Program Information

The College of Computer and Information Sciences at King Saud University is one of the oldest colleges of computer and information technology in the Kingdom. It was established by the Royal Decree No. 7/1558 / M on 19/5/1404 AH. The study started in the college at the beginning of the academic year 1404/1405 H.  The College currently has (5) scientific departments, including the Department of Software Engineering. The College currently offers a number of bachelor's and master's programs in all departments and offers doctoral programs in four departments.

The College's vision is to lead the way in teaching and scientific research in the fields of computing and information technology. Its mission is to contribute to transforming our society to be modern and knowledge-based through innovative education and research in computing and information technology that develops analytical capabilities and creative thinking.

The department of Software Engineering (SWE) is the latest addition to the college of computer and information sciences in King Saud University. The first academic program offered by the department is a Bachelor of Science degree program in software engineering (BSc in SWE). Students started enrolling in the program in September 2008. They started graduating in July 2011. We currently count more than 400 students enrolled in the BSc program with tens of graduates each year.

The Master of Science degree program in Software Engineering (MSc in SWE) was created in 2012. Students started enrolling in the program in September 2013. They started graduating in January 2015. A regular number of students graduate from the program yearly, and the total number of graduates so far is approximately 70.

Software Engineering is an established discipline that spans all aspects of the development of large-scale, complex and distributed software intensive systems. It focuses particularly on software processes, development methodologies, software tools and technologies, integration and configuration management, software verification and testing techniques, software quality and reuse, and software security aspects. Software engineering professionals are in high-demand from small, medium, and large organizations due to the reliance on software systems for all aspects of business. Potential employers of software engineers include all software vendors and Internet-based companies, electronic business organizations, research and development laboratories, the oil sector, aerospace companies, government agencies, banks, insurance companies, and manufacturing organizations. Software engineers are concerned with both the theoretical and practical aspects of technology, cost, and social impact of software systems to make them more effective and efficient.

The Master of Science Degree in Software Engineering is designed for software engineers who want to expand their knowledge and experience in developing and modifying large and complex software systems. It emphasizes technical and management aspects of the software engineering process. The program offers experience from both academic and industrial perspectives. Through challenging curricula, innovative courses, and a technical emphasis, students learn and apply practices, tools, and techniques in a real-world project environment. The program is designed to produce industry leaders and researchers who are technically astute and possess advanced managerial, leadership, and communication skills. Individuals completing this program will be able to lead and improve the industry and the state of the practice in the years to come.

The department of software engineering has 23 faculty members including 2 full professors, 10 associate professors (one of them has already applied to be promoted to the rank of professor), and 11 assistant professors. Research Interests in the department include a nice variety of topics and problems that are core to software engineering as well as a variety of domains where software engineering can have important applications. Core topics include Software requirements, Software Architectures, Software Testing, Software Evolution and Maintenance, Mining Software Repositories, Software Project Management, Software Usability and Human Computer Interaction, etc. while the potential applications of software engineering domains include intelligent software systems, multimedia systems, mobile and pervasive systems, etc.

Degree Name

Master of Science in Software Engineering.

Program's Language

English

Program's Vision

To become an internationally recognized model in graduate education and research in the field of Software Engineering.

Program's Mission

Provide an educational, scientific, and research environment conducive to prepare students to technical and leadership careers in the field of software engineering in both industrial and research settings by providing them with an excellent graduate instruction that deepens their knowledge and develops their skills to become successful professionals in software engineering.

Program Educational Objectives

The program is designed to achieve the following:

1. Contribute to the knowledge economy of Saudi Arabia through active participation in the resolution of software engineering practical and real world problems, which, in turn, would serve the 2030 vision;
2.  Occupy high responsibility positions in industrial organizations and lead projects in the field of software engineering;
3. Conduct quality research in the field of software engineering;
4. Be able to continue successfully their studies in PhD programs (if they desire).

Program's Outcomes

• Knowledge and Comprehension:

1. Possess a comprehensive understanding of the methods, technologies and techniques applicable for the design, development, implementation and maintenance of software systems;
2. Show critical awareness of current research issues, problems and approaches;
3. Show originality and innovation in the application of knowledge, methodologies and techniques in the design and implementation of software systems;

• Mental Skills:

1. Evaluate critically current and new technologies, methodologies and standards, and, where appropriate, propose new approaches.
2. Demonstrate strong critical thinking skills;
3. Possess excellent reasoning and problem solving skills;
4. Handle new and complex software engineering problems

• Professional and Practical Skills:

1. Specify, design and implement complex and innovative software systems in a wide range of novel and different domains, using knowledge of software development processes, methodologies and tools;
2. Conduct independent in-depth analysis and/or study within an area related to software engineering, involving critical evaluation of various software artifacts.
3. Recognize and observe relevant professional, legal and ethical frameworks as a software engineering professional;

• General Skills:

1. Engage confidently in academic and professional communication with others;
2. Learn continuously and independently for continuing professional growth and improvement.

Program Beneficiaries

1. Students, Saudi and non-Saudi, interested to pursue graduate studies in software engineering within Saudi Arabia;
2. Saudi Universities, interested in hiring graduates of the program for their advanced research and technical skills;
3. Companies, Saudi and non-Saudi, interested in hiring graduates of the program for their advanced technical and managerial skills.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates from the MSc program can work in both academia and industry as:

1. Professionals in the software engineering industry to lead large-scale and complex software projects;
2. Teaching Assistants and/or lecturers in universities to contribute to the education of future software engineers;
3. PhD candidates in universities inside and outside the Kingdom.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements mentioned in the unified regulations for graduate studies in Saudi universities and the organizational and executive rules and procedures for postgraduate studies at King Saud University, the department requires the following to enroll in the program:

1. Applicants must hold a BSc. Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information technology, Information Systems, or Computer Engineering from King Saud University or a University recognized by the Ministry of Education, with a minimum GPA of 3.75 out of  5.00;
2. Applicants shall possess a score of no less than (450) in the TOEFL - PBT exam or equivalent;
3. Applicants should have a score of no less than (144) in the GRE (quantitative reasoning part) or a score of no less than (70) in the Post-graduate Qudurat exam (quantitative part) .

Requirements for obtaining the Degree

• Thesis Option
  • Passing (25) study units of courses
  • Successful completion and defense of master’s Thesis.
• Non-thesis option
  • Passing (32) study units including the graduation project

Program General Structure

• Thesis Option: Number of required units is (25) in addition to (6) units for the thesis as follows:

• Non-thesis Option: Number of units required is (32) study units including the graduation project as follows:

Program's Study Plan

  Study Plan (Thesis Option /  Non-Thesis Option )