The Master of Science program in Digital and Sustainable Cities (DISC) is designed to equip students with cutting-edge knowledge and applications of emerging technologies in civil engineering such as 3D printing, digital twins, GIS, satellite remote sensing, cloud computing, construction robotics and modular integrated construction (MiC) as well as their future trends, in response to the growing demand in the industry for professionals skilled in digital technology, data science and sustainable urban infrastructure management.

This program integrates digital technologies and sustainable urban design applications, which are essential for data-driven analysis for large-scale civil engineering and construction applications, preparing engineers to tackle any complex challenges they may face as they join local or worldwide efforts to innovate in smart city development, infrastructure, and construction industries.

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

1. Identify and evaluate innovative solutions for sustainable infrastructural and social development, incorporating environmental, economic, and societal considerations.
2. Apply advanced technologies, such as 3D printing, digital twins, remote sensing, GIS and Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), digital contracts, and low-altitude economy route mapping, to address complex challenges in urban design and management.
3. Use relevant software tools and methodologies to conduct data-driven analysis for large-scale civil engineering and construction applications, in order to implement an evidence-based decision-making.
4. Analyze the impact of emerging civil engineering technologies on industry practices, policy, and society, and propose strategies for implementation.
5. Stay abreast of emerging trends and innovations in civil engineering and construction, fostering continuous learning and professional development.

1. Minimum Credit Requirement

30 credits

2. Credit Transfer

Subject to the approval of the Program Director and the University regulations governing credit transfer, a maximum of 9 credits can be transferred to the program.

3. Required Courses

24 credits
 

The courses offered by the program are arranged in two categories. To ensure breadth of the curriculum, students must take at least 2 courses from each category.

1. Digital Technology and Data Science

2. Sustainable Design and Management of Infrastructures

Subject to the approval of the Program Director, students may take DISC 6000 which covers the above categories.

Subject to the approval of the Program Director, students may take a maximum of 9 credits from the following courses offered by other MSc programs as partial fulfillment of the program requirements.

4. MSc Project

6 credits
 

5. Industrial Placement (Optional)

Students have an option to enroll in a year-long industrial placement in their second year of studies. Each student will be supervised by a workplace supervisor from the company and an industrial placement coordinator from HKUST.

Credits earned from DISC 6500 cannot be counted toward the program credit requirements.

6. Remarks

• Part-time students may take a maximum of 9 credits in each term.

• Students failing to meet the graduation grade average (GGA) requirement of 2.850 or above are required to repeat or take additional course(s) even if they attain passing grades for all courses.

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

Apply online before the application deadlines.

 * Applicants are considered as non-local students if they hold (i) student visa/ entry permit; or (ii) visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or (iii) dependent visa/entry permit who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa/ entry permit by the Director of Immigration. For details on student visa/ entry permit requirements, please click here.