Programme Project Report (PPR)

for

Distance Learning Programme under School of Distance Education

BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATION (BCA)

Course Co-ordinator: Dr. Sajimon Abraham

Academic support by

School of Management and Business Studies (SMBS)

Mahatma Gandhi University
Kottayam, Kerala

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 BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATION (BCA)

PROGRAMME PROJECT REPORT (PPR)

Mahatma Gandhi University started the School of Distance Education in 1989 with the vision of
providing the opportunity for quality education to all realms of society. Since the beginning, thousands
of students have availed themselves of this opportunity for higher education to a great extent
throughout Kerala. Many students outside the State have also benefited from this. But after the new
directions of the UGC in 2014, the University had stopped all the Off Campus Centres of the School of
Distance Education both inside and outside the State.
Now it is the new endeavour of the School to revamp its functioning by offering different types
of Conventional Graduate and Post Graduate Programmes in addition to Diploma and Certificate
Programmes which are very relevant to contemporary society. This is being done with the academic
and infrastructural support of the eminent Schools and Interdisciplinary Interuniversity Centres of the
University.

1. Programme’s Mission & Vision

 To conduct and support undergraduate, postgraduate and research-level/Programmes of quality in

different disciplines.
 To foster teaching, research and extension activities for the creation of new knowledge for the
development of society. To help in the creation and development of manpower that would provide
intellectual leadership to the community.
 To provide skilled manpower to the professional, industrial and service sectors to meet global demands.
 To help and promote the cultural heritage of the nation and preserve the /environmental sustainability and
quality of life.
 To cater the holistic development of the region through academic /leadership.

Aims and Objectives of the Programme

The BCA Programme is designed with the following specific objectives.

a) To attract young minds to the potentially rich & employable field of computer applications.
b) To be a foundation graduate Programme which will act as a feeder course for higher studies in the
area of Computer Science/Applications.
c) To develop skills in software development so as to enable the BCA graduates to take up self-
employment in Indian & Global software market.
d) To train and equip the students to meet the requirement of the Industrial standards.

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2. Relevance of the Programme to the Institution’s Mission and Goals

In this age of Computers and everything being digitalized, knowledge about machines is very
important. It helps the person have a distinct advantage over the others who do not have a degree in
Computer Applications. The domain is growing at a rapid pace. In the 1990’s with the advent of
globalization computers grew in prominence and slowly started to replace the paper and files in offices. It
brought down the cost to quite an extent.

A three year degree in Computer Applications will get skills and information not only about Computer
and Information Technology but also in communication, organization and management. One also get to learn
programming languages such as Java, C++, HML, SQL, etc. Information about various computer
applications and latest developments in IT and communication systems is also provided. The Bachelor of
Computer Application Programme of Mahatma Gandhi University has been designed to supply trained
manpower it ever growing IT and IT Enabled industry.
3. Nature of Prospective Target Group of Learners:
Candidate who passed 10+2 with Mathematics/Statistics/Informatics studied as one of the subject recognized
by Mahatma Gandhi University.

4. Appropriateness of Programme to be conducted in Open and Distance Learning Mode to acquire

specific skills and competence

a) Technology is defined as the applications of Basic Science. The past two revolutions, industrial and
electronic, have transformed the society from agricultural to industrial and then to electronic. The
electronically based technologies focused in information gathering, processing and distribution. The use of this
technology in all sectors gave the birth to Computer Industry and its unprecedented growth launched another
revolution in Communication.
b) Information, the basic raw material for the Decision Support System, can be derived from processing of
huge database related with different sectors. Systematic storage and management with adequate security are
essential for data retrieval and processing to generate information. The information technology plays an
important role in all areas. But the main drawback is the technophobia of the people to adapt with the new
technologies. This may be due to lack of awareness of the merits and advantages of new technologies. So our
youths have to be equipped with all kinds of knowledge tools to work with computers comfortably which are
basic requirements to provide human resource to the industry.
c) The radical changes in technologies both in hardware as well as software and their ever increasing
adaptation to newer areas of application demand frequent updating of the academic curriculum so that the
students can rise to the expectation of the Industry. The syllabus revision committee has considered all these
factors thoroughly before venturing into the revision exercise.

Those who are working in the industry can also acquire this knowledge when the Programme is offered in
Distance Education platform.

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 5.Instructional design

The candidates will be supplied with study materials from time to time and will be required to attend the
contact classes regularly.

5.1 Duration of Programme(s)

The duration of the BCA Programme of study is three academic years with six semesters. The duration
of odd semesters shall be from June to October and that of even semesters from November to March.

