Important dates

15
Nov 2024

Opening Online Application

28
Feb 2025

Last Day for submitting Online Application


Last day for Announcement of Application Results

Programs are only for KFUPM undergraduate students

This interdisciplinary concentration covers artificial intelligence and machine learning. It will provide the students with the required knowledge to develop intelligent techniques and systems. Students are exposed to topics such as machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. Furthermore, it also covers perception, motion and manipulation, and reinforcement learning. It promotes interdisciplinary education where computer science intersects with mathematics and engineering. The applications of this concentration are wide-ranging and include automatic image and video processing, healthcare, financial data and trading, speech recognition, facial identification, and seismic survey processing.


Hosting Department: Information & Computer Science
Offered to: COE, CS, SWE

Feedforward networks, Loss functions, Back-propagation training, Regularization, Convolutional neural networks (CNN), Transfer learning, Recurrent and recursive networks (RNN), Vanishing gradient problem, Long-short term memory (LSTM) model, Gated recurrent units (GRUs), Auto-encoders, Transformers, and Generative adversarial networks.

Pre-requisities: COE 292 AND Math 208 AND STAT 319

This course provides a thorough grounding in a wide range of machine learning methods, for classification, regression, conditional probability estimation, clustering, and dimensionality reduction. It provides the students with the essential foundations of machine learning and their applications to real world problems.

Pre-requisities: COE 292 AND MATH 208 AND STAT 319



Pre-requisities: ICS 471

Image acquisition, Digital image and its properties, Image preprocessing, Segmentation (Thresholding, edge- and region-based segmentation), Morphological image processing. Image feature extraction. Bag of words. Image segmentation. Object detection and classification. Shape analysis. Feature tracking. Motion analysis. Case studies (object recognition / object tracking). Note: It cannot be taken for credit with COE 487 or EE 410.

Pre-requisities: ICS 485
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This interdisciplinary program covers a variety of knowledge areas in Automated Construction Management (ACM). These areas broadly include construction planning, scheduling and cost control, integrated project delivery systems, quality and project management, emerging automation technologies, introduction to different types of construction robots, use of drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling and automation in construction management. These knowledge areas enable graduates to effectively apply the latest technologies to manage construction projects from the planning stage until the project completion. The applications of this program are wide-ranging, as they are relevant to private and public construction projects in Saudi Arabia, as well as, in line with the fourth industrial revolution in construction (IR 4.0), and it is widely applicable in diverse types of construction projects, including building, industrial and heavy construction.


Hosting Department: Architectural Engineering
Offered to: ARE, ARC, CE, CIE

Planning, scheduling, and control of construction projects using: Critical Path Method (CPM), The precedence diagram method (PDM), Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT); and scheduling of repetitive projects (LOB) , Resource levelling and allocation, Scheduling with limited resources; and Time-cost trade-off and Integrated project time and cost control (Earned value).

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Introduction of latest tools, machines, equipment used in construction and their function, advantages and disadvantages of automation. Introduction to different types of construction robots, elements of robots: manipulators, sensors, data management and processing, mobility bases, control systems, path planning and obstacle avoidance algorithms. Benefit of application of robot in construction; cost, productivity, safety, application of robotics in construction, autonomy vs remote control.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing AND COE 292

Introduction to machine learning for construction; classification and regression; linear regression, logistic regression, decision tree; ensemble learning and random forests; neural networks and deep learning and their applications in construction; clustering and dimensionality reduction; examples and case studies from the construction industry including cost estimation, productivity estimation, prediction of building energy consumption, forecasting labour productivity, prediction of construction operation duration, contractors bid decisions making, etc.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Introduction to application of different digital technologies in construction industry including application of BIM in modelling design coordination; execution and performance assessment; visualization; cost estimating; project scheduling; application digital technologies in project monitoring and control, construction safety, and automation of data collection and Smart Equipment (unmanned vehicles), Wearable Technologies, GPS application in construction

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing
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This interdisciplinary concentration merges two fields: biology and electronics. Bioelectronics and sensor as a field is considered a major contributor to the advances in the medical field. Examples of bioelectronics applications include electrocardiographs (ECG), electroencephalograph (EEG), cochlear implants, cardiac peacemaker, blood glucose meter and blood pressure monitors.

This concentration is designed to equip the students with the fundamentals and concepts necessary for them to understand, design and implement a complete bioelectronics system. Topics covered in this concertation include cell biology, bioelectricity, physical operation and micro/nanofabrication techniques of biosensors, analogy front end conditioning techniques for biosignals. Students are also introduced to embedded systems programming and interfacing.


Hosting Department: Electrical Engineering
Offered to: EE, CIE



Pre-requisities: Junior OR Senior Standing

Basics of bioelectronics, measurement constraints, and biostatistics. Displacement measurement: resistive sensors, inductive sensors, capacitive sensors. Operation of various sensors: PZT, temperature, and optical sensors. Conditioning circuits for biosignals. Design examples of physiological signals and their measurements. Use of CAD tools in bioelectronics system design.

Pre-requisities: EE 203 OR EE 234 OR EE 236

Introduction to smart systems. Sensors and actuators: working principles, classifications, performance, characteristics, interfacing with feedback control, and data acquisition. Embedded systems: architecture, types, and interfacing. Real-time operating systems: components, requirements, configuration, and scheduling. Embedded software: development, software stack, hardware abstraction, and tools. Power management and energy harvesting for embedded systems.

Co-Requisities: EE 203 or EE 234 or EE 236



Pre-requisities: EE 203 OR EE 234 OR EE 236
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This program provides a variety of knowledge areas on building and construction safety. It will address topics on safe and healthy built environment, safe design principles, ergonomics and human factors in design, hazard identification, risk assessment, provision and upkeep of fire safety systems, and address the impact of air quality on workers’ safety, health and productivity. The program will provide more employment opportunities, pave the way for pursuing further education in topics related to building and construction safety, and facilitate certification in professional societies, such as OSHA. The main outcome of the construction area is that it will enable students to apply the principles of safe design, construction, and operation of building and construction projects, and implement procedures to identify, assess, monitor, and control the occurrence of unsafe conditions.


Hosting Department: Architectural Engineering
Offered to: ARE, ARC, CE

Fire safety objectives; fire inception and propagation in buildings; factors controlling fire severity; the role of fire protection engineers; fire detection and notification systems; fire suppression systems; means of egress and evacuation systems; smoke management and ventilation techniques; hazard and risk assessment procedures; fire stopping; fire proofing and fire retardant treatments; fire resisting elements separating buildings or compartments within buildings; fire hazards common in the workplace; post-fire activities in the workplace; fire problems in high-rise buildings; IoT-based architecture for fire prevention; potentials of IoT technologies for fire prevention in smart buildings and cities: hazardous source monitoring and early fire warnings, on-site situational assessment, management of fire safety equipment; case studies.

Safety definition in buildings and spaces, concepts and principles of safety during conceptual and detailed design phases of buildings, health, safety, and welfare of buildings’ occupants, Implications of safety and human comfort domains on building form and materials, and components (e.g., stairs and staircase escape exit, horizontal circulations, etc.); Influence of ergonomics and human factors on safety, and legislative requirements. Building typology, accessibility, capacity, and safety requirements in international and local Saudi building codes. Safety measures and requirements according to international remarkable rating systems such as LEED and WELL, assessing safety measures in buildings through case studies, and post occupancy evaluation of safety in facilities and spaces.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Fundamentals of construction safety; causes of accidents; accident investigation; techniques of safety management; the safety policy; risk assessment, monitoring and control; the health and safety plan; training; safety meetings; construction hazards; construction health and safety law; the use of virtual / augmented reality, wearable sensors / IoT and virtual construction / BIM (Building Information Modeling) for construction safety; applications of machine learning and data analytics for construction safety.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Construction site planning and layout; air quality and determinant of air quality; Types and sources of pollutants in buildings and construction sites; Indicators of air quality problems in buildings and construction sites; Factors affecting air quality in building and construction site; Particulate matters, dust, gasses, hazardous processes of exposure and construction site; Air quality audit, measurements and testing techniques; Airflow and contaminant transport in Buildings; Construction Site contaminants and workers safety, health and productivity; Air safety issues, organization and management in construction, renovation works and projects neighborhoods; Legislations, standards and legal issues; Air quality modeling and simulation tools; Smart air quality monitoring sensors and control instruments; Information technology application in air quality communication-protocols, data acquisition and transmission; Case studies.
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This interdisciplinary program covers fundamental concepts and tools needed for understanding business analytics in organizations, with focus on data and models to explain the performance of a business and to inform business decisions and actions. Topics include regression methods (least squares, polynomial, parameter estimation, confidence intervals, tests of hypotheses, etc.), data analytics (pre-processing, analytical methods, multi-dimensionality, knowledge discovery, visualization, clustering, forecasting, descriptive analytics, decision support, intelligent systems), and application of these analytics (classification, multi-criteria decision making, neural network, recommender systems, etc.). The program also covers big data analysis, including big data collection, preparation, preprocessing, warehousing, interactive visualization, analysis, scrubbing, mining, management, modeling, and tools such as Hadoop, Map-Reduce, Apache Spark, etc. Students apply these concepts to relevant business examples.


Hosting Department: Information Systems & Operations Management
Offered to: MGT, FIN, ACCT, MIS, MKT

Simple linear regression: The least squares method, parameter estimation, confidence intervals, tests of hypotheses and model adequacy checking. Multiple linear regression, including estimation of parameters, confidence intervals, tests of hypotheses and prediction. Model adequacy checking and multicollinearity. Polynomial regression. Variable selection and model building.

Pre-requisities: STAT 201 OR STAT 212 OR STAT 213 OR STAT 319

Introduction and scope to business data analytics. Topics include data pre-processing, use of analytical methods, multidimensionality of data, knowledge discovery, data visualization, application of business analytics tools, descriptive analytics, and application of decision support and intelligent systems.

Pre-requisities: MIS 215 AND STAT 212

Fundamentals of data science and analytics. The use of data, statistical and quantitative analysis to inform business decisions and actions. Topics include classification analysis, multi-criteria decision making, logistic regression, naïve Bayes, nearest neighbors, association rules, neural network and recommender systems. Application of data analytics to different business problems.

Pre-requisities: MIS 341

Introduction to data analysis, clustering algorithms, classification algorithms, regression and prediction algorithms, and machine learning and data analytics using modelling software, classification and prediction algorithms use real cases.

