The PhD program in Computer Science (further in the text: PhD program), fully taught in English, is designed to provide advanced skills and sophisticated knowledge for individuals planning a career in academic, industry and research settings in any subfield of computer science and engineering. The program focuses on the development of an in-depth understanding of the nature, implementation and evaluation of computing principles and applications together with the growth of research skills. The current areas of research interest for the PhD in Computer Science encompass a wide spectrum, with specific focus on priority areas for Kazakhstan, such as artificial intelligence, systems, data analytics, information security, and smart cities. These areas are also aligned with well-known international research priorities: Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies (Information and Communication Technologies; Artificial Intelligence); Health, demographic change and well-being (Personalized medicine; Telemedicine; Smart Houses and Smart Cities). By the completion of the PhD program, students will be capable of designing and conducting independent, innovative, original and high-quality research in computer science. In addition, program graduates will be prepared for working in industrial and academic environments, e.g., as university faculty members, senior researchers, engineers and product developers.
(*) Course may be waived for NU graduates and replaced by a Level-8 course (core or elective) selected by the student’s supervisory committee and approved by the corresponding departmental committee.
(**) All participating schools and departments with Level-8 courses
(*) Course may be waived for NU graduates and replaced by a Level-8 course (core or elective) selected by the student’s supervisory committee and approved by the corresponding departmental committee.
(**) All participating schools and departments with Level-8 courses
Year 2: Spring (4th Semester)
Year 2: Summer Term (2nd Summer Term)
Year 3: Fall (5th Semester)
Year 3: Spring (6th Semester)
Year 3: Summer Term (3rd Summer Term)
Year 4: Fall (3th Semester)
Year 4: Spring (8th Semester)
Year 4: Summer (4th Summer Term)
Research Methods&Ethics
Course description: The course will facilitate the understanding of research planning and development,while enhancing the PhD student skills for reading, interpreting, writing and presenting his/her scientific and technical ideas to the peer community. The course will also deliver theory and examples of a variety of research methods and ethical principles associated to them.
Brief description: This course delivers a formal training for PhD students aiming at helping them in understanding how to conduct their research in a rigorous and ethical manner.
Thesis Research
Course description: This course is designed to monitor progress and develop understandings, skills, and outlooks to conduct original, independent research at the PhD level. The student will develop (with the advisor’s guidance) a research plan at the beginning of the semester that will state a research problem/question/hypothesis, its background, outline a research strategy and experimental approach, method of data collection, interpretation and validation, and method of communication of the project results to others. The research plan is used as the basis for assessment of the student’s research progress.
Brief description: This course is designed to monitor progress and develop understandings, skills, and outlooks to conduct original, independent research at the PhD level. The student will develop (with the advisor’s guidance) a research plan at the beginning of the semester that will state a research problem/question/hypothesis, its background, outline a research strategy and experimental approach, method of data collection, interpretation and validation, and method of communication of the project results to others. The research plan is used as the basis for assessment of the student’s research progress.
Current Research Literature
Course description: This course is designed to provide students a directed focus on preparing a literature review on the topic of their interest in coordination with a faculty supervisor. The students are expected to develop a comprehensive review of the state of art and identify the major gaps in the field of research. They also develop critical assessment and comparison of the past literature, and present the work in the form of the term paper.
Brief description: This course course is designed to provide students a directed focus on preparing a literature review on the topic of their interest in coordination with a faculty supervisor. The students are expected to develop a comprehensive review of the state of art and identify the major gaps in the field of research. They also develop critical assessment and comparison of the past literature, and present the work in the form of the term paper.