The Department of
Computer Science has been continuously playing the pivotal role in
creating computer awareness and popularizing the use of computers within the
University campus and around. Presently, almost all University Departments have
included one paper of Computer Science Application in their postgraduate and
M.Phil. courses. The computer Science departments helps them in running these
courses apart from running its main course i.e. PGDCA. The worthiness of these
courses can be gauged from the fact that the students who had offered the
computer application course in their curriculum have been successful in getting
placement even in the present era of job crisis. Specifically, the job
opportunities and placement/self-employment of PGDCA pass-out students is quite
encouraging. The department also helps in running various short-term computer
courses started independently by the Computer Centre as well as in conducting
the refresher courses organized in various University departments (the theme of
the two Physics refresher courses held in Jan. 98 and Jan. 99 were, purely based
on computer applications). This department has also been entrusted with the
responsibility of managing the PGDCA course through correspondence, which also
requires full-time involvement during Personal Contact Program (PCP) of at least
15 days for each batch (generally 2 to 3 batches in each year) in the University
campus.
For
the PGDCA course, earlier the model syllabus of the Department of Electronics
was adopted. The same syllabus had also been introduced in 1995 for the PGDCA
through correspondence in the School of Distance Education of A.P.S. University,
Rewa. Keeping in view the rapid changes in the field of computer technology and
applications, the department has suitably modified its curriculum from time to
time. The present syllabus of PGDCA, thoroughly revised recently in March 2001,
includes most of the recent technological aspects (theory and applications)
which are essential to keep the students abreast with the latest developments in
the field. Earlier, the syllabus was modified in 1997 which had been applauded
by various other Universities and has been adopted/implemented as such for their
courses.
Having gained the experience of running the PGDCA course for the
last eight years, even with very limited facilities and faculty positions and
encouraged with the employability of the pass-outs, the Department of Computer
Science has started a new course, of two academic sessions (four semesters), of
M.Sc. Computer Science from the academic year 1999-2000, under self supporting
program. Another course of M.Sc. (Information Technology) has also been started
jointly by the Dept. of Computer Science and the University Computer Center
w.e.f. 2000-2001. As such, these new courses will provide better career
opportunities to the students having scientific aptitude enabling them to
broaden their horizon and choose research oriented and demanding careers in the
ever-expanding field of computer technology/application. Recently, the UGC has
also considered our proposal to augment the laboratory/computational facilities
of the Computer Science Dept., for which a sum of Rs. ten lakhs has already been
provided. Moreover, the University Computer Centre has also been granted a sum
of Rs. fifty lakhs to upgrade its level to provide better training and other
facilities, which will include equal participation in running the M.Sc. (I.T.)
course. Construction of a new (separate) building for the department of computer
science has already been commenced and is likely to be completed within this
academic session.