BSc (Honours) Computer Science Curriculum Outline

Transcription

1 BSc (Honours) Computer Science Curriculum Outline 1. Introduction: The economic and strategic importance provided by Computer Science and Information Technology is increasing daily. This importance is emphasised by the evolving needs of development and growth with respect to advances in these respective sciences. It is projected that computer science will play a leading role in both global and regional markets. This is mainly due to the exponential growth of information resulting from the current information age we live in. Accordingly, it has been recognised on a global level the requirement for preparing qualified cadres that can support the information age and all that it entails from keeping up with advances to instigating them. The Republic of the Sudan is currently at the fore steps of a highly anticipated economic renaissance, the need for qualified cadres that are able to facilitate this renewal is of fundamental importance. The bachelor degree in computer science or information technology or information system offered by the Computer science and Information technology in University of Medical Sciences and Technology aims in the first place to prepare qualified professionals in the field of computer science, information technology, and information system to meet the economical and societal developmental needs of the Sudan. The programme contains a huge base of references that prepare and qualify the students. This is achieved by providing the necessary technical and practical skills needed. These skills are based on the highest standard of academic consideration. We have decided that not restrict ourselves to a single reference owing to the fast paced nature of the field and the counter effect it will have on keeping up to date. In lieu, a list of references has been supplemented to this program detailing basic sources and references that can be of beneficial use. 1.1 General Objectives: The objectives of the program are to serve the development plans of the nation by preparing qualified professional human resources who fulfill society's needs for computing specialists. Additionally, to contribute to the development of human knowledge in the field of computations, and to adopt cutting-edge research programs that effectively contribute to serving society through consultations and solutions that address domestic technology problems. 1

2 1.2 Specific Objectives: The program specific objectives are focused on providing students with the following knowledge and skills: 1. investigate and analyse business problems, providing reliable and secure computerised solutions; 2. grow professionally through activities such as graduate study, continuing education, professional certifications, and participation in professional organisations; 3. think critically and creatively, communicate clearly, work effectively with others, and develop leadership skills; 4. demonstrate an understanding of social and ethical issues in the computer profession; 5. Understand the organisational impact of computer-based information systems. 6. Contribute in providing qualified cadres that will instigate a technical renaissance in the country. 7. Contribute in spreading IT knowledge in the country 8. Contribute in building a productive information architecture and community. 9. Equipping the students with the required skills to analyse, design, utilise, develop and deploy information systems in all government and private sectors taking into account the social and ethical aspects of the application of technology in these sectors. 10. Giving the students the ability to work individually and in teams (team spirit) to plan, design, document, implement, test, configure and maintain the various information systems. 11. Providing the students with the ability to analyse customers requirements and the ability to develop application programs to implement these requirements. 12. Providing the students with the capacity to lead, manage and plan information systems, beginning with the identification of needs and gathering requirements, and ending with the implementation of integrated solutions for information systems. 13. Providing the students with the ability to evaluate, criticise the different trends in the field of information systems and technologies. 14. Providing the students with the ability to select the best techniques to accomplish the ambitious goals. Working in the fields of business services, developing and designing new systems with advanced technologies 1.3 Educational Deliverables Students at the time of graduation are expected to: 1. be prepared to contribute immediately as computer science or information technology or information system professionals; 2. be able to design and implement computer science or information technology or information system that satisfy user requirements; 3. possess a knowledge of information technology and information technology management; 4. demonstrate effective written, visual, and oral communication skills; 2

3 5. understand the global context in which information technology are practiced, including: contemporary issues related to business and technology; the impact of computers on society; the role of ethics in the practice of information systems profession; 6. be able to contribute effectively as members of systems development teams; 7. Recognise the need to pursue continued learning throughout their professional careers. 1.4 Degree Description The faculty of computer science and information technology offers a Bachelor honor degree program in one of different three specialisations, each of which is a four year full time course. The program offers the following three areas of specialisation: Computer Science Computer Science (CS) is the study of the theoretical and practical aspects of computer technology and computer usage. Computer Science graduates will have both theoretical and practical understanding of modern computer systems.the course covers a range of topics and skills that are required in today s computing and information technology industry. Studying CS gives the fundamental understanding of the major areas of computer science: algorithms and data structures, artificial intelligence, computer organisation and architecture, numerical computation, operating systems, programming language theory, and software engineering. Also enable students to gain high competency in computer programming, employing sound approaches to software design and implementation, with the skills needed by the software industry now and the ability to adapt to future developments. Moreover enable students to develop practical critical thinking and interpersonal skills applicable to real-world problems. It prepares students for the computer industry, equipped with the necessary knowledge and expertise to reach the highest professional standards. 3

