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DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
Computer science is the discipline that studies the structure, function, and applications of computers. The programmes of the Department of Computer Science are dedicated to educate students in the areas of foundations of computer science, artificial intelligence, computer engineering, data and knowledge base systems, and software technology, so that they become effective practitioners and researchers.
Through the efforts of researchers and engineers in the last five decades, computers have evolved from large, slow, and very specialised systems to small, fast, and ordinary tools that are part of virtually everyone's life. For example, the computing power of ENIAC, the first electronic computerwhich weighed 40 tons, cannot come close to that of the calculators that our school children cany today. This phenomenal improvement in computing power over the years has been accompanied by an equally phenomenal decrease in cost. The ubiquitous nature of computers in the workplace now is making computer literacy a requirement for all professionals in industrial societies. When computer technology is applied with a thorough understanding of computer science, business can compete successfully in the emerging global marketplace.
Traditional computer science research covers hardware, the physical compo- nents of computer systems, and software, the logical instructions to the computer for problem-solving. Computer Science programmes at HKUST cover both but emphasise software. This emphasis is consistent with a world-wide trend of the increasing importance of computer software in various applications and in research.
The Department offers a full range of courses to meet the needs of its own students and those from other departments. Its programmes lead to the BEng, MPhil, MSc, and PhD degrees. Aside from taking computer science courses, students are encouraged to design individual study plans tailored to their own interests.
In addition to the BEng programme in Computer Science, the Department is also actively participating in the design and administration of the BEng programme in Computer Engineering. For details, please refer to page 156.
Faculty
Professor and Head of Department:
Vincent Y.S. SHEN, BS National Taiwan; MA, PhD Princeton Professors:
Samuel T. CHANSON, BSc Hong Kong, MSc, PhD Univ of California, Berkeley (Associate Head of Department)
Roland T. CHIN, BS, PhD Missouri-Columbia
Herbert EDELSBRUNNER, MS, PhD Tech Univ of Graz Frederick H. LOCHOVSKY, BASc, MSc, PhD Toronto Visiting Reader:
Shmuel ZAKS, BSc, MSc Technion; PhD Univ of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Senior LecturersJAssociate Professors:
Amelia C.W. FONG LOCHOVSKY, BSc Toronto; MSc, MA, PhD Princeton Michael KAMINSKI, MSc Moscow State; PhD Hebrew Univ of Jerusalem Dik L. LEE, BSc Chinese Univ of Hong Kong, MSc, PhD Toronto
Ting-Chuen PONG, BS Univof Wisconsin, Eau Claire; MS, PhD Virginia Polytech lnst and State Univ
Helen C. SHEN, BMath, PhD Waterloo; MSc Toronto Lecturers/Assistant Professors:
lshfaq AHMAD, BSc Univ of Eng & Tech, Pakistan; MS, PhD Syracuse George BACIU, BMath, MASc, PhD Waterloo
Lewis H.M. CHAU, BSc Chinese Univ of Hong Kong; MSc Univ of Alabama, Birmingham; PhD Univ of California, Los Angeles
Siu-Wing CHENG, BSc Hong Kong; PhD Minnesota
Shing-Chi CHEUNG , BSc(Eng) Hong Kong, MSc, PhD London Scott C. DEERWESTER, BS, MS, PhD Purdue
Pamela A. DREW, BA, MS, PhD Univ of Colorado, Boulder
Mordecai J . GOLIN, BSc Hebrew Univ of Jerusalem; MA, PhD Princeton James W. GRAY, Ill, BS, MS, PhD Maryland
Mounir HAMDI, BS Southwestern Louisiana; MS, PhD Pittsburgh Babak HAMIDZADEH, BS, MS, PhD Minnesota
Andrew B. HORNER, BMusic Boston; MS Univof Tennessee, Knoxville; PhD Univ of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Kamalakar KARLAPALEM, BSc Bombay; MS lndian Statisticallnst; MS lndian lnst of Tech; PhD Georgia lnst of Tech
Alex KEAN, BCS, MSC Acadia; PhD British Columbia Chung-Mong LEE, BSc, MSc, PhD Minnesota Qing LI, BE Hunan; MSc, PhD Southern California
Jogesh K. MUPPALA, BE Osmania; MS Southwestern Louisiana; PhD Duke Avi C. NAIMAN, BSc Framingham State Coll; MSc, PhD Toronto
Tin-Fook NGAI, BSc(EE) Hong Kong, MS Pennsylvania; PhD Stanford Chung-Dak SHUM, BS, MS Washington Univ; PhD Univ of California, Los Angeles Michael D. STIBER, BS Washington Univ; MS, PhD Univof California, Los Angeles Dekai WU, BS Univ of California, San Diego; PhD Univ of California, Berkeley Beat WUTHRICH, BS Berne Neufeld; MS, PhD Swiss Fed lnst of Tech Dit-Yan YEUNG, BSc(Eng), MPhil Hong Kong, MS, PhD Southern California Nevin Lianwen ZHANG, BS China Univ of Electrical Science & Tech; MS, PhD
Beijing Normal and British Columbia
Undergraduate Programme
All undergraduates are required to take a series of courses to provide them with basic engineering theories, concepts, and practices. Classes in the basic sciences and mathematics also form part of the curriculum. Introductions to the theories and applica- tions of computers are given in the second year. In the third year, students may specialise in one of the major concentrations such as foundations of computer science, artificial intelligence, computer engineering, data and knowledge base management, or software technology. Alternatively, students may choose to remain in a general programme with a course of study tailored to their own interests. A final year project is required under the supervision of an academic advisor.
