Chemical Science Program
Overview
The KAUST Chemical Science Program (ChemS) was established in 2010 to provide a modern research-oriented education in Chemistry. Making use of the outstanding facilities at KAUST, the program distinguishes itself by a strong emphasis on research with a clear focus on current challenges related to catalysis and materials.
The interdisciplinary degree program is one of five programs offered by the Division of Chemical and Life Sciences & Engineering (CLSE) at KAUST. It combines the expertise of three research centers: Catalysis, Advanced Membranes & Porous Materials, and Solar & Renewable Energy. Additional modules are offered in collaborations with other CLSE programs and other divisions at KAUST, such as the Materials Sciences Program in the Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering.
To guarantee a high KAUST standard of education, all ChemS students require submission of a research thesis for awarding of a degree. Hence, students will work in close contact with faculty from the first day on campus and are required to choose a thesis supervisor. Targeting excellent graduate students world-wide, the KAUST ChemS program offers three tracks:
- M.S. with thesis track
- M.S. to Ph.D. track
- B.S. to Ph.D. track
Curriculum
For detailed information on curriculum of ChemS program, click here.
The ChemS program provides education based on a balanced combination of course work and world-leading advanced research training in the laboratory. A comprehensive selection of lectures on advanced chemistry essentials (core courses) and current topics in chemistry (electives) are offered. Currently, the following ChemS lectures are available:
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Based on the approval of the student's advisor, additional electives may be added from any KAUST program.
KAUST ChemS research is centered on current challenges in catalysis and materials research. Within these two interdisciplinary research thrusts, the following distinct research orientations are currently offered:
Catalysis:
- Heterogeneous catalysis and surface organometallic chemistry
- Homogeneous catalysis and organometallic chemistry
- Biocatalysis and biochemistry
- Photocatalysis and electrocatalysis
- Organo catalysis
- Supramolecular catalysis
- Nano catalysis
- Green chemistry
- Theoretical chemistry
Materials:
- Micro- and meso-porous materials
- Metal-organic materials
- Polymeric materials
- Supramolecular materials
- Inorganic solids
- Organic and inorganic materials for drug delivery
Targeting excellent graduate students world-wide, the KAUST ChemS program offers three tracks:
M.S. with thesis track: The KAUST M.S. degree provides students with a sound foundation of skills and knowledge required for a successful career in chemical research. It prepares students for entering industrial research as well as for a Ph.D. track at any world-leading research institute. Students will select a ChemS faculty thesis advisor within the first 6 month of the program.
M.S. to Ph.D. track: Ph.D. students will be involved in competitive and challenging research projects from the first day on campus. It is the distinct mission of the KAUST ChemS Ph.D. program that graduates will be able to undertake independent original research at the highest level. Prospective Ph.D. students select a ChemS faculty thesis advisor before admission. This track targets excellent students holding an M.S. degree in Chemistry.
B.S. to Ph.D. track:Students will start on the KAUST M.S. track. After passing a qualifying exam at the end of the first year, students will enter the M.S. to Ph.D. track. This track targets excellent students including (but not limited to) those holding a B.S. degree in Chemistry.
The three ChemS tracks are summarized in the scheme shown below.
For detailed information on curriculum of ChemS program, click here.
Thesis advisors - the KAUST ChemS Faculty
Professor Jean Marie Basset
KAUST Catalysis Center, KCC
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/basset.html
"Catalysis by Design: Surface Organometallic Chemistry"
Dr. Basset works to evidence the possible relationships between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. For that purpose, he developed "surface organometallic chemistry", a new field of chemistry. This chemistry resulted in the discovery of a number of new catalytic reactions, such as the metathesis of alkanes which transforms any paraffin into its lower and higher homologues, the cleavage of paraffins by methane, the coupling of methane into ethane and hydrogen, the Ziegler-Natta depolymerization which transforms polyethylene into diesel range gasoline, the transformation of ethylene to propylene, and the removal of traces of arsenic from water. All these chemical transformations belong to the general field of catalysis for new developments in the field of petroleum, energy and environment.
