BTech Computer Science Subjects: Semester Wise

When you pursue a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science, you’ll study a range of mandatory core subjects and choose electives to complete your degree. The BTech syllabus differs from the BTech IT and the Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA), so be aware of the title and course differences. 

This article reviews the subjects you’ll cover to complete your degree in BTech computer science. We’ll also review the admission requirements for the programme. 

What is BTech?

The BTech Computer Science degree is an undergraduate engineering programme that teaches students advanced computer hardware and software skills. Completing the BTech degree typically takes four years. 

What qualifications are needed for a BTech computer science degree? 

You can apply through merit or take an entrance exam to qualify for admission. The acceptable exams are the VITEE, IMU CET, JEE Main, JEE Advanced, SRMJEE, and LPU NEST. Before scheduling to sit for an exam, check with the schools you’re interested in to see what entrance requirements they have, including acceptable exams.

You can traditionally earn your BTech in computer science degree by attending in-person classes on campus or remotely. According to College Dekho, the average course fee ranges from ₹2,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 per year. [1]. This aligns with Accurate, which states that costs vary from ₹6,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 per year [2].  

BTech computer science subjects semester-wise

The BTech degree is a four-year bachelor’s degree programme that teaches computer science fundamentals. The curriculum begins with core computer subjects and accelerates into more concentrated areas as the semesters progress. The subjects you take each semester will largely depend on the university you choose. However, the following outlines the type of BTech computer science subjects you can expect per semester.

1st semester subjects 

You’ll begin your education with some core subjects and technical studies. This is the first of eight semesters you’ll need to complete the degree programme.

In the first semester of studies, you’ll take core subjects such as English and mathematics. Technical courses include computer and information technology, engineering drawing, mathematics I, data processing, and logic programming. You can also expect to take courses in physics and chemistry. Depending on the course, you may need to complete labs in your first semester.

2nd semester subjects 

Your second semester as a BTech student may include electrical technology, operating systems, probability and statistics, data communication, computing theory, and programming languages. If you didn’t take linear algebra in your first semester, you’ll likely take it this semester. Modern physics with a lab may also be required. You may also perform operations research. Your studies will typically include direct structures, logic theory, linear and digital IC applications, and Python programming.

3rd semester subjects 

As you enter your third semester or second year of study, you’ll be engaged in more technical coursework. Some classes you’ll likely take include electrical technology, probability and statistics, object-oriented programming, and operating systems. You may also take a laboratory, such as a data structures lab, an experimentation and measurement lab, or an operating systems lab.

The semester may include an internship assessment or a mini-project. 

4th semester subjects 

In the last semester of your second year of studies, you’ll typically learn skills in data communication, operations research, database management, and computation theory. You’ll have an opportunity to understand the exchange of data between network devices, improve problem-solving and decision-making skills, and develop an understanding of the theory of computation. You may have a software systems lab, a Python programming lab, or a logic design lab to keep you on pace with the required labs. These skills will help you prepare for your third year of study, which will become more intense. 

5th semester subjects 

In the fifth semester, you may learn about data structures and algorithms, data information systems, and data mining. Each will give you the skills to solve problems using data structures and algorithms and organise databases to store in computer systems.

Data mining may also be an important part of the fifth-semester coursework. You’ll learn to sort through large data sets used to solve problems.

This semester is typically when you’ll take literature or another social science elective and complete two or more labs. The labs could include computer architecture and operating systems.

6th semester subjects 

As you enter the final semester of your third year, you’ll likely be introduced to software design and testing and computer networking. You may learn about interpreting and compiling programming languages and use computer graphics to create images. You can select an elective, and a lab is usually required.

You may choose professional electives on deep learning, C#, multimedia computing, and open electives. Practical and lab work could include computer networking or mobile app development.

7th semester subjects 

Depending on your school, you will likely complete a capstone project and choose additional professional and open electives in the seventh semester. Your school will have the coursework available for electives. 

You will likely take several electives this semester, including embedded systems, cloud computing, augmented and virtual reality, and blockchain.

8th semester subjects 

This semester typically allows you to take several electives to complete your education. Electives offered include cloud computing, mobile computing, artificial intelligence, data mining, robotics, machine learning, game programming, speech-natural language processing, and quantum computing. 

You will likely complete a final capstone project to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you've gained throughout your course. You may also complete a comprehensive seminar to improve your presentation and writing skills for future use in the workplace or postgraduate studies. An internship might also be an option during this final semester.

As you finish your final semester, it’s an excellent time to build your portfolio with the projects you’ve completed throughout your college career. You can use your portfolio to show prospective employers. You can add a link to your portfolio on a personal website or website that links resumes and portfolios. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can also add your link to it. You can also add software development projects you’ve completed independently. 

Next steps

If you’re considering a career in computer science, you can explore some available educational and employment opportunities. If you’re interested in completing a degree programme online, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science offered by the University of London on Coursera can be completed in 36 to 72 months entirely online. You might also want to check out the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science offered by the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani. It’s a three- to six-year programme exclusively available on Coursera. 

You can add a Software Engineering certificate to your resume or college application. You might be interested in the Introduction to Software Product Management course offered by the University of Alberta. 

You’ll find many courses on Coursera that can be used on your resume or college application.