I am a B.Sc. computer science student and would like to choose mathematics or accountancy as a compulsory subject for the sixth semester. I am interested in studying mathematics. Is computer applications a suitable higher study option at the Master's degree level? Also kindly give me details of the colleges or institutions that offer MCA courses.

MANJUSHA, KOTTAYAM

Computer applications is one of the best higher study options for graduates in computer science, for which you should study mathematics as one of the subjects for B.Sc. computer science. Master of Computer Applications is a three year, six semester programme. The course is intended to train engineering/ technology, science or commerce graduates who have studied mathematics or statistics as a subject at the degree level, in the development and use of computer software for different applications. The major thrust is on giving the students a sound knowledge in computing, business functions and mathematics relevant to information technology.

In Kerala, several colleges affiliated to the Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi (MG), Calicut and Kannur Universities offer regular fulltime MCA programmes. One should ensure approval by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the university affiliation for the course before seeking admission.

The Commissioner for Entrance Examination under the State government, conducts an annual entrance examination for admission to MCA courses offered by several colleges or institutes in the State. A few of them are as follows:

College of Engineering, Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram, (30 seats), Government Engineering College, Thrissur (30 seats), Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kottayam (30 seats), TKM College of Engineering, Kollam (26 seats), Mar Athanasius College of Engineering, Kothamangalam (26 seats), College of Applied Sciences, Kiliyanad, Kozhikode (30 seats), College of Applied Science, Vadakkancherry, Palakkad (30 seats), LBS College of Engineering, Mooliyar, Kasaragod (22 seats), CHMM College of Advanced Studies, Varkala (30 seats), Lourde Matha College of Science and Technology, Kuttichal, Thiruvananthapuram (30 seats), Mohandas College of Engineering and Technology, Anad, Neduamangad (30 seats), AWH Engineering College, Kuttikattoor, Calicut (30 seats), SCMS School of Engineering and Technology, Vidyanagar, Palissery, Kochi (30 seats), DOEACC Centre, Calicut (30 seats), MES College of Engineering, Kuttippuram, Malappuram (30 seats), West Fort Higher Education Trust, Pottore, Thrissur (30 seats), KMCT College of Engineering, Kallanthode, Kozhikode (30 seats), Federal Institute of Science and Technology, Angamaly (30 seats), Vidya Academy of Science and Technology, Kurumal, Thrissur (30 seats), Nehru College of Engineering and Research Centre, Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur (30 seats), Mount Zion College of

Engineering, Kadammanitta, Pathanamthitta (30 seats), Sree Narayana Institute of Science and Technology, North Parauvur (60 seats), Saintgits College of Engineering, Pathamuttom, Kottayam (30 seats), Mar Baselious

Institute of Technology, Anchal (22 seats), Ilahia College of Engineering and Technology, Mulavoor, Muvattupuzha (30 seats), KVVS Institute of Technology, Kaithaparambu, Adoor (30 seats), Sree Narayana Institute of Technology Vadukkevila, Kollam (40 seats), Sree Narayana Gurukulam College of Engineering, Kolencheery, Ernakulam (30 seats).

Students who have passed their three year Bachelor's degree course in any discipline with mathematics as one of the subjects can appear for the entrance test. Degree students who have studied mathematics as one of their subjects in Plus Two are also eligible.

For admission to the colleges affiliated to Kerala and Calicut Universities, at least 50 per cent marks are required in the qualifying examination. Final year degree students can also apply.

The entrance examination is of two-hour duration, and will be conducted at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode. 120 objective-type questions each from mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, general knowledge and General English and 30 questions from fundamentals of computer awareness at the graduate level will be asked. Each correct answer fetches three marks and one mark will be deducted for each incorrect response.

The Commissioner for Entrance Examination allots college and seats to the candidates based on ranks through the centralised allotment process. The entrance examination notification may be expected during May/ June. The examination may be held during July. Details may be had from the web site www.cee-kerala.org.

In the private sector some self-financing colleges also conducts separate common entrance test for admission to MCA management quota seats.

At CUSAT

The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) conducts a self-financing MCA course. Any graduate with mathematics as a main subject or as one of the subsidiaries or graduates in electronics, computer science, computer applications, engineering and technology with an aggregate of at least 55 per cent marks in subjects other than languages and humanities are eligible for admission.

The selection is through CUSAT Common Admission Test (CAT). Details may be had from the web site www.cusat.nic.in.

