Course descriptions

Introduction to machine learning principles, algorithms and applications. Topics include regression, classification, clustering, artificial neural networks and model evaluation.

Internship in computer science provides students with an opportunity to integrate theory and practice in a work setting. The course helps students to grow professionally and intellectually. It also sharpens their communication and teamwork skills. Enrolled students are required to complete a minimum of 150 working hours at approved organizations.

Introduction to eCommerce. Topics include electronic data interchange, digital currency, electronic catalogs, telecommunications infrastructure, data warehousing, software agents, storage retrieval, cryptographic techniques, and different levels of security.

Introduction to user interface design principles and techniques. Topics include user and task analysis, interaction design, interaction elements and styles, design patterns, visual communication, prototyping, and evaluation of different user interfaces.

Techniques for software validation and verification. Topics include: concepts of software quality (metrics, assurance, planning & implementation, process standards, validation, verification, reviews, walkthroughs and inspections). Software testing process and techniques at different levels. Validating test data.

Introduction to software maintenance and re-engineering. Topics include evolution and maintenance models, re-engineering, legacy information systems, impact analysis, refactoring, program comprehension, principles of reuse and reverse engineering, approaches, and tools used to extract information from existing software systems.

Principles and techniques for designing and implementing a compiler. Topics include lexical analysis, parsing techniques, syntax-directed translation, intermediate languages, and code generation.

Survey of artificial intelligence techniques. Topics include search, logic, knowledge representation, reasoning with uncertainty, learning, and other AI techniques.

Introduction to digital image processing. Topics include Digital image fundamentals, intensity transformations, and spatial filtering, filtering in frequency domain, Image restoration and reconstruction, Color image processing, Image compression, and Image segmentation.

The senior capstone course provides computer science students the opportunity to employ knowledge gained from courses throughout the curriculum to develop a software solution to a real-world problem from conception to completion. Students work in teams to develop software applications. Advanced methods related to requirements analysis, software design, project management, documentation and testing, programming techniques, and database designs will be applied on an incremental basis since the emphasis is on semester-long capstone team projects.

This course is an in-depth study of software development processes in the context of an actual project. Discussion includes object-oriented processes, such as Rational Unified Process, as well as process management issues such as scheduling, risk-assessment, various metrics, and the selection of appropriate development methodology and tools.

Introduction to computer communications networks. Topics include circuit-switching, packet switching, TCP/IP model layers, and wireless networks.

Design & implementation of operating systems. Topics include basic operating system structure, process and thread management, deadlocks, memory management, file management, input / output management, and distributed systems.

Introduction to computer security and privacy. Topics include security in programs, operating systems, networks and databases.

Topics in Computer Science

Introduction to Academic Research in Computer Science. Topics include: Research techniques and approaches, Computer Science research areas and metrics, literature review, writing a research paper, referencing and citations, and developing an effective workflow.

Practicum in Computer Science prepares students for successful computing related careers. The course aims to train and certify the students with market demanding fields such as computer networks, database systems, computer system/ applications, business and leadership etc.

Introduction to the design, development, and implementation of innovative solutions across various cutting-edge technologies. This course empowers students to tackle real-world problems by utilizing the latest technological tools and services. Students collaborate to create impactful projects, guided by both industry professionals and academic mentors, to address challenges in business and community settings.

Introduction to ethics theory and ethical decision making within the computing profession context. Topics include local and global impact of computing solutions, intellectual property, privacy, network security, electronic crimes and computer reliability.

This course is an examination of the concepts, theorems and problems which are fundamental to an understanding of economic decision making. Emphasis is on the real-life examples of fundamental concepts and application of quantitative methods to the solution of individual decision-making problems of households, firms and industries.

This is an introductory course in macroeconomics. The course is designed to introduce students to the essential concepts of macroeconomics. The approach is both analytical and policy oriented. Macroeconomics looks at the big picture of the economy. The course focuses on understanding the main macroeconomic problems, such as recession, inflation, and unemployment. In addition, the course analyses how fiscal and monetary policies can be used to influence macroeconomic performance and long-term growth.

Kuwait Economy will address the economic issues surrounding Kuwait. International trade, energy economics, cartels, optimal extraction rates, the Central Bank of Kuwait, and foreign investment issues are some of the topics that will be discussed. The class will draw on Kuwait’s rich history for examples and classroom discussions. Students are required to have taken introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics previously.

?This course is projected to help students understand the connections between money, financial markets, the banking sector and the macro-economy. How are interest rates determined and behave? How does the Federal Reserve (and central banks in general) conduct monetary policy? The course dedicates specific attention to the banking sector with an emphasis on their function, position, and importance in financial markets. Topics will include the role of the Federal Reserve as a lender of last resort during the recent, and previous, financial crises, unconventional monetary policy tools such as quantitative easing and forward guidance. We will often begin class with a discussion of current macro-financial market events in the context of our course coverage.

