Overview
The rapid emergence of advanced technologies tremendously impacts the world’s economic growth and social development. This challenging environment gives rise to both crucial needs as well as great opportunities for experts in computer science who can unlock the full potential of IT innovations and businesses.
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science program at the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Mahidol University delivers graduates with strong investigatory, expository, and practical skills who are competitive, can conduct original research, and excel in industry. Our comprehensive theoretical and applied courses, offered entirely in English, will enhance your analytical, critical, and creative thinking competencies. We guide you not only through the breadth of knowledge in computer science but also the depth of conception and experience in five specialized research areas :
- Data and Knowledge Management
- Intelligent Systems
- Interactive Multimedia Systems
- Networks, Systems, and Security
- Software Engineering
Educational Philosophy
This curriculum focuses on producing graduates with the knowledge and skills comparable to international standards necessary to research to solve challenging scientific and business problems by discovering new knowledge and technology through research in computer science.
Vision
Toward world-class multidisciplinary education and research in computing technology.
Objectives
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the foundations of computer science, an in-depth knowledge of emerging topics in computer science, and expertise in research methodology.
2. Research to discover new computer science knowledge or related computing problems in other fields.
3. Adhere to the value of ethics and code of conduct in research, academic, and computer science careers.
4. Foster strong collaboration and communication skills in English.
Curriculum Information
| Name of Study Program | Doctor of Philosophy Program in Computer Science (International Program) (Regular and Special Program) |
| Address | ICT Building, Mahidol University, 999 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhonpathom 73170 |
| Contact | Phone: +66 02 441-0909 / Fax. +66 02 441-0808 |
| E-mail: ict@mahidol.ac.th | |
| Website: http://www.ict.mahidol.ac.th | |
| Degree Awarded | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (Ph.D. in Computer Science) |
| Language used | English |
| Admissions | Thai and International students who are proficient in English |
Location of Study
Faculty of ICT, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, 999 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhonpathom 73170
Educational Management System
Educational System
Two Semester Credit system. 1 Academic Year consists of 2 Regular Semesters, each with not less than 15 weeks of study.
Summer Semester
The program does not offer a summer session.
Typical class hours
Semester 1: August – December
Semester 2: January – May
Tuition Fees
| Academic Year | Education Fee | Expenses (Overall Program) | |||
| International Student | Thai Student | ||||
| Baht | USD [1 USD ~ 33 Baht] |
Baht | USD [1 USD ~ 33 Baht] |
||
| 2023 | Plan 1.1 (Thesis) | 512,700 Baht | 15,600 USD | 420,450 Baht | 12,800 USD |
| Plan 2.1 (Thesis & Course Work) | 575,700 Baht | 17,500 USD | 463,200 Baht | 14,100 USD | |
| 2024 | Plan 1.1 (Thesis) | 480,000 Baht (80,000 Baht/Semester) |
14,550 USD (2,425 USD/Semester) |
420,000 Baht (70,000 Baht/Semester) |
12,750 USD (2,125 USD/Semester) |
| Plan 1.2 (Thesis) | 640,000 Baht (80,000 Baht/Semester) |
19,400 USD (2,425 USD/Semester) |
560,000 Baht (70,000 Baht/Semester) |
17,000 USD (2,125 USD/Semester) |
|
| Plan 2.1 (Thesis & Course Work) | 480,000 Baht (80,000 Baht/Semester) |
14,550 USD (2,425 USD/Semester) |
420,000 Baht (70,000 Baht/Semester) |
12,750 USD (2,125 USD/Semester) |
|
| Plan 2.2 (Thesis & Course Work) | 640,000 Baht (80,000 Baht/Semester) |
19,400 USD (2,425 USD/Semester) |
560,000 Baht (70,000 Baht/Semester) |
17,000 USD (2,125 USD/Semester) |
|
* Official Tuition Fees Announcement from Mahidol University
Graduation Criteria
Duration of graduation:
Plan 1.1 & Plan 2.1 For students with Master’s Degree : 3 years
Plan 1.2 & Plan 2.2 For students with Bachelor’s Degree : 4 years
Total Credits:
Plan 1.1 & Plan 2.1 For students with Master’s Degree : No fewer than 48 credits
Plan 1.2 & Plan 2.2 For students with Bachelor’s Degree : No fewer than 72 credits
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Plan 1.1 & Plan 1.2 (Thesis)
1) Students must complete their courses as stated in the curriculum
2) Students must pass the Qualifying Examination
3) Pass English Proficiency test following the Faculty of Graduate Studies’s criteria
4) Propose Dissertation to the committee appointed by the Faculty Graduate Studies and to the public and pass oral thesis examination as the final stage
5) The complete or part of the thesis has to be published or accepted in at least two qualified international journals as announced by the committee, published or accepted to be published in at least one qualified international journal as announced by the committee, granted at least one patent, accepted as one innovation, or acknowledged as one creative product that can be applied commercially, socially, and economically. In the case of innovative or creative product, the thesis shall be evaluated by at least 3 external thesis committees from the same field or related field who are knowledgeable, experienced, and highly recognized and approved by the University Council.
