CURRENT STUDENTS
STUDENT RESOURCES
COURSE LIST & SYLLABI
FREQUENTLY USED FORMS
DOWNLOAD PROGRAM GUIDES
CURRENT STUDENTS FAQs
How do I know who my advisor is? Can I change my advisor?
For M.S. students, your advisor when you are admitted to KAUST is the Program Chair. For Ph.D. students, your advisor is your PI (supervisor) whose lab you have been accepted in to.
Yes, you can change your advisor. M.S. students are advised to do so if/when they begin their thesis or directed research. Ph.D. students do have the ability to change advisors, but the overall impact to the Ph.D. project, as well as the time left to finish the Ph.D., could be significant. This will have to be taken into account before approval.
How many credits do I need to graduate?
M.S. students need 36 credits (combination of courses and research is specific to your program).
Ph.D. students need 6 credits of 300-level coursework and will earn dissertation research credit each semester until they defend (no minimum credits established, although there is a minimum residency requirement of 2.5 years).
How can I get accepted for a Ph.D. after I finish my M.S. at KAUST?
During your final M.S. semester at KAUST, you will be eligible to submit a “rollover” application. You will be contacted by the Admissions Office for this. You must have a confirmed supervisor in order for the application to be approved.
How much vacation/holiday time do I get off?
M.S. students get all university holidays (Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, Spring break).
Ph.D. students get university holidays and three weeks of annual/vacation leave per calendar year to be taken in agreement with your PI.
Where can I find the required courses for my degree?
Mandatory, core and elective courses are listed in the program guide. The program guides for all BESE programs can be found here .
Can I stay an extra semester to finish my M.S. thesis?
“Time Extension to Complete M.S. Thesis” application request can be submitted by the 9th week of your final Fall semester. See application for required approvals here .
If I completed WEP during my M.S., do I have to complete it again during my Ph.D?
No. Only once during your time here at KAUST. If “WE Courses” appears on your KAUST transcript, that means you have met this requirement.
Do I have to register for the graduate seminars 398 every semester?
Yes, both M.S. and Ph.D. in all BESE programs must register, attend, and receive an S grade for the graduate seminar each semester (Spring and Fall, NOT summer).
Can I drop a course after the semester has started?
Yes. Drop and Add deadlines are on the academic calendar.
How can I get copies of official KAUST documents (transcript, letter of completion, student status letter)?
Your GPC can help you request these from the Registrar’s Office, or you can contact them directly at RegistrarHelpDesk@KAUST.EDU.SA
Latest Events
KAUST Center of Excellence for Smart Health (KCSH) Dual Seminar
Abstract:
The genomic makeup of an individual remains constant,
limiting its predictive power for health risks. In contrast, proteins,
which change over time, offer more actionable insights into patient
health. SomaLogic uses AI and machine learning with a large database of
over 450,000 protein samples to develop SomaSignal tests—clinical
proteomic diagnostics that assess current health and future disease
risks. The SomaScan Assay platform, based on modified aptamers called
SOMAmer Reagents, can measure 11,000 proteins from a single sample,
providing unmatched proteomic analysis that enhances research and
healthcare outcomes. Additionally, explore the latest advancements in
mass cytometry, microfluidics, and spatial biology through the Standard
BioTools portfolio.
After the seminar, the room is booked for one
hour from 11:00 to 12:00 to facilitate further discussion and
networking with the visitors.
Speaker 1: Dr. Stephen A. Williams
Title: SomaScan Proteomics and the Power of AI in Translational Medicine
Bio:
Stephen Williams, M.D., Ph.D. has been the Chief Medical Officer at SomaLogic since 2009, and is responsible for Clinical R&D, Medical Affairs and Regulatory and Quality. He oversees clinical application of the SomaScan Platform and has also had roles in launching the life sciences commercial business, assay development and bioinformatics.
Dr. Williams previously had an 18-year career at Pfizer, Inc., with multiple roles in Experimental Medicine and as the Vice President and Worldwide Head of Clinical Technology. He was also on the National Advisory Council for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the U.S. National Institutes of Health. He helped launch the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging (ADNI) study and form the FDA-FNIH-PhRMA biomarker consortium.
Dr. Williams has degrees in physiology, medicine and surgery, and received his doctorate in medicine and physiology from Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School (now a part of Imperial College, London). He also obtained training in diagnostic imaging at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Speaker 2: Anders Elleby
Title: Revealing biology with high-dimensional flow cytometry and spatial biology techniques powered by CyTOF
Bio:
Anders Elleby has a strong foundation in Environmental and Molecular Biology. After leaving academia in 2008, he embarked on a career in sales, specializing in application support and account management. His expertise centers on immunology-based applications, particularly in flow cytometry and electrochemiluminescence technologies. Anders has collaborated with distributors across the Nordics and has played a key role in sales at Meso Scale Discovery, overseeing operations in Denmark and Iceland. He has also served as the Nordics Application Manager for Beckman Coulter and Agilent. Currently, Anders is the Channel Manager for Nordics and Emerging Markets at Standard Biotools.