Master of Science in Computer Engineering
Department of Computer Engineering · Graduate Program
Program Information
The College of Computer and Information Sciences at King Saud University was founded in 1984 with two departments: Computer Engineering and Computer Science. The college has since expanded to five departments, including Information Systems, Information Technology, and Software Engineering. The college was born from the need to have highly qualified computer engineers available to serve the Kingdom's growing needs.
The Department of Computer Engineering aims to graduate engineers specialized in various areas of computer engineering, capable of enhancing the Kingdom's fast-paced development. Graduates are prepared to set up standards for computer systems, provide technical consultation, supervise the installation, configuration, and operation of equipment, and design, develop, manage, and monitor the performance of computer networks.
Computer Architect — Design the hardware and software systems that power modern computers and devices.
Computer System Engineer — Develop and maintain large-scale computing infrastructure for organizations.
Network Engineer — Design, implement, and manage computer networks at enterprise and national scale.
Program Educational Outcomes
In concordance with ABET requirements, graduates from the Computer Engineering department will possess computing skills as well as the ability to:
Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to solve complex problems.
Design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data.
Design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
Function effectively on multidisciplinary teams.
Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
Understand professional and ethical responsibility in engineering practice.
Communicate effectively with various audiences.
Possess the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
Recognize the need for, and demonstrate the ability to engage in, life-long learning.
Maintain knowledge of contemporary issues in the field.
Use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Admission Requirements
The applicant must meet the terms stated in the unified regulations of graduate studies in Saudi Universities.
The applicant must meet the terms stated in the unified regulations of graduate studies at King Saud University.
Hold a bachelor's degree in one of the following: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or other computing disciplines.
A minimum GPA is required as follows:
Minimum standardized test scores required:
(or equivalent: 75 Qiyas)
(450 PBT / 133 CBT)
Study Plan
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 521 | Advanced Computer Architecture | 3 (3+0) |
| CEN 531 | Computer Networks | 3 (3+0) |
| CEN 5xx | Elective Course from List (1) | 3 (3+0) |
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 543 | Digital Signal Processing (1) | 3 (3+0) |
| CEN 591 | Seminar in Computer Engineering | 1 (1+0) |
| CEN 592 | Independent Study | 2 (2+0) |
| CEN 5xx | Elective Course from List (2) | 3 (3+0) |
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 596 | Thesis Proposal Preparation | 1 (1+0) |
| CEN 5xx | Elective Course from List (2) | 3 (3+0) |
| CEN 5xx | Elective Course from List (2) | 3 (3+0) |
| Subtotal | 7 | |
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 600 | Thesis | 6 (6+0) |
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEN 521 | Advanced Computer Architecture | 3 (3+0) | — |
| CEN 531 | Computer Networks | 3 (3+0) | — |
| CEN 543 | Digital Signal Processing (1) | 3 (3+0) | — |
| CEN 591 | Seminar in Computer Engineering | 1 (1+0) | — |
| CEN 592 | Independent Study | 2 (2+0) | — |
| CEN 596 | Thesis Proposal Preparation | 1 (1+0) | 12 credit hours |
| CEN 600 | Thesis | 6 (6+0) | CEN 596 |
| Total | 19 | ||
The student is required to take one course with at least 3 credits from this list.
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEN 570 | Simulation and Modeling | 3 (3+0) | — |
| CEN 571 | Stochastic Processes | 3 (3+0) | — |
| CEN 573 | Algorithms Analysis and Complexity Theory | 3 (3+0) | — |
| CEN 576 | Intelligent Systems | 3 (3+0) | — |
The student is required to take three courses with at least 9 credits from this list.
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEN 524 | Advanced Computer Arithmetic | 3 (3+0) | CEN 521 |
| CEN 526 | Advanced Embedded Systems | 3 (3+0) | CEN 521 |
| CEN 527 | Parallel Computing | 3 (3+0) | CEN 521 |
| CEN 528 | Processor Design | 3 (3+0) | CEN 521 |
| CEN 532 | Mobile Computing and Wireless Networks | 3 (3+0) | CEN 531 |
| CEN 533 | Performance Analysis of Computer Networks | 3 (3+0) | CEN 531 |
| CEN 534 | Wireless Sensor Networks | 3 (3+0) | CEN 531 |
| CEN 546 | Digital Image Processing | 3 (3+0) | CEN 543 |
| CEN 549 | Digital Speech Processing | 3 (3+0) | CEN 543 |
| CEN 552 | Mobile Robots | 3 (3+0) | CEN 543 |
| CEN 553 | Selected Topics in Computer Engineering | 3 (3+0) | — |
| CEN 586 | Network Security | 3 (3+0) | CEN 531 |
Course Schedule
| First Semester | Second Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses | CEN 543 | CEN 543 | |
| CEN 531 | CEN 531 | ||
| CEN 521 | CEN 521 | ||
| CEN 591 | |||
| Elective List (1) | CEN 570 | CEN 571 | |
| CEN 573 | CEN 576 | ||
| Elective List (2) | Signals & Systems | CEN 549 | CEN 546 |
| CEN 552 | |||
| Computer Networks | CEN 533 | CEN 586 | |
| CEN 534 or CEN 553 | CEN 532 | ||
| Computer Architecture | CEN 524 or CEN 528 | CEN 526 or CEN 527 | |