Professor Mohamed Eddaoudi
Advanced membranes and porous materials research center
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/eddaoudi.html
"Designed Synthesis: Metal-Organic Materials"
Dr. Eddaoudi's research is focused in the field of Metal-Organic Materials. He implemented the single-metal-ion-based molecular building block (MBB) and the supermolecular building blocks (SBB) approaches as means for the design and synthesis of functional metal-organic materials (MOMs). Dr. Eddaoudi has developed new strategies, based on the MBB approach, for the constructions of functional porous solids. Most notably, Zeolite-like Metal-Organic Frameworks (ZMOFs) with tunable extra-large cavities and periodic array of organic and inorganic moieties. Dr. Eddaoudi has introduced ZMOFs as potential tunable platforms for applications pertaining to energy sustainability and environmental security: Hydrogen storage, Carbon dioxide capture, Toxic Industrials Chemicals filters, Sensing applications, Catalysts immobilization, and Controlled drug delivery.
Professor Nikos Hadjichristidis
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/nikos.html"Novel Polymeric Materials for Conventional and High-Tech Applications"
The research of Professor Hadjichristidis focuses on the synthesis of novel model (narrow molecular weight, structural and compositional dispersity) homopolymers, copolymers and hybrids (polymers/polypeptides, polymers/CNT) with well-defined complex macromolecular architectures (star, comb, cyclic, dendritic ) by using anionic polymerization (AP) high vacuum techniques, as well as combinations of AP with other polymerization methodologies (AP, ATRP, TEMPO, catalytic, etc). These are ideal materials to check the theory, understand and improve the performance of industrial polymers (e.g. LDPE) and are important candidates for high-tech applications (e.g. nanolithography, drug delivery, high temperature membranes).
Associate Professor Luigi Cavallo
KAUST Catalysis Center, KCC
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/cavallo.html
"Theoretical rationalization of catalysts at work"
Prof. Cavallo activity is mainly focused on understanding (and possibly solving) chemical problems in catalysis, especially those of industrial relevance. To this end his group uses the armory of tools known as computational chemistry. The areas of interest span from clarifying structure/function relationship in organometallic compounds, to the rationalization of the origin of selectivity in asymmetric catalysis, to unraveling the mechanics of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts at work. Attention is also dedicated to clarify structure/function relationship in systems of biological interest. In all cases strong interaction with experimental groups is considered a value. When unsatisfied with the available tools and/or models his group is not shy to develop new ones.
Associate Professor Yu Han
Advanced membranes and porous materials research center
Nanostructured Functional Materials
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/han.html
"Nanostructured and nanoporous materials"
Dr. Yu Han's research interests at KAUST include the synthesis of nanoporous and nanostructured materials, the resolution of their complicated structures and the development of novel applications for these materials in catalysis, separation, and adsorption.
Associate Professor Alexander Rothenberger
Solar and Alternative Energy Engineering research center
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/rothenberger.html
"Inorganic Chemistry and Materials"
Professor Rothenberger's research interests are in synthetic inorganic chemistry. He investigates the coordination chemistry of novel anions and develops solution-processable inorganic materials for next-generation solar cells. Rothenberger uses exploratory synthesis of crystalline or amorphous porous solids to discover new materials for optical applications, water-purification and gas-separating membranes.
Assistant Professor Pierre M. Beaujuge
Solar and Alternative Energy Engineering research center
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/pierre.html
"Macromolecular Science and Engineering for Energy Conversion and Storage"
Dr. Pierre Beaujuge's research interests are interdisciplinary and span the synthesis, characterization, and practical applications of functional organic materials (e.g. polymers, discotics, etc.) and organic-inorganic hybrids with unique structure-property relationships. Materials developed in his group address specific challenges related to Energy Management and Surface and Interface Engineering. At present, specific effort is invested in the development of new design principles for the synthesis of organic electronics with application in solar power-conversion technologies and energy storage.