This course will provide an analytical framework for the understanding of the reasons for international trade in products and services. Students will learn to identify the determinants and patterns of international trade, and the effects on exchange rates of international capital flows in a free global market economy. The course will cover the role of international institutions in the development of international trade, financial markets, and economic growth. Students will be introduced to policies that distort international trade and prevent the development of comparative advantage, specialization and economic development.

This course is a survey of economic growth as applied to developed and developing countries. The course will include an analysis of development policies with emphasis on case studies.

International Energy Markets develops the basic economic foundations, technical and institutional knowledge necessary to formulate and implement sound economic, business and governmental policy decisions as they relate to international energy industries and institutions. This course will assist the student in understanding international energy markets, pricing, policies, and profits. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the energy markets from a producing country’s point of view.

We are living in an explosive era of readily available Big Data and statistics. Billions of users of cell phones, internet, GPS and medical devices generate 2.5 quintillion bytes of new data every day. The demand for analysts that can untangle and generate creative applications from this deluge of new data has never been higher across all walks of life. The course is designed to provide an understanding of fundamental concepts of data analysis and to use statistical and probabilistic thinking in the context of the modern business world. Particular emphasis will be placed on applying the theory to practical, real-world examples to enhance skills as an analyst, manager and observer of the world in general.

This course is an introduction to the applications of economics as a science and a profession. The course introduces students to the skills and tools that make economics an attractive and enjoyable field as an overview of economic data and current debates. The course builds on the knowledge that the student acquired in the principles classes and applies it to a variety of economic issues around the globe.

This course is an examination of the concepts, theorems and problems which are fundamental to an understanding of economic decision making. Emphasis is on the real-life examples of fundamental concepts and application of quantitative methods to the solution of individual decision making problems of households, firms and industries.

This course applies microeconomic analysis to specific business decisions. Managerial economics welds together microeconomic theory and the insights of management science in a decision-making format. This course concerns both theory and practice. Emphasis will be placed on demand analysis and estimation, production and cost analysis under different market conditions, and business and economic forecasting.

Natural Resource Economics considers the efficient and equitable use of society’s scarce natural resources. Natural resources include minerals, oil, fish, water and environmental systems. Natural resource use will be considered from three perspectives: the market allocation of natural resources, efficient and equitable allocations, and government attempts to achieve a more efficient and equitable allocation. The course will study in detail when the market is, and is not, capable of efficiently allocating natural resources.

The course will cover the following topics: construction of statistical models, especially the use of statistical tools and techniques such as chi-square tests of independence, analysis of variance, simple and multiple linear regressions and correlation, and the use of extrapolating methods such moving average and exponential smoothing.

Econometrics is concerned with how to use statistical methods and procedures for economic data. Econometrics techniques have been increasingly used in macroeconomics and applied microeconomics. It is concerned with estimating relationships, testing theories, and evaluating and forecasting impacts of business decisions. This course is designed to provide the students with sufficient knowledge of statistics and econometrics to be able to evaluate and interpret econometrics research that use basic linear regression methods. After completion of this course, students should be able to perform tasks of data collection, modeling of econometrics relationships, estimating and testing of the model, and interpreting and using the estimation results.

This course will cover special topics in Economics that are not covered in other Economics courses.

Managerial economics is a branch of economics that applies microeconomics analysis to business decisions. To effectively manage a company, the manager needs to have a good understanding of market mechanisms, consumer behavior, production decisions, costs, competition strategies and internal organization. We will gradually develop these economic concepts and show how they can be applied to managerial decisions. The analysis and principles that we learn in this course will serve as a building blocks for the understanding of other business subjects such as accounting, marketing, corporate finance and human resource management.

This course is designed to have a through understanding of the role of money and banks in the broader economy and the unique role of banks in the financial system. We aim to translate the jargon of money and banking in to plain language. We will shine a light on banking, reveal how central banks operate monetary policy and why they sometimes pursue different approaches in tackling the recent challenges. This course focuses on the interest rates, role of money in the economy, banking industry, central banking monetary theory , the theory that relates changes in the quantity of money to changes in the aggregate economic activity and the price level, how banks play a crucial role in the economy, why financial crises occur, policy responses to those crises and lessons learned associated with recent financial crises. Students will master the fundamentals of the monetary theory and its relevance to policy making.

