Overview

The PhD program in Information Technology Engineering is a joint program between Palestine Polytechnic University, Al-Quds University, and the Arab American University. The program focuses on the application of engineering methodologies in the various fields of information technology, in addition to the concepts of different computerized systems in the various fields of research to serve and support the different disciplines (Interdisciplinary). This major accommodates master's graduates from the following specializations: Informatics, Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Computer Engineering and any major close to Information Technology Engineering and related disciplines, noting that the partner universities offer master's programs in informatics and related disciplines for a long time. In addition to the bachelor's programs in the field of information technology, information systems, computer science, computer systems engineering, and it is one of the most important disciplines needed by the local community.

The aim of establishing a PhD program in Information Technology Engineering is in line with the objectives of the Faculties of Information Technology and Engineering in partner universities, which includes preparing and graduating researchers needed for the advancement of scientific research in the fields related to the specializations of computer, information technology and related matters. In addition, the establishment of the PhD programs aims at establishing research groups capable of providing effective solutions in the mentioned aspects. Thus, these research groups are an incubator for the researcher in the doctoral program.

 

Objectives

1. Enabling the PhD researcher to conduct independent scientific research.

2. Preparing a national program with the participation of three national universities distributed geographically all over the country in the field of computer science, engineering and information technology

3. Preparing specialized scientists and research staff qualified to meet the needs of society and transfer knowledge and experience in advanced areas of computer science in the industrial and academic sectors.

4. Enhancing the concept of scientific research and the quality of the outputs by contributing to enriching knowledge in all its branches through specialized studies and serious research to reach innovative and applied solutions.

5. Working to promote cooperation with some specialized companies inside and outside the country in order to deal with engineering and computer problems over the years to find solutions to those problems.

6. Finding solutions to programming dilemmas in the private sector and government institutions by providing a high level of applied and engineering research.

7. Providing the opportunity for distinguished students with a master’s degree to pursue their higher studies at their home country.

Outcomes

On completion of the PhD program in Information Technology Engineering, a student is expected to have the following skills and experience:

1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of his field of specialization in Information Technology Engineering, and an in-depth knowledge of his specific specialization.

2. Mastering basic knowledge in many specialized areas of research and substantial experience in at least one research area in computer-related fields.

3. The ability to apply reasoning, critical analysis, problem-solving, application of relevant research methodology, technical skills to solve problems with minimal guidance, and to conduct independent and innovative research.

4. The ability to communicate and highlight concepts and results in the form of scientific papers in conferences, journals, and / or oral presentations.

Work Fields for Graduates

• Work as faculty members in higher education institutions
• Work as researchers specializing in institutions of higher education and research and development institutions
• Work in leadership roles in the fields of information technology in government and private sector institutions

Specialty Number: 28101

Number of credit hours: 54 hours

 

Academic Plan

The program includes a course work of 30 credit hours and a dissertation of 24 credit hours.

 

Graduation Requirements

Students must successfully complete the 54 credit hours.

Scope of the Dissertation

 

1. The PhD dissertation should be equivalent to 18 credit hours.
2. The PhD dissertation topic should be agreed upon by a committee selected from the staff.
3. The student should prepare a proposal for the subject of his/her research dissertation under the supervision of an advisor.
4. The advisors and the committee monitor the progress of the student in his/her research and finally the student defends his/her dissertation.

 

The curriculum of the program “PhD in Information Technology Engineering” meets the requirements for doctoral programs in universities in general; this is intentional to provide the market with quality senior experts. The load of a regular student is 9 credit hours per semester and the minimum duration of the program is three years.

 

The program curriculum includes a set of 5 core courses (15 credit hours) and a dissertation (24 credit hours) that should be taken by all students. These courses are:

Course Name	C.H.
ITE 902 – Advanced Algorithms	3
ITE 903 – Quantitative Methods and Experimental Design	3
ITE 904 – Data Analytics and Mining	3
ITE 905 – Advanced Software Engineering	3
ITE 906 – PhD Research Seminar	3
ITE 900 – Qualifying Exam	0
ITE 999 – PhD Dissertation	24
ITE 998 – Comprehensive Exam	0
ITE 997 – Research and Academic Activities	0

 

In addition, students can choose a set of elective courses for the remaining 5 elective courses (15 credit hours) to meet their graduation requirements. These courses should be selected to fit in a concentration of each student. Following is a list of elective courses:

 

Course Name	C.H.
ITE 911 – Parallel Computing Systems	3
ITE 914 – Natural Language Processing	3
ITE 917 – Information Retrieval	3
ITE 919 – Computational Biology	3
ITE 920 – Cloud Computing	3
ITE 921 – Cryptography	3
ITE 922 – Computer Architecture	3
ITE 930 – Large-Scale Internet Applications	3
ITE 931 – Internet of Things	3
ITE 932 – Wireless Networks Security	3
ITE 933 – Wireless Sensor Networks	3
ITE 934 – Multi-Agent Systems	3
ITE 935 – Digital Image Processing-advanced topics	3
ITE 936 – Human-Machine Interfaces͟ (HMI)	3
ITE 937 – Artificial Intelligence	3
ITE 938 – Information Design	3
ITE 939 – Smart Systems Integration and Simulation	3
ITE 923 – Mathematical Modeling	3
ITE 924 – Advanced Software Testing	3
ITE 925 – Advanced Software Quality	3
ITE 940 – Special Topics	3