4 The shaded portion in the following figure represents the computer science discipline 2. Information Technology Information technology is to meet the computer technology needs of business, government, healthcare, and other kinds of organisations. Information Technology emphasis is on the technology itself more than on the information it conveys. IT is a new and rapidly growing field that started as a response to the practical, everyday needs of business and other organisations. Information technology professionals should be able to work effectively at planning, implementation, configuration, and maintenance of an organisation s computing infrastructure. The IT specialists assume responsibility for selecting hardware and software products appropriate for an organisation, integrating those products with organisational needs and infrastructure, and installing, customising, and maintaining those applications for the organisation s computer users. Examples of these responsibilities include the installation of networks; network administration and security; the design of web pages; the development of multimedia resources; the installation of communication components; the oversight of systems; and the planning and management of the technology lifecycle by which an organisation s technology is maintained, upgraded, and replaced. The shaded portion in the following figure represents the information technology discipline. Their role has some overlap with IS, but IT people have a special focus on satisfying human needs that arise from computing technology. 4

5 3. Information System Information systems specialists focus on integrating information technology solutions and business processes to meet the information needs of businesses and other enterprises, enabling them to achieve their objectives in an effective and efficient way. Professionals in the discipline are primarily concerned with the information that computer systems can provide to aid an enterprise in defining and achieving its goals, and the processes that an enterprise can implement or improve using information technology. They must understand both technical and organisational factors. IS a specialist often tailoring application technologies to the needs of the enterprise, and they often develop systems that utilise other software products to suit their organisations needs for information. 5

6 The shaded portion in the following figure represents the information systems discipline. 2. Entry Requirements 1. Sudanese Certificate or its equivalent 2. Fulfillment of acceptance criteria determined by admissions office 3. Acceptance is based on a competitive scale amongst applicants 3. Academic System Adopted The computer sciences and information technology college follows the yearly grade point average. The academic year consists of two semesters. Students are evaluated according to the academy s evaluation system. The study plan of the program is composed of 166,166, and 170 credit hours for the successful completion of the bachelor (honor) degree in one specialisation computer science or information technology or information system respectively. The single academic year is composed of 2 semesters, each semester is 15 weeks long, this period does not include examination period that is situated at the end of the semester. The student must choose one specialisation Computer Science (CS) or Information Technology (IT) or Information System (IS) after successfully finished the first year. The faculty adopts an ongoing evaluation system that contains exams, practical applications, seminars, papers and exams. In addition, a final dissertation or research valued at 6 credit hours is included into the final assessment. 6

7 However the topic has to be involved with a current issue in the field of computer science, information technology, and information system. 4. Study Language English Language 5. Teaching Methods Lectures and Labs Tutorials Assignments Seminars Projects 6. Assessment and Marking Assessment 1. A Student reading for the BSc degree by taught courses shall be subject to continuous assessment and on the basis of examinations held at the end of each semester. 2. A student who fails up to 50% of the subjects in the semester exams shall be allowed to sit for supplementary exams. If he/she fails in any supplementary examination he/she shall be discontinued from his studies. 3. A student is allowed to sit for a substitute examination once and if he fails, or misses that examination, he shall be allowed the chance to sit for a supplementary examination. A student who fails in more than 50% of the subjects in any of the semester exams shall be discontinued from studies. The Assessment Methods Include the Following: Examination, test and quis: written interim examination Written assignment: detailed exercises, a report, an essay or other written document reviewed and assessed by the examiner, but not in the presence of the student Oral assessment: a meeting involving the student and the examiner or other individual, during which the student s knowledge is assessed Practical assignment: a functioning product prepared and submitted by the student to be assessed in terms of behavior, operation and/or use (e.g. a simple program or a larger, functioning prototype) Project: group activities as part of which the student s participation are assessed. 7

8 7. Examination Tools: 7.1 First Written Exam: 1. Multiple choice 2. Essays 3. Matching questions 4. Problem solving 5. Cases studies 7.2 Second Practical Exams: Students will be assessed on software development skills in a controlled lab setting. 7.3 Assessment Scheme: The assessment scheme shall use a rating scale of letters resembling ranges of marks in percentage, as follows. Grade (A) + (A) (B) + (B) (C) (D) (F) Percentage 90% - 100% 80% - 89% 75% - 79% 70% - 74% 60% - 69% 50% - 59% <50% 8 Grading Scheme The award of the BSc honor degree is based on the student s performance over all semesters of the program. The classification of the degree depends on student CGPA. 8

9 8.1 The BSc honor Degree is Awarded with: Distinction Very Good Good Pass 80% and above 70% - 79% 60% - 69% 50% -59% 9 Syllabus Code The syllabus was coded using a 5 digit alphanumeric code. It is broken down into first 2 digits correspond to the knowledge area, one digit for the academic semester, 2 digits for the serial of the semester specified syllabus. This is shown as follows: Knowledge Domain Code IT Semester 0 Serial Number 10 Accordingly the course code will be like this IT Credit Hours: The credit hours for each subject seen in the following format: Credit Hours(Lectures, Tutorial, Practical) e.g. 4(2, 1, 2) 9