The Preparatory program operates in two fifteen weeks semesters. General studies courses are designed to provide fundamentals for the specialization programs by offering variety of courses in Science and Math. Courses provided by the department of General studies for preparatory year programs are listed below:
GS Course Descriptions
MATH 011 Mathematics I (4-0-4) Pre-Requisite: None
This
course is mainly a theoretical course. It is designed to provide basic
and fundamental knowledge of math concepts that is required in further
study courses. The topics include: Real numbers, integral exponents and
scientific notation, polynomials and their operations, rational
functions, radicals, complex numbers, equations and inequalities in one
variable, linear & quadratic equations, non-linear inequalities in
one variable, linear & quadratic functions and their graphs,
synthetic division, fundamental theorem of algebra and graphs of
polynomial and rational functions. The students may work on computers
using the provided software for enhancement of the different math topics
of the course.
MATH 012 Mathematics II (4-0-4) Pre-Requisite: MATH 011
This
course is mainly a theoretical course. It is designed to build a strong
base in algebra and trigonometry that is needed for further courses.
The topics include: Exponential and logarithmic functions and their
equations, trigonometric functions of any angle, fundamental properties
of sine and cosine graphs, trigonometric identities, trigonometric
equations and inverse trigonometric functions, systems of linear
equations in two and three variables, matrices and determinants, solving
linear systems by matrix and determinant methods. The students may work
on computers using the provided software for enhancement of the
different math topics of the course.
GS 021 College Study Skills (0-2-1) Pre-Requisite: None
This
is a preparatory year course aimed at addressing issues facing new
students on transferring from the secondary to further college
education. Skills gained during this course include motivation, time
management, effective participation and note writing in lectures, and
preparing for exams.
GS 161 Arabic Practical Grammar (2-0-2) Pre-Requisite: None
Selection
of aspects of Arabic grammar essential for written and spoken
communication in everyday life with emphasis on correct grammar usage.
GS 262 Arabic Professional Writing (2-0-2) Pre-Requisite: GS 161
Characteristics
and types of formal writing: reports; scientific research; summaries;
forms; resume; evaluations and minutes of meetings.
GS 363 Arabic Communication Skills (2-0-2) Pre-Requisite: GS 262
Promoting
interactive skills and techniques for social, academic and professional
life: dialogue; presentations; persuasion and developing a positive
approach.
GS 171 Beliefs and its Consequences (2-0-2) Pre-Requisite: None
The
roots of the true faith. Special characteristics of Islamic faith. The
Islamic view of the universe, mankind and life. Means for enrichment of
life and beliefs.
GS 272 Professional Ethics (2-02) Pre-Requisite: GS 171
Importance
of ethics in Islam and the integration of worship and aspects of
professional life. Suitability criteria for employment in Islam.
Standards for professional behavior. Employee interaction with others.
Application of Islam to professional violations. Saudi Laws and
professional behavior.
GS 373 Human Rights in Islam (2-0-2) Pre-Requisite: GS 272
The
dignity of mankind and basic human rights. The Islamic viewpoint of
human rights, its distinguishing characteristics, and debates related to
this issue.
SCI 051 Physical Sciences (1-3-2) Pre-Requisite: None
This
course is both theoretical and practical and composed of two major
components, chemistry and physics. The former part is designed to
provide an introductory knowledge for students in chemistry. The course
enables students to learn about the atoms and periodic table, elements
of chemistry, mixtures, chemical bonding molecular mixing, acids and
bases, oxidation reduction and organic compounds with its related
subjects such as drugs and plastics. The practical components of the
course include laboratory experience to develop the students' ability in
experimentation, observation, measurements and also documentation. The
physics part, on the other hand, provides students with sufficient
understanding and knowledge in
Physics, and develops their physics practical skills to meet
the requirement of their respective specializations. The main topics
include Mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, and waves - sound
and light.
MATH 113 Math for Management I (3-0-3) Pre-Requisite: MATH 012
Linear
equations and inequalities. Systems of linear equations, basic material
on matrices. Elementary introduction to linear programming. Counting
techniques, Permutations and combinations. Probability for finite sample
space. Basic concepts in statistics. Topics in the mathematics of
finance.
