The Faculty of Computer Studies (FCS) at Arab Open University offers leading-edge programmes of study in the most in-demand fields through Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes. Currently, FCS in the Kingdom of Bahrain offers the following programmes:
1- Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Information Technology and Computing (ITC).
2- Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Cyber Security (CyS).
3- Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
4- Bachelor of Science in Graphic and Multimedia Design/Technology (GMDT).
The ITC, CyS, and AI programmes are offered in partnership with the Open University-United Kingdom (OU-UK). These are validated programmes of study which provide students with the opportunity to obtain dual awards (i.e., one from AOU and the second from the OU-UK). The validated programmes, have a team of External Examiners from reputed UK Universities to ensure that quality of the offered awards is of the same standards as those offered at OU-UK.
Philosophy:
The FCS philosophy is to keep its programmes up-to-date with the latest technical advancements, satisfying the relevant market/employer needs. In addition, AOU is keen to keep its programmes revalidated from the OU-UK to provide students with extra international recognition in order to maximize their employability possibilities. FCS uses the Blended Learning mode to deliver technology enhanced education and bridge the barriers of time and space. Quality Assurance is one of the main tools to assure the provision of high-quality education, which meets the expectations of FCS students and the job offering organizations.
Offered Programmes
Information Technology and Computing (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.
Graphic and Multimedia Design/Technology – (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 audio-visual, motion picture, television, photography, theatre, and multimedia.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) - (BSc. Degree) - [Validated by OU]
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging field in Computer Science. AI is concerned with the construction and deployment of intelligent agents as computer programmes and with understanding the behaviour of these artifacts. This programme provides the ability to think and learn independently. It is a simulation of human intelligence (hence, artificial) into machines to do things that we would generally rely on humans.
It is possible to consider anything to be artificial intelligence if it consists of a programme performing a task that we would generally assume a human would perform. The Artificial Intelligence Programme provides a solid theoretical infrastructure and deep technical focus to ensure that graduates have the right combination of theoretical background and technical ability. This unique combination of theoretical knowledge and technical capabilities is believed to bring about significant rewards in the world's most challenging industry. Professionals in the software industry bring many kinds of expertise to their work environment. The AI programme aims to equip the students with the knowledge and skills they will need to participate in various life fields.
The design and development of this programme have taken into consideration the guidelines provided by professional standard bodies, including the Subject Benchmark Statement 2019 by Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in UK and the curriculum guidelines of ACM-IEEE 2013, in addition to The Future of Jobs Report 2020-World Economic Forum.
Cyber Security (CyS) - (BSc. Degree)- [Validated by OU]
The Cyber Security programme at Faculty of Computer Studies (FCS), Arab Open University (AOU) has been introduced to cater for the huge demand of public and private organizations as they are building robust security teams to address increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
The aim of the CyS programme is to provide the students 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 risks.
The design and development of this programme have taken into consideration the guidelines provided by professional standard bodies, including the Subject Benchmark Statement 2019 by Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in UK and the curriculum guidelines of ACM-IEEE 2017, in addition to The Future of Jobs Report 2020-World Economic Forum.
