Chemistry MS Program

Program Mission:
The mission of the Master’s program in Chemistry program is to provide a state-of-art environment in which students build advanced knowledge and research skills in chemistry, aligned to the national development goals of Saudi Arabia and global priorities. The program draws on world-class faculty, advanced facilities, and collaborative research to strengthen scientific understanding and address fundamental and applied challenges in chemistry, while preparing graduates for the challenges in the next phase of their career.

Program Goals:
• Reinforce students’ technical knowledge of chemistry
• Expose students to cutting edge topics and interdisciplinary challenges that are shaping the modern field of chemistry.
• Develop an environment for students to propose independent research projects
• Nurture students to execute, summarize, and communicate research outcomes independently
• Be able to conduct science with integrity in a socially, ethically, and legally responsible manner

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Knowledge and Understanding:
• K1: Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of fundamental concepts across the core fields of chemistry.
• K2: Explain and integrate key concepts from related and interdisciplinary areas of chemistry to address scientific questions..
• K3: Analyze cutting-edge research within the field of chemistry.

Skills:
• S1: Analyze, interpret, and critically evaluate data relevant to different areas of chemistry and related disciplines.
• S2: Design and implement appropriate experimental or computational approaches to investigate and solve chemistry-related research problems.
• S3: Communicate findings through written reports, presentations, and research projects that demonstrate innovation and independence.

Values, Autonomy, and Responsibility:
• V1: Demonstrate independence in making strategic, academic, and professional decisions.
• V2: Practice chemistry with integrity, ethical awareness and responsibility towards society
• V3: Work collaboratively with others, and nurture, train, or teach younger scientists
• V4: Engage in to continuous learning and professional development as a life-long endeavor

MS Course Requirements

MS students must complete the following requirements:

Core Courses (12 credits)
Laboratory Rotation (3 credits)
Elective Courses (6 credits)
Research (15 credits)
Graduate Seminar (non-credit)
Winter Enrichment Program (non-credit)

Core and elective Courses must be technical courses and cannot be substituted with Research, Internship, or Broadening Courses to fulfill degree requirements.

Lab Rotation (3 credits)

All MS students must enroll for Lab Rotation (Chem 296) in their first Semester in the Program. The goal of this course is to introduce students to various Chem research groups to aid them in the selection of an Academic Advisor. The nature of the rotation may vary from one lab to another. Thus, some rotations can be research focused and others can involve more literature and background work.

Rotation assignments will be made by the mutual approval of the designated faculty and student. Students with a pre-identified Academic Advisor may spend their entire rotation period in a given lab with the approval of the Academic Advisor and the Program Chair. Students must complete three (3) rotations during the first Semester.

Chemistry Core Courses (12 credits)

Core Courses provide students with the background needed to establish a solid foundation in the program area. Students must complete 12 credits (4 Core Courses) and be aware that Core Courses may be offered only once per academic year.

Chem 320	Advanced Organic Chemistry I	3
Chem 330	Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I	3
Chem 340	Advanced Organic Chemistry II	3
Chem 350	Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II	3
Chem 360	Advanced Physical Chemistry I	3
Chem 370	Advanced Physical Chemistry II	3

Elective Courses (6 credits)

Elective Courses allow students to tailor their educational experience to meet individual research and educational objectives with the permission of the Academic Advisor. Elective courses are not limited to the Chemistry program and can also be selected from any program with approval of your Academic Advisor.

Graduate Seminars (non-credit)

Students must register for two semester of Chem Graduate Seminar courses (Chem 398) and must receive a Satisfactory (S) grade in all of them. for each of these semesters students must attend a minimum of 8 individual seminars to receive a Satisfactory (S) grade. These attended individual seminars can be from any Graduate Seminar courses offered by the PSE division.

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.

MS Thesis

Students planning to pursue the thesis option must complete 15 Research/Capstone credits, with a minimum of 12 credits of Thesis Research (Chem 297). Students must complete the remaining credits through one or a combination of the options listed below:

• Broadening Experience Courses
• Internship: research-based Summer internship (Chem 295) – students can only take one internship
• 300- Level Courses
• Additional Thesis Research

For more details on the Thesis Application, Thesis Committee Formation, Thesis Defense Results, Thesis Document and Thesis Archiving please check the policy page

MS Non Thesis

Students wishing to pursue the non-thesis option must complete a total of 15 capstone credits, with a minimum of 6 credits of Directed Research (Chem 299). Students must complete the remaining credits through one or a combination of the options listed below:

• Broadening Experience Courses
• Internship: Summer internship (Chem 295) – students can only take one internship.
• 300- Level Courses
• Additional Directed Research (Chem 299)