Digital and Sustainable Cities The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Overview

This Master of Science program in Digital and Sustainable Cities (DISC) integrates digital technologies and sustainable urban design applications, which are essential for data-driven analysis for large-scale civil engineering and construction applications, preparing engineers to tackle any complex challenges they may face as they join local or worldwide efforts to innovate in smart city development, infrastructure, and construction industries.

Curriculum

Students are required to complete a total of 30 credits of coursework, including a 6-credit compulsory MSc Project course. All students may also take a maximum of 9 credits of non-DISC postgraduate courses, subject to the approval of the Program Director. For details, please refer to the Postgraduate Program Catalog. 

Full-time students are strongly encouraged to opt for the 1-year full-time Industrial Placement regionally or internationally, which they will have the opportunity to develop their technical and soft skills while building a professional network at multinational corporations or professional firms.

Career Opportunities

The construction, infrastructure, and urban development sectors are rapidly adopting advanced digital technologies to drive smart city initiatives, sustainable growth, low altitude economy, operation and management of facilities. The program’s focus on digital innovation, data science, and sustainability directly addresses these gaps, preparing graduates for roles such as smart civil engineers, sustainability managers, urban planners, GIS specialists, R&D engineers, and project managers in automated construction. This ensures that graduates are not only highly sought after but also positioned to lead and innovate in sectors critical to the future of urban infrastructure and smart city development.