Pre-requisities: ISE 205 OR STAT 319 OR STAT 201 OR STAT 212 OR STAT 213 OR EE 315
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This interdisciplinary program tackles a very important area of study as the world grapples with the implications of climate change. The program covers the three main strategies adopted worldwide and in Saudi Arabia in response to climate change effects; namely: mitigation, adaptation, and climate engineering or geoengineering. Mitigation techniques such as carbon capture and storage are discussed in this program. Moreover, the program introduces students to the concepts of incremental adaptation (maintaining the integrity of a system), and transformational adaptation (changing the fundamental properties of a system). Several adaptation techniques are discussed in this program such as climate-proofing, local adaptation, enhancing adaptive capacity, adaptive agricultural production, irrigation retrofit, and reforestation. Climate engineering topics are also introduced in this program related to weather control, solar radiation management, and carbon dioxide removal. Contemporary topics, such as climate adaptation policy, and joint adaptation between countries or in areas of conflict are also part of this program.


Hosting Department: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Offered to: CE, CHE, GEOL, GEOP, PETE

Introduction to geoengineering; the economics of climate change; response to climate change: mitigation and adaptation techniques; impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability; plan to keep carbon in check; carbon capture, utilization and storage; climate intervention strategies and technologies; solar radiation management; carbon dioxide removal; weather modification; using the oceans to engineer the climate.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Natural resources and conservation; resources under stress; effects of climate change on water resources; effects of climate change on agriculture; effects of climate change on forest resources; effects of climate change on air quality; climate change coping strategies, adaptation and mitigation; disaster and vulnerability; tools for reducing vulnerability; model based predictions of the effects of climate change.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Vulnerability, adaptation, and adaptive capacity; adaptation and equitable development; climate impacts on urban vulnerability; risk and vulnerability assessments; climate adaptation planning and options; participation and community-based adaptation; role of engineering infrastructure on climate adaptation; multi-disciplinary infrastructure for sustainable development; effects of climate change on the multi-disciplinary infrastructure; issues for climate adaptation and climate resilient infrastructure; case studies on selected multi-disciplinary infrastructure

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Climate system, climate change and global warming; Historical climate change, politics, economy, and society; Global carbon cycle; Greenhouse gases, radiative forcing, and climate sensitivity; Sources of greenhouse gas emissions, Carbon footprint; Climate change models and scenarios; Impacts of climate change and associated vulnerability; Challenges associated with ) climate change; Adaptation and mitigation of climate change.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing
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This interdisciplinary program focuses on the development of Internet-scale applications that can serve millions of users at the same time. The program includes topics that span the disciplines of computer engineering, computer science, and software engineering. These topics include Cloud architectures and enabling technologies, Cloud services and deployment models, infrastructure as code, software-defined infrastructures, principles of distributed systems, distributed programming models, Web applications, and Cloud-native applications. The program also covers the modern software engineering practices for Cloud applications development and deployment, software architectures for Cloud applications, and design patterns and tools for performance, dependability, and security. This program is distinguished by its hands-on approach to teaching. Students will come out of the program with the motivation, tools, and confidence they need to successfully apply Cloud computing to create business value.


Hosting Department: Computer Engineering
Offered to: ICS, COE, SWE



Pre-requisities: COE 344 OR ICS 343



Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Internet and web protocols and technologies (HTTP). Basics of web development: frontend, backend, and full-stack (HTML, CSS, Javascript, Node.js). Web services and RESTful APIs. Introduction to utility computing: Cloud and Edge computing. Cloud Service-oriented architecture and microservices. The XaaS pyramid. Serverless computing. Cloud resource management. Virtualization and containerization (Docker and Kubernetes). Cloud data storage: BigTable, Dynamo, and Cassandra. Batch cloud processing: MapReduce and Hadoop, Spark, BigTable. Cloud-native applications. Security of Cloud computing. Hands-on activities and project.

Pre-requisities: COE 344 OR ICS 343 OR EE 400



Pre-requisities: COE 344 OR ICS 343
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This interdisciplinary program focuses on contemporary and novel topics in communications, for both military and civilian applications, including communication networks and protocols and digital communication systems (including wireless 5G and 6G) in both sub-gigahertz and mm-wave bands. The concentration focuses on all communication layers, starting from the physical and ending with the application layer. Topics include network architectures, physical layer protocols, digital transmission, data link layer protocols, packet and circuit switching, baseband transmission, performance in the presence of noise, signal-space analysis, modulation schemes, channel capacity, cellular propagation modeling, cellular frequency planning, link control, handoffs, power control, traffic capacity, multiple access techniques, current and future wireless standards, optical communications, passive and active optical components, optical modulation and demodulation, etc.


Hosting Department: Electrical Engineering
Offered to: EE

Review of digital representation of analog signals. Baseband transmission of digital signals. Matched filter detection. Performance of digital communication systems in the presence of noise. Signal-space analysis. Optimum receivers. Band-pass transmission of digital signals. Modulation schemes: ASK, FSK, PSK, OFDM. Introduction to entropy, channel capacity, and forward error control. Emerging topics in digital communication systems.

Pre-requisities: EE 315 AND EE 370

Network Architectures. Network Layers: OSI Model and TCP/IP Model. Physical Layer Protocols and Digital Transmission Fundamentals. Data Link Layer Protocols. Network Layer Protocols: IP Protocols. Medium Access Control systems. Packet Switching and Circuit Switching. Routing in Packet Switching Networks. Security Protocols.

Pre-requisities: EE 370 AND EE 315

Wave propagation mechanism. Antenna type. Channel models. Large and small scale fading. Performance of digital modulation over fading channels. Diversity. Link budget analysis. Multiple access techniques (TDMA, FDMA, CDMA). Cellular systems (frequency planning, capacity, handoff, sectorization). Modern wireless communication technologies and standards.

Pre-requisities: EE 315 AND EE 370

Optical fiber waveguides: ray and mode theories. Step-index and graded-index fibers. Transmission characteristics of optical fibers: losses and dispersion. Methods of manufacturing optical fibers and cables. Connections of optical fibers. Measurements of attenuation, dispersion, refractive index profile, numerical aperture, diameter, and field. Optical sources: semiconductor lasers and light emitting diodes. Optical detectors. Optical fiber systems. Digital and analog systems. Design of a simple optical fiber communication link.

Pre-requisities: PHYS 305
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The concentration is designed to introduce students to wired/wireless computer networks, design aspects of computer networks, network management and security and internet and cloud engineering.


Hosting Department: Computer Engineering
Offered to: COE, CS, EE, CIE, SWE

Introduction to types of computer networks: LANs, VLANs, and WANs. STP and PVST protocols, in addition to ACL (Standard and Extended) to be covered. IPv4 and IPv6 subnetting and routing. Network development life cycle. Network analysis and design methodology. Link topology and sizing; Routing; Reliability. Data in support of network design. Data center design and implementation. Introduction to Packet tracer simulator/emulator or other network simulation tools. Note: Not to be taken for credit with ICS 443.

Pre-requisities: COE 344 OR ICS 343 OR EE 400

Introduction to mobile computing, which are wireless randomly moving devices with/without administration center. Studying exciting infrastructure/infrastructure-less wireless protocols in order to design computer networks. Quality of Service (QoS) issues and performance evaluation of various wireless protocols using simulation programs.

Pre-requisities: COE 344 OR ICS 343 OR EE 400

Internet and web protocols and technologies (HTTP). Basics of web development: frontend, backend, and full-stack (HTML, CSS, Javascript, Node.js). Web services and RESTful APIs. Introduction to utility computing: Cloud and Edge computing. Cloud Service-oriented architecture and microservices. The XaaS pyramid. Serverless computing. Cloud resource management. Virtualization and containerization (Docker and Kubernetes). Cloud data storage: BigTable, Dynamo, and Cassandra. Batch cloud processing: MapReduce and Hadoop, Spark, BigTable. Cloud-native applications. Security of Cloud computing. Hands-on activities and project.

Pre-requisities: COE 344 OR ICS 343 OR EE 400

Network Management Standards, Models, and protocols. Network Management Applications, Tools, and Systems. Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM). Large scale network management techniques and systems. Security of LANs, wireless LANs, and cellular networks. Authentication, authorization, accountability, and access controls of computer networks. Network protection tools: Firewalls, Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems, Sandboxing, proxies. Study of diverse attack types: DDoS, spoofing, flooding, hijacking, poisoning, DNS, replay attacks and their countermeasures. Hands-on experiences in network security using Kali Linux. Hands-on experiences in implementing secure, manageable networks.

Pre-requisities: COE 344 OR ICS 343 OR EE 400
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This interdisciplinary concentration provides the students with the required fundamental understanding of electrochemical corrosion engineering and materials degradation. Students are exposed to topics such as corrosion types and mechanisms, and materials’ degradation. Furthermore, it also equips students with the ability to use numerical and analytical techniques to predict and evaluate corrosion phenomena in order to develop sound corrosion management plans. In addition, it promotes interdisciplinary education where materials science and engineering intersect with chemistry and mathematics and other engineering disciplines. The applications of this concentration are wide-ranging and include oil and gas industries, petrochemical industries, desalination plants and constructions.


Hosting Department: Material Sciences and Engineering
Offered to: MSE, CHEM, ME, CE, ISE



Pre-requisities: Senior standing



Pre-requisities: MSE 201, ME 216, ME 207



Pre-requisities: Senior standing



Pre-requisities: Senior standing
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This interdisciplinary program covers topics related to secure and trusted computing, including data and information assurance, identification of cyber assets and related security risks and threats, measurement of system resilience against cyber-attacks, and security policy compliance and governance. Students learn the fundamental pillars of computer security and data privacy and how they affect complex engineering systems (e.g. manufacturing plants). Topics include cryptology, access control models and mechanisms, intrusion detection systems, and integrity verification mechanisms. Students also learn the fundamentals of Blockchain technology, including record and hash replication, and types of blockchains (public, private, and hybrid), as well the applications in cryptocurrency and various other scientific, engineering, and business use cases.


Hosting Department: Information & Computer Science
Offered to: SWE, CS, COE

Data privacy: definition and terminologies. Difference between data security and privacy. Data privacy attacks. Data privacy laws and regulations. Privacy risk and impact assessment. Privacy engineering, management, and evaluation. Data anonymization. Statistical privacy. Differential privacy. Cryptographic privacy. Homomorphic encryption. Secure multi-party computation. Secure data outsourcing. Data hiding and steganography. Anonymous networks. Trusted execution environment. Applications of privacy preserving technologies in computer systems and applications.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Secret key encryption; Block and stream ciphers, Encryption standards; Number theory: Divisibility, Modular arithmetic, Group theory and Finite fields; Public key encryption: RSA, ElGamal and Rabin cryptosystems; Diffie-Hellman key exchange; Cryptographically secure hashing; Authentication and digital signatures; Digital signature standard (DSS), Randomized encryption; Cryptocurrency, Blockchain models and applications. Security issues and their solutions in Blockchain models and applications. Blockchain payment networks.

