Overview

The Master of Science in Next-Generation Computing is a master's programme that includes three tracks:   Artificial Intelligence and Formal Methods for Cybersecurity; Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Healthcare; and Quantum Technology. This exciting new program will be taught by highly qualified and experienced professors from top-ranked universities.

​The​ track of this program in Artificial Intelligence and Formal Methods for Cybersecurity is distinguished from other classic graduate programmes in the field of cybersecurity as it offers an innovative academic approach that combines the advanced techniques of artificial intelligence and formal methods. Thus, it progresses into the next level of cybersecurity which is required to face the increasing size and sophistication of cyberattacks. Indeed, artificial intelligence helps security operations analysts to be proactive against threats. Furthermore, formal methods have become well established as powerful techniques to demonstrate the absence of security vulnerability allowing for the construction of highly secured protocols and critical systems.

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The new master's programme includes a second track, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Healthcare. This track focuses on the global health sector and the use of artificial intelligence technology; needless to say, this is very pertinent in today's global health issues. Indeed, artificial intelligence allows for an early, accurate and automatic diagnosis of many diseases. It also advances the organisation and management of the huge numbers of medical data produced during the stages of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients. Artificial intelligence algorithms reduce human error and ensure the high quality of health services. It additionally has the potential of reducing the prohibitive costs of comprehensive healthcare.  

The third track of the new programme is Quantum Technology. This field is anticipated to produce radical changes and a scientific revolution in major areas of human life. While the traditional computer relies in its work on a binary system that has only two possibilities; namely 0 or 1, or what is known as bit, the quantum computers use qubits (or quantum bits) that can exist as a 1 or 0 or both at the same time, or somewhere on a spectrum between the two. The transition from a bit to a qubit increases computing power astonishingly. For example, Google recently built a quantum computer that performed a computation in 200 seconds that would take approximately 10,000 years for the fastest supercomputers to accomplish. It is expected that quantum computing will revolutionize many fields including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, medicine, healthcare and drug research and development. 

This Master's programme has been designed to create an academic bridge that allows students of the GCC countries to launch into the world of artificial intelligence, formal methods, and quantum technology. In this program, students will acquire the high-level skills essential to these very promising fields. They would achieve the economic and social advances that benefit the region in various vital sectors such as cybersecurity, medicine and healthcare.

Program Structure

The master's program is a full-time two-year curriculum (four semesters).

To graduate, a master's degree student must complete at least 36 credits as follows:

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Semester 1 is dedicated to common courses which provide students with the basic required skills in mathematics, logic, artificial intelligence, and programming. Semesters 2 & 3 are dedicated to core/elective and research-oriented courses. Semester 2 contains introductory courses to help student gain required knowledge in the field. Semester 3 has courses that are further advanced. The fourth and last semester is exclusively dedicated to the master's thesis.

Graduation Requirements

The graduation requirements are as follows: ​

• Successful completion of a minimum of 36 credits (one credit corresponds to 84 hours of workload).
• Completion and successful defense of a master's thesis.
• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 out of 4.00.
  
   

Admission Process

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained the following:

1. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering or applied mathematics from a recognized university. Gifted students in medicine, healthcare and biomedical sciences with IT skills may be considered for admission. However, if admitted, they are required to take a number of courses to overcome gaps in their curriculum.
2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent.
3. A minimum TOEFL score of 450, or IELTS score of 5.5​​

Admission Procedure

​There is a two-step aptitude assessment procedure:

• ​Evaluation of the application documents are based on a point system.
• Depending on the number of points accumulated, candidates are then either immediately accepted, called upon for a selection interview, or rejected.

TRACK 1: AI AND FORMAL METHODS FOR CYBERSECURITY

​​Vision

Pioneering next generation cybersecurity through a combination of artificial intelligence and formal methods.

Mission

To provide high-quality graduate education and research environment in artificial intelligence and formal methods applied to cybersecurity, train qualified experts, and produce innovative research to face future challenges in this critical field.

Program Objectives

The program’s main objective is to provide students with the following skills:

• Advanced design and implementation of safe, intelligent, AI-driven systems.
• Advanced usage of formal methods for the verification of safety and security critical systems.
• Conduct innovative applied research in cybersecurity to meet the GCC countries’ needs and provide solutions to regional private and public institutions.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the Master’s program, graduates can embrace expert careers as:

• Analyst and developer of advanced computer science applications, particularly in cybersecurity, AI and formal verification of safety and security critical systems in a variety of private and public industrial and services fields.
• Academic and research careers in GCC and other universities and research centers.

TRACK2: AI FOR MEDICINE AND HEALTH CARE

​​Visio​n

Leadership in providing outstanding graduate education in AI-based medicine and healthcare.

Mission

To educate and train qualified experts and develop a professional research environment in artificial intelligence applied to medicine and healthcare for the GCC medical community.

Program Objectives

The program’s main objective is to provide students with the following skills:

• The ability to apply artificial intelligence in the medical and healthcare fields to improve efficacy and efficiency.
• The capability of developing and implementing advanced and smart artificial intelligence solutions for clinical purpose.
• Create innovation for the development of smarter clinical decisions and diagnostic support using artificial intelligence tools.

Career opportunities

Upon completion of the Master’s program, graduates can embrace expert careers as: 

• Analyst of advanced computerized and computer-generated medical data.
• Digital diagnostician in clinical medicine. 
• Digital healthcare manager, artificial intelligence specialist. 
• Academic and research careers in universities and research centers. 

​Courses and Credits

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TRACK3: QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES

​​Vision 

Paving the way for AGU to be an undisputed regional leader and global reference in graduate education and research in quantum technology and its main applications.

Mission

To providissione high-level scientific education and research environment in quantum technology and its main applications, and to prepare students to cope with the coming age of quantum technology. 

Program Objectives

The program’s main objective is to provide students with the following skills:

• Gain a deep understanding of the specificities of quantum algorithms.
• Master the design and the architectures of quantum computers.
• Design, implement and maintain quantum information systems.
• Conduct innovative applied research in the field of quantum computing applied in particular to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity that have concrete impact on industries.

Career opportunities 

Upon completion of the Master’s program, graduates can embrace expert careers as: 

• Senior quantum computing developer/manager in private and public institutions in various industries and services including, but not restricted, to banking, insurance, and consultancy.
• Government IT strategic and policy advisor.
• General experts for emerging technology such as neuromorphic computing, high performance computing, stochastic computation, etc.
• Academic and research careers in universities and research centers.​

Courses and Credits