The Artificial Intelligence Thrust Area under the Information Hub at HKUST(GZ) is established to project and grow HKUST’s strength in AI and contribute to the nation’s drive to become a world leader in AI. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs in Artificial Intelligence are offered as an integral part of the endeavor to establish a world-renowned AI research center with the mission to advance applied research in AI as well as fundamental research relevant to the application areas.

The MPhil Program aims to train students in independent and interdisciplinary research in AI. An MPhil graduate is expected to demonstrate sound knowledge in the discipline and is able to synthesize and create new knowledge, making a contribution to the field.

The PhD Program aims to train students in original research in AI, and to cultivate independent, interdisciplinary and innovative thinking that is essential for a successful career in AI-related industry or academia. A PhD graduate is expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the chosen discipline and is able to synthesize and create new knowledge, making original and substantial scientific contributions to the discipline.

On successful completion of the MPhil program, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods and techniques relevant to AI;
2. Demonstrate practical skills in building AI systems;
3. Independently pursue research or innovation of significance in AI applications; and
4. Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication sufficient for a professional career.

On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods and techniques relevant to AI;
2. Demonstrate practical skills in building AI systems;
3. Critically apply theories, methodologies, and knowledge to address fundamental questions in AI;
4. Independently pursue research or innovation of significance in AI applications; and
5. Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication sufficient for a professional career.

1. Minimum Credit Requirement

   MPhil: 15 credits 
   PhD: 21 credits 
    

2. Credit Transfer 

   Students who have taken equivalent courses at HKUST or other recognized universities may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis, up to a maximum of 3 credits for MPhil students, and 6 credits for PhD students. 
    

3. Cross-disciplinary Core Courses

2 credits
 

All students are required to complete either IIMP 6010 or IIMP 6030. Students may complete the remaining courses as part of the credit requirements, as requested by the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.

4. Hub Core Courses

4 Credits

Students are required to complete at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from the Information Hub and at least one core course (2 credits) from other Hubs.

  Information Hub Core Course

  Other Hub Core Courses

5. Courses on Domain Knowledge

MPhil: minimum 9 credits of coursework 
PhD: minimum 15 credits of coursework 
 

Under this requirement, each student is required to take one of the required courses, and other electives to form an individualized curriculum relevant to the cross-disciplinary thesis research.
 

For PhD, students must complete the AI required course in the first year of their study and obtain a B+ or above. Students who cannot meet the B+ requirement have to retake the course or take another AI required course in the second year to make it up.

Only one Independent Study course may be used to satisfy the course requirements.
 

To ensure that students will take appropriate courses to equip them with needed domain knowledge, each student has a Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee to approve the courses to be taken soonest after program commencement and no later than the end of the first year. Depending on the approved curriculum, individual students may be required to complete additional credits beyond the minimal credit requirements.

  Required Course List

Students are required to take one of the required courses listed below:
 

  Sample Elective Course List

To meet individual needs, students will be taking courses in different areas, which may include but not limited to courses and areas listed below.
 

#: Full-time PhD students are encouraged to take at least 6 months of AI related research internship.
 

6. Additional Foundation Courses

Individual students may be required to take foundation courses to strengthen their academic background and research capacity in related areas, which will be specified by the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee. The credits earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

7. Graduate Teaching Assistant Training

All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Center for Education Innovation (CEI), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by CEI, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.

8. Professional Development Course Requirement

Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.

Students are required to complete INFH 6780. The 1 credit earned from INFH 6780 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed INFH 6780 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking INFH 6780, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.

9. English Language Requirement

Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Center for Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
 

Students are required to take one of the above three courses. The credit earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements. Students can be exempted from taking this course with the approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.

10. Postgraduate Seminar

Students are required to complete AIAA 6101 and AIAA 6102 in two terms. The credit earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

11. PhD Qualifying Examination

PhD students are required to pass a qualifying examination to obtain PhD candidacy following established policy.

12. Thesis Research

  MPhil:

1. Registration in AIAA 6990; and
2. Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.

PhD:

1. Registration in AIAA 7990; and
2. Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.

Last Update: 24 July 2020

To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.