Mechanical and Automation Engineering

The Ph.D. stream has a normative study period of 36 months for full-time students with a research-oriented Master's degree and 48 months for students without one. The maximum period for full-time student with Master’s degree is 72 and 84 months for students without.

All students in the PhD stream will be admitted initially in the “pre-candidacy” status. Upon satisfying the Division’s candidacy requirements, the student will be allowed to progress to the “post-candidacy” status. As a requirement for graduation, students must carry out a substantial amount of research which will lead to original results worthy of publication in scholarly journals.

Pre-candidac

Students are required to complete at least 4 graduate courses with a total of 12 units (each with a minimum of B-) as approved by the Division; register for the relevant thesis research course every term throughout his/her studies; pass the candidacy examination, submit a thesis proposal and pass an oral examination of the thesis proposal.

Post-candidacy

Students are required to complete at least one ENGG5xxx graduate course with grade B from the Faculty core course list. Students can take courses from the Faculty core course list or from divisions to satisfy the remaining course requirement . Each PhD student is required to completed at least 4 graduate courses with a total of 12 units (with a minimum of B- for elective courses) as approved by the Division; register for the relevant thesis research course every term throughout his/her studies; pass the candidacy examination, submit a thesis proposal and pass an oral examination of the thesis proposal.

Fields of specialization

Department offers research studies in the following fields:

• CAD/CAM
• Virtual Reality
• Computer Vision and Image Processing
• Computational Intelligence and Intelligent Systems
• Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage
• Energy Engineering
• Micro/Nanoscale Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics
• Micro and Nano Systems
• Quantum Computing and Quantum Information
• Innovation and Design
• Manufacturing
• Precision Engineering and Instrumentation
• Robotics
• Sensors and Actuators
• Smart Materials and Structures
• Structural and Materials Optimization
• Systems and Control

• Advanced Computer Architecture
• Advanced Algorithms
• Techniques for Data Mining
• Image Processing and Computer Vision
• Computer and Network Security
• Information Retrieval and Search Engines
• Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
• Analog-Digital ASIC Design
• Pattern Recognition
• Signal Processing Optimization Techniques
• Advanced Microwave Engineering
• Nanoelectronics
• Fiber Optics: Principles and Technologies
• Information Theory
• Random Processes
• Advanced Wireless Communications
• Applied Cryptography
• Advanced Networking Protocols and Systems
• Lightwave System Technologies
• Advanced Robotics
• Linear System Theory & Design
• Micromachining and Microelectromechanical Systems
• Theory of Engineering Design
• Foundations of Optimization
• Matrix Analysis and Computations
• Topics in Computer-Aided Geometric Design
• Computer Vision
• Computational Intelligence
• Nonlinear Control Systems
• Smart Materials and Structures
• Topics in Robotics
• Quantum Control
• Thesis Research

Requirements

• Graduated from a recognized university and obtained a Bachelor's degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; or
• Graduated from an honours programme of a recognized university with a Bachelor's degree, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than "B" in undergraduate courses; or
• Completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to an honours degree.
• Proof of proficiency in English (for students who have graduated from a university that does not use English as a medium of instruction). TOEFL exam (550 or above, or 213 or above for the computer-based test; 79 or above for the Internet-based test), or IELTS (band 6.5 or above).
• Completed Application Form/Submit Online Application Form
• Official Transcripts from the University attended by applications
• Copies of Degree Certificates; 
• Confidential Recommendations from Two referees respectively
• Application Fee Receipt
• Copies of Identity card or Passport; and 
• Other supporting documents upon request the respective division.

Scholarships

• Postgraduate Studentships
• Research Assistantships