M.Sc. Thesis Application

Students pursuing the thesis option should have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA. All thesis applications require approval of the program chair. Applications for thesis are still required for programs that only offer an M.Sc. thesis. 

Students will be expected to complete their thesis by the end of the fourth semester (not including summer session). Students who require additional time to complete their thesis will be required to apply for an extension (see Time Limits and Extensions. The selected academic advisor must be a full-time program-affiliated assistant, associate or full professor at KAUST. This advisor can only become project affiliated for the specific thesis project with program chair approval.

The application for thesis should include a well-constructed thesis proposal endorsed by the academic advisor, including a time line for completion not to exceed four semesters. The program of study should be structured to allow students to change to a master’s without thesis and finish the degree by the end of the fourth semester. Thesis applications should be submitted by the last day to drop with a W to be reflected in the current academic semester.

Students who withdraw from the thesis option will be required to complete a thesis withdrawal form. Students who withdraw from the thesis option after the last day to drop will receive a W on their official record.