Master of Science in Computer Science
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Jan 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
Request tuition fees
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular deadline: 5th Jan 2025 | final deadline: 31st May 2025, application after Jan 15th might not be processed | application start date: Oct 1st, 2024
* *No tuition fee, free accommodation + monthly stipend of 2100USD+
Introduction
The goals of the Master of Science in Computer Science are to train specialists to analyze complex computer science and AI problems, take a scientific, innovative, ethical, and socially responsible approach to conducting and contributing to computer science research, and solve complex problems in the field.
As technological progress accelerates, so does the demand for skilled computer science professionals. The Master of Science in Computer Science is intended for students desiring to substantially advance their knowledge and skill in a field or fields of computer science. You will be supervised and mentored by faculty members with world-class expertise in a variety of areas of computer science, including algorithms, systems, and computational intelligence. This master’s program is ideally suited to students wishing to become senior professionals in the technology industry or to those seeking to prepare for a career in scientific research.
Alumni Statistics
Admissions
Curriculum
The minimum degree requirements for the Master of Science in Computer Science is 36 credits, distributed as follows:
| Core Courses | Number of Courses | Credit Hours |
| Core | 4 | 16 |
| Electives | 2 | 8 |
| Research Thesis | 1 | 8 |
| INT799 Internship | At least one internship of up to six weeks duration must be satisfactorily completed as a graduation requirement. | 0 |
Core courses
Master of Science in Computer Science is primarily a research-based degree. The purpose of coursework is to equip students with a suitable skill set, so they can accomplish their research project (thesis). Students are required to take MTH703, CS701, CS702, and CS703 as mandatory courses.
| Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| MTH703 | Mathematics for Computer Science | 4 |
| CS701 | Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures | 4 |
| CS702 | Theory of Computer Science | 4 |
| CS703 | Operating Systems | 4 |
Elective courses
Students will select a minimum of two elective courses, with a total of eight (or more) credit hours. They must be chosen based on interest, proposed research thesis, and career aspirations, in consultation with their supervisory panel. The elective courses available for the Master of Science in Computer Science are listed in the table below:
| Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| CS704 | Programming Languages and Implementation | 4 |
| CS705 | Distributed and Parallel Computing | 4 |
| DS701 | Data Mining | 4 |
| DS702 | Big Data Processing | 4 |
| NLP701 | Natural Language Processing | 4 |
| NLP702 | Advanced Natural Language Processing | 4 |
| NLP703 | Speech Processing | 4 |
| ROB701 | Fundamentals of Robotics | 4 |
Research thesis
Master’s thesis research exposes students to an unsolved research problem, where they must propose new solutions and contribute to the body of knowledge. Students pursue an independent research study, under the guidance of a supervisory panel, for one year.
| Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| CS799 | Master’s Research Thesis | 8 |
| RES799 | Introduction to Research Methods | 2 |
Gallery
Program Outcome
By the end of the program students will be able to:
- Analyze real-world problems and apply principles of computer science and other relevant disciplines to meet desired needs
- Analyze and prove the properties of data structures, algorithms, and/or computing systems using the theoretical underpinnings of Computer Science
- Identify and apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in computer science projects and research of varying complexity
- Communicate the practical and entrepreneurial feasibility and sustainability of research findings and innovations, orally and in written form, to both specialist and general audiences
Ideal Students
STEM major students with GPA above 3.2/4.0
Rankings
CS Rankings in a Glance
- 18th in the field of AI in CS Rankings globally
- 28th in the field of ML in CS Rankings globally
- 16th in the field of CV in CS Rankings globally
- 19th in the field of NLP in CS Rankings globally
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
AI is permeating every industry. At recent employer engagement events at MBZUAI, there has been representation from multiples sectors including (but not limited to):
- Aviation, consultancy, education, energy, finance, government entities, healthcare, media, oil and gas, security and defense, research institutes, retail, telecommunications, transportation and logistics, and startups.
Recent job opportunities advertised via the MBZUAI Student Careers Portal include (but are not limited to):
- AI solution architect, AI solution engineer, algorithmic engineer, data analyst, data engineer, data scientist, data strategy consultant, full-stack software engineer, full-stack web developer, predictive analytics researcher, and senior data scientist–consultant.
Other career opportunities could include (but are not limited to):
- Applied scientist, analytics engineer, augmented/virtual reality, autonomous cars, biometrics and forensics, chief data officer, data platform leadership, data journalist, data and AI technical sales specialist, growth analytics/engineers, manager: AI and cloud services planning, machine learning engineers, product manager: AI and data analytics, product data scientist, product analyst, remote sensing, research assistants, security and surveillance, senior software engineer, and VP data.