Careers in Computer Science

By Ravi Sharma, PGT ( Computer Science)

What is Computer Science?

The reality is that computer science is about logic, problem solving, and creativity
It teaches students how to think differently about problems they are trying to solve in any context
It teaches kids how to create digital artifacts and how those artifacts impact the world around them by looking at issues such as privacy and security
A very simple way to think about this is CS teaches kids how to CREATE new technologies instead of just being consumers of technology

Required Skill set

Only educational requirement is not enough for a student to pursue this course. They need to possess certain key skills that would distinguish them from the rest. To study computer science engineering, one must possess the following skill set:

Good programming skills
Problem-solving skills
Knowledge of basic web development
Critical thinking & analytical skills
Basics of security, vulnerabilities and cryptography
Basics of Machine Learning
Strong data structures and algorithms skills
Fast-learning skills

Computer Science Engineering

For any student aspiring to take up Computer Science Engineering as a career, it is important to have some basic educational eligibility, both at under-graduate (UG) and post-graduate (PG) levels.

UG Level:

Candidates willing to excel in computer engineering should have sound command over mathematics and science to clear entrance exam conducted soon after 12th class.
Advanced knowledge of chemistry and physics would help the candidates get through the entrance exam conducted by engineering colleges in India.
Candidates who wish to do BE / B. Tech in Computer Engineering must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Similarly, those who wish to do Diploma in Computer Engineering must have passed 10 + 2 with Science Subjects.

PG Level

Students need to complete their B.Tech degree in the same specialization with having a pass percentage in aggregate of the subjects studied at the degree level.
Candidates may opt for M.E/ M. Tech in Computer Science for further specialization in Computer Science
Those who complete BSc in Computer Science can continue postgraduate program i.e. M.Sc Computer Science.
One having a simple science degree can pursue Master of Computer Application program.

What Would It Cost Me?

Studying Information Technology can cost a lot in private engineering colleges.
government sponsored engineering colleges charge comparatively low.
IITs charge from Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 2,70,000, but the fee depends upon the rank of engineering college and reputation.
Diploma programs on the other hand cost less and a diploma in computer application can be done at 50,000.

Funding/ Scholarship

Funding/Scholarship
A number of scholarships are available for computer science students. One such scholarship is the Paul Foundation Scholarships and is offered to study BTech and MTech in computer science.
Candidates with outstanding academic records are eligible for it. The NTPC Scholarship for Disabled or Handicapped Engineering Students is also there for students who have some kind of handicap including of visual, hearing or orthopedic.
Students willing to do research in computer science can apply for the Young Engineering Fellowship Program which is offered to students of B. Tech who are willing to do summer projects conducted by the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Students in third year of any type of engineering degree are applicable for it.

 Reputed Institutes:

A number of engineering colleges in India offer BTech/BE in computer science and many of them are internationally acclaimed. Most of the engineering colleges are in public sector, which include IITs and NITs.
Indian Institute of Technology IIT Kanpur
Indian Institute of Technology IIT Kharagpur
Indian Institute of Technology IIT Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology IIT Madras
Indian Institute of Technology IIT Delhi
BIT, Mesra
NIT- National Institute of Technology Trichy
Delhi College of Engineering , Delhi
BITS Pilani
IIT Roorkee
IT-BHU
IIT-Guwahati
College of Engg , Anna University, Guindy
Jadavpur University , Faculty of Engg & Tech., Calcutta
Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
NIT- National Institute of Technology Warangal