PHD Program

Program Info   |   Objectives   |   Admission   |   Degree Requirements   |   Structure   |   Study Plan   

Program Information

It became scientifically important to raise the scientific and technology level of Saudi leaderships and decision makers in the information technology fields. This can be achieved through university graduate programs. The
Kingdom’s Information Technology National Plan shows that there is a fast growing demand in the next decade for cadre in advanced scientific and professional areas of computers and communication technologies. The study
proposed number of recommendations to address the high shortage level of specialized cadres in information technology. The most important of which is to increase the recourses of the information technology departments, the expansion in postgraduate programs to qualify Saudi teaching staff and academic faculty.
Another important recommendation is to facilitate the attraction of distinguished scholars and scientists in information technology in order to transfer of expertise and learning from the international experiences.
From these standpoints, a graduate joint Ph.D. program between 3 departments of the college is proposed herewith to contribute to provide graduate studies and advanced research in the fields of computer science, computer engineering and information systems. This will contribute in creating qualified researchers and faculty members in the area of computer and information sciences. 

Degree Name:

PhD program in Information Systems.

Educational Objectives:

1. To promote advanced research and scientific publication and to contribute to the future scientific and technical world advancement in computer science and engineering, and information technology;
2. To prepare highly specialized scholars, professionals and Saudis research personnel, manpower and expertise that meet the Saudi society development needs, and jobs demand; and support the successful transfer of advanced information technologies in industry, academic and scientific sectors. 
3. To create solutions for the persistent IT problems in the public and governmental institutions through a higher level of applied research and IT technology transfer;
4. To provide graduate students and Saudis researchers with skills, means, methodology, innovation and scientific approaches necessary for distinguished professionals in IT sectors.

Admission:

1. The applicant must own a full-time master’s degree in Information Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or other computer specializations from King Saud University or any other recognized institution with a grade of no less than Very Good - if it is from a university that grants it with a grade - with a cumulative GPA of (3.75 out of 5) or its equivalent. “The applicant must contact the department to find out if his/her specialization is among the required specializations, before applying through the electronic admission portal.”
2. The applicant must have obtained a score of no less than (5.5) in the IELTS ACADEMIC test or its equivalent, or obtain the degree with English language from countries where the official language of the country is the English, according to the approved list of the Deanship.
3. The applicant must have obtained a score of (80) in the quantitative part of the General Aptitude Test for University Students or (148) in the quantitative part of the GRE General Test.

Degree Requirements:

1. Successful completion of 25 credit hours of graduate courses in the PhD program as follows:
   • 3 credit hours of program general courses or university graduate courses as approved by the supervisor.
   • 6 credit hours outside student’s track from the common courses offered by other tracks of the program.
   • 7 credit hours of compulsory courses in student’s track. 
   • 9 credit hours of elective courses in student’s track.
   • No more than two courses from Master Program level are counted for the course requirements in the PhD program.
2. To pass a comprehensive exam in his specialty or other subspecialties decided by the program council and according to the general rules for the comprehensive exam as issued by the deanship of graduate studies
3. Completion and successful defense of an original thesis.
4. To publish or obtain an acceptance for at least one publication in a specialized referred venue according to student’s track.

Program Structure:

Study Paln: