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DCA - Diploma in Computer Applications

Computer fundamentals, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet, digital safety, C programming basics, checked AI tools and an office mini-project.

Talk to a counsellor about DCA - Diploma in Computer Applications

Fees, batch dates and timings are shared by a counsellor. No payment is needed to ask.

What you will cover
  • Computer fundamentals
  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • internet
  • digital safety
  • C programming basics
  • checked AI tools
  • an office mini-project

Topic list from the institute's programme record.

Certification

Certificate terms for this programme are confirmed by the institute at admission. Any ADIVAS course-completion certificate is an institute certificate; it is not a university degree, an externally accredited qualification or a vendor certification (such as AWS or Microsoft) unless the institute states so in writing.

The programme title is as supplied in the institute's list. Please confirm the awarding body and recognition with the institute before enrolling.

Curriculum 0.1 · Draft: written for ADIVAS and awaiting academic review and approval. Topics and weeks may change before your batch starts.

Your skill trail

You move through 7 stations. Each week builds one skill you can show, not just a topic you have heard.

  1. Computer fundamentals

    Understand how a computer works and manage it and its files.

    • Week 1 How a computer works
    • Week 2 Number systems and data units
    • Week 3 Operating system, files and settings

  2. Word processing

    Produce professional documents and mail merge.

    • Week 4 Word: type, format and layout
    • Week 5 Word: tables, images and long documents
    • Week 6 Word: mail merge and review

  3. Excel for calculation and analysis

    Calculate, sort, summarise and chart data.

    • Week 7 Excel: sheets, data and formatting
    • Week 8 Excel: formulas and functions
    • Week 9 Excel: sorting, filtering and lookup
    • Week 10 Excel: charts and summary

  4. PowerPoint

    Design and present a clear message.

    • Week 11 PowerPoint: build a deck
    • Week 12 PowerPoint: animate, rehearse and present

  5. Internet, security and AI

    Use the internet, email and AI tools safely and with checks.

    • Week 13 Internet and email
    • Week 14 Digital safety and cloud storage
    • Week 15 Using AI tools with checks

  6. C programming basics

    Write and debug small C programs.

    • Week 16 C: first programs and variables
    • Week 17 C: operators and decisions
    • Week 18 C: loops
    • Week 19 C: arrays and strings
    • Week 20 C: functions
    • Week 21 C: debugging and a small program

  7. Office mini-project

    Combine all skills in one project.

    • Week 22 Mini-project: plan and gather
    • Week 23 Mini-project: build
    • Week 24 Mini-project: review and present

  8. Small Office Pack with a C Calculator

    Your project, reviewed by a trainer.

The ADIVAS mastery ladder: how each skill is recognised
  1. Explored You have seen the idea and tried a first example.
  2. Practising You can do it with hints and keep improving.
  3. Proficient You complete the weekly practical task correctly on your own.
  4. Proven You apply it in a project reviewed by your trainer.

Skill-level tracking is being added to the learner workspace. Your trainer already reviews weekly practical work.

What you will be able to do

  • Explain computer hardware, software, memory, number systems and the operating system in simple terms.
  • Manage files, folders, backups and common system settings confidently.
  • Create formatted multi-page Word documents with tables, a table of contents and mail merge.
  • Build Excel workbooks using formulas, functions, sorting, filtering and charts.
  • Design and deliver a clear PowerPoint presentation.
  • Use the internet, email and cloud storage safely, and recognise scams and weak security habits.
  • Use AI tools in a checked way: prompt clearly, verify facts and protect private data.
  • Write, compile, test and debug simple C programs using variables, decisions, loops, arrays and functions.
  • Plan and complete an office mini-project that combines documents, spreadsheets, a presentation and a small C program.

Who it suits

  • School Students in Classes 9-12 who want to learn office tools and the first ideas of programming.
  • College First-year college students and fresh graduates who need office skills and an introduction to C before further IT study.
  • Professional Working adults and career changers who need computer skills for office work and want to try programming.

