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Physical Sciences and Engineering Division

Degree Programs

The Physical Sciences and Engineering (PSE) Division is responsible for educational activities, degree-granting programs, and research in four separate areas:

The Earth Science and Engineering Program focuses on applications of modern computational methods to study geophysical problems associated with the atmosphere and/or ocean circulation, earthquakes, oil exploration, reservoir modeling, and subsurface phenomena. Students in this program receive broad training in numerical methods, mathematical modeling, and geophysics, with an option for M.S. students to participate in scientific research activities that include computational, mathematical modeling, and field-study projects. Ph.D. candidates in the program conduct original research on a topic related to earth science and engineering.

The program is divided into two tracks that focus on computational analysis of (1) fluid earth systems and (2) solid earth systems. Students in the fluid earth systems track study flow and transport processes both beneath and above the earth’s surface, including subsurface, surface and atmospheric flows. Students in the solid earth systems track focus on seismology, geophysics, geodynamics and geomechanics. Courses cover such areas as:

  • Flow and transport processes beneath and above the Earth’s surface
  • Subsurface, surface, atmospheric and ocean flows on various space-time scales
  • Earthquake seismology, global geophysics, and geodynamics to study short- and long-term deformation processes in the Earth
  • Seismic and geophysical exploration and geomechanics to study reservoir characteristics and rock properties

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Electrical Engineering covers the most important areas in modern-day electrical engineering and boasts outstanding lab, core, and educational facilities to facilitate targeted, goal-oriented research programs.

The program has three major tracks, with each consisting of six or more courses in each of two closely related areas, and will equip students for a successful and productive career. The tracks are:

  • Solid-state Electronics (circuits and microsystems, and solid-state devices)
  • Electromagnetics and Photonics
  • Communications and Signal Processing

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Mechanical Engineering focuses on high-impact research areas of global significance, and leverages experimental and computational core labs and supercomputing facilities across the University’s campus to support research conducted in individual faculty laboratories.

The program offers courses in three tracks: Materials and Solids; Fluid Mechanics, Thermal Sciences and Energy; and Controls and Dynamics. Courses provide a solid foundation in each track, covering subjects such as:

  • Mechanical behavior of engineering materials
  • Continuum mechanics
  • Theoretical and computational fluid mechanics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Experimental and numerical combustion
  • Control design
  • Dynamic analysis
  • Modeling and simulation

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Fluid Mechanics, Thermal Sciences & Energy

Materials and Solids

Materials Science and Engineering is designed to equip students with fundamental and applied knowledge of materials, and supports the University’s existing research centers. The program seeks to address grand challenges such as:

  • Sustainability and alternative energy
  • Nanotechnology and nanoelectronics
  • Biomaterials
  • Materials characterization
  • Low-power computing

Courses are offered in a variety of interdisciplinary subjects that cross different engineering degree programs and interact with several research units, including the Solar, Membrane, Catalysis, Clean Combustion, and Water Desalination Research Centers.

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Degrees

The PSE Division offers KAUST students the opportunity to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in its program areas.

Earth Sciences Program

Requirements for the Ph.D. degree:

  • Minimum of 36 credits, 21 of which are in Earth Sciences
  • Typical duration is three years beyond the Master’s Degree
  • Qualifying Exam, Preliminary Exam, Final Dissertation Defense

Requirements for the master’s degree

  • Minimum of 30 credits, 18 (typically 6 classes) of which are in Earth Sciences
  • Typical duration is 3 semesters

By virtue of the interdisciplinary nature of Earth Sciences, many of the courses are cross-listed with the Marine Sciences, Applied Mathematics, and Computational Sciences Programs. The Earth Sciences and Engineering program provides a broad education platform, offering opportunities to both Ph.D. and MS students to participate in scientific research activities.

Electrical Engineering Program

Requirements for the Ph.D. degree:

  • Minimum of 36 credits, 21 of which are in Electrical Engineering
  • Typical duration is three years beyond the master’s degree
  • Qualifying exam, preliminary exam, final dissertation defense

Requirements for the master’s degree

  • Minimum of 30 credits, 18 (typically six classes) of which are in Electrical Engineering
  • Typical duration is tree semesters

In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of Electrical Engineering, many of the courses are cross-listed between tracks and even between different degree programs of Engineering.

Materials Science and Engineering Program

Requirements for the Ph.D. degree:

  • Minimum of 36 credits, 21 of which are in Materials Science and  Engineering
  • Typical duration is three years beyond the master’s degree
  • Qualifying exam, preliminary exam, final dissertation defense

Requirements for the master’s degree

  • Minimum of 30 credits, 18 (typically six classes) of which are in Materials Science and Engineering
  • Typical duration is three semesters

In light of the interdisciplinary nature of Materials Science and Engineering, some of the courses are cross-listed between different degree programs of Engineering.

Mechanical Engineering Program

Requirements for the Ph.D. degree

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program are required to complete a number of course credits to be determined in consultation with their advisors. A preliminary exam is necessary to qualify for the program. A candidacy exam is also required to advance from Ph.D. student to Ph.D. candidate.

Requirements for the master’s degree

An M.S. degree is awarded upon completion of 30 course credits (12 credits must be obtained in Mechanical Engineering classes), a mandatory seminar series during KAUST’s winter enrichment period, and a training period during the summer. The program leading to the master’s degree typically starts in the Fall semester and finishes by the end of the summer of the following year.

The Graduate Program Guide provides detailed information about degree requirements.