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Computer Science Engineering – Courses, Syllabus, Career Scope

The word technology has many connotations. Whatever be the meaning and definition, 2 things that emerge are that it is used in industry, and is a branch of applied science. It is a blend of scientific knowledge of engineering with practical usage. There is no life today that is untouched by technology. Computer technology is one such branch of technology, which we can say has changed the face of mankind. This stream of technology has opened many opportunities to make a successful career, too.  Computer science engineering is one of them. Computer science engineering has helped technology reach and touches our lives in many ways.

Computer Science Engineering assimilates the knowledge of computer engineering and computer science. In very simplified terms, this branch of engineering encompasses the software and hardware aspects of computers. Thus, computer science engineering leads to the design of the software, implementation of the design, and management of the software and the hardware processes. This course becomes a favorite choice for students who want to pursue engineering. The computer science engineering course is offered to both undergraduate as well as post-graduate students.

Eligibility criteria for computer science engineering program

The B.Tech program is popular at the undergraduate level along with B.E., while M.Tech is a popular program at the postgraduate level. The eligibility for undergraduate programs is as follows:

  • Students must have passed the 12th std exam from a recognised university
  • Students must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at 10 + 2 level 
  • Students score 60 percent of the above-mentioned subjects (75 percent if the students want to apply for NITs, IITs, and GFTIs)
  • Clear the entrance test

Eligibility for the post-graduate program is as mentioned below:

  • Students have to complete their graduation in B.E or B.Tech from a recognised university
  • Students have to undertake the entrance test. Mostly the score of GATE are accepted
  • Sometimes a few colleges ask for a minimum of 1 year of experience in the field, in case the applicant has not graduated from any branch of computer science

Entrance tests that need to be given

Since the course is offered at undergraduate as well as post-graduate levels, the entrance exams are different. 

Undergraduate entrance test: There are many exams for the undergraduate program. We shall cover the main entrance test, scores of which are accepted at other colleges too

  • JEE Main- The most common and the most popular entrance test among engineering students in India. The exam is conducted in over 360 centers spanning pan India. It is conducted both in the online as well as offline mode. The exams are conducted overseas too, in 5 countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, and Ethiopia.
  • JEE advanced – This test is undertaken by students who have passed their JEE Main test
  • BITSAT – Entrance test for Birla Institute of Technology. This college  has its campuses in places like Goa, Hyderabad, and Pilani in India and Dubai in UAE
  • SRMJEE – These tests are conducted online for SRM colleges spaned all across India

Post-graduate entrance test: Fortunately for the PG courses, the students have to appear for only one exam as compared to many exams at the undergraduate level. The exam that they have to appear in the Graduate Aptitude Test is prominently called GATE. These exams have to be given for admission in IITs, NITs, or GFTIs. 

Syllabus structure of the MCA program

Semester 1Semester 2
CalculusLinear Algebra and Ordinary Differential Equations
Chemistry IModern Physics
Introduction to computer programmingData Analysis and Interpretation
EconomicsAbstractions and Paradigms in Programming
Chemistry LabPhysics Lab
Workshop PracticeAbstractions and Paradigms in Programming
Engineering Graphics and Drawing
Semester 3Semester 4
Numerical Analysis Environmental  Studies 
Introduction to Electrical and Electronic CircuitsAutomata Theory and Logic
Discrete StructuresDesign and Analysis of Algorithms
Data Structures and AlgorithmsLogic Design
Experimentation and Measurement  LabSoftware Systems Lab
Data Structures and Algorithms LabLogic Design Lab
Semester 5Semester 6
Literature/Philosophy/Psychology/SociologyArtificial Intelligence      
Computer ArchitectureImplementation of Programming Languages
Operating SystemsComputer Networks
Database and Information SystemsArtificial Intelligence Lab
Database and Information Systems LabImplementation of Programming Languages Lab
Computer Architecture LabComputer Networks Lab
Operating Systems Lab
Semester 7Semester 8
Elective 1Elective 4
Elective 2Elective 5
Elective 3Elective 6
Institute Elective 1Institute Elective 2

Note: Syllabus may vary from college to college, kindly check before taking admission

Career scope for students who take the computer science engineering program

After completion of the computer science engineering program, there are students who diversify into other branches like telecommunications, hardware and software implementation and maintenance, or system analyst. They work as data scientists, software programmers, system analysts, business consultants, etc. Digitisation of the marketplace has opened opportunities since the apps developed have to be innovative and have to use various platforms and perform without technical glitches. So, the demand for computer science engineers has increased.