Prerequisites: None. Basic reading ability in Tamil or English. No prior computer or programming knowledge needed. Tools: Windows or Linux desktop, Microsoft Office or LibreOffice (Writer, Calc, Impress), A C compiler such as GCC with a simple editor or Code::Blocks, A web browser and practice email account, A checked AI assistant for explanations (answers always verified), Pen drive or cloud storage for backups.

Weekly plan

Computer fundamentals Weeks 1–3

Week 1: How a computer works

Theory
  • Input, processing, output, storage
  • CPU, RAM, storage, motherboard and ports
  • Hardware and software types
Lab
Identify and label the parts of a desktop PC, connect the monitor and keyboard, check the specs (CPU, RAM, storage) from system settings and record them in a table.
Homework
Compare the specs of a phone and a laptop in a table.
Deliverable
A labelled hardware sheet and specification table.
Weekly checkpoint
Match hardware to function; read a specification sheet.
You will be able to
Explain computer hardware, software, memory, number systems and the operating system in simple terms. Manage files, folders, backups and common system settings confidently.

Week 2: Number systems and data units

Theory
  • Bits, bytes, KB, MB, GB
  • Binary, decimal and a glimpse of hexadecimal
  • Text and images stored as numbers
Lab
Convert decimal 0 to 31 to binary, calculate how many photos of 2 MB fit in 4 GB, and look at the file size of five files on disk.
Homework
Write your name in binary using the ASCII table.
Deliverable
A conversion worksheet with five storage calculations.
Weekly checkpoint
Calculation task: binary conversions and storage estimates.
You will be able to
Explain computer hardware, software, memory, number systems and the operating system in simple terms. Manage files, folders, backups and common system settings confidently.

Week 3: Operating system, files and settings

Theory
  • Role of the operating system
  • Files, folders, paths and extensions
  • Backup, recovery and basic troubleshooting
Lab
Create a Course folder structure, back up to a pen drive, restore a deleted file, change display settings, install and uninstall an application and fix a no-sound problem step by step.
Homework
Write a troubleshooting checklist for a slow computer.
Deliverable
A backup folder and troubleshooting checklist.
Weekly checkpoint
Practical: files and settings task on the lab computer.
You will be able to
Explain computer hardware, software, memory, number systems and the operating system in simple terms. Manage files, folders, backups and common system settings confidently.
Word processing Weeks 4–6

Week 4: Word: type, format and layout

Theory
  • Fonts, paragraphs, alignment and spacing
  • Bullets, numbering, margins and page layout
  • Find, replace and proofing
Lab
Create a two-page college notice and a formal letter with consistent formatting, bullets and page margins and save as DOCX and PDF.
Homework
Reformat a supplied poor document and list the changes.
Deliverable
A formatted notice and letter in DOCX and PDF.
Weekly checkpoint
Timed formatting task on a supplied document.
You will be able to
Create formatted multi-page Word documents with tables, a table of contents and mail merge.

Week 5: Word: tables, images and long documents

Theory
  • Tables, merging cells and shading
  • Pictures, shapes and text wrapping
  • Headers, footers, page numbers and table of contents
Lab
Create a ten-page project report with a cover, a table of data, two pictures, automatic table of contents and page numbers.
Homework
Build an invoice layout using a table.
Deliverable
A report with automatic table of contents and an invoice layout.
Weekly checkpoint
Fix a broken table of contents; build a table from a printed sample.
You will be able to
Create formatted multi-page Word documents with tables, a table of contents and mail merge.

