PGDCA – Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA-101)

Duration: 12 Months | Total Lectures: 288 | Semesters: 2 | Total Credits: 36

SEMESTER I

T101 – Fundamentals of Information Technology & Computer Organization

Module 1: Computer Fundamentals

• Introduction to Computers
• Characteristics and Applications of Computers
• Generations of Computers
• Types of Computers
• Hardware and Software
• System Software and Application Software

Module 2: Number Systems & Data Representation

• Decimal, Binary, Octal and Hexadecimal Systems
• Number System Conversion
• Binary Arithmetic
• Character Encoding
• ASCII and Unicode
• Data Representation

Module 3: Computer Hardware & Architecture

• CPU and its Components
• ALU, Control Unit and Registers
• Motherboard
• Memory: RAM, ROM, Cache
• Storage Devices
• Input and Output Devices
• Ports and Peripheral Devices

Module 4: Operating Systems

• Operating System Concepts
• Types of Operating Systems
• Windows Operating System
• File and Folder Management
• Process and Memory Management
• System Utilities

Module 5: Internet & Digital Technology

• Internet and World Wide Web
• Web Browsers
• Search Engines
• Email
• Cloud Computing
• Digital Services
• Cybersecurity Fundamentals

T102 – Programming in C

Module 1: Introduction to C

• Programming Concepts
• Algorithms and Flowcharts
• Structure of a C Program
• Variables and Constants
• Data Types
• Input and Output

Module 2: Operators & Expressions

• Arithmetic Operators
• Relational Operators
• Logical Operators
• Assignment Operators
• Increment and Decrement
• Conditional Operator
• Operator Precedence

Module 3: Control Statements

• if
• if-else
• Nested if
• switch
• for Loop
• while Loop
• do-while Loop
• break and continue

Module 4: Functions

• Function Concepts
• Function Declaration and Definition
• Arguments and Return Values
• Call by Value
• Recursion
• Library Functions

Module 5: Arrays & Strings

• One-Dimensional Arrays
• Two-Dimensional Arrays
• Array Operations
• String Handling
• String Functions

Module 6: Pointers

• Pointer Concepts
• Pointer Declaration
• Pointer Arithmetic
• Pointers and Arrays
• Pointers and Functions

Module 7: Structures & Unions

• Structures
• Nested Structures
• Arrays of Structures
• Unions
• typedef

Module 8: File Handling

• Files and File Modes
• Opening and Closing Files
• Reading and Writing Files
• Sequential File Processing
• Practical File-Based Applications

T103 – Database Management Systems

Module 1: Database Fundamentals

• Data and Information
• Database Concepts
• DBMS
• Advantages of DBMS
• Database Users
• Database Architecture

Module 2: Data Models

• Hierarchical Model
• Network Model
• Relational Model
• Tables, Rows and Columns
• Keys and Relationships

Module 3: ER Model

• Entity
• Attributes
• Relationships
• Cardinality
• ER Diagrams
• ER-to-Relational Mapping

Module 4: SQL Fundamentals

• Introduction to SQL
• CREATE
• ALTER
• DROP
• INSERT
• UPDATE
• DELETE
• SELECT

Module 5: Advanced SQL

• WHERE
• ORDER BY
• GROUP BY
• HAVING
• Aggregate Functions
• Joins
• Subqueries
• Views

Module 6: Database Design

• Functional Dependencies
• Normalization
• 1NF
• 2NF
• 3NF
• Database Integrity

Module 7: Transactions & Security

• Transactions
• ACID Properties
• Concurrency
• Backup and Recovery
• Database Security
• User Permissions

T104 – Discrete Mathematics & Problem Solving

Module 1: Mathematical Logic

• Statements and Propositions
• Logical Operators
• Truth Tables
• Logical Equivalence
• Boolean Logic

Module 2: Sets

• Set Concepts
• Types of Sets
• Set Operations
• Venn Diagrams
• Cartesian Products

Module 3: Relations & Functions

• Relations
• Types of Relations
• Equivalence Relations
• Functions
• Types of Functions

Module 4: Counting Techniques

• Fundamental Counting Principle
• Permutations
• Combinations
• Basic Probability

Module 5: Graphs & Trees

• Graph Terminology
• Types of Graphs
• Graph Representation
• Trees
• Applications of Graphs and Trees

Module 6: Problem Solving

• Problem Analysis
• Algorithms
• Flowcharts
• Pseudocode
• Complexity Basics
• Computational Thinking

L105 – Computer & Programming Practical Lab

Practical exercises covering:

• Windows and file management
• Computer configuration
• Internet and email
• Word processing
• Spreadsheet basics
• Algorithms and flowcharts
• C programming
• Conditional statements
• Loops
• Functions
• Arrays
• Strings
• Pointers
• Structures
• File handling
• Problem-solving programs

L106 – DBMS & SQL Practical Lab

Practical exercises covering:

• Database creation
• Table creation
• Primary and foreign keys
• Constraints
• Data insertion and modification
• SELECT queries
• Sorting and filtering
• Aggregate functions
• GROUP BY and HAVING
• Joins
• Subqueries
• Views
• Normalization
• Database security
• Real-world database project exercises

SEMESTER II

T201 – Object-Oriented Programming

Module 1: OOP Fundamentals

• Procedural vs Object-Oriented Programming
• Classes and Objects
• Encapsulation
• Abstraction
• Inheritance
• Polymorphism

