The Faculty of Computer Studies (FCS) at the Arab Open University (AOU) offers leading-edge programmes of study in the most in-demand fields through Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes. Currently, FCS offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Computing (ITC) with five track options, Bachelor of Science in Graphic and Multimedia Design/Technology (GMD/T) and a Master of Science in Information Security and Forensics. The ITC Programme and the MSc in Computing
(Cyber Security and Forensics) are in partnership with the Open University (OU), UK. These two are validated programmes of study and they give students opportunities to obtain dual degrees (i.e., one from the AOU and the other one from the OU, UK). By virtue of being validated programmes, the FCS has a team of external examiners from well-reputed UK Universities to ensure that the quality of these awards is of the same standards as those offered at comparable Universities in the UK. Since the FCS at AOU has nine branches in nine Arab countries (i.e., Kuwait, KSA, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Sudan, and Palestine), students can check their Local branch to find the programmes of study that are being offered in their branch.
Why
Faculty of Computer Studies?Information Technology and Computing skills have become fundamental to the way we live, work, socialize and play. This degree opens up the world of technology and an array of exciting careers in a wide range of sectors – from systems and software industry, finance, government, health, education and the ‘third sector’, to business, gaming, and commerce. It will help the students to become a dominant player in the field of computing and Information Technologies: to analyse, develop, test, maintain, integrate and use hardware and/or software or hybrid systems; to participate in innovating new solutions to meet specific market or organization needs. A choice of pathways through the degree will enable the students to concentrate their studies on Information Technologies and Computing, Computer Science, Web Development, Networking & Security or Computing with Business. Offered Programmes
1] Information Technology and Computer (ITC) – (BSc. Degree) [Validated by OU]
The Information Technology and Computing (ITC) programme has been designed and developed to provide a high-quality programme of study to students at the Faculty of Computer Studies (FCS), Arab Open University (AOU). The design and development of this programme have taken into consideration the guidelines provided by professional standard bodies, including the QAA, UK (QAA2016) and the curriculum guidelines of ACM-IEEE 2013 in addition to the up-to-date prospectus of the Computing and Information Technology provided by the Open University-UK. This programme is composed of five pathways as follows:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Cybersecurity
- Web Development
2] Graphic and Multimedia Design/Technology ( GMDT )– (BSc Degree)
The Graphic and Multimedia Design/Technology programme is an AOU programme. It provides the students with essential knowledge and skills about the important field of Multimedia and Computer Graphics. Graduates of this program will be able to undertake web design and development projects involving advanced multimedia and graphics capabilities. Students will be able to apply their artistic and creativity skills towards developing computer graphic projects involving creativity and elegance. Students will be able to evaluate and select the appropriate design techniques and technological tools applicable for real-world projects. Graduates of this programme will acquire the required skills to embed advanced multimedia and graphics capabilities for mobile devices. Graduates of this programme have a broad range of potential career opportunities in the professional sectors of image production, based on the execution of projects in the field of audiovisual, motion picture, television, photography, theatre and multimedia.
3] Cyber Security and Forensics – (MSc Degree) [Validated by OU]
The MSc in Cyber Security and Forensics has been developed in collaboration with our partner institution, the Open University UK (OU UK). The need for Cyber security and forensics analysts in the Arab countries is continuously increasing, and thus the career outlook for graduates looks positive, as there is a shortage of skilled personnel in both the Information Security and digital forensics fields. Students in this programme will develop a wide range of skills and competencies related to Cyber security, digital forensics and network security that will prepare them for a variety of career opportunities. Graduates can progress to work in cyber-fighting agencies (whether local, regional and international). But the career opportunity is not limited to those agencies with the huge demand in industry for professionals with both digital forensics and information security skills especially with the rise of cyber-security threats and attacks.
Undergraduate Programmes
The aim of the pathway is to provide the student with a rigorous foundation of Artificial Intelligence, tools and applications that an Artificial Intelligence expert needs. Further, it prepares students for a variety of in-demand information technology careers, dedicated to professional working in software. The aim of the AI pathway is to equip the student with the knowledge and skills s/he will need to take part in AI-software related industry.
Graduates of this pathway have a broad range of career opportunities as a Applications Developer, AI Data Analyst/Engineer, Applied Machine Learning Engineer, Computational Linguist, Computer vision engineer, Embedded Machine Learning Engineer, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) Developer.
BSc Hons in Information Technology and Computing (Artificial Intelligence)
Through the study of this pathway, the students will gain in-depth knowledge about the key Computer Science areas such as Object-Oriented Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms, Operating Systems, Computer Graphics and Multimedia, Data Management and Analysis, Changing Work Environments and Flexible working arrangements and Artificial Intelligence.
Graduates of this pathway have a broad range of career opportunities as System programmer, Game AI programmer, software developer, database administrator, application programmer, data analyst, java programmer, expert system developer, etc…
BSc Hons in Information Technology and Computing (Computer Science)
Data Science has been hailed as the topmost profession 21st Century. FCS adopted DS pathway because data has a massive exponential increase, and so, it is considered as the fuel that drives industries. Now Big Data has revolutionized companies and has given them an edge in competition. Data Science pathway enables students to handle, manage, analyse and understand trends in data, which is a requirement of profession in reputable companies.
Graduates of this pathway have a broad range of career opportunities as a Data analyst, Data scientist, Business analyst- data science, Python developer (data scientist), R developer (data scientist), Big data analytics, Financial sector including banking.
BSc Hons in Information Technology and Computing (Data Science)
The aim of the CyS pathway is to provide the student with a rigorous foundation of cyber security, tools and applications that a Cyber-Security expert needs. Further, it prepares students for a variety of in-demand information technology careers, dedicated to securing vulnerable data and information and stopping cyberattacks in the digital environment. Further, it engages students in the challenges and problems associated with assuring information, confidentiality and integrity (e.g., social, economic, technology-related, and policy issues), as well as the strengths and weaknesses of various methods for assessing and mitigating associated risk.
Graduates of this pathway have a broad range of career opportunities as a Cyber Security Analyst, Penetration and vulnerability tester, Cyber security manager/ administrator, Cyber security architect, Security Auditor, Chief Security Officer, Computer Forensics Investigator, Cryptographer, Cyber Security Risk Analyst, Ethical Hacker, Threat Manager /Responder, Cyber Software Developer.
BSc Hons in Information Technology and Computing (Cybersecurity)
BSc Hons in Information Technology and Computing (Web Development)
This important pathway enables students to undertake study of specialized topics related to Web Development including, Changing Work Environments and Flexible working arrangements, Object-Oriented Programming, Web Technologies, Algorithms and Data Structures, Mobile and Cloud Technologies and Interaction Design and User Experience.
Graduates of this pathway have a broad range of career opportunities as a cloud associate professional, mobile and internet associate professional, web developer, web specialist, web designer, e-commerce manager, etc…
Postgraduate Programmes
MSc in Computing
(Cyber Security and Forensics)
