Materials Science and
Engineering Program
Contents
1.
Aims and Scope ........................................................................................................... 3
2.
Master’s Degree .......................................................................................................... 3
3.
Master’s with Thesis Option ....................................................................................... 3
4.
Master’s Non-Thesis Option ....................................................................................... 4
5.
Ph.D. Degree ............................................................................................................... 5
5.1.
Coursework.............................................................................................................. 5
5.2.
Designation of a Dissertation Advisor ..................................................................... 6
5.3.
Examinations ........................................................................................................... 6
5.4.
Candidacy Status ..................................................................................................... 7
5.5.
Dissertation Defense ............................................................................................... 7
6.
Materials Science and Engineering Program Additional Program Information ......... 8
7.
Materials Science and Engineering Program Course Descriptions ............................. 9
Materials Science and Engineering Program
2014-2015 Academic Year
1. Aims and Scope
The Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) program equips students with
fundamental and applied knowledge of nanomaterials and devices; energy conversion
materials and devices; biomaterials; and advanced characterization techniques.
MSE offers its M.S. and Ph.D. students a curriculum based on core and elective courses.
Typically, students are evaluated by written exams, course assignments, and oral
presentations.
2. Master’s Degree
The M.S. degree is awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 36 credit
hours.
There are two M.S. degree options, a thesis and a non-thesis option. A minimum of 36
credit hours is required for both options, consisting of the following:
•
•
•
Core Curriculum: (12 credits) Three core courses from the following list: MSE
301 Crystallography and Diffraction; MSE 302 Electronic Properties of Materials;
MSE 303 Statistical Thermodynamics and Equilibrium Processes; MSE 304
Applied Quantum Mechanics; plus one Applied Math course
Elective Curriculum: (12 credits) Four additional courses from either MSE or any
other relevant program, upon approval of the student’s academic advisor
Research/Capstone Experience: (12 credits) the requirements for the remaining
12 credits are dependent upon which M.S. Degree option is pursued and require
the approval of the student’s advisor.
Additionally, students are expected to attend seminars offered by MSE or other
programs. Although seminar attendance is required, no degreSe credit shall be given. A
grade of satisfactory/unsatisfactory is recorded for this requirement. M.S. students
must attend seminars during two semesters to meet this requirement.
3. Master’s with Thesis Option
Students pursuing the M.S. degree with Thesis option must apply by the ninth week of
their second semester. Thesis students are expected to conduct research and compose
the thesis during the Summer and subsequent Fall semesters. Extensions beyond this
period will require permission from the thesis advisor. It is expected that students will
register for 12 credits of thesis research (MSE 297) or internship (MSE 295), where the
internship must be related to the thesis project. Under exceptional circumstances,
students may be able to complete their thesis work in less than 12 credits. In that case,
and with the permission of the M.S. thesis advisor, a student may enroll in one of the
following options to earn the remaining credits of degree requirement:
•
•
•
Internship: Research-based summer internship (administered as directed
research, MSE 295). A student may not enroll in more than one internship for
credit.
Broadening Experience Courses: Courses that broaden a student’s M.S.
experience.
Ph.D.-Level Courses: MSE courses numbered 300 or greater. Any course in the
Ph.D. core requirements that is passed with a minimum grade of B– may be
used towards meeting the core Ph.D. requirements of the MSE program if the
student chooses to continue for a Ph.D. degree in MSE at KAUST.
Students are permitted to register for more than 12 credits of M.S. thesis research as
necessary and with the permission of the thesis advisor
Evaluation of satisfactory completion of MS thesis work is performed by a committee
comprised of the M.S. thesis advisor and two other members. The chair of the
committee must be a faculty member in the MSE program. The evaluation of M.S.
thesis credits is through a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade. MSE thesis option students
are required to give a public seminar based on the thesis research. For additional
details on thesis requirements and committee formation, see General Degree Program
Guidelines.
The student is responsible for scheduling the thesis defense date with his/her
supervisor and committee members. It is advisable that the student submit a final copy
of the thesis to the thesis committee members at least two weeks prior to the defense
date.
4. Master’s Non-Thesis Option
Research requirement: A minimum of 6 credits of directed research (MSE 299) is
required. Summer internship credits may be used to fulfill the research requirement
provided that the summer internship is research-based. Summer internships are
subject to approval by the student’s academic advisor.
Students must complete the remaining credits through one or a combination of the
options listed below:
Broadening Experience Courses: Courses that broaden a student’s M.S. experience.
Ph.D.-Level Courses: MSE courses numbered 300 or greater. Any course in the Ph.D.
core requirements that is passed with a minimum grade of B– may be used toward
meeting the core Ph.D. requirements of the MSE program if the student chooses to
continue for a Ph.D. degree in MSE at KAUST.
Internship: Research-based summer internship (MSE 295). A student may not take
more than one internship for credit.
It should be noted that a student may also take a combination of the above courses to
satisfy the six-credit requirement. For example, a student could take one Ph.D.-level
course and one graduate-level course in another program. A student may not enroll in
two summer internships.
Thesis format requirements are described in the KAUST Thesis and Dissertation
Guidelines (http://libguides.kaust.edu.sa/theses
Students may select a KAUST faculty member from another program to act as a
research advisor (for either thesis or directed research), but must provide a one-page
description of the research project and an explanation of how such research would be
relevant to the M.S. degree program. Upon approval by the Program and the Dean, the
faculty member would be allowed to act as an affiliated faculty member and advisor to
the student for the duration of the student’s thesis.
5.
Ph.D. Degree
In accordance with KAUST regulations, the Ph.D. program in MSE includes the following
requirements:
Successful completion of Ph.D. coursework;
Designating a research advisor;
Passing a subject qualifying examination;
Passing a proposal defense and obtaining candidacy status.
Preparing, submitting and successfully defending a doctoral dissertation.
