King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Computer Engineering
Department
College of Computer Science
and Engineering
Introduction
• Today, computer Engineering is among the
fastest growing disciplines.
• In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, special
attention is being paid to computer
technology engineering 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
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function,
performance,
cost,
size,
reliability and
interfacing.
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.
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.
Computer Engineering
Information & Computer Science (ICS)
System Engineering (SE)
Computer Engineering (COE)
Software Engineering (SWE)
Electrical Engineering (EE)
Major Areas in COE
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Computer Architecture & Design
Digital Design Automation
VLSI System Design
Data Communications & Computer Networks.
Computer Applications:
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Interfacing
Robotics
Computer Vision and
Image Processing
Computer Architecture & Design
• Computer architecture is the theory behind
the design of a computer. In the same way
as a building architect sets the principles
and goals of a building project as the basis
for the draftsman's plans, so too, a
computer architect sets out the computer
architecture as a basis for the actual
design specifications.
Digital Design Automation
• Chip design is the conversion of an architecture
to a hardware specification. Logic synthesis is a
process by which algorithmic descriptions of
circuits are turned into detailed logic circuits.
Common examples of this process include
synthesis of hardware description languages.
Some tools can generate bitstreams for
programmable logic devices, while others target
the creation of application specific integrated
circuits
VLSI System Design
• Very Large Scale Integration of transistorbased circuits on a single chip.
• A development of even larger circuits and
systems to be placed on a single chip.
Nearly all modern chips employ VLSI
Parallel and Distributed Systems
• The simultaneous use of more than one
computer or processor to solve a problem,
in order to obtain faster results.
• The processors communicate and
cooperate in solving the large problem
Data Communications & Computer
Networks
• Concerned with the reliable transfer of data
through communication media.
• It encompasses the following areas:
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Transmission system utilization
Signal generation, Synchronization
Message formatting
Addressing, Routing
Flow control, Exchange management
Error detection and correction, Recovery
Security
Network management
Protocols
Computer Applications
These include, but are not restricted to:
• Interfacing
• Robotics
• Computer Vision and
• Image Processing
• …
Computer Engineering
Academics
What is Computer Engineering?
• Analysis and Modeling
• Creative Design
• Implementation and Testing
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Computer and Digital Systems
Computer Networks
Components and Circuits
Hardware and Software Aspects
COE Program Objectives
• Develop future computer engineers who can
– Contribute to the development process in KSA
– Cope with advances in the field
– Understand the professional/ethical responsibilities
– Communicate effectively
– Function in multi-disciplinary teams
– Use modern tools in design and experiments
– Formulate, analyze, and solve problems
– Apply mathematics and fundamental sciences
– Commit themselves to life-long learning
Computer Engineering Degrees
• BS in Computer Engineering
– With summer training and Senior project
– With COOP
• MS in:
– Computer Engineering
– Computer Networks
• PhD in Computer Science & Engineering
BS in Computer Engineering
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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
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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:
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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
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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
Alumni
Top hiring companies for COE
graduates
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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
Computer Engineering Focus
• Parallel and Distributed Architectures
• VLSI System Design
• Digital System Testing
• CAD of Digital Systems
• Computer Networks
• Fault Tolerant Computing
• Computer Vision and Robotics
Computer Science Focus
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Artificial Intelligence
Neural Networks
Software Engineering
Parallel and Distributed Systems
Algorithms
Programming Languages
Theoretical Computer Science
Computer Graphics
Computer Engineering
People
Computer Engineering Faculty
• 20 Professorial Rank faculty members
– 2 Full Professors
– 2 Associate Professors
– 16 Assistant Professors
• 6 lecturers
COE People
• Faculty
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Professors
Associate Professors
Assistant Professors
Lecturers
• Staff
– Technical
– Non-technical
• Students
– Graduate
– Undergraduate
• Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Faculty
• Ranked professors hold degrees from:
– KSA
(1)
– USA
(8)
– Canada
(6)
– France
(1)
– UK
(1)
– India
(1)
Faculty
Faculty Distribution
35
30
4
1
25
4
2
3
3
1
1
3
4
Professors
20
2
15
5
4
14
6
14
5
4
12
5
8
9
12
8
9
9
2003-2004
2004-2005
0
1997-1998
1998-1999
1999-2000
2000-2001
Assistant Professors
Lecturers
7
5
7
Associate Professors
14
7
8
10
5
2001-2002
2002-2003
Staff
Staff Distribution
7
6
5
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Non-technical
Technical
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
0
1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005
Students
Student Distribution
900
800
21
43
30
700
38
22
600
61
23
500
27
Graduate
Undergraduate
400
773
749
698
681
612
300
574
538
473
200
100
0
1997-1998
1998-1999
1999-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
Students-to-Faculty Ratio
Student-to-Faculty Ratio (Including Lecturers)
(Including Lecturers)
40
35
30
25
20
35
15
29
26
25
24
1997-1998
1998-1999
26
27
24
10
5
0
1999-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
COE Research Areas
• Data Communications & Computer Networks.
• Computer Applications : Embedded Systems,
Robotics, Interfacing, Data acquisition, Machine
learning, Data Mining.
• Digital Design Automation & VLSI System
Design & Test.
• Computer Architecture & Parallel Processing.
• Computer Arithmetic & Cryptography.