6) Other requirements shall follow those that specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Plan 2.1 & Plan 2.2 (Thesis and Course Work)
1) Students must complete their courses as stated in the curriculum with a minimum CUM-GPA of 3.00.
2) Students must pass the Qualifying Examination
3) Pass English Proficiency test following the Faculty of Graduate Studies’s criteria
4) Propose Dissertation to the committee appointed by the Faculty Graduate Studies and to the public and pass oral thesis examination as the final stage
5) The complete or part of the thesis has to be published, or at least accepted to be published, in a qualified international journal as announced by the committee, granted a patent, accepted as an innovation, or acknowledged as a creative product to be applied commercially, socially, and economically. In the case of innovative or creative product, the thesis shall be evaluated by at least 3 external thesis committees from the same field or related field who are knowledgeable, experienced, and highly recognized and approved by the University Council.
6) Other requirements shall follow those that specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Curriculum Structure
| Courses | Plan 1.1 | Plan 1.2 | Plan 2.1 | Plan 2.2 |
| 1. Required Courses | – | – | 9 credits | 12 credits |
| 2. Elective Courses not less than | – | – | 3 credits | 12 credits |
| 3. Thesis | 48 credits | 72 credits | 36 credits | 48 credits |
| Total not less than | 48 credits | 72 credits | 48 credits | 72 credits |
Study Plan
| Plan 1.1 (Thesis) For students with Master’s Degree | ||
| 1st Year, 1st Semester | ||
| * ITCS 671 | Seminar in Computer Science I | 1 (1-0-2) |
| ITCS 898 | Dissertation (Developing the research topic and planning) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 1st Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| * ITCS 672 | Seminar in Computer Science II | 1 (1-0-2) |
| ITCS 898 | Dissertation (Reviewing literature and preparing for data collection) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 2nd Year, 1st Semester | ||
| * ITCS 673 | Seminar in Computer Science III | 1 (1-0-2) |
| ITCS 898 | Dissertation (Conducting preliminary experiments and writing the proposal) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 2nd Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 898 | Dissertation (Proposing the thesis proposal, conducting experiments, and writing the first manuscript) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 3rd Year, 1st Semester | ||
| ITCS 898 | Dissertation (Conducting experiments and writing the second manuscript) | 6 (0-18-0) |
| 3rd Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 898 | Dissertation (Writing the thesis and thesis defense) | 6 (0-18-0) |
* Register with AUDIT
| Plan 1.2 (Thesis) For students with Bachelor’s Degree | ||
| 1st Year, 1st Semester | ||
| * ITCS 533 | Research Methodology in Computer Science | 2 (2-0-4) |
| * ITCS 671 | Seminar in Computer Science I | 1 (1-0-2) |
| ITCS 899 | Dissertation (Developing the research topic) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 1st Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| * ITCS 672 | Seminar in Computer Science II | 1 (1-0-2) |
| ITCS 899 | Dissertation (Planning and Reviewing literature) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 2nd Year, 1st Semester | ||
| * ITCS 673 | Seminar in Computer Science III | 1 (1-0-2) |
| ITCS 899 | Dissertation (Reviewing literature and preparing for data collection) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 2nd Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 899 | Dissertation (Conducting preliminary experiments and writing the proposal) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 3rd Year, 1st Semester | ||
| ITCS 899 | Dissertation (Proposing the thesis proposal and conducting experiments) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 3rd Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 899 | Dissertation (Writing the first manuscript) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 4th Year, 1st Semester | ||
| ITCS 899 | Dissertation (Conducting experiments and writing the second manuscript) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 4th Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 899 | Dissertation (Writing the thesis and thesis defense) | 9 (0-27-0) |
* Register with AUDIT
| Plan 2.1 (Thesis and Course Work) For students with Master’s Degree | ||
| 1st Year, 1st Semester | ||
| ITCS 531 | Mathematics for Computer Science | 2 (2-0-4) |
| ITCS 533 | Research Methodology in Computer Science | 2 (2-0-4) |
| ITCS 671 | Seminar in Computer Science I | 1 (1-0-2) |
| 1st Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 532 | Foundations of Computational Science | 2 (2-0-4) |
| ITCS 672 | Seminar in Computer Science II | 1 (1-0-2) |
| Elective Course | 3 credits | |
| 2nd Year, 1st Semester | ||
| ITCS 673 | Seminar in Computer Science III | 1 (1-0-2) |
| ITCS 699 | Dissertation (Developing the research topic, planning, reviewing literature) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 2nd Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 699 | ITCS 699 Dissertation (Preparing for data collection, conducting preliminary experiments, and writing the proposal, proposing the thesis proposal) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 3rd Year, 1st Semester | ||