5.1. Coursework
Students entering the Ph.D. program with a B.S degree must complete at least 96 credit
hours, including the required coursework for the M.S. degree plus at least four courses
at the 300 level. The required coursework is outlined below:
M.S. Courses
• Three Core Courses
• Four Elective Courses from MSE or another program, as agreed upon with
the student’s advisor
• One Course in mathematical methods
• Two Semesters of seminar (non-credit)
Ph.D. Courses
• Four MSE Courses at the 300 level
• Four Semesters of seminar (non-credit)
Students entering the program with a relevant M.S. from another institution may
transfer coursework toward the requirements of the M.S. degree listed above upon the
approval of the program.
Students entering the program with a M.S. from KAUST may transfer coursework
toward both the M.S. and Ph.D. MSE Program requirements listed above upon approval
of the program and based on their program of study at the University.
Students entering with a B.S. from another institution may transfer in up to 9 credits of
graduate level coursework towards the above requirements upon approval of the
program. In addition, students entering with a B.S. may also qualify to earn a M.S.
degree by satisfying the MS degree requirements as part of the Ph.D. program
Students are expected to attend seminars offered by MSE or other programs whose
focus complements the student’s dissertation research or directed research activities.
Seminar attendance is required, but no credit shall be given, and a
satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade for seminar attendance will be recorded.
For students who obtained their M.S. degree in MSE at KAUST, up to six credits of
directed research or thesis research may be taken to replace two Ph.D. courses, if
approved by the student’s advisor.
5.2. Designation of a Dissertation Advisor
The Ph.D. dissertation advisor can be any MSE faculty member. The student may also
select an advisor who is a faculty member in another program at KAUST. In this case,
the student must seek the approval of the MSE Program prior to commencing research.
5.3. Examinations
After completion of core course requirements, the student must successfully complete
the required Ph.D. examinations. These include a written exam, called the qualifying
examination, and an oral exam, called the dissertation proposal defense.
Students entering the Ph.D. program with an M.S. degree must pass the qualifying
examination within the first year of their Ph.D. program. Students entering the Ph.D.
program with a B.S. degree must pass the qualifying examination within the first two
years at KAUST.
The following rules and procedures pertain to the qualifying examination:
• The qualifying examination will cover the content of the Core Courses. The three
selected core courses may vary from student to student. The student will be
tested on the content of the three core courses in which they received credit.
• The qualifying examination will be held on one day. Three core courses will be
covered in three separate sessions divided by breaks. The qualifying
examination will be offered three times per year (January, June, and August)
and on an as-needed basis as determined by MSE faculty.
• The students must declare their intent to take the exam 6 weeks before the
exam date.
The following rules and procedures pertain to the dissertation proposal defense:
•
•
•
•
Student’s dissertation committee members must attend the oral dissertation
proposal defense.
The content of the oral dissertation proposal defense is based on the student’s
proposed dissertation research project and can be attended by other students
and faculty.
The student is responsible for scheduling the oral proposal defense with her/his
advisor and committee members
The dissertation proposal defense can be taken only after the qualifying
examination has been passed
There are three possible outcomes for students who take the qualifying exam or the
oral dissertation proposal defense:
• Pass
• Fail with option to retake
• Fail without option to retake
The decision to allow (or deny) a student to retake the qualifying examination shall be
made by the faculty on a case-by-case basis. The decision to allow (or deny) a student
to retake the dissertation proposal defense shall be made by the dissertation
committee. Students allowed to retake the Ph.D. examinations (written or oral) do not
have to retake the entire exam. For example, if the student passes the qualifying
examination but fails the oral part, only the dissertation proposal defense must be
retaken. In the case that a student is allowed to retake the qualifying examination, the
student is expected to retake only the section(s) that he or she failed.
Students who are not given the option to retake the exam, or who fail one or the other
exam a second time, will be terminated from the program.
5.4. Candidacy Status
A Ph.D. student is officially considered a Ph.D. Candidate after he/she passes both the
qualifying examination and the dissertation proposal defense. Students entering the
program with a B.S. degree are expected to complete the requirements of Ph.D.
candidacy no later than three years after enrolling in the Ph.D. program at KAUST.
Students entering the program with an M.S. degree are expected to become Ph.D.
candidates within two years of starting at KAUST.
5.5. Dissertation Defense
The Ph.D. dissertation must result from original research work and be written in English.
The Dissertation Defense is the final exam of the program. It is a public presentation
that consists of an oral presentation followed by questions. As a general rule, the
dissertation advisor is appointed to chair the defense committee, which consists of four
faculty members, two of whom must be from the MSE Program. A MSE faculty member
in the defense committee (dissertation advisor excluded) will be responsible for
certifying that the process is run in accordance with the University requirements The
fourth member must be an external examiner who must write a report on the thesis
and attend the thesis defense. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the
dissertation committee of his/her progress, deadlines for submitting graduation forms,
the defense date, etc. It is advisable that the student submits her/his dissertation six
weeks prior the defense date in order to receive feedback from the committee
members in a timely manner. The public defense of the dissertation may last a
maximum of three hours. The agreement of the committee to pass the student must be
unanimous.
6. Materials Science and Engineering Program
Additional Program Information
Required Training Sessions
Every student in MSE must take all required Laboratory Safety and Practices training
sessions.
Participation in at least one Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) is mandatory for all
students.