5.2 Programme Detail

Sem Title with Course Code Course Contact Credit Marks

Category Hours Intl Extl Total
DEN1CC01- English-I Common 12 4 20 80 100
DM1CMT01- Mathematics Complementary 12 4 20 80 100
DS1CMT02 - Basic Statistics Complementary 12 4 20 80 100
DCA1CRT01 -Computer Fundamentals Core 12 4 20 80 100
and Digital Principles
DCA1CRT02-Methodology of Programming and C Core 9 3 20 80 100
Language
I DCA1CRP01-Software Lab I (Core) Core 60 2 20 80 100
Total 117 21 120 480 600
DEN2CC02- English-II Common 3 4 20 80 100

DM2CMT03-Discrete Mathematics Compleme ntary 3 4 20 80 100

C DCA2CRT03 -Data Base Management Core 9 3 20 80 100
Systems
DCA2CRT04-Computer Organization and Core 12 4 20 80 100
Architecture
II DCA2CRT05-Object oriented programming using Core 12 4 20 80 100
C++
DCA2CRP02-Software Lab- II Core 60 2 20 80 100
Total 99 21 120 480 600
DS3CMT04 - Advanced Statistical Methods Complementary 12 4 20 80 100

DCA3CRT06-Computer Graphics Core 12 4 20 80 100

DCA3CRT07-Microprocessor and PC Core 12 4 20 80 100
III
DCA3CRT08-Operating Systems
Hardware Core 12 4 20 80 100
DCA3CRT09-Data Structure using C++ Core 9 3 20 80 100
DCA3CRP03-Software Lab III Core 60 2 20 80 100
Total 117 21 120 480 600

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 DR4CM05-Operational Research Complementary 12 4 20 80 100
DCA4CRT10-Design and Analysis of Core 12 4 20 80 100
Algorithms
DCA4CRT11- System Analysis &Software Core 12 4 20 80 100
Engineering
DCA4CRT12-Linux Administration Core 12 4 20 80 100
IV
DCA4CRT13-Web Programming using Core 9 3 20 80 100
DCA4CRP04-Software Lab IV Core 60 2 20 80 100
P
Total 117 21 120 480 600
DCA5CRT14-Computer Networks Core 12 4 20 80 100
DCA5CRT15-IT and Environment Core 12 4 20 80 100
DCA5CRT16-Java Programming using Core 9 3 20 80 100
DCA5OPT01-- Open Course
Linux Core 9 3 20 80 100
V
DCA5CRP05 -Software Lab V Core 60 2 20 80 100
DCA5CRP06-Software Development Lab I(Mini Core 6 2 20 80 100
Project)
Total
108 18 120 480 600

DCA6CRT17 -Cloud Computing Core 12 4 20 80 100

DCA6CRT18 -Mobile Application development- Core 12 4 20 80 100
Android
DCA6PET-- -Elective Core 12 4 20 80 100
DCA6CRP07 –Software Lab VI &Seminar Core 60 2 100 - 100
VI
DCA6CRP08 -Software Development Lab II ( Main Core 9 3 20 80 100
Project)
DCA6VVT01-Viva Voce Core 1 - 100 100
Total 105 18 180 420 600
Grand Total 663 120 780 2820 3600

Faculty and support staff requirements

Course Co-ordinator

Dr. Sajimon Abraham

Faculty Member in Computer & IT, School of Management & Business Studies,
Mahatma Gandhi University

Qualifications : M.C.A,M.Sc(Maths), M.B.A, Ph.D(Computer Science)

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Teaching faculty

The two Common Courses in English have to be taught by teachers with a Master’s degree in English
along with other qualifications prescribed by the University. The core courses have to be taught by teachers
with MCA / MSc. Computer Science / Msc. IT along with other qualifications prescribed by the University.
The service of the large number of teachers who teach BCA in regular courses can be utilized for the delivery
of the Programme.

Instructional Delivery Mechanism

In addition to provide SLMs prepared in line with the UGC guidelines on preparation of SLMs, the
students are offered contact classes at the head quarters of the School of Distance Education and at the
Learner’s Support Centers during the weekend.
Student Support Service Systems at SDE

The SDE establishes Learner Support Centres for the students at different locations within the
jurisdiction of the University to facilitate contact classes and practical sessions.
6. Procedure for admissions, Curriculum Transaction and Evaluation

Qualification : The eligibility for admission to BCA Degree Programme under the Mahatma Gandhi
University is a pass in Pre-degree, Plus Two or equivalent examinations in science stream with
Mathematics/Computer Science as a compulsory subject.

