PhD in Software Engineering

Program Description

Learning Outcomes

Requirements

Program Structure

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PhD in Software Engineering
Institution
King Saud University
Location
Saudi Arabia
Total Tuition
$ 32009
Intakes
September
Application deadline
January
Application Fee
133
Program Description

The program is designed to provide a high quality and advanced research based graduate education toward producing highly qualified professionals in software engineering with elevated moral and ethical values who will be successful in their professional engagement and contribute positively to the socio-economic growth of the Kingdom.

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Hosting Institution

King Saud University
King Saud UniversityView Institution Profile ↗

Learning Outcomes

Graduates from the PhD program in Software Engineering will have the following knowledge and skills by the time of graduation:

Knowledge and Comprehension:

  • Master the advanced concepts, models, methods, and techniques relevant to the area of specialization within Software Engineering.
  • Identify and formulate accurately research issues and problems related to the area of specialization within Software Engineering.
  • Apply advanced mathematical, statistical, optimization, and computing models and methods to solve software engineering research problems.
  • Evaluate, compare, document, and defend research outcomes and results.
  • Recognize and observe ethical responsibility and behavior in scientific research.

Mental Skills:

  • Demonstrate strong critical thinking skills.
  • Possess strong reasoning and problem solving skills.
  • Deal with confidence and professionalism with new, complex, and unpredicted problems.

Professional and Practical Skills:

  • Communicate research problems, ideas, and solutions in both written and verbal.
  • Work and collaborate within research teams.
  • Possess the ability to continuously learn new ideas, approaches, and solutions to Software engineering research problems.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills allowing graduates to lead teams and projects.

General Skills:

  • Utilize the knowledge and skills acquired in the program to understand and evaluate the impact of Software Engineering problems and solutions on the economy and the society.
  • Acquire independence, self-starting, and initiative skills  to address problems and propose solutions
  • Possess the necessary capabilities that allow the graduates from the program to have an active and positive role in their community

Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements contained 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:

  1. Applicants must hold a BSc. Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information technology, Information Systems, or Computer Engineering from King Saud University or a University recognized by the Ministry of Education, with a minimum GPA of 3.75 out of 5.
  2. Applicants must hold an MSc. Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information technology, Information Systems, or Computer Engineering from King Saud University or a University recognized by the Ministry of Education, with a minimum GPA of 3.75 out of 5.
  3. Applicants shall possess a score of no less than (53) in the TOEFL IBT exam or equivalent.
  4. Applicants should have a score of no less than (148) in the GRE (quantitative reasoning part) or a score of no less than (80) in the post-graduate Qudurat exam.

Program Structure

First Year – First Semester

# Course Code Course Title No. of Study Units Prerequisite
1 SWE 601 Empirical and Data Analysis Methods for Software Engineering 3 (3+0) —
2 SWE 602 Modeling and Optimization for Software Engineering 3 (3+0) —
3 SWE — Elective Course (1) from List (1) 3 (3+0) —

Total Study Units: 9

First Year– Second Semester

# Course Code Course Title No. of Study Units Prerequisite
1 SWE 696 Independent Study (1) 2 (2+0) —
2 SWE 698 Research Seminar* 1 (1+0) —
3 SWE — Elective Course (2) from List (1) 3 (3+0) —
4 SWE — Elective Course (3) from List (2) 3 (3+0) —

Total Study Units: 9
*Annual course

Second Year – First Semester

# Course Code Course Title No. of Study Units Prerequisite
1 SWE 697 Independent Study (2) 2 (2+0) SWE 696
2 SWE — Elective Course (4) from List (2) 3 (3+0) —
3 SWE 699 Thesis Proposal Preparation 1 —

Total Study Units: 6

Second Year – Second Semester

# Course Code Course Title No. of Study Units Prerequisite
1 COM 700 Comprehensive Exam 0 (24 units)

Total Study Units: 0

Third Year 

# Course Code Course Title No. of Study Units Prerequisite
1 SWE 700 Thesis 24 SWE 699 & COM 700

Total Study Units: 24 + 24 units for Thesis

Elective Courses (LIST 1)

Students select 6 study units from this list

# Course Code Course Title No. of Study Units Prerequisite
1 SWE 603 Advanced Topics in Software Architecture 3 (3+0) —
2 SWE 604 Software Verification and Validation 3 (3+0) —
3 SWE 605 Software Dependability 3 (3+0) —
4 SWE 606 Software Process and Project Management 3 (3+0) —
5 SWE 607 Software Analytics 3 (3+0) —
6 SWE 608 Search-based Software Engineering 3 (3+0) —
7 SWE 609 Advanced Topics in Software Requirements Engineering 3 (3+0) —
8 SWE 610 Advanced Topics in Software Maintenance and Evolution 3 (3+0) —
9 SWE 611 Advanced Topics in Interaction Design 3 (3+0) —
10 SWE 612 Formal Methods for Software Engineering 3 (3+0) —


Elective Courses (LIST 2)

Students select 6 study units from this list

# Course Code Course Title No. of Study Units Prerequisite
1 SWE 620 Software Mining and Intelligence 3 (3+0) —
2 SWE 621 Data Science and Engineering 3 (3+0) —
3 SWE 622 Advanced Topics in Multimedia Software Systems 3 (3+0) —
4 SWE 623 Mobile and Pervasive Software Systems 3 (3+0) —
5 SWE 624 Cybersecurity and Software Systems 3 (3+0) —
6 SWE 625 Cloud-based Software Systems 3 (3+0) —
7 SWE 626 Selected Topics in Software Engineering 3 (3+0) —
8 SWE 627 Simulation and Modelling of Distributed Software Systems 3 (3+0) —
9 SWE 628 Text Retrieval and Analysis for Software Engineering 3 (3+0) —
Visit The Program Page
Program Overview
Study Format
On-campus
Program Level
Doctorate (PhD)
Language Of Materials
English
Language Of Teaching
English
Mode
Full-time
Duration By Months
36
Visit The Program Page
To request more information about the program

Contact Admission
King Saud University
Phone Number
+966114696666
Email
ccis@ksu.edu.sa

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