Pre-requisities: [Math 208 OR MATH 260 OR ICS 254] AND STAT 319

Introduction to penetration testing and ethical hacking, requirements and legal issues, setting up virtual lab; Exploring Kali Linux and Metasploit framework, hacking and penetration testing phases; Information gathering through passive and active reconnaissance, footprinting, social engineering, port scanning; Advanced fuzzing techniques; Exploitation, password attacks and gaining access to remote services; Web penetration testing and web-based exploitation; Maintaining access with backdoors and rootkits; Bypassing defense applications; Wireless and mobile device hacking techniques; Writing penetration testing report; Tools and programming available for penetration testers in both Windows and Linux platforms such as Kali Linux, OpenVAS, Burp, NMAP, Netcat, Python, etc.

Pre-requisities: ICS 343 OR COE 344 OR COE 353

Security in requirements engineering; Secure designs; Risk analysis; The SQUARE Process Model; Threat modeling; Defensive coding; Software protection; Fuzzing; Static analysis and security assessment; Memory leaks, buffer and heap overflow attacks, injection attacks.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing
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This interdisciplinary program focuses on the analysis and handling of data from multiple sources and for various applications in order to draw inferences from it, combining topics from mathematics, statistics, and computer science. These topics include probability theory, inference, least-square estimation, maximum likelihood estimation, finding local and global optimal solutions (gradient descent, genetic algorithms, etc.), and generalized additive models. It also covers machine learning topics such as classification, conditional probability estimation, clustering, and dimensionality reduction (e.g. discriminant factor and principal component analyses), and decision support systems. The program also covers big data analysis, including big data collection, preparation, preprocessing, warehousing, interactive visualization, analysis, scrubbing, mining, management, modeling, and tools such as Hadoop, Map-Reduce, Apache Spark, etc.


Hosting Department: Mathematics
Offered to: Math, CS, ISE, COE

Introduction to data analysis, clustering algorithms, classification algorithms, regression and prediction algorithms, and machine learning and data analytics using modelling software, classification and prediction algorithms use real cases.

Pre-requisities: ISE 205 OR STAT 319 OR STAT 201 OR STAT 212 OR STAT 213 OR EE 315

Review of basic vector and matrix operations, Orthogonality, Projection, Eigendecomposition, Factorizations, Covariance, Multivariate Gaussian, Minimum Problems, Lagrange Multipliers, Linear Programming, Least-Square Estimation, Maximum Likelihood Estimation, Gradient Descent. Applications to Machine Learning using Linear Regression and Neural Networks.

Pre-requisities: [MATH 102 OR MATH 106] AND [STAT 201 OR 212 OR 319 OR ISE 205] AND [ICS 102 OR ICS 103 OR ICS 104]

Simple and Multiple Linear Regression, Polynomial Regression, Splines; Generalized Additive Models; Hierarchical and Mixed Effects Models; Bayesian Modeling; Logistic Regression, Generalized Linear Models, Discriminant Analysis; Model Selection.

Pre-requisities: MATH 405

Characteristics of time series, trends, seasonality, noise, stationarity; Statistical background and model evaluation methods; Time series regression, variable selection and general linear regression; Exponential Smoothing and seasonal data; ARIMA based models including MA, AR, ARMA, ARIMA and SARIMA, Model validation and parameter estimation; Advance predictive analytics: Multivariate prediction, state space models, neural networks, spectral analysis and Bayesian methods.

Pre-requisities: [MATH 405 OR ISE 315 OR ISE 325] AND [ICS 102 OR ICS 103 OR ICS 104]
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The interdisciplinary field of Decision Analytics (DA) seeks to understand and improve the judgment and decision making of individuals, groups, and organizations. Decision Analytics is grounded in theories and methods drawn from mathematics, probability and statistics, operations research, optimization, and artificial intelligence-based tools such as machine learning. The knowledge of this multidisciplinary area can be applied almost everywhere including government, manufacturing, design, health care, transportation, city planning, and business. The Systems Engineering department proposes a concentration in DA with the aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills for scientific decision making. The concentration consists of four courses taught by the systems Engineering Department, Mathematics and Information and Computer Sciences. The courses are Decision Making, Intelligent Decision Support Systems, Applied Game Theory and Cases in Decision Analytics.


Hosting Department: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Offered to: ISE, CIE, CS, SWE. EE, ME, CHE

Basic decision-making model under certainty with multiple criteria as well as under pure Uncertainty, Risk, Risk with information and conflict with single criteria. Structuring decision problems as well as applications in systems engineering are emphasized through problem sets, case studies and term project.

Pre-requisities: ISE 205



Pre-requisities: ISE 205 OR STAT 319 OR EE 315

Review of decision making under uncertainty and risk. Linear and linear programming for deterministic decision making. Chance constrained and two stage stochastic programming. Risk analysis, robust and queuing theory. New concepts will be presented through cases studies using inductive teaching. Students must work on a project that demonstrates their understanding of decision making under uncertainty applied to a real case.

Pre-requisities: ISE 447

Formulation of strategic and cooperative games in energy industry, such as oil & gas and electric power companies, and portfolio analysis. Dominant, optimal strategies and Nash equilibrium. Coalition formation in cooperative games is used to represent OPEC to investigate their formation. Games in characteristic function format. Concepts of solutions for games. Pareto optimal solutions, core, and Shapely value. Other cases for allocation of resources, design, supply chain will be modelled in the context of game theory.

Pre-requisities: ISE 303 OR STAT 361
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This interdisciplinary program develops the design and build of fixed-wing and multi-rotor drones at several levels of autonomy, from remote-controlled to human-supervised, to fully autonomous. Topics include the physics of flight, fuselage design, rotor design, drone dynamics, performance and stability, control systems, guidance and navigation, mission payloads, ground control systems, and autonomous systems. Students conceive, design, fabricate (in 3D prototype), and apply drones. This program also covers drone swarms, regulations, security, AI, and machine learning, and touches on emerging anti-drone solutions. Applications of this field are universal and have become omnipresent in most industries. The program emphasizes the applications of drones in the new digital economy by highlighting case studies of the utilization of drones in industries such as like oil and gas, logistics, environment, security, etc.


Hosting Department: Aerospace Engineering
Offered to: AE, ME, CIE, EE

This course presents students with the fundamentals of unmanned aerial systems. Coverage includes UAVs components, configurations, classifications, communication frameworks, fundamentals of flight, regulations, safety, and future challenges. Also, the course covers performance, mathematical modeling and system dynamics of UAVs, and common control techniques to improve system’s stability and performance with more emphasis on multirotor UAVs. Students shall apply basic knowledge on a real system, i.e. drones.

Pre-requisities: [MATH 202 OR MATH 208] AND PHYS 102

Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for robotic systems. Intelligent Agents (IA), blind/uninformed and informed search algorithms for path planning. Relational and associative navigation, behavior coordination, uncertainty, and probabilistic reasoning. knowledge representation methods. Different types of IA architectures (operational, systems and technical) and layers (behavioral, deliberative, interface) within a canonical operational architecture of an intelligent robot. Logical agents, deductive and practical reasoning agents, reactive and hybrid agents, rational agents and how to use such techniques for creating autonomous robots/agents. Fundamentals and practical usage of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, including supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement and evolutionary learning paradigms for implementing autonomous robots/agents.

Key concepts, algorithms and design of robot motion and navigation in the presence of obstacles and static and dynamic environments with uncertainty. Real-time feedback control to track the planned motion, Cspace obstacles, grid-based motion planning, randomized sampling-based planners, and virtual potential fields. Motion and force control, flying robot trajectory design, UAV’s trajectory.

Pre-requisities: CIE 480 OR AE 449

Introduction to unmanned aerial systems (UAS), of-the-shelf aerial sensors and supporting platforms. Custom design, integration and calibration of new UAS sensory systems, hybrid power systems and hybrid/non-hybrid civil/military UAS. Physical/aerodynamic design limitations, data quality/accuracy versus speed of UAS function, basic autonomous, swarm intelligence and cooperation strategies. Design ethics, standards and engineering collective consciousness. General Optimization of UAS function and intelligent control.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing
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This interdisciplinary program focuses on technologies employed in military and civilian industries associated with radar, microwave, and optical systems. These technologies can be deployed in electronic defense and warfare systems as well as civilian applications, such as aviation, security, intrusion detection, etc. Topics include theoretical and practical aspects of radar, electro-optical (e.g. LIDAR), and microwave systems, and their applications in detection, tracking, and imaging. In addition to digital signal processing, students study radar systems (radar range equations, transmitters, antennas, receivers, pulse compression, radar ambiguity function, target detection in a noise background), microwave (microwave planar transmission lines, passive and active microstrip devices, microwave network analysis, and microwave integrated circuits), and electro-optical systems (photon-matter interaction, light sources and transmitters, optical detectors and receivers, waveguides and fibers, amplifiers, isolators, etc.).


Hosting Department: Electrical Engineering
Offered to: EE

Discrete time signals and systems. Linear shift-invariant systems response, difference equations, convolution, and frequency response. Discrete Fourier transform. FFT algorithms. Discrete time Fourier transform and applications. Sampling and aliasing. Finite impulse response (FIR). Filter design techniques, Infinite impulse response (IIR) Filter Design.

Pre-requisities: EE 207

Review of Transmission line theory, Planar Transmission lines, Microstrip lines and components, Microwave Network Analysis, Microstrip Capacitors, Resistors and Inductors, Microstrip Passive devices (Coupler, Power divider, Filter, Circulator, Phase shifter and Patch antenna), Microstrip Active devices (Diode, Transistor, Amplifier, Oscillator, Mixer and Demodulator), Introduction to Microwave Integrated Circuits.

Pre-requisities: PHYS 305 OR EE 340

Fundamentals of radar system engineering. Radar range equation. Radar transmitters, antennas, and receivers. Concepts of matched filtering, pulse compression, and the radar ambiguity function. Radar target detection in a noise background. Target radar cross-section models. Propagation and clutter. MTI and pulsed Doppler processing. Range, angle, and Doppler resolution/accuracy. Tracking. Imaging radar. Range and cross-range resolution; Image formation and characteristics. Backscatter. Modern techniques for electromagnetic sensing.

Pre-requisities: EE 207 OR CIE 315

Review of basics of optics including photon-matter interaction, interference, diffraction, coherence, polarization, etc. Introduction to geometrical optics. Light sources and transmitters. Optical detectors and receivers. Optical waveguides and optical fibers. Optical devices: amplifiers, filters, isolators, diffraction gratings, switches, polarization controllers and modulators. Operating principles of optical multiplexers and demultiplexers. A survey on some contemporary topics in photonics and optics.

Pre-requisities: PHYS 305 OR EE 340
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This interdisciplinary program covers sustainable energy-efficient practices and the most effective management of energy systems. The scale of application includes component-level, small system level (e.g. building), and large-scale level (e.g. entire cities, and interconnected systems). Students evaluate component and system energy efficiency and design efficient energy management programs, as well as learn energy auditing and reporting. Topics include the principles and application of energy conservation, loss inspection, instrumentation calibration, renewable and sustainable energy systems, building energy management, and smart monitoring of energy systems. Topics also include demand side management; efficiency of generation, transmission, and distribution systems; energy efficiency policies, standards, and regulations; and auditing of buildings, HVAC, and compressed air systems.


