Environmental Science and Engineering PhD Program

Program Mission:
To advance scientific discovery and technological innovation in environmental science and engineering through cutting-edge research and leadership training. The PhD program aims to produce scholars capable of generating original knowledge and sustainable solutions for global and national environmental challenges.

Program Goals:
• Develop nationally and globally recognized researchers capable of producing original scientific and technical contributions in environmental science and engineering.
• Advance interdisciplinary knowledge integrating science, engineering, and policy to solve complex environmental problems.
• Promote innovation and leadership in academia, industry, and government sectors to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and global sustainability goals.
• Build national and international networks for research, training, and knowledge transfer.
• Instill ethical research practices and social responsibility in addressing the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Knowledge and Understanding:
• K1: Demonstrate deep, specialized, and integrated understanding of advanced theories and emerging concepts in environmental science and engineering.
• K2: Critically analyze and synthesize complex interdisciplinary knowledge to address frontier challenges in sustainability and climate resilience.
• K3: Exhibit comprehensive understanding of advanced research methodologies and their application to develop new scientific knowledge.
• K4: Contribute original and innovative research that extends the frontiers of environmental science and engineering

Skills:
• S1: Formulate and test original hypotheses using advanced experimental, analytical, and modeling techniques.
• S2: Critically evaluate, integrate, and apply emerging theories to develop innovative and sustainable environmental solutions.
• S3: Design and conduct independent research projects that generate significant new knowledge and peer-reviewed outputs.
• S4: Communicate complex research findings effectively to academic, professional, and public audiences using diverse communication and ICT tools.

Values, Autonomy, and Responsibility:
• V1: Demonstrate the highest levels of academic and professional integrity, accountability, and ethical responsibility in research and scholarship.
• V2: Exercise leadership and autonomy in managing advanced research teams, collaborations, and strategic initiatives.
• V3: Contribute to the development of a knowledge-based society by promoting environmental awareness and evidence-based policy.
• V4: Engage in lifelong learning, mentorship, and community outreach to foster sustainable societal development.

PhD Course Requirements

Students entering the PhD Program must complete the requirements below.

300-level courses (6 credits)
Graduate Seminar (non-credit)
Winter Enrichment Program (non-credit)

The Academic Advisor may request the completion of additional courses. Courses taken while pursuing the KAUST MS degree cannot be counted towards the PhD course requirements. Courses must be technical courses and cannot be substituted with Research, Internship, or Broadening Courses to fulfill degree requirements.

Graduate Seminars (non-credit)

All students must register for BESE 398 and receive a Satisfactory grade for a minimum of five Semesters. For more details about BESE Seminars please contact your GPSA.

Winter Enrichment Program (non-credit)

All students must complete the Winter Enrichment Program (WE 100) for credit at least once during their studies at KAUST. Students who have previously completed WEP will be exempt from this requirement in their future studies.

PhD Candidacy

In addition to the coursework requirements, students must successfully complete the required PhD candidacy milestones to progress toward PhD candidate status. These milestones are as follows:

A subject-based qualifier (pre-proposal meeting)
PhD Proposal Defense

Once students have advanced to candidacy, students are designated as PhD or Doctoral Candidates.

Qualifying Exam

The qualifier known in the program as 'The Pre-Proposal Committee Meeting' is a research update meeting to determine progress and readiness toward the PhD Proposal Defense. Students must pass the Pre-Proposal Committee Meeting by the end of the third semester after commencing the PhD degree. However, it is recommended students pass the Pre-Proposal Committee Meeting by the end of their Second Semester after commencing the PhD program. Students who complete their Proposal Defense within three Semesters do not have to complete the Pre-Proposal Committee Meeting.

Expectations for the Qualifier (Pre-Proposal Meeting):

The suggested time of the meeting is 45-60 minutes.
Students are evaluated according to their overall progress during the last academic year, focusing on the status of research, research milestones, and plans for the following academic year. It is expected that a broad topic has been determined by this stage.
The student will provide a short (<30 minutes; 8-12 slides) presentation on the state of their research, i.e., what is the research question they are answering (the knowledge gap), how they will do this (the approach), what remains to be done (the activity).
The presentation will be followed by a brief Q&A from the Committee (10 min).
The Committee will then meet separately with the Dissertation Advisor (i.e., the student will be excused) to discuss the student's progress, performance, and expectations (optional, 5 min).
The Committee will meet separately with the student (i.e., the Dissertation Advisor will be excused) to inquire about the relationship between the student and Dissertation Advisor(project feedback; project support; discussion of expectations; etc.) (optional, 5 min).

The student will be given verbal and written feedback (10 mins) regarding the following:

Research topic
Methodology and plan
Overall performance

The outcome of the meeting will result in a committee recommendation (Pass/Pass with conditions/Fail). If substantial issues are identified, the Committee will determine a course of action for the student to follow. This may be placing the student on academic sanction (probation/dismissal) with an associated action plan or any other recommendation (up to and including that no action be taken).

Dissertation

For more details on the Qualifying Exam results, Dissertation Proposal Defense and committee formation, Proposal Defense results, Petition to Defend the Dissertation and committee formation, Dissertation Defense results, Dissertation document, and Dissertation archiving, please refer to the Policy page.