Ph.D. in Computer Science

Program Description

The Ph.D. program in Computer Science offers an in-depth exploration of advanced topics in computing, research methodologies, and theoretical frameworks. Students engage in cutting-edge research under the mentorship of renowned faculty, contributing to the forefront of computer science knowledge. With a focus on innovation and problem-solving, graduates emerge as experts equipped to tackle complex challenges in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and beyond, shaping the future of technology through groundbreaking research and scholarship.

Why Study at PAF IAST?

Location and Ambience

PAF IAST is nestled in natural mountains that flank its campus from all sides. The institute offers one  ravishing view of snow-capped peaks of Nathiagali and natural winding trails. Furthermore, to its north-west is Tarbela Lake, a journey of only a few kilometers from the campus. Moreover, set in the middle of the campus is a natural lake, fed by the springs of surrounding mountains. The campus is just a 3-kilometer drive from the Hazara Motorway. This results in an ideal setting equally conducive to academic activity. Most importantly, major cities like Islamabad, Abbottabad, are just an hour’s drive, while small towns like Wah, Hasanabadal, Taxila, and Swabi can be reached in just half an hour. All these features make this the best opportunity to get  Computer Sciences admissions in KPK. 

Technology Advancement and Foreign Partnership

This institute is an emerging center of excellences, with its own technology park. Therefore, all faculty members hold PhD degrees in appropriate disciplines. By virtue of its wide array of facilities and the facilitation for its students to learn. Furthermore, they benefit both from classroom teaching and faculty trained at premier Austrian universities/institutions. The institution is ideally cut out for imparting state-of–the-art engineering and allied education in Pakistan. Moreover, the institute enjoys close linkages with top ranking universities in Austria and China. As a result, we have already concluded with them formal agreements regarding student and faculty exchange programs, provision of dual degrees in certain areas, and the training support from foreign faculty. 

Academia-Industry Relationship

There is a strong relationship between academia and industry. As a result, this paves the way for job opportunities for students even in the midst of their studies. PAF IAST will serve as a welcome platform for the industry to share their requirements for a skilled workforce. Therefore, this will enable the institute to incorporate their valuable inputs in practical vocational training and expose the students to industrial perspectives.

On-Spot Industry Internship

Firstly, it will be a mandatory requirement for every student to do an internship every semester in an appropriate industry. Secondly, this will garner them practical experience related to their respective degree programs. To crown it all, Technology Park will afford them rare opportunities to apply themselves innovatively and become promising entrepreneurs.

Need and Merit-based Scholarships

Different types of local and foreign scholarship opportunities are available on need and merit base.

Associated Careers

The career path for individuals with a Ph.D. in Computer Science is multifaceted and offers opportunities across various sectors. Some common career paths include:

Academia, Industry Research, Technology Leadership, Government and Public Sector, Entrepreneurship, Data Science and Analytics, Consulting and Non-Traditional Roles

A Ph.D. in Computer Science opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities, allowing graduates to contribute significantly to research, innovation, and problem-solving in various sectors.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirement for Ph.D. Computer Science

  1. Bachelor education (i.e., minimum 130 credit hours)/ Equivalent Sixteen-years education in the respective subject from HEC recognized institutions is a prerequisite for admission to all MS programs.
  2. Candidates with a foreign degree equivalent to Bachelor program are also eligible for admission in MS, however they need to obtain HEC equivalence certificate.
  3. Candidates must have passed GRE/GAT/PAF-IAST MET with minimum 50% marks.

 Duration of PhD Program:

 Minimum         3   Years                                 

Maximum         8   Years          (As per the Institute’s Policy)

The curriculum of the Program:

Program Credit Hours

Course Work: 18 credit hours

Research Work and Research Thesis: 30 credit hours

Ph.D. Computer Science Course Curriculum

Semester 1

 

Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Labs

Total

1

COMP-XXX

Compute Science Elective Course – I

2NG

 

 

2

COMP-XXX

Compute Science Elective Course – II

3

 

3

3

COMP-XXX

Compute Science Elective Course – III

3

 

3

 

 

Total Credit Hours

9

 

9

Semester 2

 

Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Labs

Total

1

COMP-XXX

Compute Science Elective Course – IV

3

 

3

2

COMP-XXX

Compute Science Elective Course – V

3

 

3

3

COMP-XX

Compute Science Elective Course – VI

3

 

3

 

 

Total Credit Hours

9

 

9

Semester – 3 (30CH) onwards

 

Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Labs

Total

1

COMP-899

Thesis

30

 

30

2

 

Total Credit Hours

30

 

30

 

Grand Total Credit Hours: 48

 

 

Specialized Core Courses:

 

 

 

 

 

The Ph.D. programs can offer all courses with course codes starting with COMP-8## or COMP-9##. Courses relevant to the specialization of the degree offered by another department can also be taken with the approval of the supervisor.

Some of the already approved courses are given below.

 

 

 

 

 

Elective Courses

 

 

 

1

COMP-852

Wireless Packet Data Networks and Protocols

3

 

3

2

COMP-853

Mobile Adhoc Networks (MANETs)

3

 

3

3

COMP-854

Advanced Wireless Networks

3

 

3

4

COMP-855

Network Functions Virtualization (NFVs)

3

 

3

5

COMP-874

Fault Tolerant Systems

3

 

3

6

COMP-892

Advanced Network Security

3

 

3

7

COMP-856

Networks Analytics

3

 

3

8

COMP-898

Advanced Ethical Hacking

3

 

3

9

COMP 857

Advanced Network Modeling and Simulation

3

 

3

10

COMP-858

Advanced Network Programming

3

 

3

11

COMP-830

Tools and Techniques for Data Science

3

 

3

12

COMP-831

Knowledge Engineering

3

 

3

13

COMP-832

Advanced Information Retrieval

3

 

3

14

COMP-833

Advanced Big Data Analytics

3

 

3

15

COMP-834

Advanced Data Visualization

3

 

3

16

COMP-840

Statistical and Mathematical Methods for Data Analysis

3

 

3

17

COMP-841

Machine Learning for Data Science

3

 

3

18

COMP-842

Advanced Machine Learning

3

 

3

19

COMP-843

Advanced Artificial Neural Network

3

 

3

20

COMP-844

Advanced Deep learning

3

 

3

21

COMP-845

Advanced Natural Language Processing

3

 

3

22

COMP-846

Advanced Expert and Recommender Systems

3

 

3

23

COMP-847

Advanced Digital Image Processing

3

 

3

24

COMP-848

Advanced Knowledge Representation and Reasoning

3

 

3

25

COMP-849

Computational Intelligence and IoT

3

 

3

26

COMP-940

Computer Vision and Pattern Identification

3

 

3

27

COMP-941

AI for Biomedical Engineering

3

 

3

28

COMP-942

AI in Smart Energy Systems

3

 

3

29

COMP-943

Distributed Data Processing and Machine Learning

3

 

3

Salient Features of Ph.D. Computer Science:

The salient features of a Ph.D. in Computer Science typically include:

Research Excellence

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Expert Faculty Mentorship

Access to Cutting-Edge Resources

Professional Development

Tailored Curriculum

Opportunities for Publication and Recognition

Preparation for Leadership Roles