2. Cultivation Objectives 

In this programme, students not only learn artificial intelligence (deep learning, federated learning, big data analysis, data mining, etc.) and information security (post-quantum cryptography, blockchain, public key cryptography, data privacy protection, etc.), but also have the opportunity to learn about cross-cutting disciplines, such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, innovation engineering, and finance. The programme focuses on developing students' problem-oriented and analytical skills, as well as their ability to apply their knowledge flexibly in different areas to solve complex and varied practical problems. The programme will provide students with a solid professional foundation, and graduates of the programme will not only be able to work in the field of machine learning but will also be able to contribute to the cross-cutting areas of meta-universe, digital twins, and blockchain applications. 

 

3. Programme Study Plan 

 

Table 1 Core Compulsory 

Note: Students must choose one of the two majors in Table 1 and take the required courses for the majors in the table 

 

Table 2 Major electives 

 

(Consult relevant PhD supervisors to choose four electives from the following courses) 

1. The Cultivation Objectives of this programme is to cooperate with the development plan of the Macau Special Administrative Region and the national digital economy development strategic plan. The programme will cultivate students with a more profound and broad global worldview, the ability to communicate and cooperate across cultures, and the ability to collaboratively solve complex problems and challenges faced by mankind, and the potential to become outstanding computer professionals; to become thinkers and doers with lifelong Passion for learning and innovation coupled with the ability to communicate effectively. Cultivate high-level scientific research talents in the fields of artificial intelligence and information security who love the country and Macau needed for the development of the country and Macau. 

2. Students must complete 2 core compulsory courses and 4 professional elective courses during the study period under the guidance of tutors and pass the course assessment. Only those with passing grades can obtain course credits, a total of 18 credits. 

3. After completing the compulsory and elective courses, students can start writing the dissertation proposal and conduct the proposal oral defense. After the proposal report and defense are passed, students can start writing the dissertation. Students are also required to participate in professional-related research and practical work during this period. The thesis can be written in Chinese or English and totals 18 credits. 

4. During the study period, students are required to publish at least two papers in academic journals recognized by City University of Macau, at least one of which is indexed by SCI. 

• SCI Journal or 

• EI Journal or 

• EI conference papers (included in IEEE Xplore, ACM, Springer) or 

• Peking University Chinese Core N/Q, T/X Comprehensive Science and Technology refers to 120 Journals or 

• The Computer Federation of China recommends international academic conferences and journals, and the Computer Federation of China recommends a directory of Chinese science and technology journals. 

• Obtained international or national invention patent copyrights while studying 

5. Students must participate in at least five academic special projects recognized by the academic committee of the faculty during their doctoral studies, totaling 1 credit. 

6. Students who have passed the dissertation oral defense and obtained a total of 37 credits, and have not violated any university regulations, students can apply for the award of doctoral degree in accordance with the doctoral application procedures of the City University of Macau. 

Note: The teaching language is Chinese/English 

 

4. Teaching requirements 

1. Students must complete 2 core compulsory courses and 4 elective courses during the study period and sit for the examinations within the study period, and those who pass the courses will be awarded credits for the subjects, totaling 18 credits. 

2. After taking and completing the required elective courses, each student must take the course qualification examination before the end of the first semester of the second academic year. 

3. After passing the course qualification examination, students can start writing the dissertation proposal and the thesis (can be written in Chinese or English, 18 credits in total). Students are also required to participate in professional-related research and practical work during this period.   

4. Students must participate in at least five academic activities and special research recognized by the academic committee during their doctoral studies, totaling 1 credit.  

5. Students who have passed the dissertation oral defense and obtained a total of 37 credits, and have not violated the regulations of the University, students can apply for the award of doctoral degree in accordance with the doctoral application procedures of the City University of Macau. 

5. Admission criteria 

Applicants must have a master's degree or equivalent. Priority will be given to applicants with prerequisite academic qualifications in computer science, information science, information security, artificial intelligence, statistics, software engineering, communication engineering, information engineering, e-commerce, applied mathematics, econometrics and related majors. Applicants are required to take the entrance examination organized by City University of Macau and will be admitted on the basis of merit.