Bachelor in Computer Science

Program info     |     Objectives & Outcomes     |     Admission     |     Study plan     |     Project     |     Statistics

Program Information

1. Computer science,
2. Basic sciences in Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics,
3. Humanities and Social Sciences,
4. English Language, and
5. Arabic Language and Islamic Culture.

The B.Sc. Program In Computer Science Is Accredited By The Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) Of ABET

The program satisfies the ACM/IEEE recommendations for computer science curriculum and takes into account the community needs. The department staff is continuously working on updating the B.Sc. program to meet the latest technologies in computer science and the fastly changing society needs.

Program Educational Objectives

Program Goals, Objectives and performance indicators

The mission of the department of Computer Science is obviously reflected in the main program goals:

• Graduates will work as computing professionals, conducting research and/or leading, designing, developing, or maintaining computer-related projects in various fields;
• Graduates are capable of demonstrating professionalism and a sense of societal and ethical responsibility in all their endeavors.
• Graduates continue enhancing their skills and embrace new computing technologies through self-learning activities and post-graduate training or education.

The department set appropriate objectives, as specific steps, to meet these goals. For instance, to reach the goal 1, the program objectives are to:

• To foster students’ intellectual skills by acquiring fundamental knowledge and concepts of computer science and other related sciences.
• To nurture students’ creativity skills.
• To prepare students to the job market competition by strengthening their communication skills and promoting team work.
• Strengthen the scientific research to raise the department standard to the international level.

These objectives are measurable through relevant performance indicators such as:

• Students’ ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline.
• Students’ ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution.
• Students’ ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practices.

These performance indicators are measured every academic year in order to ensure that the goals are met through the attainment of their corresponding objectives.

Student Outcomes

The student outcomes of the CS program are consistent with the ABET/CAC student outcomes for Computer Science programs. The program enables students to achieve, by the time of graduation:

1. An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to computer science;
2. An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution;
3. An ability to design, implement and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs;
4. An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal;
5. An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities;
6. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
7. An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations and society;
8. Recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, continuing professional development;
9. An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practices.
10. An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices;
11. An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity.

The NQF states that holders of a bachelor degree should have demonstrated:

A. Knowledge of a comprehensive, coherent and systematic body of knowledge in a field of enquiry and of the underlying theories and principles associated with it;

B. The ability to investigate complex problems and develop creative solutions with limited guidance, using insights from their own and other related fields of study;

C. The ability to identify and use appropriate mathematical and statistical techniques in the analysis and resolution of complex issues, and select and use the most appropriate mechanisms for communicating the results to a variety of audiences;

D. Capacity to provide leadership and willingness to cooperate fully with others in joint projects and initiatives;

E. In the case of a professional program the full range of knowledge and skill required for effective practice in the profession concerned;

F. In the case of an academic program not geared to professional practice, in depth knowledge and understanding of research literature in a field, and ability to interpret, analyze and evaluate the significance of that research in extending knowledge in the field.

The analysis of these requirements shows a strong matching with the student outcomes recommended by ABET as shown in the Table below.

Matching of NQF and ABET graduates characteristics.

Admission

In general, students applying to the College of Computer and Information Sciences are centrally admitted by the Deanship of Admission and Registration to the Engineering/Science branch of the Preparatory Year (PY). Since 2008, students have been required to take a Subject Achievement Test (score is calculated as a composite score of a test administered in five subjects: (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English). The minimum requirements for admission to the preparatory year are based on the following criteria:

• The total number of accepted students should not exceed the number specified by the university council
• Students are ranked and selected according to their composite average as follows:
  • 30% of General Aptitude Test
  • 30% of Secondary School GPA
  • 40% of Subject Achievement Test

After completing the PY, students are accepted to the college and distributed to the various departments according to three criteria: their preference, GPA from the PY, and the capacity of each department.

The requirement for the admission of students to the College of Computer and Information Sciences is based on a composite average not less than 70% which is calculated as follows:

• 25% of General Aptitude Test
• 25% of Subject Achievement Test
• 25% of PY GPA
• 25% of Math Courses in PY (Math 140 and Math 150)

Capstone Project

• Suggest a project idea (Faculty members only)

Study Plan here

Statistics

Accepted and graduated students the department of Computer Science