PROGRAMS
Postgraduate Programs 2023/24
Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy Programs in Artificial Intelligence
Master of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence
Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence
MPhil(AI)
PhD(AI)
Both full- and part-time
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
Artificial Intelligence Thrust Area
Information Hub
Program Director:
Prof Hui XIONG, Chair Professor of Artificial Intelligence Thrust
Artificial Intelligence Thrust rides on the strong research background at HKUST and is committed to basic and applied research in artificial intelligence. We aim to nurture high-level research and application talents with strong professional skills, interdisciplinary capabilities and international perspectives. Our team of highly qualified faculty members actively promotes interdisciplinary research, and strives to build an AI research ecosystem that is Greater Bay Area based, internationally oriented, and HKUST branded. We envisage here a talent incubator, an innovative center, a dream hatchery, and a future enlightener.
The Master of Philosophy (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 Doctor of Philosophy (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(GZ) 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
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
Other Hub Core Courses
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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:
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.
- 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
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 Thrusts/Base. 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
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.
- English Language Requirement
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.
Students are required to take DLED 5001. 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
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
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: 6 July 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
Please refer to Admission Requirements.
2. English Language Admission Requirements
Please refer to Admission Requirements.
Admission to HKUST(GZ)
Apply online before the application deadlines.
RMB150
For 2023/24 Fall Term Intake (commencing in Sep 2023):
International students*
15 Jun 2023
Chinese students
15 Jul 2023
* All international students are required to obtain a student visa (X visa) for studying in China’s mainland. For details on student visa (X visa) requirements, please click here.