Core and Elective Courses
CORE COURSES
MSE 301 Crystallography and Diffraction
MSE 302 Electronic Properties of Materials
MSE 303 Statistical Thermodynamics and Equilibrium Processes
MSE 304 Applied Quantum Mechanics
ELECTIVE COURSES
MSE 200 Advanced Engineering Mathematics MSE 201 Fundamentals of Materials
Science and Engineering
MSE 305 Kinetics and Phase Transformations
MSE 307 Materials CharacterizationMSE 309
Materials Modeling
MSE 311 Soft Materials
MSE 313 Functional Ceramics
MSE 315 Thin Film Science and Engineering
MSE 317
MSE 319
MSE 321
MSE 306
MSE 308
MSE 310
MSE 312
MSE 314
MSE 316
Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials
Polymeric Materials
Optical Properties of Materials
Electrochemistry & Corrosion
Biomaterials
Materials for Energy
Engineering Alloys
Ab-initio Computational Methods
Magnetic Materials
MSE 318 Nanomaterials
MSE 320 Solar Cell Materials and Devices
MSE 322 Semiconductor Materials
MSE 323 Surface Chemistry
MSE 297
MSE 299
MS Thesis Research
Directed Research- MS
MSE 392 Advanced Topics in Materials Science I
MSE 393 Advanced Topics in Materials Science II
MSE 394 Advanced Topics in Materials Science III
MSE 398 Graduate Seminar
MSE 397 PhD Dissertation Research
MSE 399 Directed Research- PhD
7. Materials Science and Engineering Program
Course Descriptions
MSE 100 Basic Principles of Physics (3-0-0)
This course is a review of physics content normally taught at the senior undergraduate
level. The course will cover electric field and potential, DC and AC current circuits,
magnetism, magnetic induction, electromagnetic waves, and optical phenomena
(transmission, reflection, diffraction, interference, etc). Further topics will include
Blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, atomic line spectra, Bohr hydrogen atom, de
Broglie waves, Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, free particle, particle in a box, particle
on a ring, simple harmonic oscillation, quantum numbers, and angular momentum.
Finally, an overview of the first, second, and third laws of Thermodynamics along with
heat capacity, enthalpy, thermal conduction is presented.
MSE 200. Advanced Engineering Mathematics (3-0-3)
This course presents basic mathematical methods for engineers including:
differentiation and integration, Taylor’s expansion, linear systems resolution and matrix
formalism, partial differential equations, Laplace, Fourier and Legendre transforms,
statistics and probability.
MSE 201. Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3)
This course is intended for students who do not have a materials science and
engineering background. The course will cover four major topics including: fundamental
concepts, microstructure development and phase equilibria, material properties and
fabrication methods and applications. The course will cover atomic structure, atomic
bonding, crystal structures, defects, and diffusion in materials. It also will cover phase
transformations and phase equilibria and how they impact microstructure development.
The electrical, magnetic, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of materials will
also be reviewed. The course will also highlight modern fabrication technologies and
applications of metals, ceramics, semiconductors, and polymers.
MSE 297. Thesis Research (variable credit) Master’s-level thesis research.
MSE 298. Graduate Seminar (variable credit) Master’s-level seminar focusing on special
topics within the field.
MSE 299. Directed Research (variable credit) Master’s-level supervised research.
MSE 301. Crystallography and Diffraction (3-0-3)
The objective of this course is to present the basic concepts needed to understand the
crystal structure of materials. Fundamental concepts including lattices, symmetries,
point groups, and space groups will be discussed and the relationship between crystal
symmetries and physical properties will be addressed. The theory of X-ray diffraction by
crystalline matter along with the experimental x-ray methods used to determine the
crystal structure of materials will be covered. Application of X-ray diffraction to proteins,
electron diffraction and neutron diffraction will be briefly discussed.
MSE 302. Electronic Properties of Materials (3-0-3)
This course offers an overview of the electronic, optical, magnetic and thermal
properties of materials, not limited to solid state. It covers the fundamental concepts of
band structure and bonding of materials, electrical and thermal conduction in metals,
semiconductors and dielectric. The interaction between light and matter will be
addressed and important concepts such as excitons will be introduced. Finally
magnetism will be introduced.
MSE303. Statistical Thermodynamics & Equilibrium Processes (3-0-3) Prerequisite:
Advanced Engineering Mathematics MSE 200 (Students might attend this course as corequisite). The course offers a modern fundamental understanding to the main
concepts and practical applications of thermo-dynamics in materials science. The
following major topics are discussed within the frame of this course: review of basic
laws of classical thermodynamics, an introduction to phase equilibria including the
theory of solutions, chemical reaction and surface and interfacial phenomena.
Additionally, an introduction to statistical thermodynamics of gases and condensed
matter is provided.
MSE 304. Applied Quantum Mechanics (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: Advanced Engineering Mathematics MSE200. Introduction to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Summary of classical mechanics and electrodynamics.
Postulates of quantum mechanics, wave functions, and operator formalism. Stationary
state problems, including quantum wells. Harmonic oscillator. Angular momentum and
spin. Atoms, molecules, and band theory of solids. Time evolution, Approximation
methods for time-independent as well as time-dependent interactions, including
electromagnetism. Scattering theory. Modern applications.
MSE 305. Kinetics and Phase Transformations (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: MSE 303. The course offers a modern and fundamental understanding to
the main concepts and practical applications of Kinetics and Phase Transformations in
materials science. The following major topics are discussed within the frame of this
course: kinetics of homogenous chemical reactions, thermodynamics of irreversible
processes including an introduction to the Onsager postulates, mathematical
description of Diffusion in Materials (Fick’s Laws and an atomistic description via
random-walk process). Basic concepts of phase transformation theories, including
homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation and growth, spinodal decomposition
and Landau theory of phase transformation.
MSE 306. Electrochemistry and Corrosion (3-0-3)
This course offers, in a first part, an overview of the fundamentals of electrochemistry
including thermo-dynamics, nonequilibrium systems and Electrode/Electrolyte
interfaces followed by an Introduction to modern applications of electrochemistry such
as synthesis of nanoparticles, nanowires and thin films; as well as electrochemical
means of energy conversion and storage. The second part deals with Corrosion
phenomena: types of corrosion cells and damages, thermodynamics and kinetics,
uniform corrosion, passivity, localized corrosion, atmospheric and high temperature
corrosion, environmentally induced cracking. Prevention of corrosion using
electrochemical and surface engineering means. Corrosion mechanisms and protection
of materials of practical interest.
MSE 307. Materials Characterization (3-0-3)
This course will introduce the basic principles of materials characterization and the
common characterization techniques available at KAUST. It will cover the following
topics: Diffraction methods: basic principles, interaction of radiation and particle beams
with matter, XRD, scattering techniques; Spectroscopic methods; Imaging: optical
including confocal microscopy, scanning, transmission electron, scanning tunneling and
field ion microscopy; Microanalysis and Tomography: energy dispersive, wavelength
dispersive, Auger Processes, Electron, Ion and Atom Probe Tomography, SIMS,
photoelectron spectroscopy; thermal analysis: DTA, DSC.