Hosting Department: Electrical Engineering
Offered to: EE, ME, ARE

Introduction to building energy systems, building thermal and energy performance parameters; design methods for improving building energy efficiency, application of thermal sciences to the evaluation of building envelope and energy systems including HVAC system; energy estimation methods. Application of software tools for building energy analysis.

Fundamental principles, concepts, contexts, issues, applications and future developments of energy efficiency and demand side management (DSM). Benefits of energy efficiency and DSM. Energy economics and markets. Efficiency of generation, transmission and distribution systems. Energy efficiency policies, standards and regulations. International practices in energy efficiency and demand side management. Future sustainable energy systems and smart grids.

Pre-requisities: EE 202 OR EE 204 OR EE 234

Energy Conversion; Electric energy from renewable sources: Hydro-electric, Solar, Wind, Fuel cells, Geothermal, Biomass, Tidal power plants; Energy storage; Renewable energy sources integration; Design of standalone and integrated systems.

Pre-requisities: EE 202 OR EE 204 OR EE 234

Overview on energies and energy auditing standard processes, understanding and analysis of energy bills, economic and life cycle costing analysis, fundamentals of electric systems, lighting, electric motors and drives, Building Envelop (revisions of modes of heat transfer, Insulation and building codes), HVAC, boilers and steam distribution systems, compressed air systems, renewable energy systems and waste water management, human behavior and facility energy management.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing
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As an oil reservoir matures, external support is needed to enhance its performance. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods involve pressure support, special chemicals, or heating the reservoir rock. With the approaching maturity of some Saudi Arabian oil fields, EOR techniques will prove valuable in sustaining high production rates and add vast quantities to the current oil reserves.

This multi-disciplinary sequence of courses provides the student with the necessary background to understand the chemical and physical bases of the most common EOR techniques and their selection criteria. Upon completion, the student will be able to design an EOR project including injected fluid volumes, operating conditions, and recovery forecasts. With such training, the student can provide valuable contribution to a team of experts working in this area.


Hosting Department: Petroleum Engineering
Offered to: PETE

Introduction to basic theoretical and design aspects of water flooding processes. Review of capillary phenomena and relative permeability characteristics of reservoir rocks. Theory of immiscible displacement including piston-like and frontal advance mechanisms. Injectivity analysis and performance prediction of linear and pattern floods including heterogeneous reservoirs. Problems encountered in water flooding projects such as scaling.

Pre-requisities: PETE 301 OR PETE 330

Processes that involve injecting aqueous solutions of chemicals into an oil reservoir to reduce water/oil interfacial tension, alter the wettability of reservoir rock, or improve the sweep efficiency of flood water. Types of surfactants, co-surfactants, polymers, and alkalis used. Phase behavior of water-oil-surfactant mixtures. Design and recovery forecasting of chemical floods. Chemical retention problems.

Pre-requisities: PETE 301 OR PETE 330

Processes that involve heating an oil reservoir to reduce oil viscosity. Thermal properties of reservoir rocks and fluids. Modes of steam flooding: Cyclic and continuous. Oxidation and pyrolysis kinetics of crude oil. Air injection. In-situ combustion modes: Dry forward, wet, and reverse combustion. Design and recovery forecasting of thermal floods.

Pre-requisities: PETE 432

Processes that involve injecting gases or liquids into an oil reservoir to achieve miscibility with the oil and improve its displacement efficiency. Phase behaviour of various gases/gas mixtures with crude oil. First-contact and multiple-contact miscibility conditions. Carbon dioxide flood. Nitrogen/flue gas flood. LPG flood. Estimation of minimum miscibility pressure. Design, selection/screening criteria and recovery forecasting of miscible floods.

Pre-requisities: PETE 432
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This program prepares the students to develop a wide range of knowledge of human resource management (HRM) skills necessary for implementing effective and legally defensible human resource practices in contemporary business organizations. The program covers the four essential pillars of HRM: staffing (strategic staffing, job analysis, competency modelling, recruitment, pre-hire evaluation, legal issues, etc.), compensation (job evaluation techniques, pay levels determination, labor markets, fixed and variable pay, pay surveys, incentives, benefits, compensation laws, non-traditional compensation, etc.), training and development (learning styles, needs analysis, training methodology, etc.), and performance management (process, appraisal systems and techniques, measurement approaches, performance analytics, team performance management, performance measurements, etc.). Practical examples and cases are discussed throughout the program.


Hosting Department: Management & Marketing
Offered to: MGT, ISOM, FIN, ACCT, MIS, IM, MKT

Provides students with information and insights into the training and development functions in organizations. Topics include aligning training with strategy, types of learning styles, designing training needs analysis questionnaire, training methodology, implementation and evaluation of training, and employee and management development.

Pre-requisities: HRM 301

Provides an in-depth analysis of the methods used in staffing and selection processes. Topics include strategic staffing, strategic job analysis, and competency modelling, recruitment and selection, legal context, choosing and hiring candidates, and managing workforce flow.

Pre-requisities: HRM 301

Focuses on the techniques, processes, and decisions of the design and management of employee compensation. It covers the strategic choices involved in the design and management of compensation. Topics include job analysis, job descriptions and specifications, job evaluation techniques, pay levels determination, labor markets, pay surveys, performance appraisal, incentives, benefits, compensation laws, compensation of special groups, nontraditional forms of compensation such as knowledge and skill-based pay systems, and the role of government and society. Also coverage will include the global aspects of compensation and compensation in the Saudi business environment.

Pre-requisities: HRM 301

Covers how employee performance is organized, appraised, and managed to achieve organizational and individual performance goals. Topics include introduction to performance management, performance management process, performance management and strategic planning, appraisal systems and techniques, measurement approaches, performance analytics, team performance management, performance measurements and their validity, and performance appraisal and management.

Pre-requisities: HRM 301
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This interdisciplinary concentration covers all components of the hydrogen supply chain network from production to use as a clean fuel for transportation. This includes hydrogen generation using solar or wind powered water electrolysis, biomass gasification, natural gas steam reforming and heavy oil residue catalytic partial oxidation. It also covers physical methods of hydrogen storage, such as fuel cells, batteries and super capacitors, and at compressed, liquefied and cryo-compressed conditions as well as material-based methods, including metal hydrides, liquid organic carriers, and adsorbents. The application of hydrogen in fuel cell electric vehicles and internal combustion engines is covered extensively from a technical (design), economic, and environmental point of view. The concentration also covers large-scale hydrogen storage and its interaction with power infrastructure.


Hosting Department: Chemical Engineering
Offered to: ME, CHE

Fuel cell thermodynamics and electrochemistry. Charge transport in polymer and ceramic electrolytes. Gas phase transport in fuel cells (diffusion and fluid mechanics). Energy balance and heat management. Flux balance for fuel cells. Electrochemical energy storage including batteries and supercapacitors. Power management strategies for hybrid storage systems.

Pre-requisities: CHE 303 OR ME 204

Energy-chain analysis of hydrogen and its competing alternative fuels for transport. Hydrogen mobility powertrain, efficiency, and storage. Fundamentals of optimization and economic analysis. Hydrogen and renewable energy. Large-scale hydrogen storage and its interactions with electric power infrastructure. Fuel cells as distributed energy resources in a smart energy grid.

Pre-requisities: CHE 303 OR ME 204

The aim of this course to provide insight into the alternative resources and technologies for hydrogen production and to discuss the present options of hydrogen storage and future needs.

Pre-requisities: CHE 303

Engine anatomy, designs, classifications, and configurations. Combustion chemistry and energy analysis. Idealized cycles of internal combustion engines. Spark-ignition (SI) and compression-ignition (CI) engines. Low-temperature-combustion (LTC) and gasoline-compression-ignition (GCI) engines. Engine performance parameters. Engine knock. Fuel octane and cetane numbers. Super and turbocharging. Engine emissions and control.

Pre-requisities: ME 204 OR CHE 303
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This interdisciplinary concentration combines the complementary fields of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Physics, to lay the foundation for students to contribute to the development of Saudi Arabia's emerging semiconductor sector. The Kingdom's efforts to diversify its economy have made it possible to take the initial steps towards the establishment of this sector, which intends to support the growing technological demand in key industries such as electric vehicles, IoT, smart cities and buildings, healthcare modernization, and the development of integrated circuits (ICs) for AI applications. Students who complete this concentration will have the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to perform vital roles in the design, verification, fabrication, testing, and innovation of Integrated Circuits (ICs) for the aforementioned industries.


Hosting Department: Electrical Engineering
Offered to: EE, PHYS, COE, CIE, MSE

Electronic structure of isolated atoms; atoms bonding, crystal structure, energy bands in solids; electrons and holes in semiconductors, drift and diffusion, mobility, recombination and lifetime, conductivity; PN junctions, I(V)characteristic, applications; Light emitting diodes, Laser Diodes, Solar Cells, Bipolar transistor, MOSFETs.

Pre-requisities: PHYS 102

Introduction to Semiconductors; doping, mobility, and currents. MOS Transistors; operation and limitations. CMOS digital logic circuits, static & dynamic logic, combinational and sequential circuits, propagation delay. Circuit design and transistor sizing. Spice Simulations. MOS IC fabrication, layout and design rules, stick diagrams. IC Design and Verification Tools. Subsystem design and case studies, and practical considerations.

Pre-requisities: COE 202 or CIE 204, EE 203 or EE 236

Introduction to microfabrication techniques (photolithography, etching, deposition, thermal processes, etc.). Introduction to CMOS technology and its manufacturing from older to current technologies, including challenges and future developments. Introduction to Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials. Emerging technologies (Flexible/Stretchable electronics, Energy Micro- and Nano-harvesters).

Pre-requisities: EE 203 or EE 234 or EE 236

Introduction to analog integrated-circuits and device modeling including 2nd order effects of transistors. Analysis and design of integrated circuits including single-stage amplifiers, differential pairs, OTA, Opamp, biasing blocks, current mirrors, voltage references and output stages. Layout considerations and CAD tools

Pre-requisities: EE203 or EE236
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The digital revolution taking place in the energy and utility sectors is known as Energy 4.0, which involves the internet of things, big data, cloud computing, machine learning, and data analytics, automation, interconnectivity, etc. Therefore, modern energy systems management should exploit a large volume of data acquired from various measurement devices for extensive monitoring and control of the systems to achieve efficiency and sustainability goals in the energy sector. The knowledge of the mentioned technologies helps develop intelligent energy ecosystems for buildings, factories, and smart grids with the incorporation of distributed energy resources.


