Program Guide
Program Educational Objectives
The Master of Science in Computer Science -thesis track- Program's Educational Objectives are:
- To provide specialized studies in computer science;
- To encourage fundamental and applied research in computer science.
- To bridge the gap between the university and its industrial and technological environment.
- To give its graduates a serious scientific and technical training letting them excel in their professional life.
The Master of Science in Computer Science -project track- Program's Educational Objectives are:
- To cater for the current and future needs of the Saudi market in terms of highly qualified computer science professionals. To this end, a strong emphasis will be put on these areas: databases, networks, graphics, and software engineering. These areas are the cornerstones of today’s information technology.;
- To give the graduates a better chance to consolidate their knowledge as well as acquire a sound methodological approach to help them in the analysis, design and implementation of complex systems;
- To bridge the gap between the academia and the industrial world and to develop a mutually-fruitful cooperation between these institutions. since the MS student projects are designed to be conducted concomitantly with local institutions.
Admission
In addition to the admission requirements mentioned in the unified regulations for postgraduate 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 join the program:
- The applicant must have a bachelor's degree in computer science obtained with a (regular) mode of study from King Saud University or its equivalent, with a grade of no less than (Above Average) and a GPA of no less than (3.25 out of 5) or its equivalent.
- It is permissible to accept non-specialists in computer science may be accepted from computer engineering, information systems, software engineering, information technology, non-educational computer majors, electrical engineering, mathematics, statistics and operations research, obtained with a (regular) mode of study from King Saud University or any other university recommended by the Ministry of Education with a grade of no less than (Above Average) and a GPA of no less than (3.25 out of 5) or its equivalent.
- The applicant must have a score of at least (5.5) in the IELTS test or its equivalent.
- The applicant must have a score of at least (70) in the quantitative section of the General Aptitude Test for Universities or at least (144) in the quantitative section of the GRE General test.
- The applicant obtained a minimum score of (65) in the Qiyas test.
- Degree Requirements for Master of Science in Computer Science Thesis Track
- Successful completion of a minimum of 26 credit hours of graduate courses.
- Completion and successful defence of a thesis.
- Degree Requirements for Master of Science in Computer Science Project Track
- The student has to complete a minimum of 43 credit hours of graduate courses.
- These credit hours has to include a research project.
Applications are made through the unified admission portal of the Deanship of Graduate Studies. To find out about the application dates, please visit the the application periods link.
General Structure
All students have been accepted into the project track, and those wishing to transfer to the thesis track must meet the following transfer conditions:
- Completion of 13 academic hours of the program.
- Obtaining a cumulative GPA of at least 4.5.
- Submitting the request for transfer to the thesis track to the Research Studies and Master's Theses Course Committee. csTheses@KSU.EDU.SA
Structure for Thesis Track:
Type of Courses | No. of Courses | No. of Units Required |
Core courses | (5) | (14) Study units |
Elective courses | (4) | (12) Study units |
Thesis | (1) | - |
Total | (10) | (26) Study units |
Structure for Project Track:
Type of Courses | No. of Courses | No. of Units Required |
Core courses | (7) | (19) Study units |
Elective courses | (8) | (24) Study units |
Total | (15) | (43) Study units |
Study Plan for Thesis Track
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units |
1 | CSC 512 | Algorithm Analysis and Design | 3 |
2 | CSC 524 | Computer Networks | 3 |
3 | CSC 541 | Advanced Software Engineering | 3 |
Total | (9) study units |
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units |
1 | CSC 581 | Advanced Database Systems | 3 |
2 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
3 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
Total | (9) study units |
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units |
1 | CSC 595 | Seminar and Discussions | 2 |
2 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
3 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
Total | (8) study units |
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units |
1 | CSC 593 | Thesis Proposal Preparation | - |
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units |
1 | CSC 600 | Thesis | - |
Study Plan for Project Track
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units |
1 | CSC 512 | Algorithm Analysis and Design | 3 |
2 | CSC 524 | Computer Networks | 3 |
3 | CSC 541 | Advanced Software Engineering | 3 |
Total | (9) study units |
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units |
1 | CSC 581 | Advanced Database Systems | 3 |
2 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
3 | --- | Elective Course | 3) |
Total | (9) study units |
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units |
1 | CSC 595 | Seminar and Discussions | 2 |
2 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
3 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
Total | (8) study units |
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units |
1 | CSC 597 | Project 1 | 2 |
2 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
3 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
Total | (8) study units |
# | Course Code | Name | No. of Study Units |
1 | CSC 598 | Project 2 | 3 |
2 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
3 | --- | Elective Course | 3 |
Total | (9) study units |