| ITCS 699 | Dissertation (Conducting experiments, writing the first manuscript) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 3rd Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 699 | Dissertation (Writing the thesis and thesis defense) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| Plan 2.2 (Thesis and Course Work) For students with Bachelor’s Degree | ||
| 1st Year, 1st Semester | ||
| ITCS 523 | Data Sciences Essentials | 3 (3-0-6) |
| ITCS 531 | Mathematics for Computer Science | 2 (2-0-4) |
| ITCS 533 | Research Methodology in Computer Science | 2 (2-0-4) |
| ITCS 671 | Seminar in Computer Science I | 1 (1-0-2) |
| 1st Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 532 | Foundations of Computational Science | 2 (2-0-4) |
| ITCS 672 | Seminar in Computer Science II | 1 (1-0-2) |
| Elective Course | 6 credits | |
| 2nd Year, 1st Semester | ||
| ITCS 673 | Seminar in Computer Science III | 1 (1-0-2) |
| Elective Course | 6 credits | |
| ITCS 799 | Dissertation (Developing the research topic and planning) | 3 (0-9-0) |
| 2nd Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 799 | Dissertation (Reviewing literature and preparing for data collection) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 3rd Year, 1st Semester | ||
| ITCS 799 | Dissertation (Conducting preliminary experiments and writing the proposal) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 3rd Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 799 | Dissertation (Proposing the thesis proposal and Conducting experiments) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 4th Year, 1st Semester | ||
| ITCS 799 | Dissertation (Writing the first manuscript) | 9 (0-27-0) |
| 4th Year, 2nd Semester | ||
| ITCS 799 | Dissertation (Writing the thesis and thesis defense) | 9 (0-27-0) |
Elective Courses
Elective Courses for Plan 2.1 For students with master’s degree of not less than 3 credits
A student can register for an elective course(s) s as follows:
ITCS 638 Networks and Distributed Systems Security 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 642 Software Engineering Management 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 646 Requirements Engineering 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 687 Advanced Computer Security 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 692 Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 693 Advanced Topics in Software Engineering 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 694 Bioinformatics 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 695 Independent Study 3 (0-6-3)
Elective Courses for plan 2.2 For students with Bachelor’s not less than 12 credits
A student can register elective course(s) within Database, Network and Security, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering and Other Elective Courses as follows:
(1) Database
ITCS 621 Database Design and Administration 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 668 Cloud Database and Big Data Technology 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 682 Advanced Database Systems 3 (3-0-6)
(2) Network and Security
ITCS 551 Service-oriented and Cloud Computing 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 554 Information Security Management 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 638 Networks and Distributed Systems Security 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 687 Advanced Computer Security 3 (3-0-6)
(3) Artificial Intelligence
ITCS 517 Machine Learning 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 518 Image Analysis and Understanding 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 661 Advanced Artificial Intelligence 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 665 Natural Language Processing 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 667 Advanced Computer Vision 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 692 Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence 3 (3-0-6)
(4) Software Engineering
ITCS 613 Tools and Environments for Software Development 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 615 Empirical Software Engineering 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 642 Software Engineering Management 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 644 Software Quality Assurance 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 646 Requirements Engineering 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 693 Advanced Topics in Software Engineering 3 (3-0-6)
(5) Other Elective Courses
ITCS 503 Design and Analysis of Algorithms 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 655 Computer Graphics 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 694 Bioinformatics 3 (3-0-6)
ITCS 695 Independent Study 3 (0-6-3)
ITCS 696 Advanced Topics in Computer Science 3 (3-0-6)
In addition to the elective courses mentioned above, a student may register other graduate level courses from international programs offered by other faculties, both of Mahidol University and of other universities, according to the student’s interest as elective courses, with the approval of the curriculum committee and the advisor.