Module 2: Classes & Objects

• Class Definition
• Object Creation
• Data Members
• Member Functions
• Access Specifiers
• Constructors
• Destructors

Module 3: Inheritance

• Single Inheritance
• Multilevel Inheritance
• Multiple Inheritance
• Hierarchical Inheritance
• Constructor in Inheritance

Module 4: Polymorphism

• Function Overloading
• Operator Overloading
• Function Overriding
• Runtime Polymorphism
• Virtual Functions

Module 5: Advanced OOP

• Abstract Classes
• Interfaces
• Exception Handling
• File Handling
• Generic Programming Concepts

Module 6: Application Development

• OOP-Based Problem Solving
• Modular Application Design
• Console-Based Applications
• Introduction to GUI Application Concepts

T202 – Data Structures & Algorithms

Module 1: Introduction

• Data Structures
• Abstract Data Types
• Algorithms
• Complexity
• Big-O Notation

Module 2: Arrays

• Array Operations
• Searching
• Insertion
• Deletion
• Multidimensional Arrays

Module 3: Linked Lists

• Singly Linked List
• Doubly Linked List
• Circular Linked List
• Insertion and Deletion

Module 4: Stacks & Queues

• Stack Concepts
• Stack Operations
• Applications of Stack
• Queue
• Circular Queue
• Priority Queue

Module 5: Trees

• Tree Terminology
• Binary Trees
• Binary Search Trees
• Tree Traversal
• Applications of Trees

Module 6: Graphs

• Graph Concepts
• Graph Representation
• BFS
• DFS
• Applications of Graphs

Module 7: Searching & Sorting

• Linear Search
• Binary Search
• Bubble Sort
• Selection Sort
• Insertion Sort
• Merge Sort
• Quick Sort

T203 – Web Technology & Web Application Development

Module 1: Web Fundamentals

• Internet and Web
• Client-Server Architecture
• Web Servers
• Websites and Web Applications
• Domain Names and Hosting

Module 2: HTML5

• HTML Structure
• Text Formatting
• Lists
• Tables
• Links
• Images
• Forms
• Multimedia
• Semantic HTML

Module 3: CSS3

• CSS Syntax
• Selectors
• Colors and Fonts
• Box Model
• Positioning
• Flexbox
• Grid
• Responsive Design

Module 4: JavaScript

• JavaScript Fundamentals
• Variables
• Data Types
• Operators
• Conditions
• Loops
• Functions
• Arrays and Objects

Module 5: DOM & Web Interaction

• DOM Concepts
• Events
• Form Validation
• Dynamic Content
• Browser Storage
• Basic API Concepts

Module 6: Web Application Development

• Front-End Development
• Back-End Concepts
• Database Connectivity
• Authentication Concepts
• CRUD Applications
• Web Project Development

T204 – Software Engineering & Computer Networks

Module 1: Software Engineering

• Software Concepts
• Software Characteristics
• Software Engineering Principles
• Software Development Life Cycle

Module 2: SDLC Models

• Waterfall Model
• Iterative Model
• Prototype Model
• Spiral Model
• Agile Development

Module 3: Requirements & System Analysis

• Requirement Gathering
• Functional Requirements
• Non-Functional Requirements
• Feasibility Study
• Use Cases
• System Documentation

Module 4: Software Design & Testing

• Software Design
• Modular Design
• User Interface Design
• Testing Fundamentals
• Unit Testing
• Integration Testing
• System Testing

Module 5: Computer Networks

• Network Fundamentals
• LAN, MAN and WAN
• Network Topologies
• Network Devices
• Transmission Media
• Client-Server Networks

Module 6: Network Protocols & Security

• OSI Model
• TCP/IP Model
• IP Addressing
• DNS
• HTTP/HTTPS
• Network Security
• Firewalls
• Cybersecurity Fundamentals

L205 – Web & Programming Practical Lab

Practical exercises covering:

• HTML webpage creation
• Forms and tables
• CSS styling
• Responsive webpage design
• JavaScript programs
• Form validation
• DOM manipulation
• Interactive web pages
• Programming applications
• Database-connected applications
• CRUD operations
• Complete website development

L206 – Advanced Application Development Lab

Practical work covering:

• Object-oriented programming applications
• Data structure implementation
• Searching and sorting programs
• Stack and queue applications
• Linked-list applications
• Tree and graph programs
• Database-connected applications
• Web-based applications
• Authentication concepts
• Real-world application development

MP207 – Major Project

Students must develop a real-world computer application using the concepts learned throughout the PGDCA programme.

Project Stages

1. Problem Identification
2. Requirement Analysis
3. Feasibility Study
4. System Design
5. Database Design
6. Application Development
7. Testing
8. Documentation
9. Project Demonstration
10. Viva Voce

Suggested Projects

• Student Management System
• Institute Management System
• Library Management System
• Inventory Management System
• Hospital Management System
• Billing Management System
• Employee Management System
• Online Examination System
• School Management System
• E-Commerce Application
• Customer Management System

Project Documentation

• Project Title
• Introduction
• Problem Statement
• Objectives
• Existing System
• Proposed System
• Requirement Analysis
• System Design
• Database Design
• Screenshots
• Testing
• Results
• Conclusion
• Future Scope

📌 Final PGDCA Structure

Semester I: 4 Theory + 2 Practical Labs

Semester II: 4 Theory + 2 Practical Labs + Major Project

Duration: 12 Months

Total Lectures: 288

Theory Assessment: 30 Objective + 20 Practical/Application

Major Project: 100 Marks

Total Credits: 36