FACULTY OF SCIENCE

Bachelor of Science in Computer Informtion Systems

Course Description

CAIS 131  Computer Programming I  (Cr. 3)
This course introduces the fundamentals of procedural programming. Topics include basic concepts of computer organization, data types, control structures, functions, arrays, files, and the mechanics of running, testing, and debugging. The C++ programming language is used in this course.

CAIS 222  Computer Programming II  (Cr. 3)
This course introduces the object-oriented paradigm and programming using Java. It covers Java syntax and language features, compilation, interpretation, execution, class and object usage, graphical interfaces, and the Java API.  Programming solving techniques are also covered.
Prerequisite:  CAIS 131

CAIS 230  Foundations of Information Systems (Cr. 3)
This course is meant to introduce students to information systems and demonstrate how these systems are used to create competitive advantage. The main focus of this course will be on the key components of information systems - hardware, software, data, and communication technologies. Students will gain an understanding of how information is used in organizations and how IT enables improvement in quality, speed, and agility.
This course also provides an introduction to various types of information systems. Students will gain an understanding of how these systems help in organizational decision making and in increasing the efficiency of business processes.
Prerequisites: CAIS 131 or BUSA 227

CAIS 231 Computer Organization (Cr. 3)
This course presents basic concepts of computer organization.  Combinational and sequential digital circuits are studied.  Topics will include Boolean algebra, canonical forms of Boolean functions and the concept of a state machine.  Typical implementations and applications of digital circuits are discussed.  Students are introduced to basic models of a CPU and to data representation and manipulation at the machine instruction level.
Prerequisite: CAIS 131

CAIS 232 Computer Networks  (Cr. 3)
This course studies the theory and operation of computer networks. First it covers the basic concepts of signal analysis and computer communications including the OSI reference model. The course then explores aspects of digital data transmissions such as analog-digital conversion, channel capacity, signal encoding, and transmission media. It offers exposure to the LAN architecture, network layers and network topologies. Other topics include error detection and correction, congestion control and traffic management, data link layer protocols and multiplexing, circuit vs. packet switching.
Prerequisite: CAIS 131 or CAIS 230

CAIS 233  Systems Analysis and Design  (Cr. 3)
This course is an introduction to systems analysis and design concepts, methodologies, techniques and tools. The topics covered are software life-cycle and process models, software requirements and specifications, software design, fundamental design concepts and principles, software architecture, structured design; object-oriented analysis and design. As a result, this course concentrates on the early phases of systems analysis development and only lightly touches on implementation and maintenance.
Prerequisite: CAIS 131 or CAIS 230

CAIS 234 Internet, Web and TCP/IP  (Cr. 3)
This course covers the architecture of the TCP/IP protocol suite. Specific topics include UDP, FTP, HTTP, ARP, and ICMP protocols, IP classes, IP addressing, subnetting, and subnet masking. Students use common TCP/IP commands and utilities to conduct experiments in static and dynamic routing using the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF).  Students also learn to configure Web and FTP servers to enable web development and access to online databases.
Prerequisite: CAIS 232

CAIS 252 Introduction to Data Processing  (Cr. 2)
This is a service course offered for other departments that includes an introduction to computers and data processing the concept of information, bytes and bits, office automation like sending and receiving email, connecting and browsing the Internet, creating a document and processing it, creating a spread sheet and including formulas and charts. It also includes creating and managing presentations and an introduction to statistical data, collecting data and designing a questionnaire sheet, entering data using a spread sheet and producing frequency tables and cross tabulations in addition to averages.

CAIS 253 Web Design and Implementation (Cr. 2)
This is a service course to other departments in which student learn about website design. Topics include objectives and goals of web sites, content selection, artistic design and layout. Students are introduced to HTML and XHTML and use of an authoring system (such as FrontPage) to design and implement a web site including the use of simple java scripts.
Prerequisite: CAIS 252 or Consent of Instructor

CAIS 322  Algorithms and Data Structures  (Cr. 3)
This course introduces fundamental concepts of data structures and the algorithms that proceed from them. Topics include the underlying philosophy of object-oriented programming and recursion, the basics of algorithmic analysis including asymptotic analysis of algorithms and the “Big O” notation fundamental data structures including stacks, queues, linked lists, hash tables, trees, and graphs and their applications.
Prerequisite: CAIS 222, co-requisite Math 239               

