POSTGRADUATE
PROGRAMS
PROGRAMS
Postgraduate Programs 2022/23
Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy Programs in Artificial Intelligence
Award Title
Master of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence
Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence
Program Short Name
MPhil(AI)
PhD(AI)
Mode of Study
Both full- and part-time
Normative Program Duration
MPhil
Full-time: 2 years
Part-time: 4 years
PhD
Full-time: 3 years (with a relevant research master’s degree), 4 years (without a relevant research master’s degree)
Part-time: 6 years
Offering Unit
Artificial Intelligence Thrust Area
Information Hub
Program Advisor
Program Co-Directors:
Prof Nevin ZHANG, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering
Prof Fangzhen LIN, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering
Enquiry
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:
- Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods and techniques relevant to AI;
- Demonstrate practical skills in building AI systems;
- Independently pursue research or innovation of significance in AI applications; and
- Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication sufficient for a professional career.
On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods and techniques relevant to AI;
- Demonstrate practical skills in building AI systems;
- Critically apply theories, methodologies, and knowledge to address fundamental questions in AI;
- Independently pursue research or innovation of significance in AI applications; and
- Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication sufficient for a professional career.
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Minimum Credit Requirement
MPhil: 15 credits
PhD: 21 credits -
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.
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Cross-disciplinary Core Courses
2 credits
UCMP 6010
Cross-disciplinary Research Methods I
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course focuses on using various approaches to perform quantitative analysis through real-world examples. Students will learn how to use different tools in an interdisciplinary project and how to acquire new skills on their own. The course offers different modules that are multidisciplinary/multifunctional and generally applicable to a wide class of problems.
UCMP 6020
Cross-disciplinary Research Methods II
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course focuses on using various approaches to perform quantitative analysis through real-world examples. Students will learn how to use different tools in an interdisciplinary project and how to acquire new skills on their own. The course offers different modules that are multidisciplinary/multifunctional and generally applicable to a wide class of problems.
UCMP 6030
Cross-disciplinary Design Thinking I
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course focuses on user-collaborative design methods for generating inclusive product solutions that integrate stakeholder and product functionality perspectives. Students will create specified product/process/policy/protocol/plan (5P) concept models through the use of recursive user feedback engagement methods, experimental prototyping, and divergent and convergent ideation strategies. Featured topics include design thinking; stakeholder research; concept development, screening, and selection; and interaction design.
UCMP 6040
Cross-disciplinary Design Thinking II
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course focuses on user-collaborative design methods for generating inclusive product solutions that integrate stakeholder and product functionality perspectives. Students will create specified product/process/policy/protocol/plan (5P) concept models through the use of recursive user feedback engagement methods, experimental prototyping, and divergent and convergent ideation strategies. Featured topics include design thinking; stakeholder research; concept development, screening, and selection; and interaction design.
All students are required to complete either UCMP 6010 or UCMP 6030. Students may complete the remaining courses as part of the credit requirements, as requested by the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.
- 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
INFH 5000
Information Science and Technology: Essentials and Trends
2 Credit(s)
Description
This inquiry-based course aims to introduce students to the concepts and skills needed to drive digital transformation in the information age. Students will learn to conduct research, explore real-world applications, and discuss grand challenges in the four thrust areas of the Information hub, namely Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Analytics, Internet of Things, and Computational Media and Arts. The course incorporates various teaching and learning formats including lectures, seminars, online courses, group discussions, and a term project.
Other Hub Core Courses
FUNH 5000
Introduction to Function Hub for Sustainable Future
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course covers background knowledge in the thrust areas of the Function Hub, including Advanced Materials, Sustainable Energy and Environment, Microelectronics, and Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences.
SOCH 5000
Technological Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
2 Credit(s)
Description
This course discusses both opportunities and risks that technological breakthrough has brought to the human society. What would be the policy responses required to maximize its positive benefit and minimize its social costs? In particular, how could we utilize the technological advancement, entrepreneurial thinking to address the challenges our societies are facing, such as job loss/unemployment, income inequality and societal polarization, environmental degradation, health disparity, population aging, and among others. The course uses either case studies or cross-country and time-series data analyses to facilitate the discussion of various social issues and look for innovative solutions of in the real world.