Lab visits and
demonstrations will be scheduled to the class to discuss some case studies.
MSE 308. Biomaterials (3-0-3)
This course offers a basic understanding of the concepts underlying the design and
selection of materials for use in biological applications. It focuses on both hard and soft
tissue materials. The class addresses modern topics including biosensors, surface and
interface functionalization. Further topics include: A brief introduction to relevant
tissue types: anatomy, biochemistry and physiology; concepts of biocompatibility, host
response, material degradation, testing and selection criteria; an overview of current
research on biomechanics and its relevance to prosthesis design and tissue engineering;
basic concepts of drug delivery and molecular biomechanics.
MSE 309. Materials Modeling (3-0-3)
Introduction to the theory and application of materials modeling techniques.
Advantages of modeling to the engineer. Principles and methods of programming. Data
requirements and structuring. Comparison of analytical and numerical methods.
Introduction to basic numerical algorithms. Modeling approaches for different length
scales from atomistic to continuum.
MSE 310. Materials for Energy (3-0-3)
This course emphasizes materials engineering aspects and the role they play in
important energy related technologies such as energy harvesting approaches, super
capacitors and energy storage media, batteries, fuel cells, bio-energy, nuclear energy,
solar and wind based power generation, thermoelectricity, and Hydrogen generation.
MSE 311. Soft Materials (3-0-3)
This course covers chemical and physical aspects of soft materials such as gels,
polymers, lipids, surfactants and colloids; physical chemistry of soft materials; phase
transformations and self-assembly; the role of intermolecular and surface forces in
determining morphology and hierarchy. Membranes, catalysis, drug delivery, flexible
and stretchable materials and devices.
MSE 312. Engineering Alloys (3-0-3)
This course offers a basic understanding of materials requirements of alloys for various
applications. Topics covered include: the trade-off between properties (e.g., strength
and toughness) and micro-structure; the impact of alloy composition on the microstructure; property differences and design philosophy in steels, nickel-, titanium- and
aluminum- based alloys, focusing on construction, aerospace and automotive
applications; alloy evolution and production routes.
MSE 313. Functional Ceramics (3-0-3)
Fundamental concepts relevant to functional ceramics will be reviewed, including
defect chemistry and reactions, Brouwer diagrams, Ellingham diagrams, Heckman
diagrams, ionic and electronic transport, and tensor notation. The physics, materials,
and applications for the following classes of functional ceramics will be covered: linear
dielectrics, ferroelectrics and multiferroics, piezoelectrics, pyroelectrics, electrooptics,
thermoelectrics, and semiconducting oxides. Selected technological applications will be
reviewed including varistors, sensors, MEMs, capacitors, memories, transistors, night
vision systems, positive temperature coefficient resistors, and electro-optic devices.
MSE 314. Ab-Initio Computational Methods (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: Applied Quantum Mechanics (MSE 304). Band structure approaches for
crystalline solids. Fundamentals and advanced applications of density functional theory.
Introduction into classical and quantum molecular dynamics. Application and use of
commercial and freeware computer packages.
MSE 315. Thin Film Science & Engineering (3-0-3)
Thin films and coatings are the material building blocks of many modern and pervasive
technologies ranging from electronics to optics and photovoltaics, and from
anticounterfeiting to glazings and hard coatings. The fundamentals and atomistics of
thin film growth are discussed in detail. Deposition techniques for thin films and
coatings are presented, including physical and chemical vapor depositions, molecular
beam epitaxy, atomic layer deposition, and low-pressure plasma processes. Organic
thin film deposition. Solution-processing and printing of inorganic, and hybrid organicinorganic thin films. Artificially structured and chemically modulated layered and
nanocomposite materials. Ex situ/in situ characterization of thin films and coatings.
MSE 316. Magnetic Materials (3-0-3)
This course introduces fundamental concepts in modern magnetic materials together
with the electronic properties of magnetic hybrid structures. (i) Diamagnetism,
paramagnetism, ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism will be introduced and the
microscopic origin of magnetism will be addressed (metals, semiconductors, oxides,
insulators, etc.). (ii) Experimental techniques to investigate magnetism and magnetic
behavior will be mentioned (X-ray dichroism, Magneto-Optical Kerr effect, etc...). (iii)
Advanced applications of modern magnetic materials will be presented and the
electronic properties as well as magnetization dynamics of magnetic hybrid structures
will be covered.
MSE 317. Mechanical Behavior of Composite Materials (3-0-3)
(Same as ME 343) Response of composite materials (fiber and particulate reinforced
materials) to static, cyclic, creep and thermomechanical loading. Manufacturing
process-induced variability and residual stresses. Fatigue behavior, fracture mechanics
and damage development. Role of the reinforcement-matrix interface in mechanical
behavior. Environmental effects. Dimensional stability and thermal fatigue. Application
to polymer, metal, ceramic and carbon matrix composites.
MSE 318. Nanomaterials (3-0-3)
This course describes the most recent advances in the synthesis, fabrication and
characterization of nanomaterials.
Topics to be covered: Zero-dimensional
nanomaterials, including
nanoparticles, quantum dots and nanocrystals; one
dimensional materials including nanowires and nanotubes; two-dimensional materials:
including self-assembled monolayers, patterned surfaces and quantum well; threedimensional nanomaterials: including nanoporosity, nanocomposites, block copolymers,
and supra-crystals. Emphasis on the fundamental surface and size-related physical and
chemical properties of nanomaterials; and their applications in biosensing,
nanomedicine, catalysis, photonics, and nanoelectronics.