CAIS 325 Data Base Management Systems  (Cr. 3)
This course introduces concepts and techniques of database systems. Topics include: information models, database system components, database system architecture, DBMS functions data independence, relational databases as mapping conceptual schema to a relational schema, relational algebra, relational database design and database query language SQL. Additional topics are: transaction processing, failure and recovery and concurrency control.  Student exercises are done in MySQL, Oracle or any other relational DBMS.
Prerequisite: CAIS 233

CAIS 326 Graphics and Multimedia Applications  (Cr. 3)
This course concerns the use of multimedia techniques for the integration of video and audio content with web pages and other media. The course covers the tools used to generate video files, editing and formatting for publishing, image processing, and techniques such as capturing, filtering, enhancing, and handling of large images, digitization, and archiving.   The course also covers web site programming with HTML and script coding.
Prerequisite: CAIS 131

CAIS 331 Operating Systems  (Cr. 3)
This course concerns the principles of operating systems. The topics covered are multi-process programming, resource sharing, deadlocks, memory management, file systems, security and protection, real-time issues, distributed computing and a comparison of popular operating systems. Practical work deals with configuring an OS as an administrator.
Prerequisite: CAIS 231

CAIS 335 Network Programming  (Cr. 3)
This is a continuation of the CAIS 232 Computer Networks. Emphasis is based on system programming, and protocol implementation and handling. Driver and network management, user profiles and controls are also covered.  The course has a focus on Windows NT and UNIX programming.
Prerequisite: CAIS 331, and CAIS 232

CAIS 351 Computer Architecture  (Cr. 3)
This course explores more sophisticated aspects of computer organization. Topics covered are: instruction set design, data representation and arithmetic including floating point, MIPS CPU design, instruction pipelining, memory architectures including cache, virtual memory and RAID, interfacing and communications including interrupts and IO programming and parallel computing architectures.
Prerequisite: CAIS 231

CAIS 352 Embedded and Real-Time Systems (Cr. 3)
This course is about using microprocessors as an integral part of a larger system.  In many cases software must perform tasks within strict time constraints.  The course starts with a survey of interfacing techniques including interrupts, DMA and analog-digital conversion.  Then the choice of architecture is considered: microcontroller, DSP etc.  Finally the course covers the programming methods and operating systems used to meet timing constraints as well as power, cost and expandability constraints.
Prerequisite: CAIS 351

CAIS 361 Artificial Intelligence (Cr. 3)
This course is a survey of approaches used to design machines which imitate human intelligence.  Topics include problem solving using search and heuristics, theory of logical inference and the use of inference-base systems, knowledge representation, agents and planning, dealing with uncertainty, machine learning including neural networks and Bayes nets and their application to pattern recognition.
Prerequisite: CAIS 322

CAIS 362 Compiler Theory and Design   (Cr. 3)
This course covers the following topics: the basic theory of compilers and linguistics, formal grammar, parsing methods and lexical analysis, code generation, local and global code optimization and dynamic allocation, meta commands, and compiler directives, translators and interpreters.
Prerequisite: CAIS 322 and CAIS 351

CAIS 371 Computer Security  (Cr. 3)
This course covers the following topics: the concept of computer security; the definition of security and infringement on security; user and profiles; system and object privileges; optimal performance; synonyms; simple security measures ranging from password protection to user control. Session control parameters. Firewalls and other security techniques; data encryption and coding; and security on levels of operating system and data base applications.
Prerequisite: CAIS 232

CAIS 372 Geographic Information Systems  (Cr. 3)
This course covers the following topics: an introduction to GIS; geographical maps and images in vector as well as bit-map format; layers and their significance; data acquisition, digitization and capture; data integration, projection and registration; the data structures and databases used in GIS; data modeling and an introduction to remote sensing.  Application in this course focuses on using GIS software to provide GIS databases for field-related applications.
Prerequisite: CAIS 131

