KAUST Academic Programs by Division | King Abdullah University
Source: http://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/study/division-programs
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
KAUST Academic Programs by Division | King Abdullah University
Applying to
KAUST
Visit KAUST
العربية
Top
Home
Study
KAUST Academic Programs by Division
Page Content
KAUST Academic Programs by Division
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
The Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division is dedicated to advancing the understanding and management of marine,
terrestrial and human biology to develop food, water and soil security within healthy communities. Our research is organized into six core areas: cell and
developmental biology; epigenetics, genomics and genetics; biophysics and biochemistry; microbiology, biodiversity and ecology; water desalination and reuse;
and synthetic biology and bioengineering.
Our faculty and researchers apply innovative technologies to investigate the mechanisms through which living organisms
interact with their environments. This interdisciplinary approach drives impactful discoveries and fosters sustainable solutions for a better tomorrow.
Explore
Division
For Course List & Syllabi
Click here
.
Bioscience (B)
The Bioscience program focuses on adaptive biology, exploring the mechanisms that allow organisms to interact and adapt to their environments to address key global challenges in healthcare and planetary health. It provides expertise in cell and molecular biology, structural biology, biophysics, bioimaging, genomics, bioinformatics and AI. The program emphasizes hands-on research and offers flexibility with electives in bioengineering, plant science, marine science and beyond. Focus areas include epigenetics, infectious diseases, stem cells, aging, disorders and diseases, neuroscience and the microbiome, fostering interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies to tackle complex biological challenges. The program attracts collaborations across different disciplines, such as marine, plant, environmental, chemical, computational sciences and engineering, expanding the program's impact on many of the global challenges addressed by KAUST.
Read more
Bioengineering (BioE)
The Bioengineering program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to develop and apply engineering principles to the life sciences. This dynamic field focuses on modeling, monitoring and treating disorders and disabilities affecting living organisms and creating innovative algorithms to enhance our understanding of biological systems. Students will explore how to engineer living systems to optimize their performance, fostering advancements in health and technology.
Read more
Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE)
The Environmental Science and Engineering program prepares students to tackle sustainability challenges in water, energy and food. Focus areas include water treatment, desalination, microbiology, resource recovery and sustainability management. With hands-on lab research and both thesis and nonthesis options, students take key courses like aquatic chemistry, applied statistics and environmental sustainability, equipping them to address global environmental issues.
Read more
Marine Science (MarS)
The goal of the Marine Science program is to develop an integrated understanding of the Red Sea's ecosystem as well as marine conventional and extreme ecosystems in general, including fundamental biology at the molecular and genomic levels, microbiomes, taxonomy, symbioses, global change, marine conservation, associated communities of fish, corals and other marine organisms, and the physical and chemical environment that shapes marine ecosystems. This understanding could impact global nutrient cycling and endangered species and how we preserve and sustainably harvest resources from the oceans.
Read more
Plant Science (PS)
The Plant Science program focuses on understanding plant growth and function under challenging environmental conditions such as
those found in Saudi Arabia. The program studies the fundamental biology of plants at various levels, including genomics, cell biology,
developmental biology, stress biology, plant physiology, proteomics and metabolomics. It also explores plant interactions
with their environment, both abiotic (heat, salt, drought) and biotic (pathogens, symbionts). This knowledge aims to develop
plants with enhanced tolerance to environmental stresses and support sustainable agriculture in arid regions.
Read more
Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering
Division
Research in the CEMSE Division groups into four main
areas:
E
lectrical
e
ngineering,
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
f
unctional-
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, i
ncluding
Bayesian Statistics; Big Data; Biostatistics;
Computational Statistics; Data Visualization;
Environmental Statistics; Extreme Events; Spatial
Statistics; Statistical Data Science; and Time Series
Analysis.
Explore
Division
For Course List & Syllabi
Click
here
.
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.
Explore Program
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.
Explore Program
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.
Explore Program
Statistics (STAT)
The Statistics (STAT) program educates students to
analyze and model complex real-world problems arising in
modern Statistical Data Science.
Explore Program
Physical Science and Engineering Division
The Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division at KAUST is where deep science meets real-world innovation. Its five graduate programs — spanning Earth, materials, chemicals, mechanics, and processes — are designed to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges, from sustainable energy to advanced manufacturing. With world-class faculty, cutting-edge laboratories, and strong industry links, PSE is a launchpad for the next generation of scientific pioneers.
Explore
Division
For Course List & Syllabi
Click
here
Chemical Engineering (CE)
The CE program addresses the grand challenges of the chemical process industries, with a focus on sustainability, scale-up, and systems design. Students work at the interface of reaction engineering, transport phenomena, and process modeling to enable cleaner fuels, efficient separations, and circular manufacturing.
Explore Program
Chemistry (CHEM)
At the heart of molecular innovation, the CHEM program explores how atoms can be arranged and rearranged to build the future. Research areas include catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, organic synthesis, and spectroscopy — fueling advances in energy, health, and environmental remediation.
Explore Program
Earth System Science and Engineering (ESSE)
The ESSE program investigates Earth’s dynamic systems — from crust to climate. Students develop tools to model subsurface flows, assess seismic risks, and explore natural resources. Research spans fault mechanics, induced seismicity, geochemistry, and carbon storage — laying the scientific groundwork for a sustainable future on a changing planet.
Explore Program
Materials Science and Applied Physics (MSAP)
MSAP advances the design and discovery of materials that shape modern life. From nanomaterials to multifunctional polymers, students explore how materials behave, interact, and evolve. Research fuses theory with synthesis to develop transformative solutions in energy storage, clean water, and flexible electronics.
Explore Program
Mechanical Engineering (ME)
The ME program blends fundamental mechanics with emerging technologies to design the machines and systems of tomorrow. From soft robotics to fluid dynamics, and from autonomous vehicles to computational mechanics, students push the boundaries of what’s possible in energy, mobility, and smart manufacturing.
Explore Program
Applying to
KAUST
Visit KAUST
العربية
Top
Home
Study
KAUST Academic Programs by Division
Page Content
KAUST Academic Programs by Division
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
The Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division is dedicated to advancing the understanding and management of marine,
terrestrial and human biology to develop food, water and soil security within healthy communities. Our research is organized into six core areas: cell and
developmental biology; epigenetics, genomics and genetics; biophysics and biochemistry; microbiology, biodiversity and ecology; water desalination and reuse;
and synthetic biology and bioengineering.
Our faculty and researchers apply innovative technologies to investigate the mechanisms through which living organisms
interact with their environments. This interdisciplinary approach drives impactful discoveries and fosters sustainable solutions for a better tomorrow.
Explore
Division
For Course List & Syllabi
Click here
.
Bioscience (B)
The Bioscience program focuses on adaptive biology, exploring the mechanisms that allow organisms to interact and adapt to their environments to address key global challenges in healthcare and planetary health. It provides expertise in cell and molecular biology, structural biology, biophysics, bioimaging, genomics, bioinformatics and AI. The program emphasizes hands-on research and offers flexibility with electives in bioengineering, plant science, marine science and beyond. Focus areas include epigenetics, infectious diseases, stem cells, aging, disorders and diseases, neuroscience and the microbiome, fostering interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies to tackle complex biological challenges. The program attracts collaborations across different disciplines, such as marine, plant, environmental, chemical, computational sciences and engineering, expanding the program's impact on many of the global challenges addressed by KAUST.
Read more
Bioengineering (BioE)
The Bioengineering program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to develop and apply engineering principles to the life sciences. This dynamic field focuses on modeling, monitoring and treating disorders and disabilities affecting living organisms and creating innovative algorithms to enhance our understanding of biological systems. Students will explore how to engineer living systems to optimize their performance, fostering advancements in health and technology.
Read more
Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE)
The Environmental Science and Engineering program prepares students to tackle sustainability challenges in water, energy and food. Focus areas include water treatment, desalination, microbiology, resource recovery and sustainability management. With hands-on lab research and both thesis and nonthesis options, students take key courses like aquatic chemistry, applied statistics and environmental sustainability, equipping them to address global environmental issues.
Read more
Marine Science (MarS)
The goal of the Marine Science program is to develop an integrated understanding of the Red Sea's ecosystem as well as marine conventional and extreme ecosystems in general, including fundamental biology at the molecular and genomic levels, microbiomes, taxonomy, symbioses, global change, marine conservation, associated communities of fish, corals and other marine organisms, and the physical and chemical environment that shapes marine ecosystems. This understanding could impact global nutrient cycling and endangered species and how we preserve and sustainably harvest resources from the oceans.
Read more
Plant Science (PS)
The Plant Science program focuses on understanding plant growth and function under challenging environmental conditions such as
those found in Saudi Arabia. The program studies the fundamental biology of plants at various levels, including genomics, cell biology,
developmental biology, stress biology, plant physiology, proteomics and metabolomics. It also explores plant interactions
with their environment, both abiotic (heat, salt, drought) and biotic (pathogens, symbionts). This knowledge aims to develop
plants with enhanced tolerance to environmental stresses and support sustainable agriculture in arid regions.
Read more
Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering
Division
Research in the CEMSE Division groups into four main
areas:
E
lectrical
e
ngineering,
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
f
unctional-
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, i
ncluding
Bayesian Statistics; Big Data; Biostatistics;
Computational Statistics; Data Visualization;
Environmental Statistics; Extreme Events; Spatial
Statistics; Statistical Data Science; and Time Series
Analysis.
Explore
Division
For Course List & Syllabi
Click
here
.
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.
Explore Program
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.
Explore Program
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.
Explore Program
Statistics (STAT)
The Statistics (STAT) program educates students to
analyze and model complex real-world problems arising in
modern Statistical Data Science.
Explore Program
Physical Science and Engineering Division
The Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division at KAUST is where deep science meets real-world innovation. Its five graduate programs — spanning Earth, materials, chemicals, mechanics, and processes — are designed to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges, from sustainable energy to advanced manufacturing. With world-class faculty, cutting-edge laboratories, and strong industry links, PSE is a launchpad for the next generation of scientific pioneers.
Explore
Division
For Course List & Syllabi
Click
here
Chemical Engineering (CE)
The CE program addresses the grand challenges of the chemical process industries, with a focus on sustainability, scale-up, and systems design. Students work at the interface of reaction engineering, transport phenomena, and process modeling to enable cleaner fuels, efficient separations, and circular manufacturing.
Explore Program
Chemistry (CHEM)
At the heart of molecular innovation, the CHEM program explores how atoms can be arranged and rearranged to build the future. Research areas include catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, organic synthesis, and spectroscopy — fueling advances in energy, health, and environmental remediation.
Explore Program
Earth System Science and Engineering (ESSE)
The ESSE program investigates Earth’s dynamic systems — from crust to climate. Students develop tools to model subsurface flows, assess seismic risks, and explore natural resources. Research spans fault mechanics, induced seismicity, geochemistry, and carbon storage — laying the scientific groundwork for a sustainable future on a changing planet.
Explore Program
Materials Science and Applied Physics (MSAP)
MSAP advances the design and discovery of materials that shape modern life. From nanomaterials to multifunctional polymers, students explore how materials behave, interact, and evolve. Research fuses theory with synthesis to develop transformative solutions in energy storage, clean water, and flexible electronics.
Explore Program
Mechanical Engineering (ME)
The ME program blends fundamental mechanics with emerging technologies to design the machines and systems of tomorrow. From soft robotics to fluid dynamics, and from autonomous vehicles to computational mechanics, students push the boundaries of what’s possible in energy, mobility, and smart manufacturing.
Explore Program