features in the future.
• Data Communication and Computer Networks (DCN): It is the transmission of digital data between data networks and computer networks and two more computers. The basics of DCN include interfacing and encoding, signal transmission, transmission media, multiplexing, data link control, WANs, and LANs.

Semester-wise List of BCA Subjects

List of Elective BCA Subjects

• Cloud Computing: This elective course develops skills to compute data shared in groups. These include groups like file storage, web servers, etc.
• Gaming and Animation: The course aims at advancing gaming with animation. Students develop ideas for gaming by using innovative graphics.
• Computer Graphics: This course aims to lead the creation of cutting-edge graphics. Students learn essential concepts such as pixels, aspect ratio, saturation, rasterization, etc. They learn about display technologies, input devices, drawing algorithms, graphics standards, etc.
• Digital Marketing: It is a significant way of marketing a business. As all businesses are now online, students must learn to improve a company’s online presence. They learn the use of different tools like SEO, SEM, etc.
• Data Mining: It teaches the principles of data mining. Students learn to analyze data to find patterns. These patterns are used to collect info and enhance decision-making. Databases, machine learning, and algorithms are also a part of data mining.
• MATLAB: MathWorks created the computer language MATLAB for numerical computing activities. It helps in doing complex math computations. Students find it easy to learn. It has many applications.
• Agile Frameworks: It is software development that improves team collaboration. It helps students create software to plan, manage, and execute the workflow.

Best Books for BCA Subjects

Here are the best books for BCA subjects for students:

• Data Structure Using C by A K Sharma
• Differential Calculus by Shanti Narayan
• Business Communication by R.K. Madhukar
• Human Behavior at Work by John W Newstrom & Keith Davis
• Modern Abstract Algebra by Shanti Narayan
• Environmental Chemistry by Anil K De
• The Most Common Mistakes in English Usage by Thomas Elliot Berry
• Higher Engineering Mathematics by B.S. Grewal
• Computer System Architecture by Morris Mano
• JAVA: The Complete Reference by Herbert Schildt
• DBMS by Dr Rajeev Chopra
• Ecommerce Fundamentals & Applications by Henry Chan
• The C Programming Language by Brian W Kernighan

Scope of BCA in India

The IT sector has huge potential and is becoming more and more popular. The reason is the development of industries and start-ups.

Colleges can take this as a chance to introduce new courses and electives. BCA graduates have a good scope of creating a career in the IT industry. BCA graduates can work in many roles. They can be web designers and developers, software developers, testers, etc. With more experience, they can also take up executive positions. They are hired based on the skills acquired for different situations.

In India, BCA subject graduates rarely face a lack of employment. They get jobs in the private and public sectors. The prospects in the public sector are attractive to many students. Leading companies like HP, Infosys, Accenture, and Cognizant seek the best talents in this field. Campus placements make it easier to start a career after graduation. With the right choice of electives and enough experience, applicants can get successful jobs. Some jobs are:

1. Technical analyst

Many BCA degree holders aim to be technical analysts. This role is responsible for executing IT processes and other systems to improve working efficiency. Candidates have fresh, cost-effective ideas that benefit the company. Tech applications might not always be economical. It is the technical analyst’s job to make them so. The average salary is 8 LPA and can vary from 3 to 18 LPA. This is a decent package for those with an undergraduate degree. Technical analysts also study market trends to research investments.

2. Data scientist

A data scientist builds a career in the analysis of data. Candidates are skilled in data science. They have in-depth knowledge of mathematical concepts and data visualization. A data scientist earns up to 4 LPA. That is almost INR 30,000+ per month. For freshers, it is a decent path to start their careers.

3. Web developer

A web developer knows how to create and manage websites. Web developers are skilled in JavaScript, HTML, and other tools. They create websites on search engines for many companies. They also maintain the page with advanced features and tools. They get paid 1.2 to 7.5 LPA. The average salary is 3 LPA.

4. Chegg Expert Hiring

BCA graduates can work as educators and tutors. Chegg hires people as subject matter experts. Subject matter experts are knowledgeable. They are adept in the subject and work as tutors for students. The average salary is 4.9 LPA. However, it is better to have up to 3 years of experience. With more experience, they can earn up to 6 LPA.

5. E-commerce Executive

An e-commerce executive maintains the online presence of a company. They supervise the company’s online and offline sales. They also bring in strategies to improve the social media marketing policy. The average salary of an e-commerce executive is 2.4 LPA. The salary ranges from 1 to 4.5 LPA.

6. Cyber security expert

A cyber security expert works with networks, apps, and data security. They maintain server security to avoid data breaches and leaks. Servers are packed with valuable data. Applicants can also gain more certifications to improve their prospects. Salaries range between 3 to 11 LPA, with an average of 5 LPA.

Also Read: What to do after BCA?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the BCA syllabus for the 1st year?

Ans. The BCA 1st semester syllabus includes five theory and two practical subjects:

• Fundamentals of IT and computers
• Digital Electronics
• Basic Mathematics
• English communication
• C language lab
• PC Applications and Internet Technology (Practical)
• Programming in C (Practical)

The BCA 2nd semester syllabus also has five theory and two practical subjects:

• Organisational Behaviour
• Operating Systems and Fundamentals
• C Language Advanced Concepts
• Advanced Mathematics
• Advanced C Programming Lab
• Data Structure using C (Practical)
• Tally ERP 9.0 (Practical)

The 2nd-semester subjects are advanced levels of the BCA 1st semester subjects. Overall, there are ten theory 1st year BCA subjects. There are also four practical 1st year BCA subjects.

Q2. Is BCA a complex study?

Ans. BCA is a technical degree. Students explore many concepts related to computers and technology. Building a strong base of the key concepts can make the learning process easier. It also helps you stay up to date on digital trends. Tutoring helps improve the basic skill set. The course is not difficult. However, the curriculum includes some complicated subjects.

Q3. Is math necessary for BCA?

Ans. BCA has a lot of subjects. They are taught over six semesters. The 1st semester begins with basic math. Students then move to advanced math in the 2nd semester. The subject is not taught in any other semester. However, its use is essential in the rest of the program.

Q4. How many papers are in BCA?

Ans. All the semesters have at least five theory subjects. There are 31 theory papers, including three elective subjects. There are also eight lab-based practical subjects. The final semester involves a dissertation.

For more details about the BCA subjects, visit Chegg India. Know more about the syllabus, subject list, and scope of the BCA course at Chegg. Chegg is always seeking subject matter experts who can help students prepare for exams. There are many freelance and full-time jobs for individuals to take teaching and Q&A sessions.