King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Thuwal Makkah 23955 6900
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Phone: (2) 8080566

Department email: mazen.mero@kaust.edu.sa
Department website: http://www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/pse/introduction.html

Dean: Georgiy Stenchikov

Contact Information

Petroleum Engineering Degree Information

Program Description Link: http://www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/academics.html

Curriculum Description

KAUST consists of three Academic Divisions: 1) Chemical and Life Sciences and Engineering, 2) Mathematical and Computer Sciences and Engineering, and 3) Physical Sciences and Engineering. The three divisions offer graduate level degrees in 9 fields of study:
• Applied Mathematics and Computational Science (AMCS)
• Bioscience (B)
• Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE)
• Computer Science (CS)
• Earth Science and Engineering (ErSE)
• Electrical Engineering (EE)
• Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE)
• Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME)
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 M.S. students to participate in scientific research activities that include computational, mathematical modeling, and field-study projects. Ph.D. candidates in the program conduct original research on a topic related to earth science and engineering.

The program is divided into two tracks that focus on computational analysis of (1) fluid earth systems and (2) solid earth systems. ErSE students must specify one of the two tracks as their major. Students in the fluid earth systems track study flow and transport processes both beneath and above the earth’s surface, including subsurface, surface and atmospheric flows. Students in the solid earth systems track focus on seismology, geophysics, geodynamics and geomechanics.

There are two M.S. degree programs in ErSE, one with a thesis and one without. Students studying MS without the thesis are expected to complete 30 credits of coursework and/or directed research in one year. While, The MS program with the thesis is expected to be completed in 1.5 years with a completion of 36 credits of coursework and thesis research.

Students studying for a Ph.D. must first satisfy the coursework requirements for the program. The Ph.D. degree requires (in addition to the M.S. coursework requirements) a minimum of 12 credit hours of course work and 60 hours of dissertation research. Typically, completing the Ph.D. program takes a minimum 2.5 years beyond the completion of the program requirements.

Program Admission Requirements

•A bachelor/master’s degree in a KAUST-relevant field of study prior to the semester of enrollment.

•Current field of study must be in a KAUST-relevant area, such as Engineering, Mathematics, or the Physical, Chemical and Biological Sciences.

•There is no minimum GPA requirement for admission. However, most candidates will have an average cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale or equivalent in other international grading systems. The average GPA of admitted students is currently 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.

•KAUST requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 on the IBT (Internet Based Test) or 6.0 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) before an application will be considered for admission. KAUST’s university code for the TOEFL exam is 4107. Only official TOEFL or IELTS scores will be accepted. TOEFL or IELTS scores for tests administered by an educational institution for admission to that particular institution are not acceptable.

•Submit a statement of purpose with your application. In this statement, describe your motivation for seeking admission to KAUST and your preparation for the program to which you are applying. Describe your research interests and study interests, as well as your plans for the future. Demonstrating an aptitude for academic study and research-leadership potential may enhance your statement of purpose.

•You must have three letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf. Letters of recommendation are extremely important and should be written by professors or advisers under whom you have pursued research or taken courses in your major field of study.

Faculty Information