What is Computer Science (CS)?

"Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes"

Edsger Dijkstra

In other words, CS is not the study of computers. Now let's try to describe what CS is.

"Computer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their implementation and application in computer systems"

Wikipedia

CS is a relatively young field that combines basic research, systems research and applied research. Thus, CS does not deal merely with computer use, technology or software in the narrow sense, but is a science which encompasses abstract mathematical thinking and includes an element of engineering. The mathematical element asks questions such as "What are the limitations of the computer?" and includes finding solutions to problems, or in proving that such solutions do not exist. The engineering element demands skills for designing complex software systems. Just as the two elements combine within the knowledge area, they are intermixed in the programs of study.

• Computation theory and algorithms (data structures, algorithms, computability, etc.)
• Computer systems (computer architecture, operating systems, communication, decentralized systems, etc.)
• Database and information systems
• Programming languages and software engineering
• Applications (image processing, computer graphics, bioinformatics, etc.)

The Computer Science Division is the third largest department in the Open University and offers programs of study leading to undergraduate and graduate programs in Computer Science, certificate studies in Computer Science and a teaching certificate in Computer Science. More than 40 undergraduate courses, and more than 20 graduate courses, seminars and workshops are offered, on theoretical and applied topics. Most of the courses utilize distance-teaching technologies. Each year, more than 2,000 students are enrolled in courses offered by the Open University Computer Science Division.

The Division also offers dual-disciplinary programs of study in cooperation with other departments. These combine studies in Computer Science or in Computer Science - Systems & Applications with other fields of study.

Graduates of the Open University are employed today in the hi-tech industry and many have continued to graduate studies at institutions of higher education in Israel and abroad.

Qualified students can also take an M.Sc. in Computer Science. The degree aims to provide advanced academic knowledge and tools to deal with theoretical and applied topics in the forefront of CS research, and to train outstanding students in research work. The program is composed of courses in a variety of advanced topics, and a final project or thesis.

972-9-7781219 972-9-7781220	Fax: 972-9-7780605	cs@openu.ac.il