PH.D. Computer Science
This is a three-year program that offers a reliable path toward obtaining a professional doctorate. It caters to individuals who desire to be valuable contributors to the research community, including both academics and professionals. The program is designed to accommodate both distance learning and on-campus study, research, and training. The assessment and structure of the program are geared towards meeting the objectives of the Ph.D. program, using evaluation criteria and guidelines.
Objectives
This program aims to create a supportive atmosphere for young professionals to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the latest research techniques and practices. The goal is for them to cultivate and apply their abilities to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:
- Plan and execute independent and original academic research.
- Effectively document research results in the form of articles
- Present and defend research at national and international forums and among peers.
- Create exploitation plans for research results.
- Appreciate existing knowledge.
- Develop the ability to conduct independent research in the future.
Program Structure
The Ph.D. program is structured into several phases that guide students toward achieving their doctorate. The process is illustrated in the Figure below, highlighting the interdependence of each phase for the successful completion of the program.
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The Ph.D. program structure is presented in a Figure that demonstrates the sequence and interdependence of program components. It starts with assessing the eligibility of the candidate for admission and ends with the final award of the Ph.D. degree.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for the Ph.D. program, applicants must have completed 18 years of education, specifically an MS/M. Phil degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or an equivalent degree that includes a thesis and a minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 in the Semester System or a 1st Division in the Annual System.
- For applicants with other qualifications that are equivalent to 18 years of education but obtained from a foreign country or do not fall under the Semester System or Annual System, they must obtain a degree equivalence certificate from the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) to determine their academic eligibility for the Ph.D. program.
- To be considered for the Ph.D. program, each candidate must either pass the VU Entry Test with a minimum of 70% marks or achieve a minimum of 60% marks in the GRE Subject Test, followed by an interview and presentation.
Download Entry Test Sample
Exemption
Exemption from the courses is not allowed.
Degree Duration
Sr. No. | Degree Level | Minimum Duration | Maximum Duration |
1 | PhD | 3 years / 6 semesters | 8 years |
2 | MS/M.Phil. | 2 years / 4 semesters | 4 years |
3 | Master (M.A/M.Sc.) | 2 years / 4 semesters | 4 years |
4 | BS (4 years) | 4 years / 8 semesters | 8 years |
5 | Bachelor (2 years) | 2 years / 4 semesters | 4 years |
6 | Associate degree | 2 years / 4 semesters | 4 years |
Study Scheme
Semester 1
| Course Code | Subject Title | Type | Pre Requisite | Credit Hours | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CS703
|
Advanced Operating Systems |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS704
|
Advanced Computer Architecture-II |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS708 |
Software Requirement Engineering |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS711 |
Software Design |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS712 |
Distributed DBMS |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS713 |
Object Oriented DBMS |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS716 |
Advanced Computer Networks |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS718 |
Wireless Networks |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
Semester 2
| Course Code | Subject Title | Type | Pre Requisite | Credit Hours | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CS706
|
Software Quality Assurance |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS707
|
Network Security |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS709 |
Formal Methods for Software Engineering |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS710 |
Mobile and Pervasive Computing |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS721 |
Network Performance Evaluation |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS723 |
Probability and Stochastic Processes |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS724 |
Software Process Improvement |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
|
CS726 |
Information Retrieval Techniques |
Elective |
|
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) |
|
Assessment of Academic Progress
The evaluation of student’s progress in the program is based on continuous assessment throughout the semester. This is achieved through various means such as assignments, quizzes, graded discussion boards (GDBs), academic papers, seminars, and mid-term, and final-term examinations.
Research Thesis
As part of the Ph.D. program, students are required to submit a Research Thesis. The topic of the thesis must be chosen in consultation with the supervisor.
Degree Awarded
To be eligible for the Ph.D. in Computer Science degree, a student must complete 18 credit hours of prescribed coursework with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 out of 4. In addition to this, they must also submit a Dissertation/Thesis consisting of 12 credit hours.
- Defend a Ph.D. research proposal.
- To successfully pass the written and oral comprehensive examinations, a minimum score of 65% and 50% respectively is required, with a maximum of two attempts allowed.
- To fulfill the requirements for the Ph.D. program, the student must publish at least one research paper as the first author in a journal recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC)
- To fulfill the requirements, the student must present or read one research paper as the first author at a national or international conference.
- Obtain approval for the dissertation from two foreign experts.
Disclaimer
- The courses are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date with those taught at top universities, considering the needs of local industry and the job market.
- The University may alter its fee structure from time to time.