King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Residential street with outdoor sculpture

The university's core campus, located on the Red Sea at Thuwal,[11] is sited on more than 36 square kilometres (14 sq mi), encompassing a marine sanctuary, museum, and research facility.[12]

KAUST is the first mixed-gender university campus in Saudi Arabia.[3] Saudi authorities hope the mixed-gender center will help modernize the Kingdom's deeply conservative society.[13] The religious police do not operate on-site. Women are allowed to mix freely with men and they are not required to wear veils in the coeducational classes.[14]

KAUST was Saudi Arabia's first LEED certified project and is the world's largest LEED Platinum campus.[15] Designed by international architecture firm Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum, it was also chosen by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on the Environment (COTE) as one of the 2010 Top Ten Green Projects.[16] The university library received the 2011 AIA/ALA Library Building Award for accomplishments in library architecture.[17]

Research in the Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE) is organized around six focal areas: environmental systems; epigenetics; functional biology; genomics; imaging/structural biology; and marine science.[19]

Research in the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE) is clustered into four main areas:[19]

• Electrical engineering, including the development of communication networks; CMOS integrated circuits; electronic and optics/photonics devices; micro-electro-mechanical systems; various types of sensors, measurement and detection devices; as well as functional- 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; and visual and extreme computing.
• Statistics and data science, including climate science, environmental statistics, and biostatistics.

Research in the Physical Sciences and Engineering Division (PSE) includes areas such as theoretical physics and physical chemistry; catalysis and bioengineering; polymers and composites; energy production, storage and conversion; water purification and environmental protection; novel materials, nanodevices and systems; sensors and smart devices for the detection of pollutants and the purification of air, water, and food; earth sciences, mechanics and geomechanics; oil exploration and recovery; and CO₂ sequestration.[19]

Research in the Academic Divisions is driven by independent faculty labs and 12 Research Centers.[20]

• Mohamed-Slim Alouini - Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Jean-Marie Basset - French chemist, Professor of Chemical Science at KAUST.
• Jean Fréchet - French-American chemist, Professor of Chemical Science and Senior Vice-president for Research, Innovation and Economic Development.
• Nina Federoff - American biologist, Professor Emerita.
• Marc G. Genton - Professor of Statistics at KAUST
• Takashi Gojobori - Japanese molecular biologist, Professor of Bioscience and associate director of the Computational Bioscience Research Center.
• David E. Keyes - Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computational Science, Director of the Extreme Computing Research Center, and Senior Associate to the President

The Master of Science (M.S.) program at KAUST can be taken in one of the 16 available disciplines. It is expected that students complete the degree in 18 months and may be completed with or without a thesis component. Admission to the M.S. program requires the satisfactory completion of an undergraduate science degree in a relevant or related area, such as engineering, mathematics or the physical, chemical and biological sciences.[24]

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program at KAUST can be taken in one of the 16 available disciplines. It typically takes three to four years to complete. Admission to the Ph.D. program requires the satisfactory completion of a master's degree in science in a relevant or related area, such as engineering, mathematics or the physical, chemical and biological sciences.[25]

The M.S./Ph.D. program allows students to apply for the Ph.D. program after completing a bachelor's degree. The program typically takes four to five years to complete.[24]

KAUST offers a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Industrial Design, Physical Science and Engineering, and Bioscience. Each program is made up of soft skill, experimental, theoretical and entrepreneurship courses as well as a capstone experience.[26]

The VSRP is a three to six-month internship program available for 3rd/4th year undergraduate or master's students. During the program, students will work under the guidance of KAUST faculty mentors on a current research project. Students accepted into the program receive a monthly stiped as well as having their accommodation, health insurance and travel costs covered.[27]

The Visiting Student Program (VS) is a flexible program allowing 3rd/4th year undergraduate or master's students to work directly with KAUST faculty members. Its length can range from a few days to several months. Students accepted into the program normally receive a monthly stiped as well as having their accommodation, health insurance and travel costs covered.[28]

• Applied Mathematics and Computational Science
• Applied Physics
• Bioengineering
• Bioscience
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Science and Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering
• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Marine Science
• Material Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Plant Science
• Statistics