BS (Computer Science)
Introduction
The BS Computer Science program at QAU was started in 2013. It provides a well-integrated balance of theoretical and practical knowledge required for developing reliable and usable software tools for different fields. The program enables students to design, implement and manage systems combining scientific, computational, communication and multimedia facilities in different domains. The BS program is accredited by National Computing Education Accreditation Council (NCEAC).
Program Educational Objectives
The main objectives of the program are to enable students:
- PEO1: to use their computing knowledge for developing and maintaining software using modern tools and technologies
- PEO2: to benefit the society as responsible Computer Science professionals by practically applying their knowledge in diverse areas
- PEO3: to keep abreast of latest technological developments, participate in lifelong learning and progress in their chosen profession
Program Learning Outcomes
Following are the learning outcomes of the BS program.
| PLO1 | Academic Education | Completion of an accredited program of study designed to prepare graduates as computing professionals |
| PLO2 | Knowledge for Solving Computing Problems | Apply knowledge of computing fundamentals, knowledge of a computing specialization, and mathematics, science, and domain knowledge appropriate for the computing specialization to the abstraction and conceptualization of computing models from defined problems and requirements |
| PLO3 | Problem Analysis | Identify and solve complex computing problems reaching substantiated conclusions using fundamental principles of mathematics, computing sciences, and relevant domain disciplines |
| PLO4 | Design/Development of Solutions | Design and evaluate solutions for complex computing problems, and design and evaluate systems, components, or processes that meet specified needs |
| PLO5 | Modern Tool Usage | Create, select, or adapt and then apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern computing tools to complex computing activities, with an understanding of the limitations |
| PLO6 | Individual and Team Work | Function effectively as an individual and as a member or leader of a team in multi-disciplinary settings |
| PLO7 | Communication | Communicate effectively with the computing community about complex computing activities by being able to comprehend and write effective reports, design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and understand clear instructions |
| PLO8 | Computing Professionalism and Society | Understand and assess societal, health, safety, legal, and cultural issues within local and global contexts, and the consequential responsibilities relevant to professional computing practice |
| PLO9 | Ethics | Understand and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities, and norms of professional computing practice |
| PLO10 | Life-long learning | Recognize the need, and have the ability, to engage in independent learning for continual development as a computing professional |
BS Program Structure
During the B.S. students will be informed through research expertise of the faculty about the current and future issues affecting the usage and development of computer-based systems. Initially students learn basics of computing discipline through foundation courses and will build their knowledge of the discipline through core courses. In the last three semesters students will extend their knowledge in a focus area of their choice through elective courses. The final year compulsory project will give students the opportunity to consolidate and demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained from the entire course material.
After providing the students with a solid foundation based on foundation and core courses in Computing, the BS program will give students the opportunity to enrich their knowledge in an area through elective courses. These elective courses will on one hand provide in-depth knowledge, and on the other will enable students to work on and solve practical problems in the area by using latest techniques and tools. Some focus areas are:
Four years of BS program is divided into eight semesters. In each semester, students are offered 15 to 18 credit hours of courses, where one credit hour means one hour of teaching (or three hours of lab) per week. The courses are divided into four groups:
- University courses are required to be studied by every student of the university, irrespective of their department.
- Faculty courses are offered from other departments of Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS), Faculty of Biological Sciences (FBS), and Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS).
- Computer science foundation & core courses are offered by the department of computer sciences and have to be studied by every student of BS (CS).