Hosting Department: Mechanical Engineering
Offered to: ME, EE, AE, CIE

Overview on energies and energy auditing standard processes, understanding and analysis of energy bills, economic and life cycle costing analysis, fundamentals of electric systems, lighting, electric motors and drives, Building Envelop (revisions of modes of heat transfer, Insulation and building codes), HVAC, boilers and steam distribution systems, compressed air systems, renewable energy systems and waste water management, human behavior and facility energy management.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Introduction to data analysis, clustering algorithms, classification algorithms, regression and prediction algorithms, and machine learning and data analytics using modelling software, classification and prediction algorithms use real cases.

Pre-requisities: ISE 205 OR STAT 319 OR STAT 201 OR STAT 212 OR STAT 213 OR EE 315

Overview of electricity generation, transmission, distribution, power plant economics, regulations, and policies used in new technologies (IoT, Data analysis, Smart metering), big data management in energy projects, role of a digital industry 4.0 in a renewable energy system, review of existing energy policies, world electricity market and energy security, electricity price regulations, future market trends, and derivatives, environmental impacts, policy planning.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Smart Grids Fundamentals and Components, Smart grid Control and Automation Technologies, Power Electronics and Energy Storage, Information and Communication Technologies, Demand Side Management, Energy Efficiency, Overview of Typical Pilot Projects in the World.

Pre-requisities: EE 201 OR EE 204 OR EE 234 OR EE 236
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This interdisciplinary program covers smart applications built using smart systems capable of sensing, actuation, computing, and communication. In this concentration, students learn how to use smart systems to develop fascinating applications such as those used in smart homes, smart cities, intelligent transportation systems, and more. Topics covered include IoT applications, embedded systems and sensing, IoT communication protocols, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cloud and edge computing, big data analytics, and IoT security. Students are introduced to embedded systems programming and interfacing. Students also learn how to connect smart things to each other, as well as to the cloud. Through learning big data analytics, students can use advanced analytics and machine learning to process sensor data and build innovative applications. Students are also exposed to how IIoT is used in industrial applications using state-of-the-art use cases.


Hosting Department: Computer Engineering
Offered to: EE, CS, COE, CIE, SWE

Introduction to smart systems. Sensors and actuators: working principles, classifications, performance, characteristics, interfacing with feedback control, and data acquisition. Embedded systems: architecture, types, and interfacing. Real-time operating systems: components, requirements, configuration, and scheduling. Embedded software: development, software stack, hardware abstraction, and tools. Power management and energy harvesting for embedded systems.

Co-Requisities: EE 203 or EE 234 or EE 236

Introduction to data analysis, clustering algorithms, classification algorithms, regression and prediction algorithms, and machine learning and data analytics using modelling software, classification and prediction algorithms use real cases.

Pre-requisities: ISE 205 OR STAT 319 OR STAT 201 OR STAT 212 OR STAT 213 OR EE 315

Internet of Things (IoT) technology and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) for Industry 4.0, IoT/IIoT reference architectures and data flow, industrial communication technologies and networking protocols, highly distributed system architectures and computing platforms, digital twins, ICS security, predictive analytics, maintenance, and system optimization. Embedded intelligence in end devices to perform local analytics and optimization. Applications of IIoT in various areas such as energy sector, manufacturing, and smart cities Prerequisites: Senior standing or approval of the department.

Pre-requisities: CIE 318 OR COE 344 OR ICS 343 OR EE 400

IoT systems design and architecture: elements of IoT system, potentials, constrains, and applications. IoT access technologies: 802.15.4, BLE, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, Sigfox, and 802.11ah. IoT networking protocols: IPv4, IPv6, 6LoWPAN, and RPL. IoT application layer protocols: HTTP, MQTT, and CoAP. Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) using ZigBee network. Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) using LoRAWAN. Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Machine-to-Cloud (M2C) communication. IoT network architecture: cloud, fog, and edge layers. IoT system security. Data analytics for IoT.

Pre-requisities: COE 344 OR ICS 343 OR EE 400
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Electromagnetic radiation has a lot of applications in vast range of fields. In this concentration, the focus is on the demand of local stakeholders, who are essential pillars of VISION2030. Furthermore, we focus on specific utilization theme that can be used in many fields. The concentration is designed to have a balance between foundations and applications in a way that covers wide applications’ spectrum, but maintains common background.


Hosting Department: Electrical Engineering
Offered to: EE, PHYS, GEOP

Review of Transmission line theory, Planar Transmission lines, Microstrip lines and components, Microwave Network Analysis, Microstrip Capacitors, Resistors and Inductors, Microstrip Passive devices (Coupler, Power divider, Filter, Circulator, Phase shifter and Patch antenna), Microstrip Active devices (Diode, Transistor, Amplifier, Oscillator, Mixer and Demodulator), Introduction to Microwave Integrated Circuits.

Pre-requisities: PHYS 305 OR EE 340

Review of basics of optics including photon-matter interaction, interference, diffraction, coherence, polarization, etc. Introduction to geometrical optics. Light sources and transmitters. Optical detectors and receivers. Optical waveguides and optical fibers. Optical devices: amplifiers, filters, isolators, diffraction gratings, switches, polarization controllers and modulators. Operating principles of optical multiplexers and demultiplexers. A survey on some contemporary topics in photonics and optics.

Pre-requisities: PHYS 305 OR EE 340

Basic physics of laser, theoretical formulations and experimental foundations; stimulated emission, population inversion, optical pumping; Solid, liquid and gas lasing media and metastable states; Laser resonators and geometries; transverse and longitudinal modes of the laser; CW and pulsed laser; temporal characteristics of the laser; tuneable laser/ optical parametric oscillation, harmonic generation; Q-switching, mode locking, cavity dumping; key laser parameters; temporal and spatial coherence of laser; different kinds of lasers; Laser based remote sensor (LIDAR); DIAL, fluorescence, Raman, Doppler, wind, air born, and space born LIDAR systems.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Introduction to microwave & optical remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their application to geosciences. Aerial photography and other remote sensing techniques, principles of photogrammetry and image interpretation for geological information. Electromagnetic (EM) Properties of natural earth materials. Fundamentals of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) systems. Design, processing, interpretation, and applications of EM and GPR methods.

Pre-requisities: PHYS 305
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This interdisciplinary program prepares students to understand technologies encompassing sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, and signal conditioning hardware and relevant software. Students learn how to build working mechatronics systems. With the increasing needs to Industry 4.0 & beyond tools, including Internet of Things (IoT) implementations, robotic wide usage, and the establishment of smart cities, understanding mechatronics becomes a necessary skill of the future engineer. As Saudi Arabia is actively working on realizing the 2030 vision, adopting several AI based tools ranging from health care to hajj management, transforming many industries to be autonomously automated, and implementing an electronic government system, graduates equipped with the “sense-think-act” scheme of thinking are becoming vitally needed.


Hosting Department: Mechanical Engineering
Offered to: ME, COE, EE, AE

Introduction to smart systems. Sensors and actuators: working principles, classifications, performance, characteristics, interfacing with feedback control, and data acquisition. Embedded systems: architecture, types, and interfacing. Real-time operating systems: components, requirements, configuration, and scheduling. Embedded software: development, software stack, hardware abstraction, and tools. Power management and energy harvesting for embedded systems.

Co-Requisities: EE 203 or EE 234 or EE 236

Advanced mechatronic systems design, integration, and analysis methodologies. Theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse mechatronic elements and systems, including system integration, sensors, actuator design, and selection, use of signal conditioning techniques and components, and control. Reverse engineering, design for manufacturing, fast prototyping, and human-robotic/mechatronic interaction considerations. Design and implementation of a comprehensive mechatronic project.

Pre-requisities: Senior standing

Introduction to microfabrication techniques (photolithography, etching, deposition, thermal processes, etc.). Introduction to CMOS technology and its manufacturing from older to current technologies, including challenges and future developments. Introduction to Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials. Emerging technologies (Flexible/Stretchable electronics, Energy Micro- and Nano-harvesters).

Pre-requisities: EE 203 or EE 234 or EE 236

Introduction to control of mechatronic systems, modeling principles and characteristics of sensing elements in mechatronics, concepts and modeling of actuators in mechatronics, such as mechanical, electromechanical, electro[1]fluidic, etc., and signal conditioning circuits. Introduction to digital control, discrete-time and event-based systems, stability analysis in z-domain, digital control design, compensation; Case studies employing MATLAB and Simulink

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing
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This program will provide students with the necessary scientific framework for understanding the origin, distribution, and valuation of economic mineral deposits, with a focus on deposits in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Principles of metal concentration and deposition in magmatic and hydrothermal environments are examined. The concentration will cover a broad range of deposit types, including base metals, precious metals, and critical minerals. Contemporary practical approaches to geophysical and geological exploration and development of mineral deposits will be covered, along with field and laboratory techniques, mineral identification and associations, ore valuation, AI applications, and deposit modeling. Students are exposed to sustainability in mining, including environmental, social, and economic aspects. The concentration will examine mining policies, regulations, and legislation at local, national, and international levels.


Hosting Department: Geosciences
Offered to: GEOL , GEOP, MNSE, PETE

Fundamental and applied investigation of the abundance and distribution of chemical elements in the solid Earth. Nucleosynthesis, geochemical classification of the elements, stable and radiogenic isotopes, sampling and geochemical analysis, whole-rock classification, discrimination diagrams, geochronology. Application of geochemistry to understanding of Earth’s mineral resources, including element mobility and dispersion, fluids and processes involved in deposit formation, geochemical anomalies, and isotopes in ore genesis.

Pre-requisities: GEOL 217

Formation, mineralogical and geochemical classification, and economic significance of geological ore deposits and in particular, those of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Overview of major ore deposit types, classification based on mineral commodities, tectonic settings, geological context, and genetic models. Laboratory focuses on identification of ore samples in hand specimen and using reflected light microscopy. Field trips to operational mines and study sites.

Pre-requisities: GEOL 217

Introduction to the physical geological environment and how this affects geophysical signatures. Geological, tectonic, geophysical, remote sensing, and drone-based methods/tools for mineral exploration and mining. Geophysical characterization and monitoring of ore deposits. Practical guidance on data acquisition, processing, and noise identification for accurate geophysical and remote sensing data interpretation. Geological model development based on acquired geophysical, geological, and remote sensing data. Geostatistical and uncertainty analysis, ML/AI in data handling, modeling, and interpretation. Analysis of global case-study examples using real geophysical data.

Pre-requisities: Senior standing

Lifecycle stages in mining, from exploration to closure and reclamation. Mine planning and infrastructure plans, environmental and regulatory considerations, methods of ore extraction, ore valuation, introduction to mineral processing. Sustainability in mining, including health and safety, environmental, social, and economic aspects. Mitigation and reclamation strategies, post-mining land use and closure. Corporate social responsibility in mining. Case studies.

Pre-requisities: Senior standing
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This interdisciplinary program covers the science, engineering, and industrial applications of non-metallic materials including polymers and ceramics. Topics include the chemical structure, synthesis, characterization, and processing of the non-metallic materials. Industrial applications cover, but not limited to, piping in the oil and gas industry, membranes for purification and separation processes, coatings for corrosion prevention, and others. Four courses are required for this program each with 3 semester hours A pre-requisite for this program is a basic course in materials science and engineering.


Hosting Department: Chemical Engineering
Offered to: CHE, CHEM, CE, ME

Structure and physical properties of polymers. Homogeneous and heterogeneous polymerization processes. The chemical, mechanical, and engineering properties of polymers as well as polymer processing and rheology are emphasized in this course.

Pre-requisities: ME 216 OR ME 205 OR ME 207 OR CE 204 OR CHEM 458

Structures, mechanical properties, and processing of ceramics, polymers, and composites. Electrical and thermal properties. Case studies on the use of non-metallic materials in applications related to energy, desalination, aerospace, and civil infrastructure. Pre-req ME 205 or ME 207 or ME 216 or Consent of Instructor.

Pre-requisities: ME 205 OR ME 207 OR ME 216 OR CHEM 458 OR CE 303 CE 204

Polymer characterization and analysis using various qualitative and quantitative analytical instruments. Principles, applications, and limitations of the classical analytical techniques required for analysis and characterizing of different kinds of polymers. Analysis of molecular weight, mechanical properties, thermal properties, in addition to spectral analysis. Interpretation of data collected using different techniques of polymer analysis.

Pre-requisities: CHEM 451 OR CHE 463

Polymer Compounding & Additives for Polymers. Polymer Blends & Composites. Polymer Material Selection for specified applications. Polymer Products Processing Techniques. Application of Polymer Products. Polymers in Building & Construction. Petroleum Industry. Pipe & Cable Industry. Polymers in Automobile & Aerospace Sector. Fiber, Textile, Paint & Adhesive Technology. Polymer Composites Degradation. Polymer Composites Recycling. Additives.

Pre-requisities: ME 205 OR ME 207 OR ME 216 OR CHEM 458 OR CE 303 OR CE 204
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This interdisciplinary program prepares students to manage and operate nuclear power plants. Topics include materials in nuclear power plants, nuclear plant operations, plant safety, fuel separation and purification, reactor products, nuclear fuel cycle, management of nuclear technology, radiation physics and protection, control rods, coolants, thermal power transfer, neutron poisoning, nuclear accelerators, and spent fuel. Students also learn energy systems design and analysis in general, and the design of nuclear systems in particular. Nuclear engineering background is dearly needed, especially as the Kingdom has announced plans to introduce nuclear power technology with the first two reactors are currently under site qualification stage. While these plants will be based on foreign technology and built by a consortium of international companies, long-term sustainability of this program, including governance and plant operation, will depend crucially on the development of an indigenous workforce possessing adequate knowledge of the science and technology of nuclear power plants.


Hosting Department: Mechanical Engineering
Offered to: ME, CHE

Polymers are used across a wide range of industries, including consumer products, textiles, electronics, energy, building and construction, health care, and aerospace. Polymers are also central to emerging industries including additive manufacturing, organic electronics, and renewable energy. The proposed multidisciplinary concentration of study covers science and engineering aspects of polymers. It will provide the students with the required knowledge to design synthetic polymers of desired properties to suit target applications. Also, students learn the important techniques for characterizing and processing polymers. Students are exposed to topics such as different methods of polymer synthesis, a wide spectrum of characterization techniques for studying the structures and physical properties of polymers, and processing of polymeric materials. This concentration of study is designed to promote a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary learning process which involves intersections of chemistry with chemical and mechanical engineering disciplines.


Hosting Department: Chemistry
Offered to: CHEM, CHE, ME

Basic concept of polymer chemistry, fundamental bases for understanding the principles associated with the polymerization reactions using a number of traditional and contemporary polymerization techniques (step-growth polymerization, radical polymerization, ionic polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polymerization by transition metal catalysts) with an emphasis on the mechanisms, kinetics, stereochemistry, structure, structure-property relationships and resulting properties of polymers.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Concepts of polymer sustainability. Biodegradation of polymers and approaches toward synthesizing biodegradable polymers. Health impact of polymers and various additives used in plastics industry. Managing plastic waste, recycling of polymers, life-cycle assessment, and circular economy of polymers.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Polymer characterization and analysis using various qualitative and quantitative analytical instruments. Principles, applications, and limitations of the classical analytical techniques required for analysis and characterizing of different kinds of polymers. Analysis of molecular weight, mechanical properties, thermal properties, in addition to spectral analysis. Interpretation of data collected using different techniques of polymer analysis.

Pre-requisities: CHEM 451 OR CHE 463

Thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, their properties and engineering applications. Plastic manufacturing processes, equipment and mold design. Plastic materials and process selection.

Pre-requisities: ME 205 OR ME 216 OR ME 207 OR CHEM 451 OR CHE 463
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This interdisciplinary program aims to produce students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to be qualified safety engineers. Graduates of this program learn the principles of process safety and hazard analysis, mitigation, and prevention, with special emphasis on the chemical process industries. Topics include source modeling for leakage rates, dispersion analysis, relief valve sizing, fire and explosion damage analysis, hazards identification, risk analysis, accident investigation, occupational safety, safety administration, the legal aspect of industrial safety, hazardous waste management and treatment, including regulations, environmental audits, and pollution prevention. Students also learn the assessment and management of risk, uncertainty, and reliability, including quantitative risk assessment, and understanding the link between safety and human factors.


Hosting Department: Chemical Engineering
Offered to: ISE, EE, ME, CHEM, CHE, CE

Theory and design of several industrial hazardous waste management and treatment aspects including regulations, environmental audits, pollution prevention, risk assessment, chemical & biological process fundamentals, and industrial hazardous waste separation, handling, treatment, & disposal techniques.

Applications of engineering principles to process safety and hazards analysis, mitigation, and prevention, with special emphasis on the chemical process industries. Includes source modeling for leakage rates, dispersion analysis, relief valve sizing, fire and explosion damage analysis, hazards identification, risk analysis, accident investigations, etc.

Pre-requisities: PHYS 102

The assessment and management of risk, uncertainty, and reliability are critical to the success of any engineering venture today, this course deals with understanding, theory and methodology and tools in assessment and management of risk, uncertainty, and reliability in engineering systems and enterprises. Quantification of Risk and its Impact. Applications will be explored through case studies in some of the following area; environmental, water resources and technology management, clean energy, safety-critical systems, and reliability modeling of multiple failure modes in complex systems. Risk Assessment and management in systems operation.

The scope of occupational safety: Human safety, Environmental safety, Setting safety standard: Safety administration, Legal aspect of industrial safety.
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This interdisciplinary program covers an emerging discipline in computing and sensing that utilizes quantum theory. Students learn the fundamentals of quantum physics and how to apply its basic principles in real world technologies to solve the future challenges in the field of computing, communication, and sensing. The program covers the concepts of superposition, entanglement, quantum gates, and quantum algorithms in order to understand the difference between classical and quantum-computing in the fields of artificial intelligence, and cryptography. It also covers applications of quantum sensing in areas such as radar, lidar, photo-detection, magnetometry, and gravimetry. Students learn how to design, simulate, and test the core parts of a superconducting Qubit.


Hosting Department: Computer Engineering
Offered to: CS, COE, PHYS

An introduction to the model of quantum computation, quantum hardware, quantum processors, quantum circuits and instruction sets, quantum programming languages, quantum Fourier transform, quantum error correction, quantum algorithms, and applications of quantum computing.

Pre-requisities: [COE 292 OR ICS 102 OR ICS 103] AND [MATH 208 OR PHYS 210 OR MATH 225]

Review of relevant Quantum Mechanics concepts including linear vector spaces, Entanglement, the EPR paradox, and Bell’s inequality. Quantum Computation including the qubit, quantum gates and search algorithms. Quantum Communication including cryptography and teleportation. Overview of some experimental implementations.

Pre-requisities: PHYS 210 OR MATH 208 OR MATH 225 OR MATH 260 OR MATH 280

The difference between quantum cryptography and existing conventional cryptography, Integer Algorithms, Modular Arithmetic , Symmetric-key Cryptography, Perfect Secrecy, Stream and Block cipher, Group Theory, Public Key Cryptography, Quantum cryptography and cryptanalysis, Key distribution protocols, Quantum money, quantum one-time pad.

Pre-requisities: COE 466

Introduction to ion trap, spin, NV-center, and circuit qubit, Quantum electrical circuits, superconductivity, Josephson Junction (JJ)-based non-linear harmonic oscillators, JJ-based superconducting circuit-qubits, noise and decoherence, cavity and circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED), microwave-based measurements in circuit QED.

Pre-requisities: PHYS 471
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The concentration covers major components of the downstream oil & gas industries and their further conversion to petrochemicals. Starting with crude oil treatments and moving through major oil & gas refining processes and their dependence on different feedstock's. Petrochemical building blocks and their derivatives including, basic, intermediate and final products are introduced with emphasis on those produced in Saudi Arabia. Tools for analyzing and evaluating the economical and environmental impacts of the downstream industry is discussed as well as the challenges in the integration of refining and petrochemicals.


Hosting Department: Chemical Engineering
Offered to: CHE

General review of refining processes of crude oil. Shortcut methods for practical design calculations. Design of atmospheric, vacuum, and pressure columns for petroleum fractionation, including auxiliary furnaces and condensers. Recent developments in heavy oil processing.

Pre-requisities: CHE 306

Fundamentals of homogenous catalysis; homogeneously catalyzed industrial processes such as Oxo and Wacker processes; fundamentals of heterogeneous catalysis; catalyst production and characterization; role of environmental catalysis in green chemistry; electrocatalysis; photocatalysis; and phase transfer catalysis. Important catalytic processes in Saudi Arabia.

Process technologies used in petrochemical industries, such as thermal and catalytic cracking will be introduced. Basic, intermediate and final petrochemicals are studied. These include synthesis gas and derivatives, ethylene, propylene, butene, BTX, and their derivatives. Competing technologies will be assessed from the chemical engineering point of view.

Pre-requisities: CHE 306

The characteristics of the industry in terms of feed stocks and products interaction, processes and technologies, and Economics are introduced. Petroleum fractionation and general review of refining processes of crude oil are introduced. Important petrochemical products are introduced with emphasis on those produced in Saudi Arabia. The basic unit processes such as hydrotreating, cracking, reforming, dehydrogenation, oxidation etc., are introduced along with their applications in the industry. The economics and cost of production is discussed whenever relevant. The course will emphasize the basic concepts and principles of the industry and will avoid unnecessary and descriptive process details. Integration of the Petrochemical and Petroleum Refining industries will be highlighted whenever applicable.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing
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This interdisciplinary program covers various renewable energy technologies, including solar (photovoltaic and concentrated solar power), wind, and geothermal, as well as energy storage options such as electrical (e.g. battery) and thermal storage, and waste-to-energy systems. Students understand the components of renewable energy systems, evaluate the potential (technical, economic, and environmental) of renewable energy at specific sites, design and assess the performance of renewable systems, study the integration of renewable energy systems with energy storage systems and with conventional energy systems. The program also covers renewable energy project management, grid integration of renewables, smart grids, net-zero buildings, and touches on renewable energy policy and environmental law.


