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KAUST Academic Programs by Division

Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division

The Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division is dedicated to advancing the understanding and management of marine, terrestrial and human biology to develop food, water and soil security within healthy communities. Our research is organized into six core areas: cell and developmental biology; epigenetics, genomics and genetics; biophysics and biochemistry; microbiology, biodiversity and ecology; water desalination and reuse; and synthetic biology and bioengineering.

Our faculty and researchers apply innovative technologies to investigate the mechanisms through which living organisms interact with their environments. This interdisciplinary approach drives impactful discoveries and fosters sustainable solutions for a better tomorrow.  
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Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE)

The Environmental Science and Engineering program prepares students to tackle sustainability challenges in water, energy and food. Focus areas include water treatment, desalination, microbiology, resource recovery and sustainability management. With hands-on lab research and both thesis and nonthesis options, students take key courses like aquatic chemistry, applied statistics and environmental sustainability, equipping them to address global environmental issues.

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Marine Science (MarS)

The goal of the Marine Science program is to develop an integrated understanding of the Red Sea's ecosystem as well as marine conventional and extreme ecosystems in general, including fundamental biology at the molecular and genomic levels, microbiomes, taxonomy, symbioses, global change, marine conservation, associated communities of fish, corals and other marine organisms, and the physical and chemical environment that shapes marine ecosystems. This understanding could impact global nutrient cycling and endangered species and how we preserve and sustainably harvest resources from the oceans.

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Plant Science (PS)

The Plant Science program focuses on understanding plant growth and function under challenging environmental conditions such as those found in Saudi Arabia. The program studies the fundamental biology of plants at various levels, including genomics, cell biology, developmental biology, stress biology, plant physiology, proteomics and metabolomics. It also explores plant interactions with their environment, both abiotic (heat, salt, drought) and biotic (pathogens, symbionts). This knowledge aims to develop plants with enhanced tolerance to environmental stresses and support sustainable agriculture in arid regions.

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Biomedical Sciences Division (BioMed)

The Biomedical Sciences (BioMed) division at KAUST brings together world-class science, technology, and education to address today’s most pressing health challenges. Through interdisciplinary research, advanced computational and digital tools, and strong partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem, BioMed connects discovery with real-world impact - supporting national priorities while contributing to global advances in health and disease.

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Bioscience (B)

The Bioscience program focuses on adaptive biology, exploring the mechanisms that allow organisms to interact and adapt to their environments to address key global challenges in healthcare and planetary health. It provides expertise in cell and molecular biology, structural biology, biophysics, bioimaging, genomics, bioinformatics and AI.

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Bioengineering (BioE)

The Bioengineering program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to develop and apply engineering principles to the life sciences. This dynamic field focuses on modeling, monitoring, and treating disorders and disabilities affecting living organisms, as well as creating innovative algorithms to enhance our understanding of biological systems. >

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Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division

Research in the CEMSE Division groups into four main areas:
  • Electrical engineering, including the development of communication networks; CMOS integrated circuits; electronic and optics/photonics devices; micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS); various types of sensors, measurement and detection devices; as well as functional- and nano-materials.
  • Mathematical analysis, including modeling and simulations with applications to physical, chemical, biological and environmental processes; materials science; oil exploration and reservoir management.
  • Computer science and big data, including bioinformatics; visual and extreme computing.
  • Statistics, including Bayesian Statistics; Big Data; Biostatistics; Computational Statistics; Data Visualization; Environmental Statistics; Extreme Events; Spatial Statistics; Statistical Data Science; and Time Series Analysis.

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Applied Mathematics and Computational Science (AMCS)

​The Applied Mathematics and Computational Science (AMCS) program trains students to construct and solve mathematical and computational models of real-world problems.

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Computer Science (CS)

​The Computer Science (CS) program trains students to create computational infrastructure and apply computational methods to a variety of areas. CS offers six tracks, each of which leads to a frontier of computing: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Systems, High Performance Computing, Theoretical Computer Science, Visual Computing, and Computational Biosciences.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)

The ​Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) program plays an important role in the fields of engineering, applied physics, and computational sciences. A significant portion of advancement in technology originates from cutting edge research performed in the field of ECE. At KAUST, the ECE program is bound to this tradition: It aims for preparing students for a multitude of professional paths and advancing world-class research and research based education through interdisciplinary partnering within engineering and science.

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Statistics (STAT)

​The Statistics (STAT) program educates students to analyze and model complex real-world problems arising in modern Statistical Data Science.

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Physical Science and Engineering Division

The Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division at KAUST is where deep science meets real-world innovation. Its five graduate programs — spanning Earth, materials, chemicals, mechanics, and processes — are designed to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges, from sustainable energy to advanced manufacturing. With world-class faculty, cutting-edge laboratories, and strong industry links, PSE is a launchpad for the next generation of scientific pioneers.

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Chemical Engineering (CE)

The CE program addresses the grand challenges of the chemical process industries, with a focus on sustainability, scale-up, and systems design. Students work at the interface of reaction engineering, transport phenomena, and process modeling to enable cleaner fuels, efficient separations, and circular manufacturing.

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Chemistry (CHEM)

At the heart of molecular innovation, the CHEM program explores how atoms can be arranged and rearranged to build the future. Research areas include catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, organic synthesis, and spectroscopy — fueling advances in energy, health, and environmental remediation.

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Earth System Science and Engineering (ESSE)

The ESSE program investigates Earth’s dynamic systems — from crust to climate. Students develop tools to model subsurface flows, assess seismic risks, and explore natural resources. Research spans fault mechanics, induced seismicity, geochemistry, and carbon storage — laying the scientific groundwork for a sustainable future on a changing planet.

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Materials Science and Engineering & Applied Physics (MSEAP)

MSEAP advances the design and discovery of materials that shape modern life. From nanomaterials to multifunctional polymers, students explore how materials behave, interact, and evolve. Research fuses theory with synthesis to develop transformative solutions in energy storage, clean water, and flexible electronics.

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Mechanical Engineering (ME)

The ME program blends fundamental mechanics with emerging technologies to design the machines and systems of tomorrow. From soft robotics to fluid dynamics, and from autonomous vehicles to computational mechanics, students push the boundaries of what’s possible in energy, mobility, and smart manufacturing.

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