- Elective courses allow students to specialize in their field of interest. They are offered in the last three semesters.
| University Courses | 9 courses | 25 Credit Hours |
| English-1, English-2, English-3, Basic Psychology, Calculus & Analytical Geometry-I, Calculus & Analytical Geometry-II, Pakistan Studies, Islamic Studies, Introduction to Computing | ||
| Faculty Courses | 8 courses | 24 Credit Hours |
| Discrete Mathematics, Linear Algebra & Differential Equations, Probability & Statistics, Introductory Mechanics & Waves, Electricity Magnetism and Thermal Physics, General Chemistry, Introductory Biology, Introductory Economics | ||
| Computer Science Foundation
& Core Courses (see the table below) |
21 courses | 66 Credit Hours |
| Computer Science Elective Courses (see the list below the table) |
5 courses | 15 Credit Hours |
| Total Credit Hours | 130 Credit Hours |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| EN-101: English-13 | EN-102: English-23 |
| PS-101: Pakistan Studies2 | IS-101: Islamic Studies2 |
| MA-101: Calculus & Analytical Geometry-I3 | MA-102: Calculus & Analytical Geometry-II3 |
| PH-111: Introductory Mechanics & Waves2+1 | PH-112: Electricity, Magnetism and Thermal Physics2+1 |
| CS-101: Introduction to Computing3 | MA-203: Discrete Mathematics3 |
| CS-105: Problem Solving and Programming2+1 | CS-121: Object Oriented Programming3+1 |
| Credit Hours17 | Credit Hours18 |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| EN-201: English - 33 | CH-100: General Chemistry2+1 |
| PY-101: Introdution to Psychology3 | CS-225: Database Systems3 |
| CS-211: Data Structures3+1 | MA-205: Differential Equations & Linear Algebra3 |
| CS-212: Human Computer Interaction3 | CS-213: Computer Organization & Assembly Language3+1 |
| CS-103: Introduction to Computer Organization3 | CS-222: Analysis and Design of Software Systems3 |
| Credit Hours16 | Credit Hours16 |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| ST-101: Probability and Statistics3 | EC-201: Principles of Economics3 |
| BY-201: Introductory Biology3 | CS-331: Theory of Automata3 |
| CS-223: Operating Systems3 | CS-312: Computer Communications & Networks3 |
| CS-311: Analysis & Design of Algorithms3 | CS-423: Computer Graphics3 |
| CS-322: Software Construction2+1 | Elective Course 13 |
| CS-414: Artificial Intelligence3 | |
| Credit Hours18 | Credit Hours15 |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
| CS-489: Project-I3 | CS-490: Project-II3 |
| CS-332: Net Centric Programming3 | CS-449: ICT and Society3 |
| CS-411: Compiler Construction3 | CS 413: Introduction to Information Security3 |
| Elective Course 23 | Elective Course 43 |
| Elective Course 33 | Elective Course 53 |
| Credit Hours15 | Credit Hours15 |
- CS-324: Web Application Development
- CS-442: Mobile Application Development
- CS-443: Network Architecture
- CS-444: Knowledge Based Systems
- CS-445: Information Systems (Pre-Requisite CS-225: DBS)
- CS-446: Introduction to Multimedia Communication
- CS-447: Neural Networks
- CS-448: Network Management
- CS-450: Wireless and Mobile Networks
- CS-451: Introduction to Social Computing
- CS-452: Introduction to Game Development
- CS-454: Introduction to Semantic Web
- CS-455: Introduction to Natural Language Processing
- CS-456: Introduction to Web Services (Pre-Requisite CS-324: WAD)
- CS-457: Web Application Frameworks
- CS-458: Introduction to Data Mining
- CS-459: Introduction to Machine learning
- CS-462: Introduction to Cyber Security
- CS-464: Modeling and Simulation
- CS-466: Digital Image Processing
- CS-471: Theory of Programming
- CS-472: Information Interfaces
- CS-473: Multimedia Applications and Design
- CS-474: Software testing techniques
- CS-475: Emerging Trends in Software Development
- CS-476: Enterprise Information
- CS-478: Web Technologies
- CS-480: Selected topic in CS
- CS-482: Web Engineering
- CS-483: Software Quality Assurance (Pre-Requisite CS-322: SC)
- CS-484: Software Engineering
- CS-486: Software Project Management (Pre-Requisite CS-322: SC)
- CS-487: Formal Methods for Software Engineering
- CS-488: Software Entrepreneurship
- CS-491: Real Time Systems
- CS-497: Computing Case Studies