Job roles that are offered by the industry to computer science engineers

The boom in digitisation and the subsequent advancement has led to a boom in the job market for computer science engineers. The demand is no longer limited to the IT sector, but in other sectors too, like academics, sales and marketing, journalism, and editing and content, to name a few. A few job profiles are explained below:

  • System database administrator: The role requires overseeing the security, performance, and running of the database. Troubleshooting and sometimes designing data structures may also be included
  • Computer programmer: The role requires creating code for software and programs. The code is the key since it helps run the application
  • Engineering support specialist: Providing assistance and technical support to consumers and businesses is the profile for these professionals. Support could be in technical, hardware, or software
  • Data warehouse analyst: Data is stored in warehouses or servers. Collecting data, analysing this data, and minding this data is the role of this analyst.
  • System designer: Defines the architecture of the system, interfaces required for the operation of the system, and data for a system is designed by these professionals
  • Software developer: Developing software for specific client/business needs is done by a software engineer. 
  • Software engineer: Designing software, developing the system, maintaining the software glitches, testing it, and evaluating the software is the role of the engineer.
  • Research analyst: Conducting surveys, collecting the data, analysing the data, and putting it to correct use is the role of a research analyst.
  • Lecturer: If teaching computer terminology and nuances interests professionals, they become professors or lecturers in college and impart their knowledge to students.

Course fees

If pursuing the computer science engineering program in India, then the course fees range between 2 lakhs to 10 lakhs, depending on whether the college is government or private. It also varies from college to college. Many students opt to pursue their courses on foreign shores like the USA, the UK, Australia, or Canada. The course fees may range from 20-50lakhs depending on the college and the country chosen.

Salary package for computer science engineering graduates

As mentioned earlier, due to the boom in technology, demand for engineers has gone up. A fresher can attract a starting package between 30 – 60 thousand per month. With an experience of one year and more but less than 3 years, 80 thousand per month salary is achievable. As you climb the steps of progress and experience, a salary ranging between 1.30 lakhs to 2 lakhs per month can be attracted. Top companies like TCS, Cognizant, Infosys, Facebook, Yahoo, PayTm, Google, Adobe, Apple etc, offer jobs to freshers as well as experienced every year. 

Topmost ranked college in India for computer science engineer program

India is blessed with good educational colleges that attract not only students within India, but overseas too. Some of the top-notch colleges in India are

  • IIT Bombay
  • IIT Madras
  • IIT Delhi
  • IIT Kanpur
  • IIT Kharagpur
  • SRM institutes
  • BITS
  • Vellore Institute of Technology
  • Various colleges of NITs

International colleges of repute are as follows

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Stanford University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • National University of Singapore
  • University of California
  • University of Oxford
  • Harvard University
  • University of Cambridge
  • EPFL Switzerland
  • ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

The world of computers and technology fascinates many equally, but only the ones who know how they can add their own magic do choose this as a career option. It is estimated that the computer technology market will keep growing and that the demand for computer science engineers will grow by 6 per cent from 2018 straight to 2028. So get all the knowledge and take a well-thought decision regarding choosing the right career path.

FAQs

Q 1. Computer science and computer engineering are two terms. Is it the same or is it different? Can you point out the differences?

Well, to begin with, both computer science and computer engineering are two different streams, but they do deal with computer technology. Let us understand the difference. Computer science dives deep down into understanding the basics in the field of computer technology. On the other hand, computer engineering combines this knowledge of technology with innovation and comes up with newer and better systems. In very simple layman’s terms, a computer scientist does not build the hardware while a computer engineer builds the hardware.

Q 2. If I plan to earn and settle abroad, will a computer science engineering degree help me?

The academic future of India is very bright. Every year, India churns out more computer science engineering students than any other country in the world. To top it up our college teaches at par with the standards of the developed nations. While in other developed nations the churned-out graduates are far less in Indian comparison. This gap is being effectively filled up by Indian students. So keeping these statistics in mind, one can easily reach a conclusion that Indian graduates will attract jobs from foreign shores, hence the picture of settling overseas too becomes achievable.

Q 3. With so many courses and so many graduates, are we heading towards saturation in the next decade?

Fortunately, with technology, only one thing keeps happening and that is it keeps upgrading itself and becoming better with each upgrade. The technology is already following human voice commands. Soon it may also happen that technology will work according to human moods, wants, and also needs. The one thing with technology is that the future is EXCITING!

Q 4. Will the study not be boring?

In the land of technology, nothing can be boring when you work on it. To work on it you have to have correct knowledge which only a course can give you. If studying bores you, then only the field will be boring.

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