(a) core courses, which give a broad base in the main field of study in the academic programme concerned;
(b) elective courses chosen by the student in consultation with the faculty adviser;
(c) laboratory, project work and software design courses where special emphasis is laid on the application of knowledge to real-life problems.
(d) The programme will also include seminars and practical training, as prescribed by the Board of Studies in the curriculum & syllabus and approved by the Academic Council.
(e) In addition, the students may audit courses, in consultation with the faculty adviser.

4.2) The credits are assigned according to the following pattern:
(a) 1 credit for each lecture period/week,
(b) 1 credit for each tutorial period/week,
(c) 1 credit for each practical session of 2 periods/week &
(d) 2 credits for each practical/project session of 3 periods/week.

4.3) In the case of students admitted under the lateral entry programme, exemptions are given for those courses of the first and second year of the SASTRA MCA programme, if the student has already studied these subjects in the undergraduate programme as mentioned in 2.2. This exemption is given by SASTRA after scrutiny of the mark/grade sheets of the undergraduate degree submitted by the student. If during the scrutiny, it is found that the student has not studied some of the courses offered in the first year MCA programme of SASTRA, he has to complete these courses along with the second or third year courses.

4.4) A letter grade, corresponding to the marks secured by the student, is awarded for each course for which a student has registered. On obtaining a pass grade, the student accumulates the course credits as earned credits. A student’s progress is measured by the number of credits that the student has earned and the weighted grade point average.

5.2) The courses will be offered in semester pattern. For each course that the student undergoes during a semester, there will be a Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA) for a maximum of 50 %; this will be based on the student’s regularity in attendance, best performance in the two monthly tests out of three monthly tests, seminars, quizzes, assignments, etc. There will be one examination of 3 hours duration at the end of the semester for each credited theory course.

5.3) The sixth semester of the M.C.A. programme shall be allotted exclusively for Project work.

5.4) Each student shall be required to take up project work during the sixth semester. The project work chosen by the student & the guide, should be approved by the Head of the department by the end of the fifth semester. Two typed copies of the Project Report shall be submitted to SASTRA through the Head of the Department on or before the date fixed by SASTRA. In case a student submits the Project Report after the due date but before the end of 5 years from the date of his admission, his viva voce examination will be conducted along with the subsequent batch of students.

5.5) A student should complete the M.C.A. programme within a period of 5 years (i.e., 10 semesters) from the date of admission. In case of unsuccessful completion within the specified period his/her registration to M.C.A programme automatically stands cancelled.