MSE 319. Polymeric Materials (3-0-3)
This course describes polymerization processes; polymer solutions (Flory-Huggins
model and application to polymer blends); polymer chain conformations; calculation of
end-to-end distribution function W(r) for short range interacting chains; rotational
isomeric state scheme and temperature dependence; chain with long range
interactions (excluded volume effect); radius of gyration; the crystalline and amorphous
states of polymers; the glass transition (configurational entropy model); mechanical,
electrical and optical properties and characterization of polymers.
MSE 320. Solar Cell Materials and Devices (3-0-3)
This course will provide the students with an up-to-date basic knowledge of the
physical and chemical principles of materials used in solar cells of various kinds
including but not limited to technologies such as: 1) silicon-based solar cells, 2) CIGS,
CIS and other inorganic thin film solar cells, 3) multijunction solar cells, 4) nanoparticles
and quantum dots solar cells, 5) organic and hybrid solar cells and 6) thermal and
concentrator solar power generation.
MSE 321. Optical Properties of Materials (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: basic knowledge of quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and solid state
physics. Introduction to optical coefficients and optical materials, classical propagation
of light, Interband absorption processes and photodetectors, excitons, light emission
including photoluminescence and electroluminescence, quantum confined structures,
free electrons and plasmons, optical properties of molecules and polymers, color
centers, phonons, polaritons, polarons and inelastic light scattering, introduction to
nonlinear optical properties of materials including second and third order
nonlinearities.
MSE 322. Advanced Semiconductor Materials (3-0-3)
The course covers the physico-chemical and electronic properties of advanced
semiconductor materials other than Si and GaAs. The materials that will be covered
include elemental semiconductors such as Ge and carbon (in the form of carbon
nanotubes and graphene), compound semiconductors such as III-V and II-VI
compounds, and wide-band gap semiconductors such as carbides and nitrides. Special
classes of semiconductors such as oxides, chalcogenides, and polymeric
semiconductors will be included. In each material category, the material processing
and fabrication of select devices will be discussed including 1-dimensional and 2dimensional devices. Measurement protocols for the devices will be presented.
MSE 323. Surface Chemistry (3-0-3)
(same as CBE 313) Surface tension and surface free energy (theory and measurement
methods); Surface films on liquid substrates (surface potential, monomolecular films,
Langmuir-Blodgett layers); Electrical aspects of surface chemistry (electrical double
layer, zeta potential, DLVO theory); Solid-liquid interface, stability of dispersions,
stabilization of suspensions, steric stabilization of colloids; Contact angle (theory and
measurement methods); Emulsions, foams and aerosols; Wetting of surfaces by liquids,
Lotus effect; Flotation, aggregation and flocculation; Detergency, surfactants, selfassembly, micelles and vesicles; Friction, lubrication and adhesion; Adsorption
(Langmuir, BET); Characterization of colloidal particles; Applications of colloid and
surface science in petroleum recovery, coating and painting, food, pharmaceutical and
cosmetic industry; Methods of surface characterization (AFM, STM, SIMS, XPS, LEED,
GISAXS)
MSE 392. Advanced Topics in Materials Science I (variable credit) Lecture-based class.
MSE 393. Advanced Topics in Materials Science II (variable credit) Lecture-based class.
MSE 393. Advanced Topics in Materials Science III (variable credit) Lecture-based class.
MSE 397. Dissertation (variable credit)
MSE 398. Graduate Seminar (variable credit) Doctoral-level seminar focusing on special
topics in the field.
MSE 399. Directed Research (variable credit) Doctoral-level supervised research.
KAUST PROGRAM
Guide
Fall 2014
1.
Contents
Program and Degrees................................................................................................................ 17
4.
Thesis Requirements................................................................................................................. 19
2.
3.
5.
6.
7.
8.
KAUST offers the following two Degrees .......................................................................... 17
Program Requirements ............................................................................................................ 18
NON-THESIS OPTION ................................................................................................................ 20
PhD Program ................................................................................................................................ 21
University Guidelines ................................................................................................................ 23
Transferring Credits .................................................................................................................. 27
1. Program and Degrees
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) advances science and
technology through bold and collaborative research. It educates scientific and
technological leaders, catalyzes the diversification of the Saudi economy and
addresses challenges of regional and global significance, thereby serving the Kingdom,
the region and the world.
Research and education, as well as their transformative potential, are central to
KAUST’s mission. KAUST has a three-part mission:
Research at KAUST – both basic and goal-oriented – is dedicated to advancing science
and technology of regional and global impact. Research excellence inspires teaching
and the training of future leaders in science and technology.
Research and education at KAUST energize innovation and enterprise to support
knowledge-based economic diversification.
Through the synergy of science and technology, and innovation and enterprise, KAUST
is a catalyst for transforming people's lives.
In support of this mission, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology offers
eleven graduate programs leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.
2. KAUST offers the following two Degrees
•
•
The M.S. degree typically takes three semesters and a summer to complete (18
months). The degree allows flexibility for internships, research, and academics.
Learn more about M.S. degree requirements.
The Ph.D. degree is typically a three- to four-year post-master's degree. The
Ph.D., involves original research, culminating in a research dissertation. Learn
more about Ph.D. degree requirements.
Three academic divisions, these are:
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE)
•
•
•
•
Bioscience (B)
Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE)
Marine Science (MarS)
Plant Science
Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE)
•
•
•
Applied Mathematics and Computational Science (AMCS)
Computer Science (CS)
Electrical Engineering (EE)
Physical Sciences and Engineering Division (PSE)
•
Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE)
•
Chemical Sciences (ChemS)
•
Earth Science and Engineering (ErSE)
•
Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)
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Mechanical Engineering (ME)
Each program is administered by a Graduate Committee and a Graduate Chair. Courses
for each program will be listed at the 100 (non-credit), 200, 300 or 400 level.
3. Program Requirements
MASTERS PROGRAM
Admissions
Admission to the M.S. program requires the satisfactory completion of an
undergraduate B.S. degree in a relevant or related area, such as Engineering,
Mathematics or the Physical, Chemical and Biological Sciences.
