The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Integrative Systems and Design are uniquely cross-disciplinary. They lay emphasis on the confluence of functionality and form in the design of modern devices, services etc. The goal is to promote and support cutting edge research that are user-aware, with explicit emphasis on the human component (including design, ergonomics, and usability). A graduate of either of these programs is expected to have a broader exposure to multiple disciplines as well as a solid foundation in three critical aspects of design, namely user-centered design, design methodologies, and function driven design.

The MPhil program aims to train students to conduct research on cross-disciplinary topics, particularly using principles of design in solving technical problems with clear emphasis on human and societal benefits. A MPhil graduate is expected to demonstrate sufficient knowledge about the state-of-the-art in the areas related to the research problem and on the broader related topics.

The PhD program aims to train students with an ability to independently conduct and lead world-class research on cross-disciplinary topics. Candidates will learn to use and apply principles of design in solving technical problems with clear emphasis on human and societal benefits. A PhD graduate is expected to lead their own research agenda, while demonstrating deep knowledge about the state-of-the-art in the areas related to the research problem and on the broader related topics.

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

1. Demonstrate the ability to conduct world-class research on a cross-disciplinary topic;
2. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge about the state-of-the-art in the areas related to the research problem and on the broader related topics; and
3. Demonstrate the ability to use principles of design in solving technical problems with clear emphasis on human and societal benefits.

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

1. Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct and lead world-class research on a cross-disciplinary topic;
2. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge about the state-of-the-art in the areas related to the research problem and on the broader related topics; and
3. Demonstrate the ability to use principles of design in solving technical problems with clear emphasis on human and societal benefits.

1. Minimum Credit Requirement

MPhil: 15 credits
PhD: 18 credits
 

2. Required Courses

MPhil: 15 credits of approved coursework, including ISDN 5010 and at least 3 additional credits from the following ISDN courses.

PhD: 18 credits of approved coursework, including ISDN 5010 and at least 6 additional credits from the following ISDN courses.

3. School Requirements on PhD Programs

In addition to the program requirements, all full-time and part-time PhD students are required to complete the school requirements, which aim to help students gain a wider exposure to multidisciplinary areas, and attain all-rounded learning by broadening their knowledge base.

PhD students are required to take at least a 3-credit course at 5000-level or above outside their programs offered by the School of Engineering. The 3 credits may be satisfied by courses from other Schools upon approval.

In some exceptional cases where students can provide sufficient justifications and obtain prior approval from their supervisors, PG Coordinators, and Heads of Department/Program Directors or designees, they are allowed to take the 3-credit course within their home departments/programs but the course must be in areas outside their specialty.

Details of the requirements are available on the website of the School of Engineering. 

4. 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.
 

5. 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 School.

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

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed ENGG 6780 before may be exempted from taking ENGG 6780, subject to prior approval of the School.

6. 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 complete LANG 5005 and advised to complete it in the first year of study. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5005 cannot be counted toward the program credit requirements. Students may be considered for exemption from this course, subject to the approval of the Department Head and/or PG Coordinator/Program Director.

7. Postgraduate Seminars

MPhil:

Students are required to complete ISDN 6660 for at least two terms.

PhD:

Students are required to complete ISDN 6660 for at least four terms.

8. PhD Qualifying Examination

All PhD students must pass a qualifying examination (with a maximum of two attempts) within 24 months (for full time) or 36 months (for part time) after the student joins the program.

The qualifying examination is composed of a written report and an oral presentation, covering the state of the art on a topic that is assigned by the qualifying examination committee, as well as proposed research topic(s) (related to the thesis research topic) and how the research can advance the state of the art.  

9. PhD Thesis Proposal Examination

All PhD students must take the thesis proposal examination any time after passing the PhD qualifying examination, and at least six months before the thesis defense. The students must notify the department PG committee chair about the intention of taking the proposal examination, and submit a written proposal defense document containing the research and results that have been achieved so far, together with the relevant background. The report is distributed to the PhD thesis proposal examination committee. The thesis proposal examination also requires the students to pass an oral preliminary defense covering (a) preliminary results that have been submitted for publication or presented in international conference(s), and (b) plan to research subsequent to the proposal examination and prior to the thesis defense.  
 

10. Thesis Research

MPhil

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

PhD

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

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