The programme aims to (1) enable computer professionals to strengthen and upgrade their technical capabilities in computer software development, (2) broaden students’ knowledge and deepen their understanding of key issues of specific areas in computer science, including artificial intelligence, data science, information security, multimedia, and other related contemporary technologies, and (3) prepare graduates to take up research and advanced innovative development work in the industry or pursue higher research studies.

Upon completion of the programme, students should be able to apply the acquired theories and techniques to various technical aspects of computer software development. The programme provides great flexibility through extensive choices of electives to respond to rapidly evolving industry needs as well as students' interests.

To be eligible for admission, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements and have:

• a recognised bachelor's degree in a computing discipline such as Computer Studies, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent; or
• a recognised bachelor's degree in a related discipline such as Electronic Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Manufacturing Engineering, Quantitative Analysis, or equivalent, together with applicable working experience in information technology.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is NOT English should also fulfill the following minimum English proficiency requirement:

• TOEFL score 550 (paper-based test) or 59 (revised paper-delivered test) or 79 (internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); or
• overall band score 6.5 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or
• score 450 in the new College English Test Band 6 (CET-6) of Chinese mainland or pass in the old CET-6 test; or
• other equivalent qualifications.

The programme consists of three core courses and two groups of Electives (elective courses). The core courses will enable students to acquire a solid foundation in computer networks, data engineering and software engineering. The elective courses are divided into two groups: Group I and Group II. Students are required to take at least 21 credit units of Electives, including at least 3 credit units of Electives in Group I. The elective courses cover a broad range of areas in the field, including artificial intelligence, data science, information security, multimedia, and other related contemporary technologies. Each course is worth 3 credit units except for the elective Project course which is worth 6 credit units. Through suitable choices of elective courses, students may concentrate on a study stream (Data Science Stream or Information Security Stream) based on their interests. Alternatively, students may also choose any elective courses without concentration on a particular stream. Please refer to the programme’s Web site (http://www.cs.cityu.edu.hk/academic/mscs/) for details.

A typical sequence of full-time study is as follows. The study load of a part-time student is normally about half of that of a full-time student.

Year 1, Semester A

3 core courses (Computer Networks and Internets, Data Engineering, Software Engineering), plus 2 elective courses (such as Big Data Algorithms and Techniques, Information Security for e-Commerce, Information Security Technology Management, Machine Learning, Practical Optimization Algorithms and Techniques, Guided Study)

Year 1, Semester B

5 elective courses (such as Cloud Computing: Theory and Practice, Computer Graphics, Data Warehousing and Data Mining, Privacy-enhancing Technologies, Topics in Machine Learning, Vision and Image), or the elective Project course plus 3 other elective courses

• Up to 3 courses can be credit transferred or waived based on your previous studies.
• Students may be considered for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science after obtaining a total of 24 credit units (including all the 3 core courses and at least 3 credit units of elective courses in Group I) with satisfactory academic results if they decide to exit early from the programme before graduation.
• The Project course is optional. Students may take 2 other elective courses in lieu of the Project course.

Department of Computer Science
College of Science and Engineering