Admission Requirements 1995-96
In addition to the general entrance requirements of the University, acceptable grades are required in either (1) two AL subjects (including Pure Mathematics) and two AS subjects, or (2) three AL subjects (including Pure Mathematics).
School of Engineering School o f Enpineerinp
Curriculum for BEng in Computer Science
First Year Fall Semester
COMP 102 C Computer Fundamentals and Programming [3-0-2:4]
COMP 11 1 C Software Tools [2-0-2:3]
ELEC 101 R Basic Electronics [3-1-3:4]
(1) LANG 001 Language Skills Enhancement I [O-3-1 :O]
MATH 132 R Discrete Structures [3-1-0:4]
15 credits
Spring Semester
COMP 106 C C Programming -41 -0-2:2]
COMP 171 C Data Structures and Algorithms [3-1-0:3]
COMP 180 C Computer Organisation [3-0-1131
H&SS E Humanities and Social Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
MATH 11 1 R Linear Algebra [3-1-0:4]
MECH 182 R Experimental Methods [ I -2-4:3]
18 credits
Second Year Fall Semester
COMP 251 C Principles of Programming Languages COMP 252 C Principles of Systems Software COMP 271 C Design and Analysis of Algorithms H&SS E Humanities and Social Science Elective MATH 244 R Applied Statistics
COMP 21 1 R Introduction to Software Engineering COMP 221 R Fundamentals of Artlicial lntelliaence I COMP 231 R Database Management systems (2) COMP E Computer Science Elective
LANG 103 R Technical Communication
(3) SBBM E Business and Management Elective
17 credits
Spring Semester
17 credits
Third Year Fall Semester
COMP 371 C Theory of Computation [3-1-0:3]
COMP 397 R Final Year Project I [0-0-3: 1 ]
(2) COMP E Computer Science Elective [2-0-0:2]
(2) COMP E Computer Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
(4) FREE E Free Elective [3-0-0131
H&SS E Humanities and Social Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
15 credits Spring Semester
COMP 398 R Final Year Project II [0-0-9131
(2) COMP E Computer Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
(2) COMP E Computer Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
(4) FREE E Free Elective [3-0-0131
H&SS E Humanities and Social Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
(3) SB&M E Business and Management Elective [3-0-0:3]
18 credits Students exempted from this course by the Language Centre may replace it with a Humanities and Social Science elective.
Must be a 200-level or higher course. At least six credits must be at 300-level or higher.
(3) Students should note that certain ISMT courses may not be used as electives.
(4) Selection of free electives is subject to departmental approval.
A minimum of 100 credits is required for the BEng programme in Computer Science.
Postgraduate Programmes and Research
The Department of Computer Science has established several research areas that are relevant to the needs of society with emphasis on software. Since the cost of software is the major factor driving the cost of most computer applications, a better understanding of software can have a profound influence on its production, and the education system in Hong Kong is particularly suitable for young people wishing to pursue careers in computer software. Brief descriptions of these research areas are given below:
The Foundations of Computer Science area includes the study of the theory of computation, and the design and analysis of algorithms. Research in theory seeks to uncover and explain the structures underlying computational processes, as well as to model the difficulties encountered in understa6ding them. ~esearch in algorithms seeks to identifv common characteristics in different a~~lications and to develo~ efficient approacGes to solve them. ~rtifciallntelli~ence(~l)'i~ concerned with how computers can be made to exhibit intelligent behaviour in performing tasks which traditionally have been best done by humans. These tasks include reasoning (deductive, inductive, and common-sense), speech recognition and language understanding, vision, learning, planning, and motion control. Computer Engineering research studies the analysis, design, and implementation of computer systems. The goal is to identify effective
School of Engineering
methods to build systems that meet customers' requirements. Topics under investigation are computer architecture and organisation, fault-tolerant computing, operating systems, parallel and distributed computing, and real-time systems. Other topics that involve both computer and electrical engineehg include computer communication and networking, and VLSl design. The computer engineering programme is designed to prepare students for research in the areas described above, as well as to provide solutions to Hong Kong's needs in the design and analysis of computer systems, communications networks, and systems software. Data and Knowledge Management covers techniques of data and knowledge representation, utilisation, and integration, in order to effectively support emerging data- and knowledge-intensive applications. SoMvare Technology is con- cerned with the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software~~stems, especiallv those that are larae and complex. The aoal is to identifv the methods and tools that can be used by software engineers to produce high-quality~ystems at low cost.