The main purpose of this course is to help students meet the demand for econometrics and forecasting methods required by employers and decision-makers. Special emphasis will be given to time-series models used in business and economic forecasting and the practical application of the procedures discussed through the use of computer exercises. Example of topics are: forecasting with regression models, heteroskedasticity and cross-sectional, auto-correlation and time-series models, and causality analysis. The course is taught in a computer lab with a two hour lecture and a one hour tutorial per week. The most up to date software will be utilized and details will be given in the course outlines.

Focuses on energy resource valuation, economic incentives, and institutional arrangements that allow us to analyze energy's use as a natural resource and provide the means to develop effective decision tools useful for policy planning and decision making in the energy market place.

Develops an analytical framework for understanding international trade in energy products and services, identifies patterns in international trade, capital flows; examines the role of international institutions in trade, finance and economic growth; analyzes policies that prevents the development of comparative advantage, specialization and economic development. Concepts, techniques and advanced application of economic theory. Emphasis placed on focused analysis addressing selected economic topics and understanding the core issues. Appropriateness and defensibility of a variety of economic approaches will be examined.

A study of the factors underlying international energy markets, policy instruments, and international financial management. Topics include the influence of imperfectly competitive market structures, macroeconomic policy impacts, international risk, foreign investment, foreign exchange determination, and international working capital issues as they apply to the energy industry.

Topics in Economics

Advanced Topics in Economics

The course introduces students to the principles, concepts and practices of corporate financial management, and the theories and applications underlying the financial decision making process. The major topics covered include financial statement analysis, risk and returns, time value of money, valuation of stocks and bonds, capital structure and its cost, and capital budgeting.

Corporate Finance focuses on financial decision-making and its impact on the economic value of the firm. The course provides practical applications and is based on modern financial theory, with an emphasis on valuation and risk management. The course focuses on four major parts in corporate finance. Part one: risk and the required rate of return. This part examines cost of capital. Part two: long term investment decisions. This part examines capital budgeting techniques, capital budgeting cash flows, risk and refinement in capital budgeting. Part three: Long-term financial decisions. This part examines leverage and capital structure, in addition to payout policy. Part four: Short-term financial decision. This part examines working capital and current asset management, in addition to current liabilities management. Throughout the topics covered, this course reviews the ethical and financial implications of business decisions and their impact on the value of the firm.

?This course provides students with a thorough understanding of the application of quantitative models in finance. While the finance theory is briefly reviewed, the majority of course consists of hands-on application of modeling, examination of different approaches to building financial models. The course emphasizes on the use of real financial data and familiarizes students with various sources and uses of financial data. The course covers various financial information sources as well as technologies as they relate to the modeling applications. It also utilizes various financial functions in Excel.

This course is an introductory investment course that focuses on practical applications as well as analytical aspects of investment theories. This course provides an overview about the investment background, introduces the developments in investment theory, the investment evaluation principles and practices. More precisely, this course overviews the investment process, asset allocation decision, global market investment decision. Also, it provides the basic knowledge about securities markets, security market indexes, and capital market efficiency. In addition, this course presents an introduction to portfolio management, asset pricing models and multifactor models of risk and return, keeping in mind the ethical dimensions in making the investment decisions.

?This course is developed to provide students with detailed understanding of identifying financial risks facing financial institutions, namely interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk (individual loan risk and loan portfolio and concentration risk), off-balance sheet risk, foreign exchange risk, and country and liquidity risks. The course will focus on the impact made on firms' profitability and owners' equity.

Real Estate is a multi-faceted field, encompassing both an operating industry and a broad category of investments. It has its institutional features, jargon, and investment structure. This course provides a broad overview of the real estate field. This co covers the fundamentals of real estate investments including the wide range of instruments for financing, investing, controlling risk available in today's financial markets, organizations, structuring of real estate securitization and participant the market. It requires the application of financial and economic analysis.

The purpose of the course is to introduce financial thinking, tools and techniques adapted to the realm of entrepreneurship. The course introduces the theories, knowledge and financial tools an entrepreneur and investment banker require to start, build and harvest a successful venture. The course will include how and when to interact with financial institutions and regulatory agencies to take a venture to its potential and provide the return and liquidity to its shareholders.

This course establishes the ability to read banks' financial statements, discuss the different bank accounts, and represent the basics of banks' ratio analysis. Besides, this course describes the potential risks banks face in their daily operations, and the types of exposures they deal while giving more emphasis on the credit risk by representing the assets- liability management (gap management) concept. Also, this course provides an application of financial management concepts to the liquidity management, investment portfolio analysis, capital budgeting, and capital structure decision-making process required by a commercial and Islamic bank to perform its financial intermediation role within the financial system's institutional, regulatory, and competitive environment effectively.