Hosting Department: Chemical Engineering
Offered to: ME, CHE

Provides an introduction to economic decision-making and analysis to different markets and pricing of energy source (oil and electricity in particular) both qualitatively and quantitatively using available international energy database. The effect of a government intervention in the market is examined to provide insights on market behavior and welfare. Energy, environment and climate change issues as well as renewable energy. Case study on the energy sector of the Saudi Economy. Not to be taken for credit with ECON 450. Co-listed with ECON 575

Pre-requisities: MATH 102 OR MATH 106

Fuel cell thermodynamics and electrochemistry. Charge transport in polymer and ceramic electrolytes. Gas phase transport in fuel cells (diffusion and fluid mechanics). Energy balance and heat management. Flux balance for fuel cells. Electrochemical energy storage including batteries and supercapacitors. Power management strategies for hybrid storage systems.

Pre-requisities: CHE 303

Binary geothermal cycles. Compressed air energy storage. Wind power systems. Hydrogen fuel cells. Solar thermal collectors. Photovoltaic power systems. Biomass thermo-chemical conversion.

Pre-requisities: CHE 303

Thermal aspects of solar energy conversion. Solar radiation measurement and prediction. Selected topics in heat transfer. Flat plate and focusing collector analysis. Solar energy storage. Solar systems including hot water, space heating and cooling, distillation and thermal power conversion.

Pre-requisities: ME 315 OR CHE 300
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Concentrations have become a common concept at KFUPM, in which a student specializes in a certain multidisciplinary topic. By now, the University has over 45 concentrations in various interesting and exciting fields. In this particular concentration, the focus is on research. The student will take a total of four courses in the Junior and Senior years, for a total of 12 credit hours over the course of two or more semesters. These hours are counted towards the degree plan. Two of the courses will constitute the undergraduate thesis, whilst another course will be on innovation and entrepreneurship, and the fourth can be an elective undergraduate or graduate course in the area of focus of the student. In this concentration, the student is expected to devise a problem and spend the duration of the program in developing research in this area, and to bring it to a fruitful conclusion. Part of the assessment of the undergraduate thesis is that it is accepted for publication in an actual journal outside of KFUPM or in KFUPM’s Journal of Undergraduate Research.


Hosting Department: All Departments
Offered to: Junior and Senior Students

Any undergraduate or graduate technical elective course

This course is an independent research course for students undertaking the CX in undergraduate research. An undergraduate thesis is a substantive piece of research-oriented creative work demonstrating mastery over the discourse of one semester in professional field. A thesis requires students to formulate the main hypothesis and research questions, maintain research integrity and be aware of research misconducts, and acquire skills of identifying research gaps in literature. Students will develop their scientific writing skills to report their preliminary research findings in a research proposal. Such proposal must be planned and completed under the supervision of a faculty (advisor) and, at the advisor’s discretion and department approval, may be reviewed by an additional co-advisor. Student will have to present to a committee his/her research plan and hypothesis in the thesis proposal.

Any undergraduate or graduate technical elective course

This is an independent research course focused on making research contributions and presenting the results in a thesis for students undertaking the CX in undergraduate research. In this course, students will refine their thesis proposal in previous thesis course and work closely with the advisor to demonstrate their research findings over one semester in a professional field. This requires students to ensure the novelty and originality of the idea, conduct extensive research to validate the main hypothesis and research questions, and have the skills needed to write the thesis and prepare the research results for the proper venue for possible publication. Students will learn to develop their professional communication skills to defend their thesis in front of an independent scientific committee and possibly to deliver speech in a research symposia.

Durability of structures, particularly the ones exposed to marine environments, has gained significant attention among the researchers and experts in civil engineering. Corrosion of steel structural elements and degradation of concrete and related construction materials, require expensive repairs and efficiency losses. It is, therefore, critical to understand the damage mechanism and develop methods for construction of durable marine structures. This concentration seeks to equip final year students with tools that are necessary for ensuring the durable design, construction, evaluation, and repair of marine structures.


Hosting Department: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Offered to: CE, ME, ARE, PETE, CHE

Foundations in marine sciences; understanding the physical, chemical, geological and biological characteristics of marine environment; impacts on offshore structures, physical forces affecting marine facilities, marine corrosion and mitigation measures, biofouling and marine pests; effects of offshore structures on the marine environment; environmental impact assessment, impact mitigation, environmental monitoring; marine policy, marine protected areas, national and international regulations.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Marine structures and environmental loadings; Offshore structure (fixed; floating; mooring dolphins; jack-ups), costal marine structures (harbor; dry dock); Concrete for marine structures: concrete, concrete mix design and preparation; fresh concrete properties, mechanical properties of hardened concrete, shrinkage and creep, durability; Steel for marine structures: mechanical properties, failure mechanisms; Nonmetals; Miscellaneous materials for marine structures

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Environmental factors causing severe deterioration problems in marine structures; deterioration of marine structures such as corrosion, sulfate attack, salt weathering and crystallization, efflorescence, acid attack, abrasion, erosion, cavitation, and cracking; condition surveys, assessment and evaluation of deterioration damage in marine structures; preventive measures such as coatings, overlays, and cathodic protection; repair methods and materials.

Pre-requisities: CE 204

Technical and economical aspects of corrosion problems. Types of corrosion; pitting, crevice, intergranular, galvanic and stress corrosion cracking. Mechanisms and prevention of corrosion failures. Cathodic protection of pipelines and submerged structures. Principles of inhibition of corrosion in process industries. Behavior of iron, copper, aluminum and their alloys in corrosive environments. Metallurgical aspects of corrosion. Design considerations in prevention of corrosion failures

Pre-requisities: ME 216 OR CE 204
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This interdisciplinary program covers subjects related to mechatronics, robotics, and UAVs (drones). Students develop the skills required to understand, design, and implement smart systems and robots to solve engineering problems. Topics include the fundamentals of autonyms systems, including sensing, reasoning, and acting, in addition to robotics-specific topics, such as power sources, machine vision, actuation (e.g. linear actuators and electric motors), manipulation, locomotion (walking, rolling, climbing, etc.), environmental navigation, and human-robot interaction (including speech recognition and gestures). Applications are wide-ranging, and include industrial robots, as well as those used in the military, construction, agriculture, and in medical fields.


Hosting Department: Control & Instrumentation Engineering
Offered to: CIE, COE, AE, ISE, EE

Introduction to the fundamentals of mobile robots, spanning the mechanical, motor, sensory, perceptual, and cognitive layers the field comprises. Overview of the mechanisms for locomotion, dynamic modelling, forward and inverse dynamics, sensing. Concepts of localization and motion planning control theory, signal analysis, computer vision

Pre-requisities: CIE 305 OR AE 313 OR EE 380 OR ME 410 OR CHE 401

Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for robotic systems. Intelligent Agents (IA), blind/uninformed and informed search algorithms for path planning. Relational and associative navigation, behavior coordination, uncertainty, and probabilistic reasoning. knowledge representation methods. Different types of IA architectures (operational, systems and technical) and layers (behavioral, deliberative, interface) within a canonical operational architecture of an intelligent robot. Logical agents, deductive and practical reasoning agents, reactive and hybrid agents, rational agents and how to use such techniques for creating autonomous robots/agents. Fundamentals and practical usage of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, including supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement and evolutionary learning paradigms for implementing autonomous robots/agents.

Interplay between control and robotics. Kinematic and dynamic models of robot manipulators, mobile robots, and multi-rotor drones, design intelligent controls for robotic systems and explore modeling analogies between these systems. Learn linear/nonlinear, single and multiple input/output closed loop control, stability theories, feedback linearization, and robust control design. Basic system identification techniques and the concept of autopilot design for aircrafts and UAVs.

Pre-requisities: CIE 480

Key concepts, algorithms and design of robot motion and navigation in the presence of obstacles and static and dynamic environments with uncertainty. Real-time feedback control to track the planned motion, Cspace obstacles, grid-based motion planning, randomized sampling-based planners, and virtual potential fields. Motion and force control, flying robot trajectory design, UAV’s trajectory.

Pre-requisities: CIE 480 OR AE 449
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In contrast to Smart Cities program, which focus on city-scale systems, this interdisciplinary program focuses on Smart and Sustainable Buildings (SSBs) and their indoor environments. It covers topics that stem from the use of smart and responsive building materials and devices, intelligent automation (e.g., AI, IoT, etc.), innovative renewable energy applications, and efficient building systems. Students are introduced to communication, automation technology, and processes to control and connect SSB systems and occupants to the building environment. Students will be able to engage in the automation of building services and to design, integrate, and implement alternative smart digital solutions to the operation and management of SSBs, including AI-based and Cloud-based applications.


Hosting Department: Architectural Engineering
Offered to: ARE, ARC, CE

The concept of sustainability in the building sector. Green and sustainable buildings (GSBs), definitions, objectives, elements and characteristics of GSBs. Sustainability implications of the practice of engineering solutions in the built environment. Environmental, social and economic benefits of GSB. Occupant health, comfort, productivity, energy efficiency, pollution reduction. Active vs. passive design strategies. Sustainable and integrated building design (SIBD). Examples of GSBs practices. Green building materials and systems. GSBs local and international organizations, standards. Assessment, rating systems and certification of GSBs. Case studies. Introduction and preparation towards the LEED Green Associate (GA) Exam.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Introduction to advanced and sustainable materials, definition of interactive and smart materials and systems, properties, types and classifications, their applications, merits and demerits. Examples of current and emerging smart building materials and systems. Biomimetric Materials. Phase-Change Materials. Nano technology applications in the building envelope. Assessment of the suitability and sustainability of smart materials and systems for building and construction projects. Selection criteria based on performance, international-standard practices and certification. Integration strategies of advanced materials and future trends. Site visits to relevant laboratories and materials-manufacturing facilities.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

The concept of smart buildings, definition and characteristics. Automation technologies, cognitive automation (CA), digital direct controls (DDC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) - their capabilities, future potential, and application to smart building design, construction and operation. IoT and ML in smart space design, construction and operation. AI utilization in sustainable energy management; safety and security. Inter-building/space communication and collaboration. Occupant comfort, personalization and interactions. Obstacles to change and adoption of IoT and AI solutions. Best practices and strategies to bring IoT and AI into smart buildings. The impact of AI and ML on the future of buildings, communities and cities. Case studies, lessons learned, challenges, and future directions of research in the field.