Foundations of
Current Research Groups
The Department offers Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes in Computer Science. Applicants for admission are required to have completed, by the time they enter HKUST, a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related scien-ce or engineering field. Deficiencies in any core computer science area can be made up concurrentlv with ~ostaraduate
. -
work.Students must also demonstrate a sufficient command of ~ i ~ l i s h .
Admission Requirements
In addition to satisfying all the University requirements for postgraduate degrees, all students admitted to ~ostaraduate studies in the Deoartment of Comouter Science must complete the ~ e ~ a h m & t a l programme require&ts detailed below.
All students admitted to a postgraduate programme must demonstrate compe- tence in the following core areas: (a) computer organisation; (b) programming languages and compilers; (c) principles of systems software; (d) design and analysis of algorithms;
and (e) theory of wmputation. - Competence in these &eas is appraised during the admission process. A student whose formal computer science background is deemed inadequate may be admitted on a provisional basis and required to take a set of remedial courses by the departmental Postgraduate s t h i e s Committee and obtain at least a arade of B in these courses. Such addiiional reauirements will be stioulated in individual offers of admission.
School of Engineering
Course Requirements
At least 6 credits applied towards the MPhil degree and two thirds of the credits applied towards the MSc degree must be earned at this University. Approved credits earned for an MPhil or MSc degree may be applied towards the PhD requirements.
For all postgraduate programmes, no course with a grade less than C may be counted towards a degree, and the average grade obtained in the courses used to satisfy the degree requirements must be at least-B. Credits used to satisfy course requirements must cover at least four established research areas of the Department, of which one must be Foundations of Computer Science. All students are ;equired to register for the Computer Science seminar (COMP 690, 691 or 692), for two semesters. Additional requirements may be imposed for individual programmes.
Requirements for the MSc Degree in Computer Science
For full-time students, the normal length of time for the completion of the MSc degree is one and a half years. The number of required credits for the MSc degree is 30, and may be earned either by coursework-and-project or by coursework only.
The Coursework-and-Project Option
A student must complete at least eight postgraduate courses (24 credits), a computer science project (4 credits), and the Computer Science seminar for two semesters (2 credits) to receive the MSc degree. The final project report will be read by two faculty members, one of whom is the supervisor, and will be graded "Pass" or "Fail".
A "Pass" grade may be denoted as "Pass with Distinction" when appropriate.
The Coursework-Only Option
A student must complete at least nine postgraduate courses (27 credits), and the Computer Science seminar for three semesters (3 credits) to qualify for the MSc degree.
Requirements for the MPhil Degree in Computer Science
For full-time students, the normal length of time for completing the MPhil degree is one and a half years. A student must complete at least five postgraduate courses (1 5 credits) and the Computer Science seminar for two semesters (2 credits). In addition, the student must conduct research and submit a thesis for approval by the Department. A thesis examination committee should be set up at least six weeks before the proposed date of the oral defence. The committee will examine the thesis and conduct an oral defence.
Requirements for the PhD Degree in Computer Science
For full-time students, the normal length of time for completing the PhD degree is four years after the first degree with a reduction of one and a half years if a relevant Master's degree is earned prior to entering the programme. In addition to the course requirement of at least five postgraduate courses (1 5 credits) and the Computer Science seminar for two semesters (2 credits), a PhD student must also satisfy the following qualifying and thesis requirements.
School o f Enpineerinn School o f Enpineering
Qualifying Examination
The qualifying requirement consists of two parts. (1) Major Area: a written examination prescribed in the student's research area. An oral supplementary compo- nent may also be required. (2) Minor Area: a written examination in an approved second area may be waived for students who have taken either (i) an advanced course in the second area if it is in Computer Science and a B+ has been obtained; or (ii) an approved, advanced postgraduate &urse in the second area if it is outside computer science and a grade considered satisfactory by the departmental Postgraduate Studies Committee.
A PhD student is expected to fulfill the qualifying requirement by the end of the second year of study.
second
chance will be given to those who fail in their first attempt.The examinations are conducted twice a year, normally before the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.
Thesis Proposal
Each PhD candidate is required to submit and defend a thesis proposal, normally within one year after satisfying the qualrfying requirement. A thesis committee consisting of a minimum of four faculty members (including the supervisor) should be set up at least six weeks before the date of the proposal defence. At least three members of this committee must be from the Department.