Verification of Documents:
1. Qualifying certificates ie SSLC, Plus Two
2. Applicants possessing qualifications from Universities / Institutions other than Universities in
Kerala should apply for recognition. Applications for Matriculation/ Recognition are also
provided with the Application Form.
3. Candidates possessing qualifications from other Universities should also produce migration
certificates / NOC from the Universities or other board of examinations.
4. TC from the educational institution where the candidate last studied

Fees : Rs. 16000/- for Full Programme

Evaluation

Examinations- One Internal Exam and one External Exam of 3 hours duration
Assignments- Two assignment in each course
Internals – Internal Exam (10)+Assignments(10)=20
Test Papers – As per instructors choice
Projects : Mini Project in the fifth Semester and Major project in the Sixth Semester. Students shall be
required to undergo two software development project by choosing a real-life problem from the Industry.
The report will have an internal evaluation at the end of the semester.

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7. Details of laboratory support required for the Programme(s)

Mahatma Gandhi University Library and Information System consists of University Library,
Libraries of the Schools and Libraries of the 4 Study Centres. The University Library was established in
1989. The University Library which is situated on the main campus and provides a variety of facilities
and has a user-friendly environment. These include individual work spaces, room for group study and
teaching, audio-visual access and online information retrieval system. The building of the University
Library is 2000 sq.m in area and consists of the cellar, the ground floor and the first floor.
Academic as well as public users are given the facility to use the library. Special category
membership is provided to journalists. The library provides service from 8 am to 8 pm in three shift
timings for its staff. The library functions on an average of 345 days in a year. Reading space is
provided on all the three floors housing the various sections of the library.
The library provides reading facility to visually impaired users too. For this, an electronic lab custom
made for visually and physically challenged users has been set up during 2016. The libraries of teaching
departments are open during working hours of the Schools.
The University Library has a Library Advisory Committee. It is an 18 member committee with the
Vice-Chancellor as Chairman and University Librarian as Convener.
The library has a collection of 59,000 books, 232 journals, 2,135 Ph.D. theses and has access to
15000+ e-journals under E-Shodh Sindhu. The activities of the Library are comprehensively automated
using open source library management software KOHA. OPAC, Journal Article Index, Bi-monthly
Bibliography compilation and Literature Search Service are also availableThe library is a member of
the INFLIBNET Centre, Ahmedabad as well as & DELNET (Developing Library Network). As a
member of these networks, the library provides access to the resources of other major libraries in the
country. In addition to the access to UGC INFONET consortium, it has access to major online
databases, such as EBSCO, ProQuest dissertations and theses, Oxford Scholarship Online, IEEE All
Society Periodicals Package etc. Mahatma Gandhi University had won the State IT Award during the
year 2009 in the e-learning category for its online thesis digital library. The various department libraries
too have a good collection of subject specific books and journals.

A. MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Category No.
Books 59000
Journals 232
Bound Journals 7500
Ph.D Theses 2135
E-Journals (in UGC-Infonet, renamed as E-ShodhSindhu) 15000
Online databases (in UGC Infonet) 11
Online Archives subscribed 185 Titles
Online databases subscribed 4
E-books 7338
DVDs: Educational Videos 293

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 Total No. of books
B Name of School/Centre
School of Computer Sciences 4130

8. Cost Estimate of the Programme and the Provisions

Sl. Expenditure Cost estimate for BCA Programme

No (1000 students)
01 Pay and Allowance 20,00,000
02 Contact classes and evaluation 15,00,000
03 Course materials 10,00,000
04 Advertisement charges 30,000
05 Postage and telephone 15,000
06 Books and Periodicals 50,000
07 Miscellaneous 30,000
Total 46,25,000
Provisions (10%) 4,62,500
Total Rs. 50,87,500/-
Cost per student per year = Rs.5088/-

9. Quality assurance mechanism and expected Programme outcomes

The material will be adequate to the syllabus prepared. Since the scheme, syllabus and examination, evaluation
norms all are same for the regular Programme there is no problem with the equivalence of the programe. The quality
of the Programme will be ensured through strict monitoring by an executive committee that includes the Co-
ordinator of the Programme, subject experts and Director, School of Distance Education. The Co-ordinator
of the Programme shall ensure regular student feedback of courses, teachers and the Programme in the
prescribed format towards the end of the semester and the same shall be analysed to draw conclusions for
effecting improvement. Periodical review meetings on the Programme’s efficacy will be held, in which the
remarks of teachers on curriculum, syllabi and methods of teaching and evaluation will be given due
importance. Moreover, the progress and the quality of the Programme will be monitored by the Internal
Quality Assurance Cell of the University from the outcome and feedback of the learners as well as the
proper documentation maintained in the Centre.

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