Program info  |  Objectives  |  Mission  |  Outcomes  |  Admission  |  Study plan

The college has five scientific departments offering Bachelor of Science degrees: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Software Engineering and Information Technology for females' students. Besides, the college offers three Master of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information Systems. Today the number of graduates from the Master programs are over 153 students. The college has 64 academic staff, most of whom provide many professional and consulting services of diverse computer technology areas for various governmental, public and private sectors. In recent decades, the world witness tremendous developments in information technology, computer science, and information and knowledge systems. The reliability aspects of contemporary life and quality of life on many of these technologies has led to the increasing demands for specialized cadre that combines high expertise in computer science computer engineering, and information systems, to work in research and development centres at universities, research centres such as King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, etc. In addition, there is an increasing demand for computer graduates, males and females, to work as academic staff in the expanding computer departments in new public and private universities. Furthermore, it became scientifically important to raise the scientific and technology level of Saudi leadership 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 a 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 international experiences. From these standpoints, a graduate joint PhD 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

Ph.D. in Computer Science

• Program Guide

Ph.D. Program in Computer Science (Courses and Thesis Option) Guide

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.

Provide educational and research environment to prepare graduates for careers as university educators, research scientists or specialized professionals in computer science and in interdisciplinary areas that extend the scope of computer science.

In addition to the admission requirements mentioned in the unified regulations for postgraduate studies in Saudi universities and the organizational and executive rules and procedures for postgraduate studies at King Saud University, the department requires the following to join the program:

1. The applicant must have a master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or Information Systems obtained with a (regular) mode of study from King Saud University or from any other recognized institution with a grade of no less than (Very Good) -if the university grants a grade- with a GPA of (3.75/5) or its equivalent.
2. The applicant must have a score of at least (5.5) in the IELTS test or its equivalent (TOFEL iBT, TOFEL PBT, STEP).
3. The applicant must have a score of no less than (144) in the quantitative part of the GRE General Test, or achieve a score of (75) in the quantitative part of the General Aptitude Test for Undergraduates.

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 the Master Program level are counted for the course requirements in the PhD program.

2. To pass a comprehensive exam in his speciality 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 defence 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.

Number of required units is (26) in addition to (12) units for a thesis.

• First Level:

• Second Level:

• Third Level:

• Fourth Level:

• Fifth Level:

• Sixth Level: