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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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.

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. The program emphasizes hands-on research and offers flexibility with electives in bioengineering, plant science, marine science and beyond. Focus areas include epigenetics, infectious diseases, stem cells, aging, disorders and diseases, neuroscience and the microbiome, fostering interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies to tackle complex biological challenges. The program attracts collaborations across different disciplines, such as marine, plant, environmental, chemical, computational sciences and engineering, expanding the program's impact on many of the global challenges addressed by KAUST.

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.

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.

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 and creating innovative algorithms to enhance our understanding of biological systems. Students will explore how to engineer living systems to optimize their performance, fostering advancements in health and technology.

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 mission of the Physical Sciences and Engineering Division is to create knowledge pertaining to matter at all scales – nano, meso, macro –, in all forms – from bulk, to divided colloids and fluids – as well as the interaction of matter with external stimuli in order to design new materials/technologies addressing the issues of our times.
Research in the Division includes areas such as theoretical physics and physical chemistry; catalysis and bioengineering; polymers and composites; energy production, storage and conversion; water purification and environmental protection; novel materials, nanodevices and systems; sensors and smart devices for the detection of pollutants and the purification of air, water, and food; earth sciences, mechanics and geomechanics; oil exploration and recovery; and CO2 sequestration.

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Applied Physics (AP)

Faculty and students in the Applied Physics (AP) program at KAUST engage in interdisciplinary research at the interface between fundamental physical concepts and cutting-edge technologies. They strive for exploiting basic physical phenomena at the meso- and nanoscale to design innovative solutions in several applied physics specialties, such as optics and photonics, semiconductor devices, quantum electronics, and novel materials for energy applications.

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Chemical Engineering (CE)

The Chemical Engineering (CE) program offers students opportunities to develop real-world solutions to global challenges by leveraging basic discoveries in chemical and biological sciences. These include the development of new processes for gas and liquid separations, water desalination, as well as the development of new materials for reducing greenhouse gases and remediating chemical and biological threats.

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Chemistry

The KAUST Chemistry program 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.

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Earth Science and Engineering (ErSE)

The Earth Science and Engineering (ErSE) 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 MS students to participate in scientific research activities that include computational, mathematical modeling, and field-study projects. PhD candidates in the program conduct original research on a topic related to earth science and engineering.

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Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering (ERPE)

The Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering (ERPE) program for both M.S. and Ph.D. students focuses on modern reservoir description, engineering and management. Students in this program receive broad training in basic scientific concepts and thermodynamics, geology, geophysicial characterization, and reservoir engineering. Our students participate in scientific research activities that may include mathematical analyses, computational modeling, experimental research and/or field studies. Ph.D. candidates focus on original research driven to advance the boundaries of knowledge.

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Material Science and Engineering (MSE)

The Material Science and Engineering (MSE) program equips students with fundamental and applied knowledge of nanomaterials and devices; energy conversion materials and devices; biomaterials; and advanced characterization techniques. MSE offers its MS and PhD students a curriculum based on core and elective courses. Typically, students are evaluated by written exams, course assignments, and oral presentations.

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Mechanical Engineering (ME)

The Mechanical Engineering (ME) program focuses on the following broad areas of research: structures and mechanics of solids, fluid dynamics, thermal sciences, combustion, energy, and control and dynamics. Courses in the program provide a solid foundation in each area, covering subjects such as mechanical behavior of engineering materials, continuum mechanics, thermodynamics, experimental and numerical combustion, control design, dynamic analysis, modeling, and simulation.

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