Week 6: Word: mail merge and review

Theory
  • Mail merge letters and labels from an Excel list
  • Track changes and comments
  • Templates and PDF export
Lab
Merge a fee-reminder letter for 20 students from an Excel list, print address labels and review a classmate's document with track changes.
Homework
Save a letter template for future use.
Deliverable
Merged letters and labels with the data file.
Weekly checkpoint
Practical merge task with a supplied list.
You will be able to
Create formatted multi-page Word documents with tables, a table of contents and mail merge.
Excel for calculation and analysis Weeks 7–10

Week 7: Excel: sheets, data and formatting

Theory
  • Cells, ranges and data types
  • Number, date and currency formats
  • Autofill, copy and paste special
Lab
Create a monthly income-expense sheet and a student marks sheet with formatted rupees and dates and autofill series.
Homework
Fix numbers stored as text in a supplied sheet.
Deliverable
A formatted workbook with two sheets.
Weekly checkpoint
Practical: format a supplied raw sheet.
You will be able to
Build Excel workbooks using formulas, functions, sorting, filtering and charts.

Week 8: Excel: formulas and functions

Theory
  • Operators and cell references (relative and absolute)
  • SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, COUNT
  • IF, AND, OR and simple nested IF
Lab
Build a shop bill with GST in one cell using an absolute reference, a marks sheet with grades using IF and a summary row of totals.
Homework
Change the GST cell and explain which values change.
Deliverable
A bill and a marks workbook that recalculate correctly.
Weekly checkpoint
Debug three faulty formulas.
You will be able to
Build Excel workbooks using formulas, functions, sorting, filtering and charts.

Week 9: Excel: sorting, filtering and lookup

Theory
  • Sort and filter, remove duplicates
  • COUNTIF, SUMIF and a basic VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP
  • Data validation and drop-downs
Lab
Clean a student list, sort and filter it, add a drop-down for course names, use COUNTIF to count students per course and a lookup to fetch course fee.
Homework
List five checks before using any data set.
Deliverable
A clean data sheet with lookups and validation.
Weekly checkpoint
Practical: answer five questions from a supplied data list.
You will be able to
Build Excel workbooks using formulas, functions, sorting, filtering and charts.

Week 10: Excel: charts and summary

Theory
  • Column, line, pie charts and when to use them
  • Titles, labels and clear colours
  • Print setup and sharing as PDF
Lab
Create three charts from a monthly sales table, write a one-line takeaway for each and set the page up for printing.
Homework
Find a news chart and rewrite its title as a takeaway.
Deliverable
A chart sheet with takeaways.
Weekly checkpoint
Excel module test with a hands-on chart task.
You will be able to
Build Excel workbooks using formulas, functions, sorting, filtering and charts.
PowerPoint Weeks 11–12

Week 11: PowerPoint: build a deck

Theory
  • Storyline, slide layouts and slide master
  • Text, images, tables and charts on slides
  • Colour, fonts and consistency
Lab
Create a seven-slide presentation about a local business idea with a title, problem, solution, numbers, chart and summary slides, using the slide master.
Homework
Rewrite one text-heavy slide into a headline and a visual.
Deliverable
A seven-slide draft deck.
Weekly checkpoint
Slide critique questions on design errors.
You will be able to
Design and deliver a clear PowerPoint presentation.

Week 12: PowerPoint: animate, rehearse and present

Theory
  • Transitions and animation with purpose
  • Speaker notes, timing and presenter view
  • Handling questions and exporting
Lab
Add transitions and reveal animations, write speaker notes, rehearse twice with a timer and present for four minutes.
Homework
Prepare three likely audience questions with answers.
Deliverable
The final deck and a rehearsal recording.
Weekly checkpoint
Presentation scored with a rubric.
You will be able to
Design and deliver a clear PowerPoint presentation.
Internet, security and AI Weeks 13–15

Week 13: Internet and email

Theory
  • How the web works: browser, URL, server
  • Search techniques and judging sources
  • Email: Cc, Bcc, attachments, signatures and professional tone
Lab
Find three reliable sources on one topic, compare them and write an email with attachment summarising what you found.
Homework
Rewrite a casual email as a professional one.
Deliverable
A source comparison and a sent practice email.
Weekly checkpoint
Email-writing task and source-trust questions.
You will be able to
Use the internet, email and cloud storage safely, and recognise scams and weak security habits. Use AI tools in a checked way: prompt clearly, verify facts and protect private data.