Research Areas
Research areas for conducting a thesis are as follows:
(1) Research project in intelligent systems
(2) Research project in communication and network systems
(3) Research project in security systems
(4) Research project in software engineering
(5) Research project in data management systems
(6) Research project in graphic and multimedia systems
(7) Research project in computer architecture and computer systems
(8) Research project in bioinformatics
(9) Research project in health information
(10) Research project in computational science
(11) Research project related to industry
Students can choose to conduct research in other areas related to computer science given approval from academic advisor and program director.
Teaching & Assessment
| Teaching method |
|
| Assessment method |
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Program Learning Outcomes
By the end of the study, graduates will be able to:
PLO1 Commit to appropriate ethics and professional code of conduct in research, academic, and computer science careers.
PLO2 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of broad knowledge of computer science principles and theories.
PLO3 Determine methods and techniques in their specialized computer science domains to solve real-world and research problems systematically.
PLO4 Demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team with self-responsibility.
PLO5 Communicate in English to collaborate, convey computer science knowledge, and present research findings via appropriate information and communication technology tools to both expert and general audiences effectively.
PLO6 Discover new computer science knowledge through original research of international and publishable quality that satisfies peer review.
Future Careers
1. Computer Scientist
2. Computer Science Educator
3. Computer Technical Officer
4. Information Technology Project Manager
5. Information Technology Consultant
Download
For prospective students:
Plan 1.1 (Thesis) For students with a Master’s degree
1. Holding a Master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, engineering, or other IT-related fields
2. Having at least one peer-reviewed publication in computer science
3. Have a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.5
4. Having an English Proficiency Examination score passes the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirement.
5. Other requirements shall follow those specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
6. Qualifications different from 3 – 5 may be considered by the Program Administrative Committee and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Plan 1.2 (Thesis) For students with a Bachelor’s degree
1. Holding a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in computer science, engineering, or other IT-related fields.
2. Having at least one peer-reviewed publication or at least one year of experience in computing-related research or at least 3 years of experience in developing products
3. Having a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.5
4. Having an English Proficiency Examination score passing the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirement
5. Other requirements shall follow those specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
6. Qualifications different from 3 – 5 may be considered by the Program Administrative Committee and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Plan 2.1 (Thesis & Course Work) For students with a Master’s degree
1. Holding a Master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, engineering, or other IT-related fields
2. Having at least one peer-reviewed computer science publication or at least 3 years of experience developing products or research related to computing
3. Having a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.0
4. Having an English Proficiency Examination score passing the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirement
5. Other requirements shall follow those specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
6. Qualifications different from 3 – 5 may be considered by the Program Administrative Committee and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Plan 2.2 (Thesis & Course Work) For students with a Bachelor’s degree
1. Holding a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the disciplines related to information technology, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, medicine, health science, and public health
2. Having at least one peer-reviewed publication or at least 1 years of experience developing products or computing-related research
3. Have a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.0
4. Having an English Proficiency Examination score passing the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirement
5. Other requirements shall follow those specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
6. Qualifications different from 3 – 5 may be considered by the Program Administrative Committee and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Go to website of the Faculty of Graduate Studies to submit an online application.
