1. Offer rigorous artificial intelligence (AI) foundational training to solidify and enrich the knowledge of students in AI.

2. Enable interdisciplinary knowledge development centred on AI to support students in gaining a comprehensive understanding of both AI and domain principles across various fields.

3. Prepare graduates to undertake research and advanced innovative development work in industry with a focus on cultivating the skills needed to develop novel AI algorithms, enhance existing technologies, and apply these innovations to address challenges in sciences.

Applicant must be a degree holder and preferably with academic background or experience in a discipline related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics).

Non-local candidates from an institution where the medium of instruction is NOT English should fulfil one of the following English proficiency requirements.

English Proficiency Requirements

 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:

• a score of 79 (Internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)^@#; or
• an overall band score of 6.5 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS)^@; or
• a minimum score of 450 in band 6 in the Chinese Mainland’s College English Test (CET6); or
• other equivalent qualifications
  
  

^@ TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years. Applicants are required to provide their English test results obtained within the two years preceding the commencement of the University's application period.

^# Applicants are required to arrange for the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send their TOEFL results directly to the University. The TOEFL institution code for CityU is 3401.

 Track Selection Statement

Selection guidelines:  

Applicants must submit a Track Selection Statement to indicate their chosen track among the four tracks provided in this programme. This statement must be a one-page PDF file and include two elements: 

(1) Chosen track: Clearly state which of the four tracks you are applying for.

(2) Explanation: Provide concise reasons for your choice. A brief paragraph is sufficient.

Students are required to get 30 credit units (CUs) to complete the programme. Students must choose one focused track and complete 15 CUs of electives from that track. After determining the focused track, selecting electives from other tracks is not permitted. Courses in the programme are categorised into core courses and elective courses. To complete the programme, students are required to take

• 15 CUs of the core courses, and
• 15 CUs of the elective courses.

The programme has four focused tracks, each comprising its own pool of electives:

           Track 1: AI for Scientific Discovery

           Track 2: AI for Digital Medicine

           Track 3: AI for Sustainability

           Track 4: Applied AI

Upon enrolment, students must follow the track offered and complete 15 CUs of electives from the track they belong to.

Students can participate in experiential learning in the focused track by taking either a two-semester Dissertation course (6 CUs), and/or an Internship course (3 CUs) in the Summer Term of the first year. It is the student’s responsibility to find a suitable supervisor for these courses.

Core Courses (15 credit units)

Electives Courses (15 credit units) Choose one of the four tracks below :

Track 1. AI for Scientific Discovery

Track 2. AI for Digital Medicine

Track 3. AI for Sustainability

Track 4. Applied AI

Dissertation and Internship Courses

Remarks:

• Students can participate in experiential learning in the focused track by taking either a two-semester Dissertation course (6 CUs) in the first year in Semester B and Summer Term, or an Internship course (3 CUs) in the Summer Term of the first year.
• All the dissertation and internship courses are mutually exclusive.
• The normal study period will be one year to complete 30 CUs in full-time mode. Students who plan to take the Internship course will have to complete 27 CUs in Semester A and Semester B first, before taking the Internship course (3 CUs) in the Summer Term.
• Students enrolled in the Internship course are not allowed to register for any other courses during Summer Term.
• While students are expected to look for internship opportunities by themselves, potential internship opportunities* might be available to students.

     * Subject to Department's and collaborating organisations' mutual consent/ actual arrangements.

The programme equips graduates with advanced AI skills tailored to scientific and interdisciplinary challenges. As artificial intelligence revolutionizes research and industry, our graduates will be prepared for high-demand careers at the intersection of AI and fields such as healthcare, environmental science, materials engineering, and social analytics. They will be positioned to drive innovation in areas like data-driven alloy design, autonomous laboratories, and large language models for scientific research, bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI techniques and real-world scientific applications.

Graduates of the programme can pursue diverse roles, including AI scientists, AI engineers for scientific domains, data specialists in biomedicine or sustainability, and innovation leads in technology and engineering sectors. The programme's interdisciplinary nature ensures that students develop expertise applicable to industries such as biotechnology, energy, digital medicine, and advanced materials. With AI playing an increasingly critical role in scientific discovery, our graduates will be highly sought after by tech firms, research institutions, healthcare organisations, and government agencies tackling complex challenges like climate modeling, precision medicine, and smart infrastructure.

The programme's strong collaborations with industry and academia-including partnerships with leading scientific and engineering departments at CityUHK ensure that students gain exposure to real-world AI applications and emerging research trends. While the programme is new, its curriculum is designed in alignment with global workforce needs, where professionals skilled in AI and domain-specific sciences command competitive salaries, often exceeding industry averages. Additionally, graduates will be well-prepared to pursue further research, with pathways to a PhD in AI, computational science, and related fields at top universities worldwide.

Department of Data Science

Last updated on 30 March 2026