Week 14: Digital safety and cloud storage

Theory
  • Strong passwords and two-step verification
  • Phishing, fake apps, UPI and OTP safety
  • Cloud storage, sharing permissions and backups
Lab
Set up two-step verification on the practice account, review six sample messages for scam signs, and store a folder in cloud storage with view-only sharing.
Homework
Explain to a family member how to avoid one common scam.
Deliverable
A scam-signs poster and a shared folder with correct permissions.
Weekly checkpoint
Scenario questions on scams, OTP and sharing.
You will be able to
Use the internet, email and cloud storage safely, and recognise scams and weak security habits. Use AI tools in a checked way: prompt clearly, verify facts and protect private data.

Week 15: Using AI tools with checks

Theory
  • What AI assistants can and cannot do
  • Writing clear prompts for drafts, summaries and explanations
  • Verifying facts, privacy and acknowledging AI help
Lab
Ask an AI assistant to draft an email, explain an Excel IF and suggest a chart; verify each answer, correct errors and record your check log.
Homework
Write your personal AI-use rules (what to share, what never to share).
Deliverable
An AI check log with prompts, results and corrections.
Weekly checkpoint
Scenario questions on AI errors and privacy.
You will be able to
Use the internet, email and cloud storage safely, and recognise scams and weak security habits. Use AI tools in a checked way: prompt clearly, verify facts and protect private data.
C programming basics Weeks 16–21

Week 16: C: first programs and variables

Theory
  • Compile and run cycle; structure of a C program
  • Data types int, float, char; variables
  • printf and scanf, comments and errors
Lab
Install a compiler, write Hello, a program that reads two numbers and prints their sum and average, and fix three deliberate syntax errors.
Homework
Write a program to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit.
Deliverable
Three working programs saved in a folder.
Weekly checkpoint
Predict the output of four short programs; fix syntax errors.
You will be able to
Write, compile, test and debug simple C programs using variables, decisions, loops, arrays and functions.

Week 17: C: operators and decisions

Theory
  • Arithmetic, relational and logical operators
  • if, else if, else
  • switch and simple menu programs
Lab
Write programs for odd or even, largest of three numbers, a grade from marks and a menu-driven calculator using switch.
Homework
Write test cases (normal and boundary) for the grade program.
Deliverable
Four programs with a test-case table.
Weekly checkpoint
Trace a program with given inputs and state the output.
You will be able to
Write, compile, test and debug simple C programs using variables, decisions, loops, arrays and functions.

Week 18: C: loops

Theory
  • for, while and do-while
  • Counting, summing and patterns
  • break and continue
Lab
Write programs for a multiplication table, sum of digits, factorial, prime check and a star pattern; trace one program on paper.
Homework
Find the loop condition error in a supplied infinite loop.
Deliverable
Five loop programs and a paper trace.
Weekly checkpoint
Timed coding round: two loop programs.
You will be able to
Write, compile, test and debug simple C programs using variables, decisions, loops, arrays and functions.

Week 19: C: arrays and strings

Theory
  • One-dimensional arrays
  • Searching and finding maximum
  • Character arrays and string functions
Lab
Write programs to read marks into an array, find the highest, average and count above average, search a value and count vowels in a string.
Homework
Explain why array index starts from 0 with an example.
Deliverable
A marks analysis program and string programs.
Weekly checkpoint
Code-reading: spot an out-of-range index.
You will be able to
Write, compile, test and debug simple C programs using variables, decisions, loops, arrays and functions.

Week 20: C: functions

Theory
  • Defining and calling functions
  • Parameters and return values
  • Breaking a problem into functions
Lab
Refactor the marks program into functions (read, average, highest, grade) and test each function with sample data.
Homework
Write a function that checks leap year and test it with five years.
Deliverable
A modular marks program.
Weekly checkpoint
Practical: write and test a function from a description.
You will be able to
Write, compile, test and debug simple C programs using variables, decisions, loops, arrays and functions.

