‌Computer Science (CS) Program

The Computer Science (CS) program trains students to create computational infrastructure and apply computational methods to a variety of areas and become world-class researchers and thought leaders in the field of computer science.

The Computer Science program's main areas of research include:

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Resilient Computing and Cybersecurity
  • Computational Biosciences and Bioinformatics
  • Visual Computing and Computational Imaging
  • High-Performance Computing and Big Data
  • Computer Systems and Databases
  • Theoretical Computer Science.

The Computer Science​ program boasts superb facilities and resources. In particular, students have access to Shaheen and IBEX GPU supercomputers as well as large-display and mixed-reality visualization facilities. This combined with the superbly equipped experimental laboratories, experimental studies at KAUST will be almost unconstrained by physical resources.

 

Program Guide

The KAUST program guide contains important information for students studying at KAUST. All CS students should read the General Information and the Computer Science parts of the program guide to get familiar with the academic rules of the CS program. For example, the program guide contains procedural information on how many credits you need to graduate, the composition of a defense committee, the qualifier, ... 

KAUST CS Program Guide

 

CS Placement Test

 

CS Qualifying Exam

The following information concerns students who joined KAUST in the Academic year 2023 - 2024. The qualifying exams require students to pick three courses from different categories. The following is a categorization of courses into 7 different categories. For each listed course, the category is given in the second column of the table, e.g. the first category is Mathematics and the last category is Cybersecurity. Please read the Program Guide for details about the qualifier. We only list instructors that are affiliated with the CS program in this table. Courses in Italics are temporary but accepted for the qualifier.

The following document has to be used to record your qualifiers.

CS Students FAQ

The following are questions that are often asked by current students inside the CS program.

Q&A

Q: Where do I find academic forms like add/drop, MS thesis application ect..

A: Most of the forms are on the Registrar website: https://registrar.kaust.edu.sa/resources/forms

You can find other program specific forms on the Program Web site, either EE, AMCS, CS or STAT, under the “Study “ tab. As an example:

https://cemse.kaust.edu.sa/cs

Q: Where do I find the Student Handbook

A: https://registrar.kaust.edu.sa/resources

Q: What do I have to do if I am appointed as a Teaching Assistant (TA)?

A: You will need to fill out a TA form that you can find on the Program web site above. Fill it out, get the instructor and your supervisor signatures and email it to your GPC. You will then be added as a TA on Blackboard.

Q: How can I audit a class?

A: You need permission via email from the class instructor first, then you can ask your GPC to be added as an Audit on Blackboard.

Q: How do I change my course registration?

A: With the approval of your academic advisor, you can change the courses directly through your portal. If it is after the drop/add deadline, you will need to fill out an add/drop form and email it to your GPC. If you are dropping a course and adding Directed Reseach instead, this has to be approved by the Dean.

Q: I am trying to drop a course online and to switch it to another one but it won’t let me because it says I will be down to 9 credits. What to do?

A: 1st, add the course you want , then drop the one you need to drop.

Q: What is the minimum number of credits for semester

A: 12 for all semesters except 6 maximum for the summer

Q: If it is my last semester and I need less than 12 credits to graduate for my MS, can I only register for less than 12 credits.

A: Yes you can, however the reduction in credits will result in a stipend reduction.

Q: Is the summer a mandatory semester?

A: Yes

Q: Who is my Academic advisor and can I change advisors?

A: All Master student’s advisor is the Program Chair of your Program. If for any reason you want to change advsior, talk to your GPC.

Q: How and when do I apply for a Master Thesis?

A: The minimum GPA to apply for a MS Thesis is 3.2. Applications start mid Spring semester for a start in the Summer. In some rare occasions, some students can start in the Spring. To apply, you need to find a supervisor first then fill out a MS Thesis application form and email it to your GPC. Once approved you van then register for MS Thesis credits (CS/EE/STAT/AMCS 297)

Q: If I satisfied the mandatory Graduate Seminars while I was a Master student, do I have to repeat once I switch to Phd?

A: No

Q: I am trying to register for a course that requires a pre-requisite that I do not have. What do I do?

A: Meet with the instructor of the course to see if you may waive the pre-requisite based on your past knowledge. If the instructor decides to waive it for you then he/she needs to email the Registrar’s Helpdesk so they can register you. No need to Cc your GPC.

Q: What is the process if I want to withdraw from KAUST?

A: Please visit the registrar's office  and they will inform you of the steps to take.

Q: How do I add or Drop classes after the deadline?

A: Go on the Registrar web site and fill out an Add/Drop form, get the signatures and email it to your GPC.  Directed Research adds are not allowed after the drop deadline.

Q: If I took some extra 300 level courses during my Master’s degree, can they be counted towards my Phd course requirements?

A: Yes, only if they did not count towards your Master’s degree and your degree type is MS/Phd.

Q: What is the difference between 297/397 (Dissertation Research) and 299/399 (Directed Research) and when to take one vs the other one?

A: Students register for directed research courses (399) when the research is not directly relevant to the dissertation, or when students are exploring research options. These are generally taken prior to dissertation research. Students register for dissertation research (397) when they are researching and writing their final PHD dissertation. Student generally register in the same course continually each term as they complete their dissertation.

Q: How is my stipend computed?

