

MBA in Systems Management at University of Kerala


Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
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About the Specialization
What is Systems Management at University of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram?
This Systems Management program at University of Kerala focuses on equipping students with the technological acumen and managerial skills to lead digital transformation initiatives. It integrates business strategy with information technology, preparing professionals to leverage IT for competitive advantage and operational efficiency in the rapidly evolving Indian business landscape, addressing the critical demand for tech-savvy managers.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a keen interest in technology and its application in business, seeking entry-level roles in IT consulting, business analysis, or project management. It also suits working professionals from non-IT backgrounds looking to transition into technology management roles, or those in IT aiming to assume leadership positions requiring a blend of business and technical expertise.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect robust career paths as Business Analysts, IT Project Managers, Systems Consultants, ERP Consultants, or Data Analysts. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-7 LPA, with experienced professionals potentially earning INR 15-25+ LPA. The specialization aligns with industry needs for digital transformation, enhancing opportunities in e-commerce, fintech, and IT services sectors across India.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build a Strong Quantitative and Analytical Foundation- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate extra time to understanding core quantitative techniques and operations research. Regularly practice problem-solving to strengthen analytical reasoning, which is crucial for systems-related decision-making. Form study groups to discuss complex concepts and work through challenging problems.
Tools & Resources
Khan Academy, NPTEL for QM/OR courses, MS Excel for data analysis
Career Connection
Strong analytical skills are fundamental for roles in business intelligence, data analysis, and systems design, enabling effective problem-solving and informed decision-making.
Develop Foundational IT Literacy and Business Acumen- (Semester 1-2)
While core MBA subjects build business acumen, proactively engage with basic IT concepts through online courses. Understand how IT impacts various business functions. Start reading business journals like Economic Times and business magazines to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world scenarios.
Tools & Resources
Coursera/edX introductory courses on ''''IT for Business'''', Harvard Business Review articles, Economic Times
Career Connection
This dual foundation ensures students can speak both the language of business and technology, making them valuable assets in interdisciplinary roles.
Hone Communication and Presentation Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in class discussions, group projects, and present findings regularly. Seek feedback on presentation style and content. Effective communication is vital for explaining complex technical solutions to non-technical stakeholders in a business context.
Tools & Resources
University communication workshops, Peer practice sessions, Presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides)
Career Connection
Essential for client-facing roles in IT consulting, project management, and delivering successful product demos or strategic proposals.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize through Electives and Mini-Projects- (Semester 3)
Choose Systems Management electives strategically based on career interests (e.g., database, ERP, analytics). Apply theoretical knowledge by undertaking mini-projects or case studies related to these specialized areas. Explore open-source projects or contribute to academic research.
Tools & Resources
Specific software for chosen electives (e.g., SQL tools, Python for data analytics), Kaggle for datasets, University lab resources
Career Connection
Builds a strong technical portfolio in the chosen specialization, making students highly marketable for specific systems roles and internship opportunities.
Gain Practical Experience via Summer Internship- (Summer break after Semester 2 / during Semester 3)
Secure a relevant summer internship in a technology-focused department or a firm specializing in IT services, consulting, or software development. Focus on hands-on application of systems concepts, data analysis, or project management. Actively seek mentorship and networking opportunities during the internship.
Tools & Resources
University placement cell, LinkedIn, Professional networking events
Career Connection
Provides invaluable real-world experience, often leading to pre-placement offers, and strengthens resume for final placements.
Network with Industry Professionals- (Semester 3)
Attend industry seminars, workshops, and guest lectures organized by the department or external bodies. Connect with alumni working in systems management roles on platforms like LinkedIn. Participate in professional forums and communities to stay updated on industry trends.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Industry associations (e.g., NASSCOM events), Alumni network
Career Connection
Opens doors to mentorship, job opportunities, and insights into industry best practices and emerging technologies.
Advanced Stage
Develop a Capstone Project with Real-World Impact- (Semester 4)
Choose a challenging systems-related problem for the final project report. Aim to solve a real business problem using technology, data analytics, or systems design principles. Focus on a clear methodology, robust analysis, and practical recommendations.
Tools & Resources
Advanced analytical tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Python libraries), Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), Access to industry data (if possible through internships/mentors)
Career Connection
Showcases problem-solving abilities and specialized skills, making a strong impression on potential employers and often serving as a key discussion point in interviews.
Prepare Rigorously for Placements- (Semester 4)
Practice aptitude tests, technical interviews (relevant to systems), and HR rounds. Prepare a compelling resume highlighting systems-specific skills and projects. Participate in mock interviews and group discussions to hone interview techniques.
Tools & Resources
Placement cell resources, Online interview preparation platforms (e.g., GeeksforGeeks), Peer practice groups
Career Connection
Maximizes chances of securing desired roles in top companies and ensures readiness for the competitive job market.
Pursue Relevant Certifications and Continuous Learning- (Semester 4 and beyond)
Consider professional certifications relevant to Systems Management, such as PMP (Project Management Professional), ITIL (IT Service Management), or certifications in cloud platforms (AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner) or data analytics. Stay updated with emerging technologies and tools.
Tools & Resources
Online certification providers (e.g., PMI, Axelos, AWS, Google), Coursera/Udemy for advanced courses, Industry whitepapers and tech blogs
Career Connection
Enhances credibility, demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning, and provides a competitive edge in a fast-changing technological landscape.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- A Bachelor''''s degree in any discipline with not less than 50% marks (45% for SEBC/OEC, pass for SC/ST) from University of Kerala or any other University recognized as equivalent thereto by the University of Kerala. Admission based on a valid score in CMAT/KMAT/CAT followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview.
Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
Credits: 100 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40%, External: 60%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20MBA101 | Management Theory and Organizational Behaviour | Core | 4 | Management Process, Theories of Management, Organizational Structure, Organizational Behavior Concepts, Motivation and Leadership, Group Dynamics |
| 20MBA102 | Managerial Economics | Core | 4 | Demand Analysis and Forecasting, Production and Cost Analysis, Pricing Decisions, Market Structures, Macroeconomic Environment, Capital Budgeting |
| 20MBA103 | Business Environment and Law | Core | 4 | Economic Environment, Political and Legal Environment, Social and Cultural Environment, Consumer Protection Act, Environmental Protection Act, Competition Law |
| 20MBA104 | Quantitative Techniques | Core | 4 | Probability Theory, Probability Distributions, Sampling and Estimation, Hypothesis Testing, Correlation and Regression, Time Series Analysis |
| 20MBA105 | Accounting for Management | Core | 4 | Financial Accounting Concepts, Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, Budgeting and Variance Analysis, Marginal Costing |
| 20MBA106 | Business Communication | Core | 4 | Communication Process, Types of Communication, Barriers to Communication, Oral Communication Skills, Written Communication (Reports, Memos), Presentation Skills |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20MBA201 | Research Methodology for Management | Core | 4 | Research Design, Data Collection Methods, Sampling Techniques, Data Analysis Tools, Hypothesis Testing, Report Writing |
| 20MBA202 | Financial Management | Core | 4 | Financial Goals and Environment, Capital Structure Decisions, Working Capital Management, Investment Decisions (Capital Budgeting), Dividend Policy, Sources of Finance |
| 20MBA203 | Marketing Management | Core | 4 | Marketing Concepts and Environment, Market Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning, Product Life Cycle and Strategies, Pricing Strategies, Promotion Mix, Distribution Channels |
| 20MBA204 | Human Resource Management | Core | 4 | HR Planning, Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development, Performance Appraisal, Compensation Management, Industrial Relations |
| 20MBA205 | Operations Management | Core | 4 | Production Systems, Facility Location and Layout, Inventory Management, Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Project Management Techniques |
| 20MBA206 | Operations Research | Core | 4 | Linear Programming, Transportation and Assignment Problems, Queuing Theory, Decision Theory, Network Analysis (PERT/CPM), Game Theory |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20MBA301 | Strategic Management | Core | 4 | Strategic Analysis, Strategy Formulation, Strategy Implementation, Corporate Governance, Strategic Control, Business Ethics and CSR |
| 20MBA302 | Entrepreneurship and Project Management | Core | 4 | Entrepreneurial Process, New Venture Creation, Business Plan Development, Project Identification and Selection, Project Appraisal, Project Financing |
| 20MBA303(SY) | Database Management Systems | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | Database Concepts and Architecture, Entity-Relationship Model, Relational Model and SQL, Normalization, Transaction Management, Database Security |
| 20MBA304(SY) | Systems Analysis and Design | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | Systems Development Life Cycle, Requirements Analysis, Data Flow Diagrams, System Design and Modeling, Object-Oriented Analysis, Implementation and Maintenance |
| 20MBA305(SY) | E-Business | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | E-commerce Models and Strategies, E-marketing, E-payment Systems, E-security and Legal Issues, Mobile Commerce, Supply Chain Management in E-Business |
| 20MBA306(SY) | Enterprise Resource Planning | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | ERP Overview and Architecture, ERP Modules (Finance, HR, SCM), ERP Implementation Strategies, Business Process Re-engineering, ERP Vendors and Market, Benefits and Challenges of ERP |
| 20MBA307(SY) | Data Warehousing and Data Mining | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | Data Warehousing Concepts, Data Warehouse Architecture, OLAP and Data Cubes, Data Mining Techniques, Association Rule Mining, Classification and Clustering |
| 20MBA308(SY) | Big Data Analytics | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | Big Data Concepts and Characteristics, Hadoop Ecosystem, MapReduce Framework, Spark and NoSQL Databases, Data Visualization for Big Data, Business Applications of Big Data |
| 20MBA309 | Summer Internship Project | Project | 4 | Problem Identification, Data Collection and Analysis, Solution Development, Report Writing, Presentation, Industry Exposure |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20MBA401 | International Business | Core | 4 | Globalization and International Trade, Foreign Exchange Markets, International Financial Management, Global Marketing Strategies, International HR Management, International Business Environment |
| 20MBA402(SY) | Internet of Things for Business | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | IoT Architecture and Components, Sensors and Actuators, IoT Communication Protocols, IoT Platforms and Analytics, IoT Applications in Business, Security and Privacy in IoT |
| 20MBA403(SY) | Cloud Computing | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | Cloud Computing Concepts, Service Models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), Deployment Models, Virtualization, Cloud Security, Cloud Migration Strategies |
| 20MBA404(SY) | Artificial Intelligence for Business | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | AI Concepts and History, Machine Learning Basics, Deep Learning Fundamentals, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, AI Applications in Business |
| 20MBA405(SY) | IT Consulting and Infrastructure Management | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | IT Consulting Process, IT Strategy Development, IT Infrastructure Components, Network and Data Center Management, IT Service Management (ITSM), IT Governance |
| 20MBA406(SY) | Cyber Security Management | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | Information Security Concepts, Cyber Threats and Vulnerabilities, Security Policies and Procedures, Risk Management, Incident Response, Data Privacy and Compliance |
| 20MBA407(SY) | Business Intelligence | Elective (Systems Management) | 3 | BI Architecture and Components, Data Integration and ETL, Data Quality Management, Reporting and Dashboards, Predictive Analytics, Decision Support Systems |
| 20MBA408 | Project Report and Viva-Voce | Project | 8 | Comprehensive Research Project, Problem Definition, Methodology and Analysis, Findings and Conclusions, Report Writing, Viva-Voce Examination |