Week 21: C: debugging and a small program

Theory
  • Reading compiler errors and warnings
  • Printing values to debug
  • Designing a menu-driven program
Lab
Debug a supplied faulty program with five defects, then write a menu-driven student record program using arrays and functions.
Homework
Create a bug diary of errors with cause and fix.
Deliverable
A bug diary and the menu-driven program.
Weekly checkpoint
C module test: reading, tracing and a coding task.
You will be able to
Write, compile, test and debug simple C programs using variables, decisions, loops, arrays and functions.
Office mini-project Weeks 22–24

Week 22: Mini-project: plan and gather

Theory
  • Choosing a project such as a school fee office pack
  • Requirements and file plan
  • Data collection and sample records
Lab
Write a one-page plan for the mini-project, prepare sample data in Excel and outline the report and presentation.
Homework
Collect the sample data and finalise the file names.
Deliverable
An approved project plan and data file.
Weekly checkpoint
Trainer review of the plan.
You will be able to
Plan and complete an office mini-project that combines documents, spreadsheets, a presentation and a small C program.

Week 23: Mini-project: build

Theory
  • Calculation workbook with charts
  • Word report with merged letters
  • A small C program for a calculation or record search
Lab
Build the Excel workbook, write the report with a mail merge and write a C program that handles one calculation from the project, such as a fee total or a grade.
Homework
Test each file with five sample records.
Deliverable
A working workbook, report and C program.
Weekly checkpoint
Mid-project test of working files.
You will be able to
Plan and complete an office mini-project that combines documents, spreadsheets, a presentation and a small C program.

Week 24: Mini-project: review and present

Theory
  • Peer review checklist
  • Presentation and demo
  • Backup, handover and next steps
Lab
Review a classmate's project, fix your issues, prepare a ten-slide presentation and demonstrate all components in eight minutes, then back up the final folder.
Homework
Write a handover note for each file.
Deliverable
The completed project folder and presentation.
Weekly checkpoint
Final demo scored on the rubric plus viva.
You will be able to
Plan and complete an office mini-project that combines documents, spreadsheets, a presentation and a small C program.

Sample lessons

Week 18

The for loop in C

A loop repeats a block of code. The for loop in C puts the three parts of repetition in one line: where to start, when to stop and how to change the counter each time. For example, for(i = 1; i <= 5; i++) starts at 1, continues while i is at most 5 and adds one after each round. Loops let a program add many numbers or print a table without writing the same line again and again.

  1. 1Start: i = 1
  2. 2Check: is i <= 5?
  3. 3Run the loop body
  4. 4Update: i++
  5. 5Stop and continue the program

Step by step

  1. Declare an integer variable i and a total set to 0.
  2. Write for(i = 1; i <= 5; i++).
  3. Inside the braces add the current i to total.
  4. After the loop print the total.
  5. Compile the program and run it.
  6. Change the limit to 10 and predict the new answer before running.

In real life

A shop program adds the price of every item on a bill. The loop reads each price and adds it to the bill total, no matter how many items there are.

Worked example

Problem. What does this program print? int i, t = 0; for(i = 1; i <= 4; i++) { t = t + i; } printf("%d", t);

Solution. Round 1: t = 1. Round 2: t = 3. Round 3: t = 6. Round 4: t = 10. After i becomes 5 the condition is false and the loop stops. It prints 10.

Common mistakes

  • Writing i < 5 when i <= 5 was needed, so the last value is missed.
  • Putting a semicolon after the for line, which makes the loop body run only once.
  • Forgetting i++, causing an infinite loop.

Try it yourself

  • Write a program to print the table of 7 up to 10 times.
  • Trace by hand: for(i = 10; i > 0; i = i - 3) and list each value of i.

Week 8

IF and a fixed GST cell in Excel

Excel formulas can make decisions with IF, which checks a condition and returns one result when it is true and another when it is false. When a value such as the GST rate must stay the same while a formula is copied down, it is placed in one cell and locked with dollar signs. Together, these let one worksheet calculate bills, grades and discounts for any number of rows. Changing the single rate cell updates every result.