Master’s Degree requirements
The MS degree requires successful completion of 36 credits. Students are expected to
complete the MS degree in three semesters plus one summer session. Degree
requirements are divided into three sections: Core Curriculum; Elective Curriculum; and
Research/Capstone Experience.
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•
•
Core Curriculum (9-15 credits): This portion of the degree program is designed
to provide a student with the background needed to establish a solid foundation
in the program area over and above that obtained through undergraduate
studies.
Elective Curriculum (9-15 credits): This portion of the degree program is
designed to allow each student to tailor his/her educational experience to meet
individual research and educational objectives. Depending upon the program
and the objectives, this may be met by added coursework or by additional
research experience.
Research/Capstone Experience (12 credits): The details of this portion of the
degree program are uniquely determined by the student and his/her advisor
and will involve a combination of research and other capstone experiences that
build on the knowledge gained in coursework.
•
Satisfactory participation in KAUST’s Summer Session and Winter Enrichment
Period (WEP) is mandatory. Summer Session courses are credit bearing and
apply toward the degree. WEP courses do not earn credit towards the degree.
At least thirty-six (36) degree credits must be completed in graduate-level courses and
research projects. These courses should be 200-level or above and must be approved
by the student’s advisor. Additional non-credit bearing activities, such as graduate
seminars, may be required by the Program. Details on the specific program
expectations, as well as the difference between the thesis and non-thesis degree
options can be found through the link in the Program Guide
(http://www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/programs/degrees.html). For a list of eligible
faculty advisors, see: http://www.kaust.edu.sa/faculty-advisors.html
4. Thesis Requirements
Students wishing to pursue a thesis as part of their MS degree, must identify a research
advisor and must file for Thesis status.
1. The application for the thesis option is due to the Registrar’s Office by the ninth
week of the student’s second semester at KAUST.
2. Criteria for Acceptance into the Master’s Degree with Thesis program.
a. Students should have a well-constructed thesis proposal that includes a
time-line for completion.
b. The thesis proposal must be approved by the research advisor and the
Dean of the Division.
c. In the case of an optional thesis program, the student should have a
minimum GPA of 3.2 and at least 12 credit hours completed at the
conclusion of the first semester and be registered in at least 12 credit
hours during the second semester.
d. The research advisor must indicate that he/she endorses the thesis topic
and scope of work and that it could reasonably be completed by the end
of the third semester. Alternatively, the faculty member agrees to a
longer time frame, not to exceed the end the fourth semester, and to
cover the student and experimental costs that accrue during this period.
The student’s program of study should be structured such that the student may change
to the MS without Thesis option and finish the degree by the end of the student’s third
semester.
Committee Structure and Thesis Defense
Evaluation of satisfactory completion of MS thesis work is performed by a committee
comprising the M.S. thesis advisor and two other faculty members. The chair of the
committee must be a faculty member within the program. One external faculty
member or one Research Scientist may be allowed. The evaluation of MS thesis credits
comprises of a satisfactory or unsatisfactory grade. The requirement of a public seminar
based on the student’s work is left to the discretion of the MS thesis advisor.
The student is responsible for scheduling the thesis defense date with his/her
supervisor and committee members. It is advisable that the student submits a written
copy of the thesis to the thesis committee members at least two weeks prior the
defense date.
5. NON-THESIS OPTION
Students wishing to pursue the Non Thesis options must complete a minimum of 6
credits of directed research credits (299) is required. Summer internship credits may be
used to fulfill the research requirement provided that the summer internship is
research-based. Summer internships are subject to approval by the student’s academic
advisor.
Students must complete the remaining credits through one or a combination of the
options listed below:
•
•
•
Broadening Experience Courses: Courses that broaden a student’s M.S.
experience.
Ph.D.-Level Courses: Courses numbered 300 or greater. Any course in the
PhD core requirements that is passed with a minimum grade of B– may be
used towards meeting the core PhD requirements of the program if the
student chooses to continue for a PhD degree in at KAUST.
Internship: Research-based summer internship (295). Students are only
allowed to take one internship.
It should be noted that a student may also combine courses to satisfy the six-credit
requirement. For example, a student could take one Ph.D.-level course and one
graduate-level course in another program. A student may not enrol in two summer
internships.
Thesis format requirements are described in the KAUST Thesis and Dissertation
Guidelines (http://libguides.kaust.edu.sa/theses).
For a list of eligible faculty advisors, see:
http://www.kaust.edu.sa/faculty-advisors.html
Students may select a KAUST faculty member from another program to act as a
research advisor (for either thesis or directed research), but must provide a one-page
description of the research and an explanation of how such research would be
relevant to the degree program. Upon approval by the program and the Dean, the
faculty member would be allowed to act as an affiliated faculty member and advisor
for the student.
Please Note: Degree Programs may have additional requirement to those listed
above.
6. PhD Program
Admissions
Ph.D. students apply for and enter a specific degree program. A faculty advisor is either
immediately designated (in the case of a student being recruited by a specific faculty
member) or temporarily assigned; in the latter case, the student is expected to identify
a research advisor by (at the latest) the end of the first year.
There are three phases and associated milestones for Ph.D. students:
•
•
•
Passing a qualifying exam;
Passing an oral defence of the dissertation proposal
Dissertation phase with a final defense milestone.
PhD Degree Requirements
Ph.D. program requires the successful completion of at least 96 credit hours, (inclusive
of previous Masters Degree coursework). Qualification and advancement to candidacy
are contingent upon: (i) successfully passing Ph.D. coursework, (ii) designating a
research advisor, (iii) successfully passing a qualifying exam, and (iii) writing and orally
defending a research proposal. Possible outcomes include pass, failure with complete
retake, failures with partial retake, and failure with no retake. Students not permitted
to retake the exam, or who fail the retake, will be dismissed from the University. The
maximum allotted time for advancement to candidacy for a student entering with a
M.S. degree is two years; three years for students entering with a B.S.
Satisfactory participation in KAUST’s Summer Session and Winter Enrichment Period
(WEP) is mandatory. Summer Session courses are credit bearing and apply toward the
degree. WEP courses do not earn credit towards the degree.
