Computer Engineering Department

College of Computer Science and Engineering

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

Introduction

• Today, computer Engineering is among the fastest growing disciplines.

• In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, special attention is being paid to computer technology, its utilization and development as one of the fundamental tools to modernize its industry and trade system.

What is Computer Engineering?

• Computer engineering deals with – the design and – development of computer systems

• While emphasis is put on factors, such as – function, – performance, – cost, – size, – reliability and – interfacing.

COE Program Objectives• The Objectives of the COE program is to

produce computer engineers who can:

1. Practice their profession with confidence and global competitiveness and make intellectual contributions to it,

2. Pursue a life-long career of personal and professional growth with superior work ethics and character,

3. Pursue advanced study and research at the graduate level.

COE Program Outcomes

• The COE Program Objectives were mapped to the following educational outcomes. COE graduates will have:

1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering,

2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data,

3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs,

4. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams (teams of individuals with similar educational backgrounds focusing on different aspects of a project as well as teams of individuals with different educational backgrounds),

COE Program Outcomes, Contd.

5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems,

6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility,

7. an ability to communicate effectively,

8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context,

9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning (focusing on underlying theories because the technology will change and enhance their self-learning ability),

10. knowledge of contemporary issues (presenting students with issues such as the impact of globalization, the outsourcing of both engineering and other support jobs as practiced by modern international companies),

COE Program Outcomes, Contd.

11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice,

12. Knowledge of Probability and Statistics and their applications in Computer Engineering,

13. Knowledge of Discrete Mathematics,

14. The ability to design a system that involves the integration of hardware and software components (Specific for the local needs)

Computer Engineering Program

• The Computer Engineering Program is designed to provide the student with an intensive background in – the analysis, – structure, – design and – implementation

of digital computers and information processing systems.

A Combination of Breadth and Depth

Studying in Computer Engineering

• The Computer Engineering department provides a program that develops the necessary skills and competence in order to design and implement computer systems and networks.

• The computer engineering curriculum emphasizes the areas of:– Digital system architecture and design, – Microprocessors and integrated circuit technology, – Communication theory and computer networks.

Studying in Computer Engineering

• In addition , enough emphasis is given to the study of computer science to provide a coherent view of computer systems and an understanding of the interdependencies of  hardware and software components and their interfaces and tradeoffs.

• The computer engineering department offers programs leading to – a BS degree in computer engineering, and – an MS degree in computer engineering– an MS degree in Networking– A joint PhD program in Computer Science &

Engineering (with ICS). 

Information & Computer Science (ICS) System Engineering (SE)

Electrical Engineering (EE)

Computer Engineering (COE)

Software Engineering (SWE)

Computer Engineering

Major Areas in COE

1. Computer Architecture & Design

2. Digital Design and Design Automation

3. VLSI System Design

4. Data Communications & Computer Networks.

5. Computer Applications: – Interfacing – Robotics – Computer Vision and – Image Processing

BS in Computer Engineering• Basic Sciences: 12 credit hours• Mathematics: 17 credit hours• English: 9 credit hours• Islamic Studies & Humanities: 14 credit hours• Computer Engineering: 41 credit hours• Information & Computer Science: 20 credits• Electrical Engineering: 8 credit hours• Electives: 9 credit hours• Physical Education: 2 credit hours• Total = 132 credit hours

Core Computer Engineering Courses

• Fundamentals of Computer Engineering• Computer Organization and Assembly Language• Microcomputer System Design• Computer Architecture• Principles of VLSI Design• Data and Computer Communications• Computer Networks• System Design Laboratory• Seminar• Summer Training• Senior Design Project

Computer Engineering Electives• Three senior-level courses • Topics include:

– Computer System Performance Evaluation– Design and Modeling of Digital Systems– Parallel Computing– Fault-Tolerant Computing– Distributed Systems– Local Area Networks– Mobile Computing– Testing of Digital Circuits– Introduction to Robotics– Selected Topics in Computer Engineering

Computer Science Requirements

• Introduction to Computing• Introduction to Computer Science• Data Structures• Discrete Structures• Operating Systems• Database Systems• One Computer Science Elective

– Design and Analysis of Algorithms– Fundamentals of Programming Languages

Summer Training

• Objectives– Provide direct on-the-job experience– Students work with professionals in the field

• Requirements– 8 summer weeks should be spent in training– Detailed report about summer experience– Students prepare and deliver a presentation

Senior Design Project

• Objectives– Students handle a real engineering problem– Put the knowledge gained into practical use

• Requirements– Problem Specification– Analysis and Design– Implementation and Testing– Documentation and Reports– Presentation

COOPerative Work• Objectives

– Students acquire practical experience and are exposed to the profession of computer engineering

• Students are required to …– Spend 28 continuous weeks in industry

– Submit a final report

– Give a presentation about their accomplishments

• COOP is counted as 9 credit hours– Replaces Senior Project and Summer Training

– Replaces one of the COE elective courses

Top hiring companies for COE graduates

• Aramco • Saudi Electric Company• Banks• SABIC• The Royal Commission For Jubail

and Yanbu• KFUPM• Accenture• King Abdulaziz City for Science and

Technology• Eastern Province Cement Company• Saudi National Guard• Saudi Distribution Company• DAR InfoTech• VisualSoft• Saudi Telecommunications

Company• Maaden

Graduates Status and Behavior

• 60% of our graduates get hired within a period of 6 months after graduation, while 35% already got contracts before graduation

• Unfortunately only 20% of these graduates spend more than 3 years in a single job position

• 85% get a monthly salary between 5-15K• 50% of our graduates rated the Computer Engineering

program between Excellent and Outstanding• 63% of the alumni indicated that their studies cover only

50%-75% of their current job work.

COE Graduate Program

MS in Computer Engineering

• 24 credit hours of course work

• 6 credit hours to research-oriented thesis

• 3 core computer engineering courses

– Computer Architecture

– Computer Networks

– Digital System Design and Synthesis

• 5 elective courses

Areas of Focus

• Computer Architecture

• Computer and Wireless Networks

• Network Security

• Digital System Design, Synthesis, and Testing

• VLSI and Design Automation

• Parallel and Distributed Systems

• Fault Tolerant Computing

MS in Computer Networks• Offered jointly by COE and ICS

• Three core courses:– Computer Networks

– Client Server Programming

– Computer Network Design

• Five elective courses, three of which should be– Network Technology

– Network Design and Management

– Network Software and Protocols

• Six credit-hour MS thesis

PhD in Computer Science & Engineering

• Interdisciplinary

– Offered under two different departments

• Preliminary exam

• 30 credit hours of course work

– Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

• Written and oral comprehensive exams

• Successful completion of dissertation

Faculty

Students

Students-to-Faculty Ratio(Including Lecturers)