Pre-requisities: COE 292

Fundamentals of sustainable and smart energy systems. Energy Efficiency (EE), definition, importance, and critical factors. Sustainable energy solutions for energy-efficient buildings. Energy auditing, testing, and measurements. Building management systems. Energy retrofitting. Maintenance and commissioning. Renewable energy sources. Solar and wind power solutions for buildings. Assessment of renewable energy systems. Smart meters. Hybrid energy systems. Energy performance and renewable energy modeling tools. Sustainable energy policies

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing
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This interdisciplinary program covers the systematic and strategic coordination management for supplying goods and services required by the end customer, which is essential to both customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Topics include supply chain strategies, drivers, transportation, sourcing, distribution networks, global networks, sustainability, and procurement (supplier management purchasing, policies, procedures, global sourcing, cost management, negotiation, etc.). Other topics cover logistics, including lean systems, market distribution, manufacturing, production forecasting, inventory control, optimization, warehouse management, deterministic and stochastic inventory systems, capacity planning, and material requirement planning. Students are equipped with the skills to manage and run effective and efficient supply businesses chains.


Hosting Department: Information Systems & Operations Management
Offered to: MGT, MKT, FIN, ACCT, MIS

This course is about Supply Chain Management (SCM) and its role in any organization. Topics covered: SCM strategies, supply chain drivers, transportation, sourcing, distribution networks, global supply chain management, sustainability and coordination in the supply chain. Different case studies will be discussed in this course.

Pre-requisities: OM 210

The course will develop an overarching understanding about sourcing or procurement function. The course will cover several topics such as purchasing process, policies and procedures, supply management and the competitive advantage, suppliers’ management and evaluation, global sourcing, cost management, negotiation conflict management, and purchasing services. Some case studies and articles will be discussed too.

Pre-requisities: OM 210

This course is about managing materials and information flows throughout the supply chain. Several topics will be covered in this course such as lean logistics, customers accommodation, market distribution strategy, manufacturing strategy, ERP and execution systems, inventory management and strategy, transportation management, warehousing, packaging and materials handling, network integration, performance and financial assessment, operational integration.

Pre-requisities: OM 210

Elements of functional organization. Forecasting in production systems. Product and process design considerations. Deterministic and stochastic inventory systems. Production scheduling and line balancing. Capacity planning. Material requirement planning (MRP). Computer applications in production control. Case studies and applications.

Pre-requisities: [ISE 303 AND ISE 205] OR STAT 319 OR MATH 106 AND [OM 210 AND OM 311]
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The Sustainability in E&P Industry is a program designed to empower and inject skills that allow graduates to successfully play a leading role in the local and international sustainable energy domain in E&P Industry. The focus area is well grounded to deal with any matters pertaining to global energy issues, renewable and non-renewable energy, sustainable energy technologies, the environment as a whole and policies affecting the environment and energy use. The program is a unique blend of academic excellence as well as industrial expertise geared at producing graduates who are the embodiment of intelligence in addressing the sustainable energy field in the E&P Industry. The program targets senior year students in petroleum engineering and geosciences as well as environmental discipline. Students enrolled in this concentration will augment their primary Engineering and Science skillsets.


Hosting Department: Petroleum Engineering
Offered to: PETE, GEOL , GEOP

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This multidisciplinary concentration aims to prepare engineers and scientists for employment in the current and future thermal systems in power plants (conventional and nuclear), oil & gas, refrigeration & air-conditioning, thermal desalination plants, and the Kingdom's manufacturing industries. These industries' current and future challenges include increasing the plants' availability and sustainability. This multidisciplinary concentration focuses on deepening the students' knowledge of the available thermal systems (i.e., power-producing and power-consuming systems that comprise heat exchangers, pumps, and piping systems), focusing on choosing components and thermal systems with enhanced performance and environmental integrity. It will be accomplished by introducing students to emerging design tools, performance evaluation, and maintenance of such components and strategies to improve life expectancy and performance.


Hosting Department: Mechanical Engineering
Offered to: ME, CHE

Seawater composition. The need for water desalination. Classification of desalination processes. Single effect evaporation. Thermal vapor compression systems. Multiple effect evaporation. Multistage flash distillation, once through MSF, Brine mixing and recirculation MSF. Reverse osmosis. Desalination using renewable energy sources. Economic analysis of desalination processes

Pre-requisities: ME 315 OR CHE 300

Thermodynamics of moist air; construction of the psychrometric chart; psychrometric processes; psychrometric systems; industrial processes, air conditioning systems; Air Conditioning for comfort and health- Indoor air quality, cooling and heating load calculations, duct design and air distribution methods; cooling towers.

Pre-requisities: ME 315 OR CHE 300

Description and applications of different heat exchangers in process industries. Design of double pipe heat exchanger (including extended surfaces). Detailed design procedures for shell and tube heat exchanger for single phase flow. Detailed design procedures for air coolers. Selection criteria for heat exchangers. Descriptive discussion of condensers, evaporators and reboilers, novel heat exchangers and other types of heat exchangers.

Pre-requisities: ME 315 OR CHE 300

Application of thermodynamics, mechanical engineering design, fluid mechanics , and heat transfer in design of thermos-fluid systems. Introduction to system oriented design methods. Thermo-fluid system component analysis, selection and design. Component and system modelling, simulation, economics and optimization.

Pre-requisities: ME 315 OR CHE 300
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This interdisciplinary concentration provides the students with the required knowledge to develop technologies to ground transportation to improve safety, mobility, and efficiency. Students are exposed to topics such as traffic engineering, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Geographic information systems (GISs), Geometric Design of Highways. The concentration aims to equip students with the skills to manage and run an efficient and safe highway network.


Hosting Department: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Offered to: CE, SE

Transportation system in Saudi Arabia; Vehicle, roadway, and driver characteristics; human factors; Vehicle, roadway, and driver characteristics; traffic engineering and safety studies; highway capacity analysis; geometric design of highways and intersections; highway capacity analysis; traffic control methods and devices; intersection signalization and signal timing; fundamentals of intersection design; parking facilities; computer applications.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Fundamentals of ITS, Importance of telecommunications in the ITS, Information Management, Traffic Management Centers (TMC), Application of sensors to Traffic management, ITS User Needs and Services, Advanced Traffic Management systems (ATMS), Advanced Traveler Information systems (ATIS), Advanced Rural Transportation systems (ARTS), ITS Models and Evaluation Methods, Connected vehicles, ITS and safety, Travel demand management, Traffic, and incident management systems.

Pre-requisities: CE 445

GIS functional elements, attribute and spatial data structures, remote sensing and GIS, global GIS databases, and GIS Application Areas. Case studies of GIS adoption and Application in Saudi Arabia and abroad, GIS sustainable planning and implementation, and future of GIS technology.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing

Geometric configuration of streets, expressways, busways to meet the characteristics of vehicle performance and operator limitations, roadside and guardrail design. Intersection and interchange design; parking facilities; and software applications.

Pre-requisities: Senior Standing
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This program is multidisciplinary, aiming to equip the students with the necessary skills to understand and develop unconventional hydrocarbon resources. Advancement in technologies, including horizontal drilling and multistage hydraulic fracturing, made it possible to extract these resources with commercial quantities. The Kingdoms goal of increasing gas production depends heavily on developing these resources using the state-of-the-art technologies.

Students choosing this concentration will acquire the necessary background to identify and characterize unconventional resources using geological and petrophysical tools. They will learn the flow behavior of unconventional gas and oil resources at the nanoscale level, including gas adsorption and diffusion mechanisms. They will also be able to design recovery strategies, including fracture jobs and artificial lift methods, and assess their performance. The students should be able to evaluate the production potential, decline curves, and economic value of these resources.


Hosting Department: Petroleum Engineering
Offered to: PETE

Geological principles of unconventional petroleum systems. Principal unconventional reservoirs and their characteristics in Saudi Arabia. Sedimentology, reservoir heterogeneity, geochemistry, geomechanics, and petrophysics of unconventional petroleum systems.

A multidisciplinary knowledge about the various aspects of unconventional resources. Description of unconventional resources rock and fluid flow in nanopores and kerogen impact on adsorption/desorption. Completion types and drilling strategies. Rigless operations and frac fleet components. Artificial lift methods.

Pre-requisities: PETE 301

Productivity optimization of fracture size based on reservoir engineering understanding. Rock mechanics, fracture mechanics, and fluids mechanics. Simple 2D and P3D hydraulic fracture design including fracture length, width, and height determination and proppant scheduling. Chemistry of fracture fluids and proppant materials. Field diagnostic test such as DIFT. Introduction to acid fracturing.

Pre-requisities: PETE 471

Petrophysics of unconventional reservoirs and building geostatistical models. Reserve estimation methods, including simulation (CMG) and decline curve analysis. RTA and PTA application to unconventional resources. Introduction to AI basics and application of AI to unconventional resources through an intensive term project.

Pre-requisities: PETE 471 AND GEOL 470
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There are several contemporary issues faced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, requiring an immediate attention and solution. One such challenging issue is waste management. With a constant rapid growth in both local population and number of industries, the problem of adequate municipal wastewater, municipal solid waste, and industrial hazardous waste management and air pollution, is becoming more challenging. This concentration addresses solving the concerned waste management issues.

The core content of respective courses focuses on addressing the respective environmental issues along with engineering design for pollution control. The course on wastewater treatment offers an extensive insight into several operations and processes that can be used not only to treat wastewater, but also aim at possible water re-use applications. The other core courses also aim to protect the environment and reduce pollution.


Hosting Department: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Offered to: CE, CHE, ME, CHEM, PETE, ARE, ISE

Theory and design of several industrial hazardous waste management and treatment aspects including regulations, environmental audits, pollution prevention, risk assessment, chemical & biological process fundamentals, and industrial hazardous waste separation, handling, treatment, & disposal techniques.

Water treatment including pre-design issues, desalination, lime softening, sedimentation, filtration, membrane systems, ion exchange, adsorption, and disinfection technologies; Wastewater treatment including fundamentals of reactor design, activated sludge system, membrane bioreactor, trickling filter, and secondary clarifier; Natural wastewater treatment technologies for smaller and remote communities; Wastewater reuse including water scarcity issues, legal issues, health issues, technical issues & methodologies, areas of application, and case studies.

Problems, regulations, collection, handling, recycling and disposal issues related to municipal solid wastes; Characterization of municipal solid wastes including physical, chemical, and biological characteristics; Integrated municipal solid waste management practices including resource recovery, composting, incineration, and landfill design.

Pre-requisities: CE 330

Sources and effects of air pollution; air quality, atmospheric reactions and scavenging processes. Meteorological setting for dispersion of air pollutants. Theory of atmospheric dispersion modeling. Air pollution control concepts, selection, evaluation and application of control devices for emission and control from chemical and petrochemical industries.

Pre-requisities: CHE 304
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