MATH 114 Math for Management II (3-0-3) Pre-Requisite: MATH 113
The
derivative. Rules for differentiation. Derivative of logarithmic,
exponential, and trigonometric functions. Differentials. Growth and
decay models. Definite and indefinite integrals. Techniques of
integration. Integrals involving logarithmic, exponential and
trigonometric functions. Integration by tables. Area under a curve and
between curves. Functions of several variables. Partial derivatives and
their applications to optimization.
MATH 117 Statistical Methods for Management I (2-3-3) Pre-Requisite: MATH 113
Frequency tables; histogram; measures of central tendency and dispersion; correlations as a
descriptive measure; probability theory; sampling; probability descriptions; estimation and
confidence intervals; applications for managerial decisions.
MATH 118 Statistical Methods for Management II (2-3-3) Pre-Requisite: MATH 117
Hypothesis
testing for means and variances; index numbers and time series; liner
simple and multiple regression and correlation analysis; the chi-squared
and F distributions and their applications.
MATH 111 Calculus I (4-0-4) Pre-Requisite: MATH 012
Limits
and continuity of functions of a single variable. Differentiability.
Techniques of differentiation. Implicit differentiation. Local extrema,
first and second derivative tests for local extrema. Concavity and
inflection points. Curve sketching. Applied extrema problems. The Mean
Value Theorem and applications.
MATH 112 Calculus II (4-0-4) Pre-Requisite: MATH 111
Definite
and indefinite integrals of functions of a single variable. Fundamental
Theorem of Calculus. Techniques of integration. Hyperbolic functions.
Applications of the definite integral to area, volume, arc length and
surface of revolution. Improper integrals. Sequences and series:
convergence tests, integral, comparison, ratio and root tests.
Alternating series. Absolute and conditional convergence. Power series.
Taylor and Maclaurin series.
MATH 211 Calculus III (3-0-3) Pre-Requisite: MATH 112
Polar
coordinates, polar curves, area in polar coordinates. Vectors, lines,
planes and surfaces. Cylindrical and spherical coordinates. Functions of
two and three variables, limits and continuity. Partial derivatives,
directional derivatives. Extrema of functions of two variables. Double
integrals, double integrals in polar coordinates. Triple integrals,
triple integrals in cylindrical and spherical coordinates.
MATH 216 Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (3-0-3) Pre-Requisite: MATH 112
Systems
of linear equations. Rank of matrices. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
Vector spaces, subspaces, bases, dimensions. Invertible matrices.
Similar matrices. Diagonalizable matrices. Block diagonal and Jordan
forms. First order differential equations: separable and exact. The
homogeneous differential equations with constant coefficients.
Wronskian. Nonhomogeneous differential equations. Methods of
undetermined coefficients and variation of parameters. Systems of
differential equations. Non-homogeneous systems.
MATH 312 Probability & Statistics (2-3-3) Pre-Requisite: MATH 112
Presentation
and interpretation of data, elementary probability concepts, random
variables and probability distributions, binomial, Poisson, exponential,
Weibull, normal and log normal random variables. Estimation, tests of
hypotheses for the one sample problem. Simple and multiple linear
regression, application to engineering problems. The lab session will be
devoted to problem solving using statistics software.
SCI 152 General Physics I (3-3-4) Pre-Requisite: SCI 051
First
course of calculus-based, general physics sequence. Topics covered
include particle kinematics and dynamics; conservation of energy and
linear momentum rotational kinematics; rigid body dynamics; conservation
of angular momentum simple harmonic motion; gravitation; the static and
dynamics of fluids.
SCI 153 General Physics II (3-3-4) Pre-Requisite: SCI 152
A
continuation of General Physics I. Topics covered include: wave motion
and sound, temperature, first and second law of thermodynamics; kinetic
theory of gases coulomb's law; the electric field; Gauss' law; electric
potential; capacitors an dielectrics; D.C. circuits; the magnetic field;
ampere's and Faraday's laws.
SCI 154 General Chemistry (3-3-4) Pre-Requisite: SCI 051
Chemical
bonding, stoichiometry of pure substances, reactions, state of matter
(gases, liquids, and solids), mixtures (with emphasis on some physical
aspects of solutions), thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, acids,
bases and electrochemistry.
SCI 155 Physics for Interior Design (2-3-3) Pre-Requisite SCI 051
Particle
kinematics and dynamics, conservation of energy and linear momentum,
temperature, first and second law of thermodynamics, simple harmonic
motion, wave motion and sound, structure of matter, electromagnetic
waves, images, interference and diffraction.