Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Science)

Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Science), or PhD (CS), offers a unique combination of scientific and engineering appeal in Information and Communication Technology. It provides candidates with the opportunity to conduct in-depth research and development and also equips candidates with the ability to perform professional analysis, design, implementation, testing and documentation. Throughout the programme, candidates will be encouraged to participate in such knowledge-enhancement activities as seminars/talks/workshops/conferences, and publish their research findings and outcomes in international journals. Knowledge developed in this field will further enhance the capability of the nation to utilize the human and natural resources of the country efficiently. Overall, the UTARs' doctoral programme in Computer Science intends to produce graduates who are competent and highly skilled, have broadened and deepened knowledge, and are able to conduct advanced research and development in the vast areas of Computer Science.

Mode of Study
By Research (Structure A)
The research-based postgraduate programmes in ICT entail a specific programme of research under appropriate supervision. Research-based programmes generally have the objective of training candidates in research methodology and techniques, and in the critical evaluation of the research work carried out. Candidates are also required to apply and evaluate methodologies and techniques. The research work produced in the form of a PhD thesis must display original and critical thought and be a significant contribution to knowledge.

To assist candidates in research methodology and techniques, candidates are required to attend and complete research enhancement classes, such as Research Methods and Directed Reading.  Additional classes in other subjects may be deemed necessary by UTAR Senate for candidates without the appropriate background.       

Duration of Study
PhD   Full-time      Minimum 2 years; Maximum 6 years
         Part-time     Minimum 5 years; Maximum 8 years

 

Medium of Instruction
English Language

Intakes
Open throughout the year

Minimum Entry Requirements
For PhD(Sc) Programme
(i)   a Master's degree from UTAR and shows evidence of adequate related research or work experience to the satisfaction of the Senate; or
(ii)  a Master's degree of another university or equivalent qualification from an institution as approved by the Senate and shows evidence of adequate related research or work experience to the satisfaction of the Senate; or
(iii) any other qualifications equivalent to (i) or (ii) as approved by the Senate

English Requirements
SPM/O-Level English, minimum C4
Paper-based TOFEL, score > 580
Computer-based TOEFL, score  > 237
Internet-based Testing (IBT), score > 92
International English Language Testing System (IELTS), score > 6.5
English 1119, credit
MUET, band 4.0
American College Testing Assessment (ACT), score > 22
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), score > 500
English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT), score > 980

 

Programme Structure

1. For PhD(Computer Science) Programme:

Structure A - By Research (Thesis) :   2 compulsory modules (6 credit hours) + Thesis

Details of Units:

No.

Unit Code

Unit Title

Type

Credit Hours

1

DCCB10100

Thesis

Core

-

2

MCCG10203

Research Methods

Compulsory

3

3

DCCB10303

Directed Readings

Compulsory

3

 

Process of Evaluation and Assessment
· The PhD student need to take 2 subjects on the first trimester, the subsequence trimesters, the student will proceed with their research work and thesis writing.
· This research proposal defence must be done within nine (9) months from the date of registration as a PhD degree student.
· Upon completion of the course of study and research, a candidate shall be required to present his research results in a work completion seminar with Satisfactory grade before being allowed to submit his thesis for examination.
· A viva shall be conducted for a candidate and in this event the candidate shall be required to satisfy the examiners in the examination.

FICT Research Area for staff Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Science)

Name

Research Areas/Expertise

Prof. Dr. Leung Kar Hang

leungkh@utar.edu.my

•    Computer Vision
•    Image Processing
•    Pattern Recognition
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liew Soung Yue
syliew@utar.edu.my 

 

•    Generic Scheduling Algorithms for All-Optical Shared-Buffer   Timeslot/Packet/Burst Switches
•    Wireless and Mobile Networking
•    Real-time Streaming and Its Application
•    Packet Routing, Switching, and Scheduling Algorithms
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aissa Boudjella
aissab@utar.edu.my

 

•    Power electronics
•    Nano-scaled devices
•    Analogue Integrated crcuits
•    Digital Integrated circuits
•    Digital signal processing
•    Green energy
Assist. Prof. Dr. Cheng Wai Khuen
chengwk@utar.edu.my
•    Grid & High Performance Computing
•    Multi-agent & Distributed Systems
•    Multi Criteria Analysis
•    Artificial Intelligence
Assist. Prof. Dr. Choo Peng Yin
choopy@utar.edu.my
•    Integrated Communication Network
•    Optical Networks
•    Wireless platforms,
•    Data communication and Networking
•    Network QoS
•    System Dynamics modelling and simulation,
•    Agent-based modelling and simulation,
•    Ecological economy
Assist. Prof. Dr. Choo Wou Onn
choowo@utar.edu.my
•    Management Information System
•    Smart Education System
•    Knowledge System
•    Multimedia Courseware
•    Interactive Multimedia
•    Intelligent System
Assist. Prof. Dr. Guo Chengming
guoc@utar.edu.my 
•    Basic research in Natural Language Processing (NLP)
•    Machine translation research and development
Assist. Prof. Dr. Lee Lam Hong
leelh@utar.edu.my
•    Document Classification
•    Machine Learning
•    Pattern Recognition and Analysis
•    Data Mining
•    Knowledge Engineering
•    Intelligent Systems
Assist. Prof. Dr. Ng Yen Kaow
ykng@utar.edu.my 
•    Bioinformatics
•    Computational Learning Theory
•    Algorithmics
Assist. Prof. Dr. Sim Yee Wai
simyw@utar.edu.my 
•    Knowledge Management
•    Agent Technologies
•    Service-Oriented Architecture
•    Web Services
•    Grid Computing
•    Business Intelligence
Assist. Prof. Dr. Tan  Hung Khoon
thkhoon@utar.edu.my
 •    Near-Duplicate Detection
 •    High level Concept Detection
 •    Video and Image Search and Indexing
 •    Multimedia Content Analysis
 •    Multimedia Data Mining
 •    Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning
Assist. Prof. Dr. Lau Phooi Yee
laupy@utar.edu.my
 •    Future Media Internet
 •    Computer Aided Diagnosis
 •    Video Delivery
 •    Video Analysis
Assist. Prof. Dr. Ewedafe Simon Uzezi
ewedafe@utar.edu.my
 •    Parallel Numerical Computing
 •    Distributed Applications
 •    Mathematical Computation
 •    Algorithmic Development

 

Other Possible Research Areas:-

Information Systems, Intelligent Systems, Software Engineering, Business Intelligence Systems, Image Processing, Pattern Recognition, Communication and Networking, Parallel and Distributed Systems, Multimedia Technologies, Knowledge Management, Databases, Distributed Programming, Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Advance Network Design, Network Security, Agent Technology, Web Services, Simulation and Modeling, Computer Vision, Computational Theory, Embedded Systems, Digital Systems Design, Mobile Computing, Game Development, Object Oriented Data Modeling and etc.

 

To view progress/flow of study, please click here.

 

For additional information, please contact:-

Dr. Choo Wou Onn (周云安)

Assistant Professor

Head of Programme (Postgraduate Degree Programmes)

Department of Information Systems

Faculty of Information and Communication Technology 

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Perak Campus
Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat
31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia

choowo@utar.edu.my  

Tel: +605-4688888 Ext:2285


UTAR reserves the right to make changes without prior notice.