Postgraduate Programs 2021/22
Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy Programs in Internet of Things
Award Title

Master of Philosophy in Internet of Things
Doctor of Philosophy in Internet of Things

Program Short Name

MPhil(IoT)
PhD(IoT)

Mode of Study

Full-time

Normative Program Duration

MPhil
2 years

PhD
3 years (with a relevant research master’s degree), 4 years (without a relevant research master’s degree)

Offering Unit

Internet of Things Thrust Area

Information Hub

Program Advisor

Program Director:
Prof Danny TSANG, Professor of Electronic and Computer Engineering

Enquiry

Internet of Things (IoT) is among the pillars in the “Internet Plus” action plan in China, presented in the Chinese Government’s work report in 2015. The Internet of Things Thrust Area under the Information Hub at HKUST(GZ) is established to grow HKUST’s strength in wireless communications and networking, and contribute to the nation’s drive to become a world leader in IoT. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs in Internet of Things are offered as an integral part of the endeavor to become a world-renowned IoT research center with the mission to advance applied research in IoT as well as fundamental research relevant to the application areas.
 

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

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

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

  1. Demonstrate sound knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods and techniques relevant to IoT;
  2. Demonstrate practical skills in building IoT systems;
  3. Critically apply theories, methodologies, and knowledge to address fundamental questions in IoT;
  4. Independently pursue research and innovation of significance in IoT applications; and
  5. 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 mastery of knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific research relevant to IoT;
  2. Demonstrate theoretical skills in understanding IoT research;
  3. Critically evaluate theories, methodologies, and knowledge to address fundamental research questions in IoT;
  4. Independently conduct original research and make significant scientific contributions to the IoT discipline; and
  5. Demonstrate competent skills in oral and written communication for the dissemination of thesis results in the scientific community.
  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
 

IIMP 6010
IIMP 6020
IIMP 6030
IIMP 6040

 

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.

 

  1. 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 Hub core course (2 credits) from other Hubs.

 

  Information Hub Core Course

INFH 5000

 

  Other Hub Core Courses

FUNH 5000
SOCH 5000
SYSH 5000

 

  1. 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 elective courses to form an individualized curriculum relevant to the cross-disciplinary thesis research. 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.

 

  Sample 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.
 

IOTA 5011
IOTA 5012
IOTA 5101
IOTA 6090#
IOTA 6900
IOTA 6910
AIAA 5025
CIVL 5620
COMP 5212
COMP 5631
COMP 5622
EESM 5060
ELEC 5120
orENEG 5250
ELEC 5210
ELEC 5460
ELEC 5470
ELEC 5650
ELEC 5670
orCOMP 5223
ELEC 5820
orBIEN 5820
IBTM 5050
IEDA 5250
MSBD 5002
orCSIT 5210
MSBD 5003
MSBD 5005

 

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

  1. 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.

 

  1. Graduate Teaching Assistant Training
PDEV 6800


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.

 

  1. Professional Development Course Requirement
PDEV 6770


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.

 

INFH 6780


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.

 

  1. English Language Requirement
LANG 5000

 

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.
 

LANG 5001
LANG 5002
LANG 5010

 

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.

 

  1. Postgraduate Seminar
IOTA 6101
IOTA 6102


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

 

  1. PhD Qualifying Examination

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

 

  1. Thesis Research
IOTA 6990
IOTA 7990

 

  MPhil:

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

PhD:

  1. Registration in IOTA 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.

 

1. General Admission Requirements of the University
  • Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification;

  • Applicants seeking admission to a doctoral degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree with a proven record of outstanding performance from a recognized institution; or presented evidence of satisfactory work at the postgraduate level on a full-time basis for at least one year, or on a part-time basis for at least two years.

2. English Language Admission Requirements

Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:

  • TOEFL-iBT: 80*

  • TOEFL-pBT: 550

  • TOEFL-Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)

  • IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and All sub-score: 5.5

* refers to the total score in one single attempt


Applicants are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if

  • their first language is English, or

  • they obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.