This document summarizes the results of a comparison of information systems degree programs at 6 Saudi universities. The comparison examines 5 areas: others, science, computer science, management, and core IS. It finds that King Saud University and King Faisal University most closely match the standard model in core IS hours, while Taibah University also matches closely but with more hours. The computer science hours are higher at King Faisal, King Abdul-Aziz, and Taibah universities. Imam Muhammad University has more management hours than the standard. King Saud University and Qassim University have lower management hours. Science hours vary the most across universities, with King Saud closest to the standard and Taibah and

1. Results of a general comparison.
Prepared by: Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri

2. The comparison with our model applied for 6
different Saudi Universities which are:
 King Saud University.
 King Abdul-Aziz University.
 King Faisal University.
 Imam University.
 Taibah University.
 Qassim University.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

3.  We divide the comparison to 5 areas which
are:
◦ Others : (Islamic religion, communication skills,
etc…).
◦ Science : (Physics, Mathematics fields , Statistics
and Probabilities and etc…).
◦ Computer Science: ( Programming aspects,
Computer architecture and etc…).
◦ Management: ( Fundamentals of management,
Accounting and etc…).
◦ Core IS : ( Information system management ,
Analysis and design and etc…).
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

4.  Hours percentage based.
 Two types of courses:
1. Mandatory courses : map the course to it’s area (the course available in the
model or not but it is classified to the same area) and add it’s hours to the total
area hours.
2. Optional (Selective) courses: the university teaches just some of these courses
i.e. for example the total number of the hours of these courses not equal to the
real number of hours teaches by the university.
Example : the total = 36 hours but actually 18 hours selected to be in the study
plan.
This case we only take the course with it’s weight multiply by it’s number of hours.
By the above example if selective course = 3 hours then it will take = 36/18 * 3 = 1.5
hours
We add this value to the total number of it’s area.
Note: we noted that almost every selective course has 3 hours.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

5. IS courses: 35%
KFU and KSU are close to the standard with less hours,
TAIBAH also close but with more hours
Qassim is the farthest.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

6. Computer Science
courses : 24%
There is more hours for the KFU, KAU and Taibah universities.
For Qassim U it seems like overhead.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

7. Management
courses : 12%
IMAM M.U. only has more hours in management than
the standard.
KSU and Qassim U have lower Management hours.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

8. Science
courses : 15%
KSU is the nearest one compared with the standard and
KTAIBAH and Qassim have noticeable less hours.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

9. Others courses :
14%
There is a noticeable variation among universities and
TAIBAH U is exactly like the Standard.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

10. What are the conclusions?
Based on discussions with Dr. and other collogues.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

11. Id Course name Credit-hours
1 Islamic culture(1,2) 4
2 English language (1,2,3) 8
3 Communication skills 2
4 Arabic( 1,2) 4
Total 18
Id Course name Credit-hours
1 Integration and Calculus 6
2 Physics 4
3 Statistics and Probabilities 4
4 Math 6
Total 20
Total Number of Hours = 130
Others:18 hours, 14%
Science:20 hours, 15%
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

12. Id Course name Credit-hours
1 Computer Programming 4
2 Data Structures 3
3 OOP Programming 3
4 Database Management Systems 6
5 Data and Network Communication 3
6 Internet & Web development Applications 3
7 Operating systems 3
8 Information Security 3
9 Introduction to Computer 3
Total 31
Computer Science: 31 hours, 24%
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

13. Id Course name Credit-hours
1 Introduction to Management 3
2 Organizational Behavior 3
3 Business Process Management 3
4 Decision Support Systems 3
5 Electronic Business 3
Total 15
Id Course name Credit-hours
1 Systems Analysis and Design 6
2 Management Information Systems 3
3 Information Systems Development 3
4 Introduction to Information Systems 3
5 Software Project Management (SE) 3
6 Enterprise Architecture 3
7 Information Systems Project management 3
8 Elective Course IS
1. IT Audit and Controls
2. IS Innovation and New Technologies
3. IT Security and Risk Management
4. Data warehousing
5. Data mining
6. Application Development.
15(5 courses)
9 Information System Engineering 3
10 Graduation Project 3
Total 45
Management courses: 15 hours, 12%
IS courses: 45hours, 35%
IS courses: 45hours, 35%
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU

14. Thanks
Dr. Hamdan Al-Sabri, CCIS-KSU