The required coursework is outlined below:
M.S. Degree
•
•
Core courses
Elective courses
Ph.D. Degree
•
•
Two or more courses at the 300 level
Graduate seminar if required by the program.
Students entering the program with a relevant M.S. from another institution may
transfer coursework toward the requirements of the M.S. degree listed above upon
approval of the program.
Students entering the program with a M.S. from KAUST may transfer coursework
toward both the M.S. and Ph.D. requirements listed above upon approval of the
program and based on their program of study at KAUST.
Students entering with a B.S. from another institution may transfer in up to 9 credits of
graduate level coursework towards the above requirements upon approval of the
program. In addition, students entering with a B.S. may also qualify to earn a M.S.
degree by satisfying the MS degree requirements as part of the Ph.D. program.
Some degree programs may require a diagnostic entrance exam as a basis for
admission, and students may be required to complete additional coursework
depending on their degree-granting institution. If the M.S. degree is from a subject
other than the Ph.D. degree program, there may be additional courses required and
specified by the advisor.
Candidacy
Achieving Ph.D. candidacy is contingent upon successfully passing a qualifying
examination, acceptance by the research advisor of a written research proposal and
successfully passing an oral examination. Details should be confirmed in the individual
degree program material. For a list of eligible faculty advisors for any degree program
see: http://www.kaust.edu.sa/faculty-advisors.html
Passing the qualification phase is achieved by acceptance of all committee members of
the written proposal and a positive vote of all but, at most, one member of the oral
exam committee. If more than one member casts a negative vote, one retake of the
oral defense is permitted if the entire committee agrees. A conditional pass involves
conditions (e.g., another course in a perceived area of weakness) imposed by the
committee, with the conditional status removed when those conditions have been met.
Once constituted, the composition of the qualification phase committee can only be
changed upon approval by both the faculty research advisor and the division dean.
Dissertation Research Credits
Besides coursework (6 or more credit hours), dissertation research (course number
397) must be earned during the first (proposal preparation and defense) and second
phases of the Ph.D. program. A full-time workload for Ph.D. students is considered to
be 12 credit hours per semester (courses and 397) and 6 credit hours in summer (397
only). There is a minimum residency requirement (enrolment period at KAUST) of 2.5
years for students entering with an M.S. degree, 3.5 years for students entering with a
B.S. degree. The maximum enrolment period is 5.0 years, extendable upon approval of
both the faculty research advisor and the division dean.
Dissertation and Dissertation Defense
The Dissertation Defense is the final exam of the PhD degree. It involves a public
presentation of the results of the dissertation research followed by a question and
answer session. The Dissertation and Defense committee consists of 4 members of
which at least 3 must be KAUST faculty members. The committee Chair plus one other
member must be an affiliated faculty member. The committee must also include one
external examiner who must write a report on the thesis and attend the thesis defense.
Qualified Visiting Professors may be involved as on-campus committee members. It is
the responsibility of the student to inform the dissertation committee of his/her
progress and meet deadlines for submitting defense date and graduation forms. It is
expected that students will submit their dissertations to their committee six weeks
prior to the defense date in order to receive feedback from the committee members in
a timely manner. However, the advisor may approve exceptions to this expected
timeline. The dissertation format requirements are described in the KAUST Thesis and
Dissertation Guidelines.
(http://libguides.kaust.edu.sa/theses).
The result of the defense will be made based on the recommendation of the
committee. There are four possible results: (1) Pass: the student passes the exam and
the dissertation is accepted as submitted; (2) Pass with revisions: the student passes
the exam and the student is advised of the revisions that must be made to the text of
the dissertation; (3) Failure with retake: normally this means the student must do more
research to complete the dissertation. The student must revise the dissertation and
give another oral examination within six months from the date of the first defense; and
(4) Failure: the student does not pass the exam, the dissertation is not accepted, the
degree is not awarded, and the student is dismissed from the University.
Program Descriptions
The Master’s and Doctoral degree program requirements listed above represent
general university-level expectations. The specific details of each degree requirements
are outlined in the descriptions of the individual degree programs.
7. University Guidelines
Grading
The KAUST grading system is a 4.0 scale utilizing letter grades, and these are the only
grades that will be assigned.
A
AB+
B
BC+
=
=
=
=
=
=
4.00
3.67
3.33
3.00
2.67
2.33
C
CD+
D
DF
=
=
=
=
=
=
2.00
1.67
1.33
1.00
0.67
0.00
I
IP
W
S
U
WF
=
=
=
=
=
=
INCOMPLETE
IN PROGRESS
WITHDREW
SATISFACTORY
UNSATISFACTORY
WITHDREW FAILED
Incomplete Grades
Students who complete the majority of the requirements for a course but are unable to
finish the course may receive an incomplete (I) grade. A grade of Incomplete will be
assigned only with the consent of the instructor of the course after the instructor and
the student have agreed on the academic work that needs to be completed and the
date it is due (but no later than the end of the second week of the following semester
or session). When the requirements for the course are completed, the instructor will
submit a grade that will replace the incomplete grade on the student’s academic
record. Incompletes not completed by the end of the second week of the following
semester or session will be changed to F (failing) grades.
Grades for students that are due to graduate
Note that any incomplete grades (as well as fail grades) will mean a student will not
graduate or receive a diploma during the Commencement ceremony.
Incomplete grades are granted to individual students on a case-by-case basis.
Incomplete grades should not be used as a mechanism to extend the course past the
end of the semester.
Students are allowed only one incomplete grade while in a degree program at KAUST.
In Progress grade (IP)
Thesis Research (297) or Dissertation Research (397) should be graded as IP (In
Progress), S ( satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) for each semester.
