Chemical Engineering PhD Program
Program Mission:
The mission of the Chemical Engineering Program at KAUST is to educate and inspire future leaders to advance chemical and process engineering knowledge through cutting-edge research, innovative education, and industry engagement that drive sustainable energy, environmental, and materials solutions for the Kingdom and the world.
Program Goals:
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Deliver an advanced, research-driven education that equips students with deep theoretical knowledge and practical skills in chemical and process engineering.
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Cultivate leadership, integrity, and a commitment to excellence and lifelong learning among graduates to serve the Kingdom and the global community.
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Dynamically integrate chemical engineering with emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, materials science, and environmental technology to address complex global challenges.
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Strengthen partnerships with industry, government, and global research institutions to translate discoveries into technologies that drive economic and societal impact.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Knowledge and Understanding:
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K1: Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of advanced chemical engineering principles, including thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, and separation processes.
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K2: Explain and integrate interdisciplinary scientific and engineering concepts underpinning sustainable energy systems, environmental technologies, and advanced materials.
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K3: Critically analyze current research, emerging technologies, and industrial practices in chemical and process engineering to identify opportunities for innovation.
Skills:
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S1: Apply advanced chemical engineering principles and computational tools to design, optimize, and evaluate chemical and process systems.
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S2: Conduct independent and collaborative research using appropriate experimental, analytical, and modeling methods to generate new scientific knowledge or technological innovations.
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S3: Analyze complex engineering problems and propose creative, data-driven, and sustainable solutions relevant to energy, environmental, and materials challenges.
Values, Autonomy, and Responsibility:
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V1: Demonstrate ethical conduct, professional integrity, and responsibility in research, teaching, and engineering practice.
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V2: Work effectively and respectfully in multicultural and interdisciplinary teams, assuming leadership roles when appropriate to achieve shared research and innovation goals.
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V3: Evaluate the societal, environmental, and economic impacts of engineering solutions, upholding sustainability and safety as core professional values.
PhD Course Requirements
Students entering the PhD degree with a relevant MS degree must complete the requirements below, though additional courses may be required by the Academic Advisor. Students entering the PhD degree with an MS degree outside of chemical engineering must complete the requirements below, and all Core/mandatory courses outlined in the MS section and additional courses required by the Academic Advisor. Students must complete the requirements below:
- 300-level courses* (6 credits)
- Graduate Seminar (non- credit)
- Winter Enrichment Program (non-credit)
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.
*Approved by PhD Advisor
Graduate Seminars (non-credit)
All students must register for 5 semesters and receive a Satisfactory grade. Students must attend a minimum of 8 Graduate Seminars per semester to receive a Satisfactory (S) grade. The seminars can be chosen from any Graduate Seminar series offered by the PSE division. Attendance of additional seminars in other KAUST programs is highly encouraged.
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
- PhD Proposal Defense
Once students have advanced to candidacy, students are designated as PhD or Doctoral Candidates.
Qualifying Exam
Once students successfully complete the coursework requirements (typically within their first year at KAUST), they must register for the qualifier. The qualifier will be carried out twice a year. The CE qualifier will be usually carried out twice a year, i.e., during the Fall and Spring Semesters. Students must pass the qualifier by the end of their third semester. The qualifier schedule will be announced by the CE Curriculum Committee at least one month in advance. Students who wish to attend the exam must register through their GPSA and be approved by the CE Curriculum Committee.
The exam includes three subjects: (i) transport phenomena, (ii) thermodynamics, and (iii) reaction engineering. Students need to pass all three subjects. In each subject, the format of the exam is based on a two-hour written exam given by the CE Faculty. The exams will be based on CE 201, CE 202 and CE 203 course contents. Students can use a non-programmable calculator but no electronic devices (such as computers or cell phones). If required, the CE Faculty will provide notes (equations etc.).
Outcomes of the qualifier include (1) pass of all three subjects; (2) pass of two subjects; (3) fail of two subjects; (4) fail of all three subjects. Students in situation (2) have one chance to retake the failed subject. Students in situation (3) and (4) have one chance and are required/expected to retake all three subjects. Once students have successfully completed the qualifier, they work toward the Dissertation Proposal Defense under the supervision of the Academic Thesis Advisor. It is highly recommended that right after the successful completion of the qualifier the process of periodic review meetings begins, between the student, academic advisor, and a (small, possibly ad-hoc) Faculty Committee.
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.