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KAUST Academic Programs by Division

Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division

To accomplish its mission and establish a knowledge and advanced technology platform, research in the Biological and Environment Science and Engineering Division (BESE) is developed around the following six focal areas: environmental systems; epigenetics; functional biology; genomics; imaging/structural biology; and marine science.

These research areas bring to KAUST interdisciplinary competences that are essential for studying the mechanisms through which living organisms and their environments interact, providing opportunities for new technological developments to optimize such interactions to improve the quality of life.  

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For Course List & Syllabi Click here.

Bioscience (B)

The Bioscience (B) program provides a strong introduction to living matter with courses on cell biology and biophysics. The program comprises two tracks of self-contained courses consisting of lectures, seminars and laboratory classes. Each course provides a complete review of the subject concerned.

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Bioengineering (BioE)

​A bioengineer develops and applies engineering principles to life sciences. The field focuses on the development and application of engineering concepts, principles, and methods to biological systems. We aim to model, monitor, and treat disorders and disabilities that affect living organisms, to develop algorithms which aid understanding biological systems and to engineer living systems in order to enhance their performance.

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Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE)

​The Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE) program prepares students to work on many of the world's most pressing challenges. There is worldwide concern with the availability of clean water; EnSE examines methods to purify and reuse water, as well as to reduce contamination of existing reserves.

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Marine Science (MarS)

​The Marine Science (MarS) program takes advantage of KAUST's location on the Red Sea, a living laboratory with great potential for exciting science. The program addresses the biology and ecology of the multitude of marine life forms. There is an intentional focus on the local Red Sea system, both as a primary study system and as a system with which general concepts from other marine systems can be compared.

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Plant Science (PS)

​The Plant Science (PS) program aims to develop an integrated understanding of how plants can grow under extreme environmental conditions as found, for example, in Saudi Arabia. The program addresses the fundamental biology of plants at the molecular and physiological level, as well as their interactions with other organisms and adaptation to unfavorable environmental conditions. Integrating this understanding in a larger systems concept will enable improving plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic factors and help reestablish sustainable agriculture in arid regions of the world.

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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 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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For Course List & Syllabi Click here .


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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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