Computational Sociology: Course, Admission 2024, Eligiblity, Exams, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Updated on Apr 10, 2024 09:54 IST

Computational Sociology is a branch of Sociology which uses complex and intensive methods to analyse social phenomena. Computational sociology is an interdisciplinary field which uses computational tools and methodologies to analyse social processes. To acquire an understanding of social interactions, processes, and structures, it entails the use of modelling, data analysis, and computer simulations.

Researchers in computational sociology frequently employ agent-based modelling, in which discrete entities (agents) with predetermined traits and actions engage in interactions with one another in a virtual setting. This method aids in the study of how interactions between individual actors result in macro-level social phenomena. 

Students can study Computational Sociology courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels at fees ranging from INR 50000 to 5 lakh. Some of the job profiles at which students can work are Computational Sociologist/Researcher, Data Scientist - Social Analytics, Social Network Analyst, Digital Sociologist, and so on. They can earn an average salary ranging between INR 3 lakh to INR 6 lakh.

Computational Sociology Course Highlights

Strong communication skills and a curiosity in learning about the complexities of society are prerequisites for this course. The extent of sociology's community outreach plays a significant role in its depth. 

Students can have a look at the table below to get important details relating to Computational Sociology courses:

Particulars Details
Course Name Computational Sociology
Course Level UG, PG, Doctorate
Eligibility
  • UG- Candidate should have passed class 12th with 45 per cent marks
  • PG-Candidate should have passed BA with 50 per cent marks
  • PhD-Candidate should have passed MA with 60 per cent marks
Entrance Exams SAT, YCMOU, JMI Entrance Exam, PUB DET, JNUEE etc.
Fees INR 1 lakh to 15 lakh
Average Salary INR 3 lakh-INR 8 lakh
Job Profiles Urban Planner, Teacher, Lecturer, Psychologist, Social Worker, and so on.
Top Recruiters WHO, UNICEF, CRY, Goonj, Infosys etc.
Top Colleges Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), DU, NIMS, LPU etc.

Note: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.

Quick Links Related to Computational Sociology:

Why Pursue Computational Sociology Course?

The goal of computational sociology is to augment conventional sociological techniques by utilising computer power to model and analyse intricate social systems. In this course, students study how to examine the history and the challenges faced by social science through a digital revolution. How machines are configured to create a database which can be used for analyses. One also discovers how social network creates patterns and affects human dynamics.

Through arithmetic methods and experiments, one can evaluate the society’s performance. With the new digital age taking over, data can be collected through millions of social interactions where one can understand the process through which desirable and undesirable behaviour is in society.

Computational Sociology Eligibility Criteria

Since computational sociology is by its very nature interdisciplinary, people with a variety of academic backgrounds can find a place in the subject. Students with a variety of educational backgrounds are invited to apply for several programmes and research opportunities in computational sociology, as long as they are interested in using computational techniques to comprehend social phenomena. 

Given below is the list of courses offered in Computational Sociology and their eligibility:

Course

Duration

Eligibility Criteria

BSc Sociology

3-Years

The candidate needs to have done their Class 12 in the Science stream and should have studied Mathematics and Computer Science. The candidate should also have secured a minimum of 50%.

MSc Sociology

2-Years

The candidate should have done their BA in Sociology or BSc in Mathematics/Computer Science/Sociology from a graduated university and should have secured a minimum of 55% marks.

PhD in Sociology

2-Years

The candidate should have done their MA/MSc in Sociology from a recognised university and should have secured a minimum of 60%.

Note: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

Computational Sociology Course Types

Computational Sociology is a part of Sociology. Sociology is offered as a specialisation with Arts courses in India as Sociology falls under the domain of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Sociology courses available at various course levels are Diploma, BA, MA, PG Diploma and PhD. For Diploma and BA admission can be secured based on Class 12 marks, however, the candidates must qualify for entrance exams to pursue advanced courses in Sociology.

Here are some types of Computational Sociology courses in India:

Types of Computational Sociology Courses Description
Diploma in Sociology A Diploma in Sociology is a course that can be pursued by candidates upon completing Class 12. On completion of the certificate, the candidate will receive a certificate of completion and not a degree.
BA Sociology BA Sociology is an undergraduate-level course where a student studies the fundamental concepts related to social structure, societal issues and related subjects.
MA Sociology MA Sociology is a postgraduate-level programme. This course involves the comprehensive and extensive study of social stratification. Indian society and social problems. Graduates can pursue this course.
PG Diploma in Sociology A PG Diploma in Sociology can be pursued after a postgraduate degree. Many candidates prefer to pursue a PG Diplom over an MPhil course.
PhD in Sociology A PhD in Sociology is the highest qualification that one can acquire in the field. This course can be pursued by master's degree holders and those who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree as per the latest UGC guidelines.

Computational Sociology Courses Entrance Exams 2024

Some of the entrance exams that allow admission to students and grant them admission to Computational Sociology courses are mentioned below. Students can have a look at the table below to know important details relating to Computational Sociology Entrance Exams:

Computational Sociology Courses Entrance Exams

Entrance Exam Schedule

Entrance Exam Dates

Common University Entrance Test (CUET)

15 May '24 to 24 May '24.

CUET Schedule

Common University Entrance Exam- Postgraduate(CUET PG)

Mar '25 (Tentative)

CUET PG Schedule

University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test(UGC NET)

21 Aug '24 - 04 Sep '24

UGC NET Schedule

Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute/exam.