CellFormulaMeaning
F15%GST rate
E4=D4*$F$1GST for the row
G4=IF(D4>1000,"Discount","No discount")Discount note
E5=D5*$F$1Rate cell stays fixed

Step by step

  1. Enter quantity, rate and amount columns for several items.
  2. Place the GST rate in a separate cell such as F1.
  3. Write the GST formula using $F$1 and copy it down.
  4. Add a column with an IF such as =IF(D4>1000,"Discount","No discount").
  5. Total the amounts and check one row by hand.
  6. Change F1 and observe the update.

In real life

A stationery shop prints a bill with GST and a discount message for large bills. The shopkeeper changes one cell when the rate changes instead of rewriting formulas.

Worked example

Problem. Amounts are in D4:D8 and the rate is in F1. Show a discount note when the amount is above 1000.

Solution. In E4 enter =D4*$F$1 for GST and in G4 enter =IF(D4>1000,"Discount","No discount"). Copy both down; the rate stays fixed and the text changes row by row.

Common mistakes

  • Not locking the rate cell, so copied formulas point to blank cells.
  • Putting text in a formula without quotation marks.
  • Typing 5 instead of 5% in the rate cell.

Try it yourself

  • Create a Pass or Fail column for marks above 35.
  • Add a second condition with AND, such as attendance above 75.

Try the questions

The same skills are asked at three levels: School (Classes 6–12), College and Professional. Switch the level and the language (English or Tamil), and say how sure you are before you check: knowing what you are unsure about is part of learning.

Classes 6–12: everyday examples, no prior knowledge. Practice only. Nothing here is graded or saved.

Question 1 / 4 · Understand bytes and storage

A photo is 2 MB and a pen drive holds 4 GB (about 4000 MB). Roughly how many photos fit?

A photo is 2 MB and a pen drive holds 4 GB (about 4000 MB). Roughly how many photos fit?
How sure are you?

Projects

Small Office Pack with a C Calculator

A small tuition centre needs an office pack: an Excel fee workbook with charts, a Word report and mail-merged fee reminders, a presentation for the owner, and a small C program that calculates a student's pending fee and grade. Build the pack and show it works with sample records.

Tasks

  1. Create an Excel workbook with student, course, fee and paid columns, a formula for pending fee, a lookup for course fee and a chart of pending fees by course.
  2. Write a Word report with a table of contents and merge a fee-reminder letter for students with pending fees.
  3. Write a C program that reads fee and amount paid and prints the pending amount and a message; add input checks for negative values.
  4. Prepare a ten-slide presentation with the key numbers and a recommendation.
  5. Verify one AI-assisted draft paragraph, record corrections and back up the folder.

Sample input

Fee 12000, paid 8000 for Meena; fee 15000, paid 15000 for Karthik

Expected output

Pending 4000 for Meena and 0 for Karthik in Excel and in the C program; letters only for Meena; charts show pending by course.

How it is assessed

CriterionWeight
Excel formulas and charts20%
Word report and mail merge20%
C program correctness and tests20%
Presentation clarity15%
Digital safety, AI check and backup10%
Demo and explanation15%

Stretch challenge: Extend the C program to store ten students in an array and print the one with the highest pending fee.

How you are assessed

Each week: six questions (knowledge, scenario, one diagram or code item), one timed hands-on task and a short reflection. Module tests at weeks 6, 10 and 21.

Practical work. Word, Excel and PowerPoint work is assessed on saved files with a checklist; C programs are assessed with test cases and code reading; the project is demonstrated live with all components.

What trainers look forWeight
Correct, working result35%
Formatting, design and clarity15%
Code quality and testing (C)20%
Safe digital and AI habits10%
File organisation and backup10%
Explanation and reflection10%

Where this can lead

  • Prepares you for office-assistant, data-entry and back-office roles.
  • Gives a strong base for further study in programming, accounting or IT diplomas.

These describe skills you will build. ADIVAS does not guarantee jobs, placement or salary.