Register and log in to the online application system.
Complete the application form and submit related and supporting documents to the online application system.
Important Dates (Academic Year 2024)
| Events | Second Semester Round |
| Application Period | 1 July – 31 October 2024 |
| Announcement of interview candidates | 9 November 2024 |
| Interview Date | 18 November 2024 |
| Result announcement | 27 November 2024 |
| New Student Check-In | 27 November – 3 December 2024 |
| Semester Starts (2nd Semester, Academic Year 2024) | 6 January 2025 |
Important Dates (Academic Year 2025)
| Events | Round 1 |
| Application Period | 1 October – 30 November 2024 |
| Announcement of interview candidates | 12 December 2024 |
| Interview Date | 24 December 2024 |
| Result announcement | 8 January 2025 |
| New Student Check-In | 8 – 21 January 2025 |
| Semester Starts (1st Semester, Academic Year 2025) | August 2025 |
| Events | Round 2 |
| Application Period | 1 December 2024 – 31 January 2025 |
| Announcement of interview candidates | 14 February 2025 |
| Interview Date | 25 February 2025 |
| Result announcement | 13 March 2025 |
| New Student Check-In | 13 – 26 March 2025 |
| Semester Starts (1st Semester, Academic Year 2025) | August 2025 |
| Events | Round 3 |
| Application Period | 1 February – 31 March 2025 |
| Announcement of interview candidates | 11 April 2025 |
| Interview Date | 25 April 2025 |
| Result announcement | 9 May 2025 |
| New Student Check-In | 9 – 22 May 2025 |
| Semester Starts (1st Semester, Academic Year 2025) | August 2025 |
| Events | Round 4 |
| Application Period | 1 April – 31 May 2025 |
| Announcement of interview candidates | 12 June 2025 |
| Interview Date | 24 June 2025 |
| Result announcement | 3 July 2025 |
| New Student Check-In | 3 – 16 July 2025 |
| Semester Starts (1st Semester, Academic Year 2025) | August 2025 |
| Events | Second Semester Round |
| Application Period | 1 July – 31 September 2025 |
| Announcement of interview candidates | 15 October 2025 |
| Interview Date | 28 October 2025 |
| Result announcement | 14 November 2025 |
| New Student Check-In | 14 – 27 November 2025 |
| Semester Starts (2nd Semester, Academic Year 2025) | January 2026 |
Tuition Fees
| Academic Year | Education Fee | Expenses (Overall Program) | |||
| International Student | Thai Student | ||||
| Baht | USD [1 USD ~ 33 Baht] | Baht | USD [1 USD ~ 33 Baht] | ||
| 2023 | Plan 1.1 (Thesis) | 512,700 Baht | 15,600 USD | 420,450 Baht | 12,800 USD |
| Plan 2.1 (Thesis & Course Work) | 575,700 Baht | 17,500 USD | 463,200 Baht | 14,100 USD | |
| 2024 | Plan 1.1 (Thesis) | 480,000 Baht (80,000 Baht/Semester) |
14,550 USD (2,425 USD/Semester) |
420,000 Baht (70,000 Baht/Semester) |
12,750 USD (2,125 USD/Semester) |
| Plan 1.2 (Thesis) | 640,000 Baht (80,000 Baht/Semester) |
19,400 USD (2,425 USD/Semester) |
560,000 Baht (70,000 Baht/Semester) |
17,000 USD (2,125 USD/Semester) |
|
| Plan 2.1 (Thesis & Course Work) | 480,000 Baht (80,000 Baht/Semester) |
14,550 USD (2,425 USD/Semester) |
420,000 Baht (70,000 Baht/Semester) |
12,750 USD (2,125 USD/Semester) |
|
| Plan 2.2 (Thesis & Course Work) | 640,000 Baht (80,000 Baht/Semester) |
19,400 USD (2,425 USD/Semester) |
560,000 Baht (70,000 Baht/Semester) |
17,000 USD (2,125 USD/Semester) |
|
- Official Tuition Fees Announcement from Mahidol University
Education fees information
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for exceptional students. The applicant can apply for a scholarship in the application form. The scholarship award will be considered by the program committee on a case by case basis.