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Counselling Start

TENTATIVE

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Result

TENTATIVE

9 Sep ' 24

Reporting to Respective Colleges

12 Sep ' 24

Second Phase of Counselling Begins

13 Feb ' 24 - 14 Mar ' 24

YCMOU March 2024 Exam

9 Apr ' 23 - 13 Apr ' 23

YCMOU June application form 2023 submission with ...

20 Sep ' 24

SAT Registration Deadline for October Test

24 Sep ' 24

SAT Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, a...

Computational Sociology Courses Syllabus

To allow graduates to apply computational approaches to sociological research concerns, this syllabus offers an organised curriculum that covers advanced themes, foundational principles, and practical research skills. The semester-wise subjects of the master's in Computational Sociology are:

Semester-1
Introduction to Sociology and Computational Methods Data Collection and Management Social Network Analysis
Agent-Based Modeling Text Analysis Machine Learning for Social Science
Semester-2
Spatial Analysis Social Simulation Big Data Analytics in Sociology
Ethical and Legal Issues in Computational Sociology Research Methods in Computational Sociology Special Topics in Computational Sociology
Semester-3
Research Proposal Development Data Collection and Analysis Thesis Writing Seminar
Thesis Preparation Seminar Series and Workshops ------
Semester-4
Thesis Completion Thesis Defense Preparation Thesis Defense
Graduation Requirements ------ ------

Computational Sociology Best Colleges

Every year, a large number of students compete for seats in the top colleges offering various courses in Sociology. Students can check the college offering Computational Sociology.

Name of College Average Fees (in INR)

Garden City University Bangalore

1.5 lakh
1.5 L
7.5 LPA

#96 India Today

Popular Private Computational Sociology Colleges in India

1.5 L
7.5 LPA

#96 India Today

Computational Sociology FAQs: 2024

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to Computational Sociology:

Q:   What are the skills required for Computational Sociology?

A:

Some of the skills needed to study Computational Sociology are communication skills, analytical skills, technical skills, research skills, mathematical skills, risk-taking skills, observing skills, evaluation skills, a good critique, etc. Expertise in text analysis and natural language processing, a strong foundation in quantitative research methods, comprehension of sociological theories are among the skills required of professionals in computational sociology.

These abilities also include proficiency in statistical data analysis and visualisation, programming languages like Python or R for data manipulation, and an understanding of computer simulation techniques such as agent-based modelling. Being flexible and always learning is essential in this developing subject that sits at the nexus of sociology and computational techniques.

Q:   Is computational social Science the same as computer science?

A:

Computational social Science can be defined as an emerging research area including computer science, statistics, and the social sciences. It mainly uses computational methods to answer questions about society. Computer Science and computational social Science are two different but connected topics. Within the social sciences, computational social Science is a specialised field that uses computer techniques to study social phenomena, human behaviour, and social systems. It focuses on gaining insights into social processes through the use of techniques like data analysis, computer simulations, and machine learning.

On the other hand, computer Science is a more comprehensive field that includes the study of computation, algorithms, software development, and computing system architecture. The development of computational tools may be a component of computer science, but its major goal is to advance computation theory and practice in a variety of fields. Although there are similarities in the ways that computational methods are used, computational social Science and computer Science are distinguished by their particular application areas and goals. Click to read Humanities and Social Science course.

Popular Computational Sociology PG Courses

Following are the most popular Computational Sociology PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

Computational Sociology Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters

Since computational sociology is a dynamic topic, more opportunities can present themselves in the future. It is expected that as technology develops, there will be a growing need for experts who can connect social science research and computational techniques.

To improve your employment prospects in computational sociology, stay up to date on advancements in the field and think about becoming knowledgeable in pertinent data analysis tools, machine learning techniques, and programming languages.

Job Profiles and Salaries After Computational Sociology

Students can have a look at the table below to learn the job profiles and average annual salary after Computational Sociology:

Job Profile Average Salary Range (INR)
Research Assistant INR 3 LPA-INR 6 LPA 
Data Analyst INR 4 LPA-INR 8 LPA 
Social Media Analyst INR 3.5 LPA-INR 7 LPA 
Policy Analyst INR 5 LPA-INR 10 LPA 
Market Research Analyst INR 4.5 LPA-INR 9 LPA 
Data Scientist INR 6 LPA-INR 15 LPA 
Academic Researcher/Professor INR 6 LPA-INR 18 LPA 

Note: This informaton is sourced from multiple sources from the web. Hence, they are subject to vary.

Top Recruiters In Computational Sociology

The employment areas for Computational Sociology graduates are wide. Some of the popular employment areas for the Sociology candidates are listed below:

Employment Areas for Computational Sociology Candidates 

Rural and Child Welfare

Court

Advertising Agencies

Journalism and Media

Management Consultancy

Hospitals

Schools/Colleges/Universities

Political Campaigns

Media Research

NGO

Education

Child Welfare

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