SYSH 5000
Model-Based Systems Engineering
2 Credit(s)
Description
Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a contemporary systems engineering methodology that uses conceptual models for communication between system architects, designers, developers, and stakeholders. Object-Process Methodology (OPM) is an MBSE language and methodology for constructing domain-independent conceptual models of all kinds of systems. The course provides students with basic knowledge and tools for MBSE, focusing on conceptual modeling of systems, giving learners a competitive advantage over their peers.
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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:
AIAA 5026
Computer Vision and Its Applications
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course covers popular topics in computer vision, which includes high-level tasks like image classification, object detection, image segmentation, and low-level tasks like image generation, image enhancement, image-to-image translation, etc.
AIAA 5030
Foundations of Data Mining
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course will introduce the fundamental principles, uses, and technical details of data mining techniques by lectures and real-world case studies. The emphasis is on understanding the basic data mining techniques and their applications. We will discuss the mechanics of how data analytics techniques work as is necessary to understand the fundamental concepts and real-world applications.
AIAA 5031
Introduction to Computing Using Python
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course covers how to program with Python and use it to solve practical problems in Artificial Intelligence. Topics include basic Python usage (e.g., syntax, data structure, etc.) and important packages for data analysis and machine learning applications (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, etc.). The students will be guided to practice on simple artificial intelligence tasks.
AIAA 5032
Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course aims to provide students with an overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI) principles and techniques. Key topics include machine learning, search, game theories, Markov decision process, constraint satisfaction problems, Bayesian networks, etc. Through this course, students will learn and practice the foundational principles, techniques and tools to tackle new AI problems.
AIAA 5033
AI Security and Privacy
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course introduces potential security and privacy vulnerabilities in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and covers basic and advanced protections. Topics include security and privacy risks in AI technologies, the goal of C.I.A. (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability) in AI technologies, basic and advanced cryptography, protocol designs for AI security and privacy, etc.
AIAA 5034
Reinforcement Learning and Optimization
3 Credit(s)
Description
Learning to make good decisions is one of the keys to autonomous systems. This course will focus on Reinforcement Learning (RL), a currently very active subfield of artificial intelligence, and it will discuss selectively a number of algorithmic topics including Markov Decision Process, Q-Learning, function approximation, exploration and exploitation, policy search, imitation learning, model-based RL and optimal control. This course provides both the foundations and techniques for developing RL and deep RL algorithms that interact with physical environments, and real application cases of RL will be introduced. Basic knowledge of machine learning and mathematical optimization are expected for this course.
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.
AIAA 5023
Foundations of Deep Neural Networks
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course helps students to get basic knowledge about deep neural networks, helping them to understand basic concepts, capabilities and challenges of deep neural networks.
AIAA 5024
Advanced Deep Learning
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course covers recent developments in deep learning. Topics include meta learning, model compression, federated learning, representation learning, explainable AI, adversarial attack and defense, and advances in deep learning theory.
AIAA 5027
Deep Learning for Visual Intelligence: Trends and Challenges
3 Credit(s)
Description
This is a task-oriented yet interaction-based course, which aims to scrutinize the recent trends and challenges in visual intelligence tasks (high- and low-level vision tasks). This course will follow the way of flipped-classroom manner where the lecturer teaches the basics; meanwhile, the students will also be focused on active discussions, presentations (lecturing), and hands-on research projects under the guidance of the lecturer in the whole semester. Through this course, students will be equipped with the capability to critically challenge the existing methodologies/techniques and hopefully make breakthroughs in some new research directions.
AIAA 5028
Machine Learning on Graphs
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course covers recent developments in machine learning on graph-structured data. Topics include network embedding, graph neural networks, knowledge graph embedding, generative models for graphs, scalable graph neural networks, explainable graph neural networks, and their applications.
AIAA 5029
Programming for Vision Systems
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course is a hands-on introduction to the algorithms and programming for visual learning problems of the intelligent mobile systems, such as self-driving cars, in the era of industry 4.0. This course is highlighted by practical programming assignments and projects. This course will first introduce the basic principles of machine/deep learning and computer vision. Then, the specific visual learning tasks crucial for achieving intelligent mobile systems (e.g., object detection, semantic segmentation, optical flow, stereo/depth estimation, pose estimation, lane detection, traffic sign detection) will be covered. Finally, the latest development of novel sensor-based vision and AI-based augmented reality (AR) /metaverse technologies for intelligent mobile systems will also be introduced.
