Program Overview

PhD in Computer Science

The PhD in Computer Science is a premier research-based programme leading to a doctoral degree. Students in this programme spend the first two semesters on advanced courses before embarking on a research project that culminates in a research dissertation.

Structure of Programme

All graduate research students are admitted directly into a full-time graduate programme that leads to either:

• Doctor in Philosophy (PhD), if the candidate passes the Qualifying Examination (QE)
• Master of Science (MSc), if the candidate fails the Qualifying Examination but is allowed to complete as an MSc candidate

PhD students admitted to the Department of Computer Science will follow the structure for the CS PhD programme:

• Year 1:
  • Semester 1: 8 units coursework + CS6101 (Exploration of CS Research)
  • Semester 2: 8 units coursework + Research
• Year 2:
  • Semester 1: 8 units coursework + Qualifying Examination (QE)
  • Semester 2: Research
• Year 3:
  • Semester 1: Research + Thesis Proposal/Doctoral Seminar
  • Semester 2: Research
• Year 4:
  • Semester 1: Research
  • Semester 2: PhD Defense (Seminar Presentation + Oral Defense)

Coursework Requirements

All CS PhD candidates must complete the number of courses as indicated in the above structure. The courses must satisfy all of the following three conditions:

1. At least 12 units must be at level 6000, and at least another 8 units must be at level 5000 or above. Only a maximum of 4 units level 4000 is allowed.
2. At least 16 units must be offered by the CS department. CS PhD students may take at most 8 units of courses at level 5000 or above offered by other departments.
3. At least 4 units each in any three of the five clusters:

• Algorithm and Theory
• Computer Systems
• Knowledge Systems
• Media Technologies
• Programming Language and Software Engineering

4. At most 4 units can be CS/CU-graded.

PhD Qualifying Examination (QE)

The QE is to be taken by all postgraduate students, and the PhD candidate must pass his/her QE 18 months after admission. A maximum of two attempts will be allowed. The PhD QE will be offered twice a year, at the end of each semester for CS candidates. The research scholarship will be terminated the moment a student fails the QE. He/She will complete the rest of the degree requirements as an MSc candidate.

PhD Thesis Proposal / Doctoral Seminar

The Thesis Proposal is an important component of the PhD programme. It should highlight the significance of the research topic, its goal, the approach adopted, and work to be done. A PhD candidate must pass his/her thesis proposal by the end of Year 4. The proposal will be examined by two faculty members of SoC who are familiar with the area of research in the proposal. A maximum of two attempts are allowed.

PhD Defense

The PhD Defense will be pre-scheduled when the candidate submits his/her thesis. It will comprise of an open seminar presentation, followed by a close-door oral examination. Seminar presentation should take about 30 to 40 minutes. This will be a public talk open to both staff and students. After the presentation, a 10-minute Q&A session will be available for the public.

Duration of Programme

The maximum candidature period inclusive of periods of approved study leave for PhD programme is 5 years.

Language of Instruction

The language of instruction for the graduate programmes is English.