(These IP grades will be converted by the Registrar’s Office to “S” grades for all
semesters, once the Office has been notified that the thesis or dissertation has been
submitted to the Library)
Research or Seminar courses
Use the following grades for these research or seminar courses:
297
Thesis Research
Either IP or U
397
Dissertation Research
Either IP or U
295/395
Internship(summer)
Either S or U
298/398
Seminar
Either S or U
299/399
Directed Research
Either S or U
Summer Session and Winter Enrichment Program
Satisfactory participation in KAUST’s Summer Session and Winter Enrichment Period
(WEP) is mandatory. Summer Session courses are credit bearing and apply toward the
degree. WEP courses do not earn credit towards the degree.
Cumulative Grade Point Average
A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be achieved in all coursework. Individual courses require a
minimum of a B- for course credit.
A student’s academic standing is based on his/her cumulative performance assessment
and a semester performance based on the number of credits earned and GPA during
the most recently completed semester.
Academic standing classifications are divided into four categories of decreasing levels of
academic performance: (1) Good Standing; (2) Academic Notice; (3) Academic
Probation; and (4) Academic Dismissal.
Cumulative Assessment
GPA
3.00 – 4.00
2.67 – 2.99
2.33 – 2.66
Below 2.33
S/U PERFORMANCE
0 – 2 credits
3 – 5 credits
6 – 8 credits
9+ credits
Semester Assessment
CREDITS EARNED
12 +credits
9 – 11 credits
6 – 8 credits
0 – 5 credits
Summer Session Assessment
CREDITS EARNED
6 credits
3 – 5 credits
0 – 2 credits
ACADEMIC STANDING
Good Standing
Academic Notice
Academic Probation
Academic Dismissal
ACADEMIC STANDING
GPA Standing
GPA Standing less one category
GPA Standing less two categories
Academic Dismissal
ACADEMIC STANDING
GPA Standing
GPA Standing less one category
GPA Standing less two category
Academic Dismissal
ACADEMIC STANDING
GPA Standing
GPA Standing less one category
GPA Standing less two categories
Definitions
Good Standing:
Student is making satisfactory academic progress toward the degree.
Academic Notice:
Student is not making satisfactory progress toward the degree. A student placed on
Academic Notice will be monitored in subsequent semesters to ensure satisfactory
progress toward the degree (see Good Standing). If the student’s performance does not
improve in the following semester, the student will be placed on academic probation.
Academic Probation:
Student is not making satisfactory progress toward the degree. A student placed on
Academic Probation will be monitored in subsequent semesters to ensure satisfactory
progress toward the degree (see Good Standing). If the student’s performance does not
improve in the following semester, the student will be academically dismissed.
Academic Dismissal:
Student is not making satisfactory progress toward the degree and is unlikely to meet
degree requirements. Dismissed students will be required to leave the University. If
deemed eligible, dismissed students will have one (1) week from receiving notice of
dismissal to file an appeal.
Appeal Process for Students Academically Dismissed:
If the student is eligible to appeal, he/she must submit a written explanation why the
dismissal should be rescinded along with any supporting documentation. The
Committee on Academic Performance will hear the appeal and make a decision to grant
or deny the appeal based on the appeal and documentation, the student’s past
performance, and the likelihood that the student is capable of successfully completing
his/her academic program. If the appeal is denied, the student will be required to leave
the University. The decision of the Committee is final; no additional appeals are
permitted.
S/U Protection:
Due to the significant impact of U grades, a faculty member giving a U grade for a
course involving 6 or more credits must obtain concurrence of the Dean prior to
submitting the grade. If the grade is given for only a single class (including research
credit) the number of credits will be capped at 6 when using the academic standing
table displayed above.
Returning to Good Standing:
A student not in good standing due to a GPA deficiency may return to Good Standing by
improving his/her cumulative GPA such that it meets or exceeds 3.00. A student not in
good standing due to U grades may return to Good Standing by completing at least 12
credits during the subsequent semester with no U grades and a semester GPA of at
least 3.00 in traditionally graded courses.
8. Transferring Credits
A student may petition to transfer graduate credits from another university, upon
approval of the Program Chair and the Registrar. Each student’s application will be
reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The following rules apply:
• Up to three graduate-level courses not to exceed nine credits may be
transferred for credit. Courses transferred for credit cannot have been counted
as credits for another granted degree.
• The course grade for any course to be transferred must be a B or above.
• Courses transferred for degree credit must have been taken within three years
prior to admission to KAUST.
• The student must submit a completed KAUST Transfer of Credit form and
include the Course syllabus and course description.
The student is responsible for supplying an official transcript:
• The transcript may be no more than three months old.
• The transcript must be in English or accompanied by a certified English
translation.
• The grading key must be included with the transcript.
• The transcript must include the course name, level, grade and credit value.
• The credit value of the course must be equivalent to a minimum of three KAUST
credit hours.
Course Transfer and Equivalency
Graduate credit hours taken from any KAUST program may be applied to other KAUST
graduate programs under the guidelines of the degree program to which the student is
admitted. Graduate courses taken from another university or KAUST program that are
equivalent in level and content to the designated courses in a major track may be
counted toward meeting the major track requirement if their equivalence is confirmed
by the program chair.
Students transferring from other PhD programs may receive some dissertation research
and coursework credit units, on a case-by-case basis, for related work performed at
their original institution. However, such students must satisfy the written and oral
requirements for a research proposal (if the proposal had been submitted and
approved at the original institution, the proposal may be the same, if approved by the
research advisor). The minimum residency requirement for enrollment of such students
at KAUST is two years.
Policy for Adding and Dropping Courses
A course may be added during the first week of the semester. Students may add
courses after the first week with the permission of the instructor. Instructors have the
right to refuse admission to a student if the instructor feels that the student will not
have the time to sufficiently master the material due to adding the course late. A
course may be dropped without penalty at any time during the first two weeks of the
semester. Between the second and eighth week, students can drop a course but the
course will appear on the student’s transcript with the grade of “W” (withdraw). After
the eighth week of a full semester, courses may be dropped only under exceptional
circumstances and with the approval of the Course Instructor, the Program Chair and
the Registrar.
Program Planning
It is the sole responsibility of the student to plan her/his graduate program in
consultation with her/his advisor. Students are required to meet all deadlines.
Students should be aware that most core courses are offered only once per year.