CAIS 375 Mobile Application Development (Cr. 3)
In this course students learn to develop mobile applications. This course gives students the opportunity to apply the programming principles, software architecture and user experience considerations that are specific for mobile applications. The course involves implementing a complete mobile application.
Prerequisite: CAIS 222 and CAIS 233

CAIS 400 CIS Internship (Cr. 3)
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to use/apply in a real life setting what they have learned during the course of their degree. Moreover, it is intended to develop students’ practical skills and to reflect on their university experience. This course is organized to be offered in the Summer semester. There are no class lectures but rather scheduled weekly meeting with the instructor. There will be no test or exams. A detailed written plan of action will be developed for every student in order to know the type and amount of work that will be expected.
Prerequisite: Department approval 

CAIS 401 Senior Practicum (Cr. 2)
This is a team-based research project to design and implement an information technology solution to a practical problem from science or business.  The problem is of sufficient complexity as to require team members to partition and coordinate their efforts for successful completion.  The required written and oral reports are evaluated by a team of reviewers.
Prerequisite: Department approval  

CAIS 421 Object Oriented Programming (Cr. 3)
This course covers the principles and concepts of object-oriented programming and OO design. It offers an in-depth overview of classes and objects, template classes and methods, inheritance, polymorphism, and exception handling. Emphasis is placed on windows programming, event handling, graphical user interface design, testing,debugging, and program control.
Prerequisite: CAIS 222

CAIS 425 Management of Information Systems (Cr. 3)
This course covers the following topics: procedures and protocols for administration of information systems (IS) in business environments; the role of IS as a decision support tool; job descriptions and the interaction of personnel with IS; ensuring information integrity and security; strategies for IS performance evaluation, planning and maintenance; societal and ethical issues related to IS design and use.  Case studies are taken from real-life experiences to enable the student to benefit from this course.
Prerequisite: CAIS 233, Recommended CAIS 325

CAIS 429 Special Topics (Cr. 3)
This is a senior year advanced level course in subjects that are the current state-of-the-art topics in information technology and computing sciences and engineering. Topics are selected and prepared by the teacher, approved by the department, and announced to the students at the time of registration.
Prerequisite: Department approval

CAIS 430 Advanced Speadsheets (Cr. 3)
This course demonstrates how to exploit seldom-used features of Microsoft Excel to create more efficient and sophisticated spreadsheets.  The student will design spreadsheets 1) to do complex “what-if” calculations, 2) to summarize data sets conveniently in a variety of ways and 3) to display analytic results for effective visualization.
Prerequisites: CAIS 131 or BUSA 227

CAIS 432 Data Mining (Cr. 3)
This course instructs students how to access and combine information from diverse sources of very large data sets and use this information to create models that are useful gaining new insight into data patterns and for making predictions.
Prerequisite: CAIS 233

CAIS 433 Object-Oriented Systems Design (Cr. 3)
This course studies object-oriented methods of software systems design and development. Topics included are: the application of modules and sub modules, using object-oriented data bases, and OO programming language methodologies and implementation. This course completes the information studied in CAIS 325, database management systems, but with direct hands-on application using an Oracle-like environment to design and implement information systems.
Prerequisite: CAIS 222, and CAIS 325

CAIS 443 Web Content Design (Cr. 3)
This course is an introduction to client and server-side design, creation, and maintenance of web pages and websites. Emphasis is put on web design standards and quality evaluation. The course concludes with a web design project.
Prerequisite: BUSA 227 or CAIS 131

CAIS 445 Web Server Design and Implementation (Cr. 3)
This course covers the following topics: servers and clients; functions and characteristics of Web servers; Web sites and their basics; advanced Web ASP.NET programming and HTML. Using AJAX in Web sites and XML and client-server programming in ASP.NET/C#. The course also gives insights to CGI, HTTP, and XML and discusses dynamic web development, error handling, session management methodologies, and interfacing to online databases with SQL.
Prerequisite: CAIS 234

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems

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Bethlehem University Foundation
Email: dc@bethlehem.edu
Phone: +1-202-526-6097
Fax: +1-202-526-6096
Washington, DC USA
Bethlehem University in the Holy Land
E-mail: info@bethlehem.edu
Phone: +972-2-274-1241
Fax: +972-2-274-4440
Bethlehem, Palestine

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