PhD in Computer Science
About This Programme
A University-funded (Year 1, pending a faculty advisor match) PhD in Computer Science: algorithms, AI systems and interdisciplinary research with a 32-credit thesis.
Course Highlights
- Ph.D. students are centrally funded by MBZUAI in Year 1 while matching with a faculty advisor, then funded by that advisor from Year 2, subject to a confirmed match and satisfactory progress.
- Research across algorithms, AI systems and interdisciplinary computer science.
- Access to computing labs with nearly 1,000 Nvidia DGZ-1/2 GPU servers.
- Qualifying and Candidacy exams then a 32-credit thesis.
What You'll Study
A 3–4 year full-time doctoral programme on the Masdar City campus with advanced computer-science cores, electives, research methods and an internship, a Qualifying Exam (Year 1) and Candidacy Exam (Year 2), then an original 32-credit thesis. Ph.D. students are centrally funded by MBZUAI in Year 1 while matching with a faculty advisor, then move to that advisor's funding from Year 2, subject to a confirmed match and satisfactory progress.
Core courses
Core: 3 courses, 12 credit hours, taken by every student.
- Introduction to Machine Learning for Computer Science Research (CS8001)4 credits
- Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures (CS8101)4 credits
- Advanced Foundations of AI System Design (CS8201)4 credits
Research methods, internship and thesis
- Advanced Research Methods (RES899)2 credits
- Ph.D. Internship (up to four months) (INT899)2 credits
- Computer Science Ph.D. Research Thesis (CS899)32 credits
Specialised electives (select one)
Students select one course from this list.
Published elective list
- Advanced Theory of Computation (CS8501)4 credits
- Randomized Algorithms (CS8502)4 credits
- Combinational Optimization (CS8503)4 credits
- Advanced Parallel and Distributed Machine Learning Systems (ML815)4 credits
Further electives (select two)
Students select two further courses from this list.
Published elective list
- Single Cell Biology and Bioinformatics (CBIO803)4 credits
- Advanced Theory of Computation (CS8501)4 credits
- Randomized Algorithms (CS8502)4 credits
- Combinatorial Optimization (CS8503)4 credits
- 3D Geometry Processing (CV804)4 credits
- Causality and Machine Learning (ML808)4 credits
- Advanced Parallel and Distributed Machine Learning Systems (ML815)4 credits
- Natural Language Processing - Ph.D. (NLP805)4 credits
- Advanced Natural Language Processing - Ph.D. (NLP806)4 credits
- Speech Processing - Ph.D. (NLP807)4 credits
- Current Topics in Natural Language Processing (NLP808)4 credits
- Advanced Speech Processing (NLP809)4 credits
Entry Requirements
Three references and an independent research statement. Screening exam and technical interview.
Careers
Graduates become research scientists and faculty across academia, national labs and industry.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (status Active on the CAA register).
Programme Details
Award
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science
Start Date
Annual Fall intake (August)
Typical Offer
Bachelor's CGPA 3.5 or master's 3.0 (STEM); IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90
Duration
4 years
Qualification
Doctorate
Subject Area
Computer Science
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person