AIAA 5036
Autonomous AI
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course aims to provide students with key principles and algorithms to build modern autonomous AI systems. Key topics include machine perception, planning and decision-making algorithms. Through this course, students will learn and practice the foundational principles, techniques, and tools to build new autonomous AI systems.
AIAA 5037
Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures
3 Credit(s)
Description
This course covers typical algorithms and data structures. Topics include core methodologies of algorithm design, standard data structures, and typical algorithms and data structures that have been widely adopted for solving different problems, covering from fundamental ones (e.g., searching and sorting algorithms) to more advanced ones (e.g., graph algorithms, number theory algorithms, FFT).
AIAA 6011
Topics in Artificial Intelligence
1-4 Credit(s)
Description
Selected topics in Artificial Intelligence (AI) of current interest of current interest in emerging areas and not covered by existing courses. May be repeated for credit if different topics are covered. May be graded by letter or P/F for different offerings.
AIAA 6021
Topics in Machine Learning
3 Credit(s)
Description
Covers emerging topics of machine learning. Potential topics include machine learning and cognitive science, transfer learning, multi-task learning, active learning, lifelong learning, assemble learning, and advances in deep learning. Graded P or F.
AIAA 6090#
Research Internship
0 Credit(s)
Description
The course will provide students with the opportunity to gain relevant knowledge, skills, and experience while establishing important connections in the field. Graded P or F.
AIAA 6091
Independent Study
1-3 Credit(s)
Description
An independent research project carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. Graded P or F.
DSAA 5002
Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery in Data Science
3 Credit(s)
Description
With more and more data available, data mining and knowledge discovery has become a major field of research and applications in data science. Aimed at extracting useful and interesting knowledge from large data repositories such as databases, scientific data, social media and the Web, data mining and knowledge discovery integrates techniques from the fields of database, statistics and AI.
INTR 6000
Special Topics in Intelligent Transportation
3 Credit(s)
Description
Selected topics in intelligent transportation of current interest in emerging areas and not covered by existing courses. May be repeated for credit if different topics are covered.
SEEN 5320
Machine Learning in Advanced Energy Systems
3 Credit(s)
Description
The course aims to introduce main machine learning techniques and their applications in energy systems. The topics will include: 1) the basic concept of machine learning, big data, and energy system; 2) both basic and the state-of-the-art techniques in machine learning; 3) the application of machine learning in energy systems, especially for power systems and smart grids. The goal of the course is to prepare the students for careers in energy and artificial intelligence related areas by teaching data-driven perspective.
SMMG 6000
Special Topics in Smart Manufacturing
3 Credit(s)
Description
Selected topics in smart manufacturing of current interest in emerging areas and not covered by existing courses. May be repeated for credit if different topics are covered.
UGOD 5040
Urban Data Acquisition and Analysis
3 Credit(s)
Description
The course introduces students to different methods of collecting data in the social sciences for urban analysis, focusing on sampling surveys designs and analysis in urban settings. Since alternative data sources (e.g., passive measurement, social media and administrative data) become increasingly available in recent years, the course will also cover other modes of data acquisitions such as using new technology on wearables, sensors, and apps in urban research settings, and exploration of cutting edge methods for collecting and analyzing web data, and how they can be used in combination with traditional survey data.
#: Full-time PhD students are encouraged to take at least 6 months of AI related research internship.
- 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.
- Graduate Teaching Assistant Training
PDEV 6800
Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
0 Credit(s)
Description
The course is designed to strengthen students’ competence in teaching. It comprises 2 parts: Part 1 aims to equip all full-time research postgraduate (RPg) students with basic teaching skills before assuming teaching assistant duties for the department. Good teaching skills can be acquired through learning and practice. This 10-hour mandatory training course provides all graduate teaching assistants (GTA) with the necessary theoretical knowledge with practical opportunities to apply and build up their knowledge, skills and confidence in taking up their teaching duties. At the end of the course, GTAs should be able to (1) facilitate teaching in tutorials and laboratory settings; (2) provide meaningful feedback to their students; and (3) design an active learning environment to engage their students. In Part 2, students are required to perform instructional delivery assigned by their respective departments to complete this course. 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. Graded PP, P or F.