Assistant Professor Jörg Eppinger
KAUST Catalysis Center, KCC
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/eppinger.html
Group web: http://boc.kaust.edu.sa
"Expanding natures catalyst portfolio using organometallic chemistry"
Dr. Jörg Eppinger's research program combines organometallic and bio-catalysis. His team develops homogeneous and bio-catalytic methods targeting sustainable Green Chemistry protocols. As a general concept, Dr. Eppinger's research group investigate and combine molecular processes of living cells with the tools and principles of chemistry to design and create novel, highly selective and effective catalysts. The currently active research projects span the interface of organometallic chemistry, microbiology and materials science.
Assistant Professor Kuo-Wei Huang
KAUST Catalysis Center, KCC
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/huang.html
Group web: http://hcl.kaust.edu.sa
"Mechanism, Kinetics, and Catalysis"
The research interests of Dr. Huang's group center on catalysis, including renewable energy (water splitting), carbon dioxide utilization, carbonylation and decarbonylation, fluorination, kinetic and DFT studies of transition metal and organocatalysis.
Assistant Professor Niveen M. Khashab
Advanced membranes and porous materials research center
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/Khashab.html
Group web: http://faculty.kaust.edu.sa/sites/niveenkhashab/Pages/Home.aspx
"Controlled release and delivery"
Dr. Khashab's research interests are in design, synthesis, and applications of "smart" programmable nanomaterials with emphasis on the controlled release and delivery aspects of the systems. These engineered materials are utilized for medical/pharmaceutical (drug delivery), industrial (self healing materials) and environmental (membranes synthesis) applications.
Assistant Professor Vivek Polshettiwar
KAUST Catalysis Center, KCC
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/polshettiwar.html
Group web: http://nanocat.kaust.edu.sa
"Nano-Catalysis"
Dr. Polshettiwar's research interests are in the area of nano-catalysis. He believes that next generation catalysts can be developed by shape and morphological control of nano- materials which will allows preferential exposure of active site. His nano-catalysis group is working in the area of advanced nano-materials synthesis with controlled shape and morphology and their application as nano-catalysts that allow for more sustainable and green production processes. His final goal is to push the boundaries of catalysis research by using this technique to develop nanocatalysts based on non-precious metals.
Assistant Professor Valentin Rodionov
KAUST Catalysis Center, KCC
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/rodionov.html
Group web: http://evolve.kaust.edu.sa
"Catalysis with soft materials"
Prof. Rodionov's research interests are broadly focused on nano- and mesoscale catalytic systems, such as micelles or colloidal particles, capable of emergent behavior. His group develops enzyme-like self-assembled catalysts using approaches inspired by the biological evolution.
Assistant Professor Kazuhiro Takanabe
KAUST Catalysis Center, KCC
Faculty web:www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/faculty/takanabe.html
Group web: http://catec.kaust.edu.sa
"Catalysis for energy conversion"
Dr. Kazuhiro Takanabe's major concern is efficient energy production and conversion by catalytic and photocatalytic processes for sustainable development. His research interests include development of novel nano-materials for a variety of reactions, from conventional methane conversion to future photocatalytic hydrogen production, as well as understanding of reaction mechanism involved in catalytic process using kinetic and isotopic analysis and spectroscopic and electrochemical technique.
Admission: How to apply
Candidates are asked to apply online through the KAUST Admissions website, where detailed information on application deadline, documentation, and general requirements are available. Your application will be reviewed by admission committees from both KAUST and the ChemS program. Contact with faculty members prior to application is recommended.
For further information click here to the KAUST admission website
Benefits and Fellowship
All accepted students will be provided with a stipend and fellowship to cover the full cost of tuition and fees, housing and health insurance. Some students may be funded through additional excellence fellowships depending on student performance.
For further information on the KAUST fellowship program, click here