Doctor of Philosophy

in Computer Science
and Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer
Science and Engineering

The PhD in Computer Science and Engineering provides students with a solid, fundamental, and advanced education, as well Curriculum PhD students should additionally:
as strong research experience and a broad understanding of aspects related to computer science and engineering that will This program comprises a minimum of 60 credits taught ` pass a qualifying examination in their third semester.
translate into exciting, challenging, and well-compensated job opportunities in this high-demand field. in English, which are typically completed in three to four ` successfully defend their thesis proposal to
years. It requires a master’s degree in computer science, the committee.
computer engineering, electrical engineering, or other ` successfully complete a PhD dissertation.
The program aims to equip students with up-to-date Program focus related fields.
knowledge of computer science and engineering, as well ` This program focuses on the core skills needed to build ` Two core courses to provide students coming Admission and application requirements
as the methods, tools, and technologies needed to explore a successful, advanced career in computer science, from diverse backgrounds with a coherent learning Applicants seeking admission to the PhD in Computer
this rapidly evolving field. engineering, and technology-related areas. It explores environment that enables them to tackle complex Science and Engineering program should have a master’s
research methods, applied data analytics, advanced issues in computer science and engineering. degree from a recognized university. They should have a
The program provides a broad, multidisciplinary, and algorithms and data structure, computer architecture The courses are: strong academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA out of 4) and
research-intensive education at the boundary of computer and VLSI, ethics, technical writing, and a number of ` Research Methods and Ethics in ICT must have majored in one of the following disciplines:
science and engineering while providing specialization relevant specialties. ` Applied Data Analytics Computer science, computer engineering, electrical and
streams in contemporary fields that are globally important ` Students are required to conduct original and guided electronic engineering, information systems, mathematics,
and relevant to Qatar. These fields include systems and research with faculty supervision that concentrates on the One of the following two courses is required to complete and related fields. Prior research experience will be seen
computer security, software engineering, computational contemporary issues in computer science and engineering the three-core course requirement, depending on whether as favorable.
sciences, computer systems, architecture and very-large- which are globally important and also relevant to Qatar. the student is interested in a hardware or software
scale integration (VLSI), robotics, machine perception, ` The program provides our students with a broad research area: Applicants are required to submit an IELTS score of 6.5
sensing technologies, human-computer interface (HCI), understanding of the field, together with the flexibility ` Principles of Computer System Design or TOEFL score of 79 to demonstrate their proficiency in
‘big data’ and data analytics, machine learning and to specialize in contemporary and up-to-date areas of ` Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures English. Further details about the language proficiency
artificial intelligence, computer vision and graphics, computer science and engineering. ` Three elective courses covering some engineering requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this
technology and behavior, software engineering, as well and science fundamentals plus a variety of computer is an option) are available from admissions.hbku.edu.qa.
as wireless and mobile computing and networking, science and engineering electives, which provide
bioinformatics and health informatics. students with a solid base to fully understand different Submitting a valid GRE or GMAT test score at the time of
aspects of computer science and engineering and the application is optional for the PhD program in Computer
interrelations between them Science and Engineering program.
` Two semesters of graduate research seminars.
` A research thesis with a minimum of 36 credits Further information about admission requirements
under the supervision of an adviser and a PhD is available at: admissions.hbku.edu.qa
dissertation committee

College of Science and Engineering Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science and Engineering
Application requirements Personal statement of interest
A completed online application form: Applicants should submit a personal statement (300-500
admissions.hbku.edu.qa words) as part of the online application. The statement
should explain why the candidate is applying to the program,
Academic transcripts and how their studies will contribute to the achievement of
Official electronic copies of transcripts should be their personal objectives, including information about the
submitted as part of the online application. Final applicant’s research interests and achievements. Personal
transcripts and graduation statements are required for statements that are incomplete or below the minimum word
all previous university studies. All transcripts submitted count will not be accepted.
should include an explanation of the grading system.
For those who have not completed their current studies, Resume/Curriculum vitae
transcripts must include results from the last completed Applicants should submit a copy of their current resume
semester of coursework. Transcripts in languages other or curriculum vitae as part of the online application.
than English or Arabic must be accompanied by an official This should include the following information:
translation. Applicants who are admitted to the program ` Academic qualifications
based on copies of or incomplete transcripts will be ` Professional experience
required to provide original transcripts upon enrollment in ` Publications
order to register for courses. ` Research projects
` Academic awards or honors
Standardized test results ` Conference presentations
Official copies (where required) must be sent directly to
HBKU. Please refer to the institutional codes below: Identification document
` GRE: 7551 All applicants should submit an electronic copy of their
` GMAT: H6S passport as part of the online application. Nationals and
` TOEFL: 4981 residents of Qatar should also submit their valid Qatari ID.
` IELTS: No code required. Students should ask the IELTS
center where they tested to send the IELTS TRF to Student funding
Hamad Bin Khalifa University. The College of Science and Engineering provides
opportunities for funding on a competitive basis. Further
Applicants should also submit copies of their test scores information will be provided to applicants who are admitted
with the online application. to the program.

Letters of recommendation
Applicants should submit two letters of recommendation,
one of which must be from an academic referee. Please
visit admissions.hbku.edu.qa for further information
about the submission process.

College of Science and Engineering