Thesis and Final Defence
Each PhD candidate must submit a thesis describing significant original research completed at HKUST, with a public oral examination held for the student's defence of the thesis research.
Faculty Career Activities and Research Interests Professor Vincent Y. SHEN, Head of Department
Professor Shen has taught at Purdue university and sewed as a research manager at the Microelectronics and Computer Technolwv Cow. in the United States. He has also held visiting positions at ~ational Tsing Hua ~ G i v e r s h and IBM . His research interests are software engineering and software design environments.
Professor Samuel T. CHANSON, Associate Head of Department
Professor Chanson has taught at Purdue ~ n i v e r s i c a n d the University of British Columbia. He was Professor and Director of the Distributed Systems Research Group at the University of British Columbia before joining HKUST. Cfis research interests are computer communications, high speed ne&orksTand multi-media communications. He is also interested in software environments and wrformance models for parallel comput- ers, as well as distributed operating systems.
Professor Roland T. CHIN, Professor
Professor Chin has taught at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and was Associate Chairman of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 1986 to 1990.
He received the US Presidential Young Investigator's award in 1984. His research interests are digital signal processing, image analysis, pattern recognition, and computer vision.
Professor Herbert EDELSBRUNNER, Visiting Professor
Professor Herbert Edelsbrunner came to HKUSTfrom the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign. He was a recipient of the NSF Waterman Award, 1991. His research interests include algorithms, geometry, topology and visualisation.
Professor Frederick H. LOCHOVSKY , Professor
Professor Lochovshy has taught atthe University of Toronto where he was also Associate Director of the Computer Systems Research Institute. He has been a Visiting Scientist at IBM Research Laboratorv and Associate Dean of Enaineerina at HKUST. His research interests are information sistems design, database &.esign, &ta and knowledge base systems, organisational support systems and human-computer interaction.
Dr Shmuel ZAKS, Visiting Reader
Dr Zaks has been at the Technion-Israel lnstitute of Technology since 1979. He also held visiting positions at MIT, Carleton University, IBM Thomas J Watson Research Center, University of Helsinki, INRIA, IBM Zurich Research Center, and Aarhus University. His research is in the area of distributed computing, with an emphasis on the design and analysis of distributed algorithms, and in graph and combinatorial algorithms.
Dr Amelia FONG LOCHOVSKY, Associate Professor
Dr Amelia Fong Lochovsky has taught at the University of Toronto and was Associate Professor at the University of Guelph before joining HKUST. She also held visiting positions at IBM Yorktown and San Jose Research Laboratories. Her research interests include artificial intelligence, image processing, and Chinese information processing.
Dr Michael KAMINSKI, Associate Professor
Dr Kaminski has taught at the University of Waterloo and at the Technion
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Israel lnstitute of Technology. His research interests includecomplexity of algebraic computations, finite automata theory, and applications of logic in computer science.Dr Dik L. LEE, Associate Professor
Dr Lee has been on the faculty of the Department of Computer and Information Science at the Ohio State University since 1985. He was an ACM National Lecturer from 1991 - 1993, and has served on the Program Committee of the International Conference on Data Enaineerina since 1989. His research interests include information retrieval, deductive database &stems and object-oriented database systems.
Dr Ting-Chuen PONG, Associate Professor
Dr Pong has taught at the University of Minnesota. His research interests are in the field of computer vision, pattern recognition and robotics, especially in the areas of image segmentation, stereo-motion analysis, vision-based navigation, and object recognition.
He is also interested in the development of parallel algorithms for pattern recognition and image analysis.
Dr Helen C. SHEN, Senior Lecturer
Dr Shen has been a faculty member at the University of Waterloo. She has also held visiting positions at Tsinghua University in Beijing and the Robotics Research Lab at Hull University, U.K. Her research interests are image and texture analysis (monochrome and colour), pattern recognition, and flexible manufacturing systems.
Dr lshfaq AHMAD, Assistant Professor
Dr Ahmad was a researcher at the Parallel Computing Center of Syracuse University before joining HKUST. His research interestsare paralleland distributed processing, high performance computer architectures, and performance evaluation.
School of Engineering
Dr George BACIU, Assistant Professor
Dr Baciu has been a research staff member of the Computer Graphics Laboratory at University of Waterloo. His research interests are scientific visualisation, computer graphics, analytical graph-theoretic and computational dynamics of physical systems, entropy optimisation, and symbolic computation.
Dr Hau-Ming Lewis CHAU, Assistant Professor
Dr Chau was a researcher at IBM before joining HKUST. He has also taught at the Extension of the University of California at &rkelGy. His research interests arelogic and
Dr Chau was a researcher at IBM before joining HKUST. He has also taught at the Extension of the University of California at &rkelGy. His research interests arelogic and