B.S. in Computer Science Program

The Computer Science program at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals requires students to complete 128 semester-credit-hours covering general educational requirements, core requirements, and elective courses.

Admission and Graduation Requirements

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the B.S. in Computer Science program, applicants must:

• Have a high school degree substantially equivalent in length, content, and quality to the current high school program (Science) of the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia.
• Pass the University Admission Test.
• Successfully promote from the Orientation Program.
• Fulfill all other University requirements.
• Have a record of good conduct.
• Be physically fit and in good health.
• Obtain approval from their employer, if they are an employee of any government or private agency.

An applicant for admission to an undergraduate program at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

1. Have a Saudi secondary school certificate, or its equivalent, and have majored in natural or technological sciences.
2. Take an entrance exam which consists of an aptitude test and a subject test administered by the National Center for Assessment in Higher Education.

• The aptitude test has two components: the verbal and the quantitative.
• The test is aimed at determining the general capabilities of students in the two areas mentioned above.

3. The University assigns a certain weight to the three components, i.e., high school grade, the aptitude test, and subject test scores.

• A cut-off point is decided for the weighted average of the applicant's grades in the three components and the eligible students are pronounced successful for admission.

4. The number of students accepted is limited to the number of seats available as decided by the University Council based on the capacity of resources at the University.
5. The applicant must submit the required documents to the University within a specified period.
6. An applicant who has graduated from a secondary school system outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must have completed twelve years of combined primary and secondary school studies from a recognized school.

• He is also required to provide an equivalency certificate from the Saudi Ministry of Education.
• In addition, he is required to take the aptitude and subject tests.

Admission to King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is highly competitive. As explained above, applicants are granted admission by an overall evaluation based on their academic record plus the entrance examinations, but only to the extent permitted by the maximum number of new admissions established for each academic year.

Academic Regulations

Student Responsibility

Students are responsible for knowing and following the academic rules and regulations, including the requirements for graduation. Faculty advisors will assist students in planning their academic programs but are not expected to relieve students of this responsibility.

Academic Advisor

Each student at the University is assigned an academic advisor who will assist the student with matters relating to scheduling, course selection, registration, and the like. The advisor is a faculty member in the academic department in which the student is enrolled. The advisor of all first-year students is the Director of the Preparatory Year Program.

Advisors assist students in the following ways:

• Selecting a degree program consistent with the student's goals and ability.
• Interpreting and understanding the academic regulations.
• Informing the student of the sequence of required and elective courses in his degree program and suggesting electives.
• Monitoring the student's progress and assisting with possible drop/add decisions.
• Acting as an initial approval agent for pre-registration, registration, and scheduling transactions.
• Assisting in course substitution, if necessary.

Graduation Requirements

The Information and Computer Science department offers a B.S. degree in Computer Science, either with summer training or with internship. The plan of study in Computer Science with summer training consists of 129 credit hours of coursework, which include essentially the same basic requirements as other Science programs in the areas of physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering science, and social science, and humanities. The program is composed of 49 credit hours as general education requirements, 59 credit hours as core requirements, 20 credit hours as major electives, and 1 credit hour as summer training. The plan of study in Computer Science with internship consists of 128 credit hours of coursework, which include essentially the same basic requirements as other Science programs in the areas of physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering science, and social science, and humanities. The program is composed of 49 credit hours as general education requirements, 59 credit hours as core requirements, 14 credit hours as major electives, and 6 credit hours as Internship. Students can spend 8 weeks during summer or they may choose to spend 15 weeks in a more intensive Internship program in the computer science-related industry. The student is expected to finish the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in 4 years in addition to one year spent in the Orientation Program.

To become eligible for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, a student must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Cumulative and major GPAs of 2.00 or higher on a 4.00-point scale.
2. Completion of the number of semester credit hours (Total of 128 or 129 credit hours) required by the department.
3. Completion of the prescribed and elective academic work required by the department.

Every student follows a degree plan to monitor progress through his program and to certify that all graduation requirements are fulfilled.

Goal and Mission

The mission of the Computer Science program is to provide high-quality education in Computer Science that prepares students for professional careers and postgraduate education, with emphasis on data science and information security.

Program Educational Objectives

The program educational objectives are:

1. To have a successful career or pursue an advanced degree in a computing-related area.
2. To work as individuals with minimum guidance and as leaders or members in teams.
3. To follow appropriate professional practices and maintain currency through self-learning or other professional development.

Student Outcomes

The computer science program enables students to acquire, by the time of graduation, the following student outcomes:

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program's discipline.
3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline.
6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

King Fahd University For Petroleum And Minerals

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Overview:

King Fahd University For Petroleum And Minerals (KFUPM) is a public research university located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It is renowned for its focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, particularly in petroleum engineering. KFUPM boasts a high global ranking, particularly in petroleum engineering and data science.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

High Global Ranking:

KFUPM holds a strong global ranking, particularly in petroleum engineering and data science.

Focus on STEM:

The university specializes in STEM fields, offering a wide range of programs in these areas.

Research Opportunities:

KFUPM is a research-intensive university with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration.

US Patent Record:

KFUPM ranks highly among universities worldwide in terms of the number of US patents registered.

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Academic Programs:

Undergraduate:

KFUPM offers a variety of undergraduate majors and concentrations across various STEM fields.

Graduate:

The university provides a range of graduate programs, including master's and doctoral degrees.

Colleges and Departments:

KFUPM is organized into several colleges and departments, each specializing in specific areas of study.