All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Institute of Educational Innovation and Practice (IEIP), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by IEIP, 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.
- Professional Development Course Requirement
PDEV 6770
Professional Development for Research Postgraduate Students
1 Credit(s)
Description
This course aims at equipping research postgraduate students with transferrable skills conducive to their professional development. Students are required to attend 3 hours of mandatory training on Professional Conduct, and complete 12 hours of workshops, at their own choice, under the themes of Communication Skills, Research Competency, Entrepreneurship, Self‐Management, and Career Development. Graded PP, P or F.
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
Career Development for Information Hub Students
1 Credit(s)
Description
This course aims at equipping RPg students of the Information Hub with the skills conducive to their professional career development. Students are required to attend the 3 hours' training focusing on personality self-exploration and discipline-specific training at the thrust level, and another 10 hours' training at the hub level, at their own choice. Graded PP, P or F.
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.
- English Language Requirement
LANG 5000
Foundation in Listening & Speaking for Postgraduate Students
1 Credit(s)
Description
For students whose level of spoken English is lower than ELPA Level 4 (Speaking) when they enter the University. The course addresses the immediate linguistic needs of research postgraduate students for oral communication on campus using English. To complete the course, students are required to attain at least ELPA Level 4 (Speaking). Graded P or F.
Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Division of 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
Postgraduate English for Engineering Research Studies
1 Credit(s)
Description
This course aims to help research students in engineering communicate their research effectively. It highlights the characteristics of academic discourse, and provides training in the production of research-type documents, including abstracts, journal papers and theses. The course also gives extensive practice in the presentation and seminar skills necessary for academic study. Students who fail to fulfill the spoken English language requirement of the University are advised to take LANG 5000 before enrolling for this course (for students admitted in 2009/10 and onwards). Graded P or F.
LANG 5002
Postgraduate English for Business and Social Science Studies
1 Credit(s)
Description
This course is intended to provide RPG students of SBM and SOSC with essential training in academic writing, speaking and critical reading relevant to the study of a research postgraduate degree. Students who fail to fulfill the Spoken English language requirement of the University are advised to take LANG 5000 before enrolling for this course (for students admitted in 2009/10 and onwards). Graded P or F.
LANG 5010
Postgraduate English for Science Studies
1 Credit(s)
Description
This course teaches common skills postgraduate science students need to write and speak about their research. The course is compulsory for all RPG students of SSCI (for students admitted in 2012/13 and onwards). Students who fail to fulfill the English language requirement of the University are advised to take LANG 5000 before enrolling for this course (for students admitted in 2009/10 and onwards). Graded P or F.
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.
- Postgraduate Seminar
AIAA 6101
Artificial Intelligence Seminar I
0 Credit(s)
Description
Series of seminars presenting research problems currently under investigation, presented by faculty, students, and visiting speakers. Students are expected to attend regularly. Graded P or F.
AIAA 6102
Artificial Intelligence Seminar II
1 Credit(s)
Description
Series of seminars presenting research problems currently under investigation, presented by faculty, students, and visiting speakers. Students are expected to attend regularly. Continuation of AIAA 6101. Graded P or F.
Students are required to complete AIAA 6101 and AIAA 6102 in two terms. The credit earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
- PhD Qualifying Examination
PhD students are required to pass a qualifying examination to obtain PhD candidacy following established policy.
- Thesis Research
AIAA 6990
MPhil Thesis Research
0 Credit(s)
Description
Master's thesis research supervised by co-advisors from different disciplines. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
AIAA 7990
Doctoral Thesis Research
0 Credit(s)
Description
Original and independent doctoral thesis research supervised by co-advisors from different disciplines. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
MPhil:
- Registration in AIAA 6990; and
- Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.
PhD:
- Registration in AIAA 7990; and
- Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.
Last Update: 1 March 2023
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
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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;
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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:
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TOEFL-iBT: 80*
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TOEFL-pBT: 550
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TOEFL-Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)
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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
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their first language is English, or
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they obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.
