Computer Engineering Department - Umm Al-Qura University

Computer Engineering Department

Overview and Objectives

The quick development in the uses of computers in different fields has resulted in making computer engineering and sciences the most developed fields at the present time. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pays special attention to computer technologies and its uses as one of the fundamental means for modernizing the kingdom's industries and commercial system. Therefore, it has become essential for the country to prepare computer engineers to be able to cope with such rapid development in computer technology, disseminate it at the local level and use it to fulfill the needs of labor market at the kingdom. The royal approval has been issued to separate computer engineering from the department of electrical engineering and computers. As a result, the Computer Engineering Department has become an independent department at the college of Engineering and Islamic Architecture, after its proposed program had been approved at the beginning of the first semester of 1421AH. The department aims at achieving the following objectives.

1- Providing students with a strong scientific base that is enhanced with training and practical expertise for basic and specialized engineering sciences.

2- Providing the society with engineers that are able to cope with the fast-paced development in the field of computer engineering.

3- Developing the competences of engineers to take part in engineering application and scientific research in their communities.

4- Adopting modern technologies that are appropriate for the needs of the society.

Moreover, the department secures job opportunities for its graduates in the following bodies:

1- Companies of computer systems and internet services and applications.

2- Governmental and private companies and institutions such as the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY), Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, general institution for technical education and vocational training, Saudi Aramco, SABIC, in addition to different information centers.

3- Ministries, universities and schools of both the Ministry of Education and the private sector as well.

A graduate of the Computer Engineering Department is capable of working in the following fields:

1- Companies of computer systems and internet services and applications.

3- Ministries, universities and schools of both the Ministry of Education and the private sector as well.

A graduate of the Computer Engineering Department is capable of working in the following fields:

1- Companies of computer systems and internet services and applications.

3- Ministries, universities and schools of both the Ministry of Education and the private sector as well.

Available Provisions and Supplies:

The educational process at the department is supported by some provisions and supplies, including a number of equipped laboratories for conducting experiments that prove the theories given at lectures. Therefore, graduates of the department of computer sciences have a solid background in both practical and theoretical sides. Such laboratories are:

Laboratory of locking, unlocking and logic design- advanced laboratory of logic locking- laboratory of computer networks- laboratory for designing mini computer systems- laboratory of computer communications- laboratory of projects- laboratory of projects- laboratory of computer coordination- laboratory of microprocessors- laboratory of computer peripherals- laboratory of computer drawings- laboratory of personal computers.

Following is a description of some laboratories available at the department:

1- Laboratory of Personal Computers

A student uses such laboratory to run programming-related software such as the languages of FORTRAN, high-level programming C, ++C and Java. By means of such languages, a student is allowed to make a practical solution for mathematical problems through the computer and to review the basics of installing, designing and testing software.

2- Laboratory of Locking, Unlocking and Logic Design

In this laboratory, a student applies principles to solve the problems of logic design and the installation and design of assembled circles as well as synchronous consecutive circles.

3- Laboratory of Advanced Logic Design

Here, a student installs and analyzes Functions as well as consecutive circles that are non-synchronous in terms of status, competition, delay and sources of danger. A student also uses very big integration in logic design with the help of the computer.

4- Laboratory of Computer Coordination

In this laboratory, a student studies the features of computer systems and the design of digital computer systems. He uses minutely-executable programming to learn the method of information transmission, design control units and apply the methods of labeling different computer systems.

5- Laboratory of Computer Networks

In this laboratory, a student uses circles used for processing several aspects of computer networks, designing networks of local and broad bands and learning the nature of networks. He also studies and connects different networks, information transmission, network congestion, transmission layer and its protocols.

6- Laboratory of Microprocessors:

This laboratory aims at training a student to use the Assembly Language to control the use of microprocessor 80286 in different operations. A student programs the microprocessor through the keypad, after transforming the Assembly Language into a Machine Language through the relevant machine manual. Then, a student uses the "Merlin" program where the file source is transformed into an object file by the assembler. After that, it is transformed to the microprocessor through the use of cable Rs 232 and is also executed on the microprocessor. The laboratory also features a number of applications that are controlled through the interface circle installed between it and the microprocessor. A student is trained to use different technologies to control the operations.

7- Laboratory of Mini Computer Systems:

Here, a student design and organize minute processors, build signal transmitters and program as well as control memory inlets and outlets. He is also trained to build a minute and simple computer where he learns how to investigate it, check for errors and repair them.