Postgraduate Courses
CSIT
Information Technology
- CSIT 5100Engineering Reliable Software Systems[3 Credit(s)]DescriptionDiscussion of the latest enabling technologies used for the engineering of reliable software applications. These technologies include the modeling, design, testing and analysis of software applications.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply software engineering principles to develop and manage software systems.
- 2.Apply the industrial practice and software tools to develop and manage software systems.
- CSIT 5210Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery[3 Credit(s)]Co-list withMSBD 5002Exclusion(s)COMP 5331, MSBD 5002, MFIT 5004DescriptionData mining has recently emerged as a major field of research and applications. Aimed at extracting useful and interesting knowledge from large data repositories such as databases and the Web, data mining integrates techniques from the fields of database, statistics and AI.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Use data preprocessing techniques to clean data.
- 2.Use data mining techniques to conduct real data analytics problems.
- 3.Verify the correctness of mined knowledge for decision making.
- CSIT 5410Recognition Systems[3 Credit(s)]DescriptionIt is getting easier and more and more common to install or use recognition systems in our daily lives and working environments, such as fingerprint recognition systems, face and iris recognition systems, car plate and vehicle recognition systems, industrial automation inspection systems, medical diagnosis and surgical planning systems, image search systems. This course aims to provide students with a sound background in the area of recognition systems. Tentative topics include various examples of recognition systems, and related techniques in image analysis, computer vision, and pattern recognition.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Describe concepts and techniques to recognize image features and patterns
- 2.Define and identify concepts and techniques to recognize different objects, e.g., iris, face, fingerprint, license plate and vehicle.
- CSIT 5500Advanced Algorithms[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000EDescriptionThis course covers some advanced algorithms. Topics include sorting and data structures, divide and conquer, string processing, dynamic programming, graph algorithms, shortest path, maximum flow, stable marriage, and streaming.
- CSIT 5520Natural Language Processing[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000RExclusion(s)ARIN 5202, COMP 5221, MAIE 5221, MSBD 5018BackgroundStudents are expected to have prior knowledge of object-oriented programming and data structures.DescriptionThis course provides an introduction to machine learning algorithms for natural language processing and using programming tools such as Python to implement them for real problems. It explores practical applications such as text classification, information extraction, sequence modeling, text inference, and QA systems to demonstrate the power of learning algorithms.
- CSIT 5530Understanding Large Language Models[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000SBackgroundAll the students are expected to have taken machine learning and preferably NLP courses before and are familiar with deep learning models.DescriptionThis course aims to cover state-of-the-art research topics on large language models (LLMs), starting with technical foundations (BERT, GPT, T5 models, mixture-of-expert models, retrieval-based models), emerging capabilities (knowledge, reasoning, few-shot learning, in-context learning), fine-tuning and adaptation, system design, as well as security and ethics.
- CSIT 5610Computer Networks: An Internet Perspective[3 Credit(s)]DescriptionThis course discusses in-depth the architectures, protocols, and other key issues in the design of the global Internet. Topics include: common Internet applications, layered network architecture, switching techniques, local area networks, routing, transport, and multimedia networking.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Define and describe the basic working principles of computer networks, their architecture and protocols.
- 2.Describe and appreciate the principles of networked applications, including client-server based applications (e.g., HTTP, FTP, SMTP and DNS) as well as peer-to-peer based applications (e.g., BitTorrent, Skype, and so on).
- 3.Discuss transport layer protocols, such as TCP and UDP and distinguish their functions and the services they provide.
- 4.Analyze congestion in computer networks, its manifestations and its causes, and formulate congestion control mechanisms available in the Internet to tackle it.
- 5.Illustrate the principles of network layer services and discuss routing algorithms and their applications in the Internet.
- 6.Outline the services of the link layer and Identify basic link layer protocols and medium access mechanisms.
- CSIT 5710Cryptography[3 Credit(s)]Exclusion(s)COMP 5631DescriptionThe design and analysis of encryption schemes, public-key cryptography, digital signatures, user authentication, data integrity, cryptographic protocols, public-key infrastructure, key management, and their applications to systems security, network and Web security.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify and formulate security problems in information technology.
- 2.Apply and integrate security principles for solving security problems in information technology.
- 3.Communicate effectively through assignment writing and project designing.
- CSIT 5730Principles of Cybersecurity[3 Credit(s)]DescriptionThis course introduces principles in cybersecurity. It covers the fundamental concepts and techniques of major aspects of cybersecurity, including software security, network security, cryptography, and system security. It also covers state-of-the-art techniques and solutions in advanced security topics such as data privacy protection, blockchain security, AI security, and cloud network security. Students will learn to find and fix weaknesses in different systems, and apply advanced defenses to protect these systems.
- CSIT 5740Introduction to Software Security[3 Credit(s)]DescriptionThis course serves as an introduction to the concept of software security. The students will learn fundamental concepts on software security, security mechanisms in software and operating systems, secure coding guidelines and exploits, and advanced analysis techniques for security. Students will also have hands-on experience in deploying security attacks and analysis of real world security vulnerabilities.
- CSIT 5750Introduction to Network Security[3 Credit(s)]DescriptionThis postgraduate-level course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of network and wireless mobile security principles and practices. The course will cover various aspects of securing network infrastructures, wireless communication, and mobile devices. Students will gain practical knowledge and skills in analyzing, designing, and implementing security measures to protect networks and wireless mobile environments.
