Overview

Our Postgraduate Study Program pays great attention to academic, scientific, technical and practical applications and orientations. It uses all modern technologies, analytical and research methods, and training in using scientific apparatuses. It cares for firmly establishing environmental concepts and preparing national cadres that contribute in protecting the environment and reducing the risks of contamination.

Because of its scientific methodology, the program helps in developing the chemists' ability to employ a scientific approach to arrive at right conclusions, and giving them the ability to apply scientific information in explaining phenomena, solving problems around them, and contributing to industrial development. Moreover, it permits the chemists to acquire several skills and substantial advantages, such as accuracy, credibility, scientific integrity, quickness, and subjectivity.

Objectives

• Preparing Saudi academic staff members specialized in different branches of chemistry and capable of teaching students, to make up for the deficit in national scientific specialized cadres, especially in the female section;
• developing an essential base for scientific research in chemistry and giving chances of scientific innovation, directing them to treat Saudi environmental issues; interacting with the problems existing in the field of industry, mining, desalination, etc.;
• endorsing relations between scientific research at the university on the one hand, and industry and its problems on the other hand; preparing researchers who are able to deal with environmental issues;
• preparing researchers who are able to keep pace with the social, economic and development progress, in line with industrial advancement and serving the religion of Islam;
• preparing scientific cadres in chemistry who are capable of conveying technology and accommodating it with the Saudi community, as well as having sufficient awareness to deal with modern scientific issues related to human beings and actively contribute in integrating chemistry in other branches of knowledge;
• and teaching and training researchers in chemistry on modern information and research methods, and how to interact with international scholars in their fields.

1. Master's Program (Courses and Research Project):

This program targets a large sector of national cadres that work in various industrial sectors, as studying in such a program gives chemists who desire to acquire a master's degree in chemistry a great chance to do so in two years, without too much pressure. The program contains educational courses including a research project equal to six study units. Obtaining a master's degree through this program necessitates attending 42 credited study units (hours), including 36 credited study units distributed over three semesters and six credit units for the research project in the fourth semester. The program helps in meeting the constant need in the Saudi market for qualified and trained Saudi chemists, due to the continuous investments in the kingdom.

2. Master's Program (Courses and Thesis):

The program entails educational courses and a thesis, and is one of the systems that is stated in the organizing and executive measures and rules mentioned in the Unified Regulations of Postgraduate Studies in Saudi Universities. To obtain a master's degree through courses and a thesis, it is necessary for the student to study a total of 40 credited study units (hours), including 24 credit units for educational courses over two semesters and 16 credited units for the master's thesis. The program consists of four semesters. In the first semester, the student studies 12 study units of general courses. In the second semester, the student studies 12 study units of specialized courses selected by the supervisor. The following two semesters are allocated to complete the thesis. Students do not graduate except after completing the requirements of the scientific degree, with a GPA not less than "Very Good".

3. PhD Program

The PhD degree is obtained by carrying out a thesis and some educational courses. The number of credited study units for the courses are 16 study units, divided over two semesters. The ratio of the courses does not exceed 30% from the total degree. Obtaining a PhD degree in chemistry by carrying out a thesis and attending educational courses requires fulfilling 56 credited units (hours), including 16 credited units (hours) for advanced educational courses in different branches of chemistry. The student should also prepare a PhD thesis, which is characterized by originality and creativity, under the supervision of two or more of the academic staff members at the department. The thesis represents 40 credited unit. The student studies 8 credited units of general courses in the first semester. In the second semester, the student studies 8 credited units of specialized courses defined by the supervisor, from among the specialized courses. The student will not graduate except after fulfilling the requirements of the academic degree, with a GPA not less than "Very Good". The courses offered in this program are specific to the Department of Chemistry, and are not found at any other department in Umm Al-Qura University.

For more information about study plans, please see the postgraduate study guide of the department.