A: Incoming MS and MS/PhD : 20K

MS who roll over to PHD: 25K

MS/Phd who finished their MS degree and start the PHD: 25k

Incoming Phd: 25K

30K: For PHD who have successfully completed 30 credits, you are at a good academic standing, have passed the qualifier exams.

Q: Phd students have to take a certain number of 300 level courses. Can these course be taken outside of the Program.

A: Always check with your advisor before you chose any courses and refer to the Program Guide.

Q: If I started a thesis and registered for Thesis credits, can I decide later to drop the thesis and will my Thesis credits be converted to Research credits.

A: You can always withdraw from a Thesis, only thesis credits will be converted to Research credits. A W in front of your Thesis credits will be on your transcript.

Q: If I am done with my 24 credits of courses work, and if I do not want to do a Thesis to finish my 36 credits, what are my options?

A: You can register for additional courses (200 or 300 level), Directed Research (6 credits maximum), IED an or Internship in the summer (6 credits maximum). Check the requirements of your program in the Program Guide.

Academic Information 

KAUST Office of the Registrar

Read More

KAUST is a graduate-level research university that provides its students with modern and challenging graduate courses and state-of-the-art research facilities, some of them unique to KAUST. Besides the individual research groups of the professors, KAUST has aggregated the expertise of scientists from different disciplines in 10 Research Centers where students can work on devising novel solutions for addressing global challenges in the areas of food, water, energy, and environment. Students at KAUST benefit from access to, and training in, the Core Labs - centrally organized facilities offering such services as device and material fabrication, analysis, characterization, and supercomputing.

KAUST is an international environment, with its faculty, scientists, engineers, staff and students representing more than 100 different nationalities. English is the official language of studies, research, and administration. KAUST takes pride in its cultural diversity, and intercultural tolerance is an indispensable attribute of each community member.

KAUST follows the North American graduate education system. For students coming from a different academic tradition it is advisable to pay special attention to terminology that may sound unfamiliar. In case of doubt, ask your Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) or Academic Advisor or the Registrar’s Office.

Graduate Degrees

Each program offers two types of degrees - Master (M.S.) degree (options with or without Thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. Students with a B.S. who are interested in a research career are encouraged to apply directly to the Ph.D. program, whereby admission to the actual doctoral studies is conditional to successful completion of requirements of the respective M.S. program. Degrees are designed to prepare students for careers in both industry and academia. The placement tests conducted shortly after the arrival of students at KAUST help identifying and providing any supplemental training.

Master Degree

The Master of Science (MS) degree is awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 36 credits. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be achieved to graduate. Individual courses require a minimum of a B- for course credit. Read More

Doctoral Degree

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is designed to prepare students for research careers in academia and industry. The PhD degree is awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 72 credits. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be achieved to graduate. Individual courses require a minimum of a B- for course credit. Read More

KAUST Office of the Registrar Academic Forms for Students

https://registrar.kaust.edu.sa/resources/forms

CEMSE Academic Forms for Students

Other Training opportunities and requirements

Enrichment in the Spring and Fall

Enrichment in the Spring and Fall are educational programs with the purpose of enriching and inspiring students by exposing them to the latest research and technology developments outside their field of studies. KAUST offers its students an annual Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) and Enrichment in the Spring Program. The events consist of an array of keynotes, discussions, and masterclasses given by prominent external speakers as well as exhibits that intermingle science, technology, art and the social aspects of life. All students must mandatorily attend one WEP event.

Graduate Seminars and Distinguished Lectures

Besides the regular academic courses, students are required to attend graduate seminars as well as talks by internal and external speakers at the Program and Division level seminars. The seminars also present an opportunity to find out about the research carried out in CEMSE and to get in touch with the potential research supervisors. In addition to those seminars, the university offers a rich calendar of workshops, technical training, and lectures given by distinguished scholars from around the world. The upcoming events related to CEMSE are listed in the Events Calendar.

Innovation and Economic Development

 The Innovation and Economic Development (IED) department offers dedicated training to students interested in entrepreneurship, including

Skills Lab (English Language Support)

Further transferable skills training in English, writing, and communications are available via the Skills Lab program.

Office of the Graduate Affairs

For more information regarding generic services and training offered by KAUST, the students are advised to consult the Graduate Affairs Office.

Research

All students at KAUST must acquire substantial research experience in order to graduate, which usually happens via the M.S. and Ph.D. thesis work. The nature of research may be theoretical, experimental, or a combination of both. Students carrying out theoretical research can benefit from access to KAUST high performance computing facilities offered by KAUST Supercomputing Lab (read more about Shaheen Supercomputer and Ibex Cluster). Students focusing on lab-based research have the opportunity to devise their own experiments in amply equipped laboratories and put their ideas to the test led by the university's motto "Through inspiration, discovery." The quality of research by CEMSE students has been recognized by various awards such as the Marconi Young Scholar Award, and the American Statistical Association ENVR Award, selection to attendance of Lindau Nobel Laureate meetings, to mention just a few.

Publications and conferences

As a rule, research results are published and/or patented. CEMSE students are expected to publish papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and/or high-level conferences. All research publications and conference contributions must be submitted to the of KAUST library which makes them broadly accessible within and outside KAUST. Students are also strongly encouraged to create own ORCID – a unique digital identifier that tracks all publications of a researcher regardless of his/her career moves. Students can attend research conferences and workshops in their field of studies which present excellent opportunities to expand their network of research contacts, initiate new collaborations with international researchers and potentially find the next employment after the graduation.