Certificate - it looks more like a Masters degree to me ??

A friend is studying for certificate in Comuter Sciense in Open University of Israel. DL

When I checked the program, boy this could be a Masters degree
in CS and not just a certificate.


Certificate Studies

Certificate Studies in Computer Science



Certificate Studies in Computer Science are intended for students with a Bachelor's degree in Exact Sciences or Engineering who are interested in continuing their education in Computer Science. Graduates in other fields will be able to register for the program after taking all the prerequisites required in Mathematics and Computer Science, as detailed below.

The program provides basic knowledge in Computer Science and includes theoretical and applied courses from the B.A. program in Computer Science. The program provides a good basis for continued studies towards a graduate degree in Computer Science and for work in the field. Students who have completed certificate studies may apply for graduate studies. Acceptance to the M.Sc. program will depend on their grades in both undergraduate and certificate studies.

The program includes ten courses (seven required courses and three electives); a total of about 50 credits.

The program is based on prior knowledge from Mathematics courses required for the B.A. in Computer Science and Introduction to Computer Science (20427) or a similar course in level and content. Students lacking prior knowledge will be required to supplement their knowledge before beginning the program.

Every individual program of study towards a Certificate in Computer Science must be approved by the Study Programs Approval Committee. To receive such approval, applicants may submit a request to the Committee (along with their undergraduate diploma), at the beginning or during the course of their studies. We recommend that students submit the request after completing two or three courses. A prerequisite to admission is an undergraduate degree in Exact Sciences or Engineering, or in another field, with appropriate supplementary courses.

Applicants who have taken academic courses in Computer Science in the framework of their prior academic studies may submit a request for accreditation of prior studies to the Study Program Approval Committee together with the request for approval of their program of study. In any case, every student will be required to enroll in at least six courses from among the courses required for the Certificate in Computer Studies.

For counseling and additional information, consult an academic advisor in Computer Science.

The Certificate in Computer Science program includes the following courses:

Required Courses:
Level
Credits

Discrete Mathematics: Set Theory, Combinatorics and Logic (20283)
intermediate
4

Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithms (20407)
intermediate
6

Algorithms (20417)
intermediate
4

Automata Theory and Formal Languages (20440)
intermediate
4

Software Engineering: Abstraction and Object-Oriented Design (20442)
inter. / adv.
3 + 3

Introduction to System Programming with C (20386)
advanced
3

or Advanced Programming with Java (20554)
advanced
4

Principles of Operating Systems (20354)
advanced
6





Electives (three courses, including at least one advanced course, and no more than one workshop):

Algorithmics: The Foundations of Computer Science (20290)
intermediate
4

Computer Organization and Programming (20420)
intermediate
4

Database Systems (20277)
intermediate
3

Principles of Information Systems Development (20436)
intermediate
6

Introduction to Coding Theory (20296)
intermediate
3

Prolog and Artificial Intelligence (20284)
inter. / adv.
3 + 3

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (20551)
advanced
4

Advanced Programming with Java (20554)
advanced
4

Computer Networks I (20398)
advanced
4

Computer Networks II (20550)
advanced
4

Compilation (20364)
advanced
6

Computability and Introduction to Complexity (20365)
advanced
6

Computational Complexity (20545)
advanced
4

Database Systems Implementation (20574)
advanced
4

Computer Graphics (20562)
advanced
4

Workshop: C++ (20502)
adv. seminar
3

Workshop: Advanced Programming with Java (20503)
adv. seminar
3

Workshop: Essentials of Programming Languages (20504)
adv. seminar
3

Workshop: Database Systems (20563)
adv. seminar
3




Linear Algebra (20109); Infinitesimal Calculus I (20106); Differential and Integral Calculus II (20423) or Infinitesimal Calculus II and III (20212; 20224); Probability for Computer Science Students (20425); Discrete Mathematics: Set Theory, Combinatorics and Logic (20283) - Students with a degree in Exact Sciences or Engineering may take this course as part of the certificate studies.


Students who took Automata Theory and Formal Languages (20242, 6 credits) are exempt from this course.


or Software Engineering with Ada (20271) which is no longer offered


For students without advanced knowledge of C.


For students with advanced knowledge of C.

 

At first glance, perhaps, but not really. Many of the courses listed are what I would consider to be part of an undergraduate CS program (which is often a requirement, or contains key prerequisites, for a Master's degree in CS). A large number of them cover the basics of various programming languages, also a key component to an undergraduate program.

I would think a student showing up on day one of a Master's program that hadn't had "Discrete Mathematics: Set Theory, Combinatorics and Logic ", "Introduction to Coding Theory", or "Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithms" (as three quick examples) would not be an ideal candidate.

Some of the classes below appear that they could contain graduate-level material, but overall, I would say this isn't the case.

Consider this info from the University of Georgia's Master's in CS program:

- A baccalaureate degree is required, preferably with a major in Computer Science or an allied discipline.

- Students with insufficient background in Computer Science must take undergraduate Computer Science courses to remedy any deficiencies (in addition to their graduate program). A sufficient background in Computer Science must include at least the following courses (or equivalent):

• Analytic Geometry and Calculus
• Integral Calculus
• Introduction to Computing and Programming (alt. CSCI 7010)
• Software Development
• Systems Programming
• Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
• Introduction to Theory of Computing
• Data Structures

Then there is the core curriculum:

• CSCI 6470 Algorithms
• CSCI 6610 Automata and Formal Languages
• CSCI 6050 Software Engineering
• CSCI 6370 Database Management
• CSCI 6570 Compilers
• CSCI 6720 Computer Architecture and Organization
• CSCI 6730 Operating Systems
• CSCI 6760 Computer Networks: Technology and Application
• Plus electives

Then there is the thesis, the research component, the graduate-level examination, and the GRE (for entrance).

Just my two pfennigs ...

Cheers.

 

So unixman, based on your quick analysis of the program requirements (at least the couse listing), would you think that this might be a "cross-over" program? By this I mean a program that allows people without a big CS background to pick up some preliminary courses and then build on those in order to to slide into the computer field?
Just curious.
Jack

 

Possibly. But, of course, I know nothing of the Israeli education system ... so who knows?