At Calicut varsity

Under the University of Calicut, the MCA programme is offered at the following centres: Computer Centre, Calicut University Campus, Tenhipalam; MCA Centre Vadakara; Computer Science Centre, Thurakkal, Manjeri; Centre for Science and Technology, Muttil, Wynad; Computer Science Centre, MES Kalladi College, Manarkad; Computer Science Centre, Marutharod, Palakkad; Centre for Science and Technology, Pudukad, Thrissur; Computer Science Centre, KKTM Government College, Pullut; Computer Science Centre, Dr. John Mathai Centre, Arnattukara; Centre for Science and Technology, Thalikulam, Thrissur; University Study Centre, PT Usha Road, Kozhikode.

Each college will admit 30 students. The selection to all these centres is based on a graduate level entrance test conducted by the university. Those who have passed their B.Sc. or B.Com. degree course with mathematics or statistics as one of the optional subjects with at least 50 per cent aggregate marks (including languages) can apply. They should have scored at least 60 per cent in the optional subjects. B.Tech. students with at least 50 per cent marks in aggregate can also apply. Students who have passed BCA / B.Sc. computer science/ B.Sc.(IT)/ B.Sc. electronics with at least 50 per cent marks are eligible for admission.

SC/ ST students require a minimum pass and SEBC students get 5 per cent relaxation in marks in the qualifying examination. Admission notification can be expected during April/ May and the entrance test may be held in May / June. Web site: www.universityofcalicut.

info.

At MG university

The School of Technology and Applied Science (Centres at Kottayam, Thodupuzha, Pathanamthitta and Ernakulam) conducts MCA courses on a self-financing basis. The course duration is three years. Entry qualification is B.Sc. or B.Com. degree with mathematics, computer science or statistics as one of the subjects with at least 55 per cent marks or B.Sc. (IT)/ B.Tech./ BCA and B.Sc. computer science and electronics with at least 55 per cent marks (web site www.mguniverisy.edu). The admission notification may be expected during April/ May.

ER and DCI Institute

The ER and DCI Institute of Technology, under the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram, offers MCA programme. The institute is affiliated to CUSAT approved by the AICTE. The selection will be on the basis of CUSAT-CAT. Any graduate with mathematics as the main subject or as a subsidiary or a graduate in electronics, computer science, computer applications, engineering and technology with aggregate 55 per cent marks are eligible for admission. The number of seats is 60; 30 each for merit and management seats.

The Amrita School of Engineering, Amritapuri, Clappana, Kollam, conducts MCA course. Graduates in any discipline with mathematics or statistics as one of the subjects with at least 60 per cent marks in aggregate are eligible for admission. The selection is based on an entrance test, academic merit and interview.

NIMCET

The Eleven National Institutes of Technology (NITs) in the country, including NIT Calicut and Tiruchirappalli offer MCA programmes. NITs are premier technical institutions of national repute and are fully funded by the Government of India. The curricula and syllabi of MCA offered by NITs are designed considering the need of different IT firms in India and abroad. The selection to these eleven NITs are through NIMCET, a national-level common entrance test conducted by the NITs for MCA admission.

Bachelor's degree holders with any one of the subjects viz. mathematics, statistics, business mathematics, mathematical foundations of computer science, business statistics, computational mathematics, elementary mathematics/ statistics with at least 60 per cent marks can appear for NIMCET.

The applicants should also have passed Plus Two examination with at least 60 per cent marks in mathematics. The test is of two-hour duration, covering 120 multiple-choice objective-type questions from mathematics, analytical ability and logical reasoning, computer awareness and General English. Each correct answer will carry four marks and each wrong answer will lead to one negative mark.

NITs at Calicut, Thirchirappalli, Surathkal, Agarthala, Allahabad, Bhopal, Durgapur, Jamshedpur, Kurukshektra, Raipur, Warangal offer MCA programmes. Admission notification may expect during January / February every year. The test will be held in May. (www.nitc.ac.in, www.nitt.edu)

Career prospects

MCA degree holders with high marks are eligible to become computer programmers, system analysts, software engineers, electronic data processing (EDP) managers, database administrators and so on.

Other options

Meritorious B.Sc. degree holders in computer science can choose M.Sc. computer science, PG course in journalism and mass communication, library and information science, law (three-year L.L.B), bioinformatics, cost and works accountancy, company secretaryship for higher study according to their aptitude and interest.