- CSIT 5760Blockchain and Smart Contracts[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000QDescriptionThis course provides a thorough technical introduction to pertinent subjects in the larger blockchain and smart contract ecosystem. This course is designed to focus on providing students with a solid understanding of extensive knowledge of what Blockchain is and how it works, with a focus on Ethereum and Smart Contracts. It will provide many opportunities for building decentralized applications using the Web3 stack and the Turing-complete Solidity language over the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The course also provides opportunities to design and deliver a final project targeting a specific blockchain use case using smart contracts of their choice (will be given options) running on an Ethereum testnet or private Blockchain.
- CSIT 5900Artificial Intelligence[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000FExclusion(s)ARIN 5102, MAIE 5102, MSBD 5015DescriptionThis course will cover advanced topics in artificial intelligence including machine learning, agent design, mulitiagent systems, game search, natural language processing and knowledge representation and reasoning systems.
- CSIT 5910Machine Learning[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000GExclusion(s)ARIN 5103, COMP 5212, MAIE 5212, MSBD 5012, MSDM 5055DescriptionThis course covers core and recent machine learning algorithms. Topics include supervised learning algorithms (linear and logistic regression, generative models for classification, learning theory), deep learning algorithms (feedforward neural networks, convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks), unsupervised learning algorithms (variational autoencoders, generative adversarial networks, mixture models), and reinforcement learning (classic RL, deep RL).
- CSIT 5920Financial Technology for Engineering Professionals[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000HExclusion(s)ISOM 5330, ISOM 5340DescriptionInnovative computing technology has significantly changed the financial landscape in banking, insurance, gaming (gambling), investment and their respective regulatory frameworks. This course will give students new insights and solid understanding of how and why different IT infrastructure, technical designs and implementations are detrimental to success, and prepare the students for senior technology leadership positions in the banking, insurance, investment, IT audit, government/regulator, innovation and entrepreneurship areas. The course will cover the challenging FinTech issues in (i) IT strategy and governance, (ii) IT development and operations and (iii) the future data ecosystem. There will be class discussions and presentations on system design, flow analysis, modeling, POC (proof of concept), and MVP (minimal viable product) of various FinTech, lnsurTech and RegTech applications.
- CSIT 5930Search Engines and Applications[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000IDescriptionInformation retrieval techniques; document indexing, searching and ranking; search methods for web data, personalization, learning to rank; applications.
- CSIT 5940Advanced Digital Design[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000LExclusion(s)ISDN 5300DescriptionThis course will provide an in-depth study of various digital design and computer graphics algorithms and software. Topics include 1) 3D Modelling such as spline surface, solid modelling, transformations, hierarchical modelling; 2) Algorithms in content generation such as procedural modelling and optimization-based modelling; 3) 3D Animation which include principles of computer animation, particle systems, cloth simulation, and collision detection; 4) 3D rendering such as ray casting and tracing, shading, texture mapping, global illumination, and volume rendering; 5) Advanced topics and latest research works such as Neural Rendering using Generative adversarial network (GAN) and Neural Radiance Field (NeRF).
- CSIT 5950A Gentle Introduction to Deep Learning[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000MDescriptionThis is a specialized machine learning course that focuses on modern deep learning models and approaches. The major topics include modern convolutional neural networks, modern recurrent neural networks, transformers, graph neural networks, generative adversarial networks, neural architecture search, automated data augmentation, self-supervised learning, and adversarial attacks and defenses. Students will also use some of these models to develop applications in the course projects to gain practical experience.
- CSIT 5960Advanced Topics in Human-Computer Interaction[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000NExclusion(s)ARIN 5301DescriptionHuman-Computer Interaction (HCI) is an interesting and important area of study, providing the human perspective to computing. This course emphasizes on techniques, models, theories, and applications for designing, prototyping, and evaluating current and future interactive systems for human use. Besides technology and innovation, it also touches on issues like ethics and social responsibilities related to technologies in the real world. Selected topics may include multimodal interaction design, ubiquitous/mobile computing, virtual/augmented reality, agents and robots, and HCI applications in various domains such as education, health, urban sustainability, scientific discoveries, etc.
- CSIT 5970Advanced Cloud Computing[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000ODescriptionCloud computing provides a fundamental infrastructure support for today's IT industry, including e-commerce, social network, web search, machine learning, and scientific computing. It enables ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This course exposes students to both the theory and hands-on experience of cloud technology.
- CSIT 5980Spatial and Multimedia Databases[3 Credit(s)]Previous Course Code(s)CSIT 6000PExclusion(s)MSBD 5019BackgroundStudents must be familiar with SQL and can do programming using any programming language such as C++ or JavaDescriptionData types in many new applications domains, such as spatial, multimedia and a wide range of scientific applications, are often represented as multi-dimensional data. Data management and query processing techniques for multi-dimensional data are significantly different from the relational data. This course covers a selection of database topics to provide students with the critical thinking of issues related to techniques for multi-dimensional data management and analytics. Spatial and multimedia database management concepts, theories and technologies, from data representation, indexing, fundamental operations to advanced query processing, as well as challenges and solution for high dimensional data will be introduced.
- CSIT 6000Topics in Information Technology[1-3 Credit(s)]DescriptionState-of-the-art topics in Information Technology reflecting recent developments in techniques and tools.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify and analyze the major issues and technical problems in a specific topic in information technology.
- 2.Implement key technical solutions to the problems in the topic.
- 3.Solve specific problems in this topic.
- CSIT 6910Independent Project[1-3 Credit(s)]DescriptionAn independent project carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. This course may be repeated for credit.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the state-of-the-art of the topic.
- 2.Gain experience in doing research or self-learning.
- 3.Solve real-world problems independently.
