MSc in Chemical Engineering - Khalifa University

The degree of Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (MSc in CE) is awarded for successfully completing the requirements of a program of study, which includes taught courses as well as thesis. The thesis is an independent investigation of specialized areas within the general field of chemical engineering and associated disciplines. The MSc in CE gives candidates the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in the broad field of CE and contribute to the process of discovery and knowledge creation through the conduct of original research.

Candidates for this degree are taught and supervised by experienced faculty and are expected to demonstrate initiative in their approach and innovation in their work. In addition to successfully completing the taught course component of the program, candidates prepare and present a thesis on their chosen area. Research may be undertaken in several topics corresponding to the areas of focus identified by the University.

The educational goals (objectives) of the MSc in Chemical Engineering program are to produce graduates who:

Advance professionally and be recognized as leaders in their chosen fields.
Apply their technical expertise to address the needs of society in critical, creative, ethical, and innovative manner.
Further develop their knowledge and skills through graduate education and professional schools.

A student graduating with the MSc in Chemical Engineering will be able to:

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry) and engineering.
Understand and carry out safe and economic design of chemical engineering processes and systems fulfilling environmental and societal constraints.
Design and conduct theoretical and/or experimental work, as well as analyze and interpret data.
Identify, formulate, analyze and solve chemical engineering problems by applying knowledge of chemical engineering concepts.
Use computational and process simulation tools necessary for chemical engineering practice.
Effective and professional communication in English (both oral and in writing)
Functions autonomously and takes responsibility for managing professional practices, work, processes or systems; Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of contemporary environmental and social issues in the regional and global context.
Inculcate a passion for life-long learning and self-education; Learn from experiences gained in different contexts and apply new knowledge and skills into practice; Demonstrate professional integrity and ethical responsibility.
Take responsibility and act to formulate creative solutions to complex problems

Overall Structure and Requirements

The MSc in Chemical Engineering (CE) program consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours. The required program credits are distributed as follows: 12 credits of Program Core courses, 9 credits of Program Elective courses, and 9 credits of CE Master’s Thesis work. A student may organize the selection of the elective courses relevant to the master’s thesis topic with the consent of the research supervisor. The table below presents a summary of the MSc in CE degree program structure and requirements. All the MSc in CE program courses, with the exception of the Seminar in Research Methods and the Master’s Thesis, have a credit rating of three credits each.

Summary of MSc in CE Degree Program Structure and Requirements

Category	Credits Required
Program Core	12
Program Electives	9
Seminar in Research Methods	0
CE Master’s Thesis	9
Total	30

Program Requirements

Students seeking the degree of MSc in CE must successfully complete a minimum of 30 credited hours as specified in the categories detailed in this section, with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0.

Program Core

The MSc in CE degree program core requires a minimum of 12 credits, consisting of 4 core courses, and the Seminar in Research Methods course which has zero credit rating. The courses are specified below.

I. CE Core Courses (12 credits):

It is mandatory for the students to complete the following listed courses:

– CHEG 610 Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering

– CHEG 620 Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering

– CHEG 630 Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

– CHEG 640 Transport Phenomena

II. ENGR 695 Seminar in Research Methods (0 credits)

Program Electives

Students must complete a minimum of 9 credits of electives from the list of courses below. Students can also select up to two elective courses (6 credits) from other MSc programs in the College of Engineering at KU, subject to the approval of their research advisor.

– CHEG 611 Polymer Reaction Engineering

– CHEG 621 Numerical Methods in Chemical Engineering

– CHEG 622 Process Simulation and Optimization

– CHEG 623 Systems Engineering

– CHEG 631 Process Plant Safety

– CHEG 641 Multiphase Flow

– CHEG 642 Separation Processes

– CHEG 643 Interfacial Science

– CHEG 651 Combustion and Air Pollution Control

– CHEG 652 Advanced Process Control

– CHEG 653 Sustainable Energy

– CHEG 654 Chemical Process Safety

– CHEG 655 Measurement and Instrumentation

– CHEG 656 Experimental Design

– CHEG 657 Materials Engineering and Corrosion

– CHEG 658 Polymer Properties and Processing

– CHEG 659 Biochemistry for Engineers

– CHEG 694 Selected Topics in Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering Master’s Thesis

CHEG 699 Master’s Thesis (9 credits)

A student must complete a master’s thesis that involves original creative research-oriented work within the broad field of CE, under the direct supervision of a main advisor, who must be a full-time faculty in the Chemical Engineering Department, and at least one other full-time faculty who acts as co-advisor. The research findings must be documented in a formal thesis and defended successfully in a viva voce examination. Furthermore, the research should lead to publishable quality scholarly articles.

Concentration in Food Process Engineering and Technology

The MSc in CHEG includes an optional concentration in Food Process Engineering and Technology. Therefore, in addition to the MSc in CHEG program learning outcomes, MSc in CHEG students choosing this concentration are expected to attain the following concentration specific outcomes:

Apply the knowledge of food science and engineering in the processing, preservation, and packaging of nutritious and high-quality food products while meeting food safety standards and regulations.
Demonstrate an understanding of the advanced and emerging technologies for food processing operations, quality control, and farming along with their impact on the environment.

The concentration will be noted on the student academic record (transcript) provided that the student completes the MSc in CHEG program core as well as:

A minimum of 9 credits from the group of courses designated by the concentration.
A master’s research thesis within the domain of the concentration.

List of courses for Food Process Engineering and Technology Concentration:

CHEG 660 Food Engineering and Science
CHEG 661 Food Preservation and Packaging
CHEG 662 Food Safety and Legislation
CHEG 663 Food Systems Engineering
CHEG 664 Enzymes in Food Engineering
CHEG 665 Farming Technologies for Arid Climate

Concentration in Metallurgical Engineering

The MSc in CHEG includes an optional concentration in Metallurgical Engineering. Therefore, in addition to the MSc in CHEG program learning outcomes, MSc in CHEG students choosing this concentration are expected to attain the following concentration specific outcomes:

Assess the application of the principles involved in mineral processing and chemical extraction of metals.
Assess the application of the principles that support microstructure, properties, behavior of metals and alloys to design and produce advanced metals and alloys.
Demonstrate an ability to describe and apply international best practice standards in minerals engineering, metallurgical methods and technologies.

The concentration will be noted on the student academic record (transcript) provided that the student completes the MSc in CHEG program core as well as:

A minimum of 9 credits from the group of courses designated by the concentration.
A master’s research thesis within the domain of the concentration.

List of courses for Metallurgical Engineering Concentration:

CHEG/MSEN 670 Advanced Chemical Metallurgy
CHEG/MSEN 671 Advanced Physical Metallurgy
CHEG/MSEN 672 Materials Characterization
CHEG/MSEN 673 Phase Transformations in Metals
CHEG/MSEN 657 Materials Engineering and Corrosion

Students must consult with their respective advisors on the courses that they will enroll in, the required pre-requisites, and the thesis topic selection. Full-time graduate students must register for 9 to 12 credits, including thesis credits, during a regular semester (Fall and Spring) and a maximum of 6 credits during a Summer term. In the case of part-time students, the credit load is normally 6 credits during a regular semester as well as the summer term.

Students can only register for thesis credits after successfully completing a minimum of 9 credits of the core courses of the master’s program they are enrolled in. It is to be noted that the minimum pass grade for graduate courses is a “C” letter grade. Students should consult the Graduate Catalog to learn about the graduate programs, the grading system, graduation requirements, and other pertinent matters.