The Master of Science (MS) degree is awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 36 credits with a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA and satisfactory (pass) for TIE 295 and TIE 296. Individual courses require a minimum of a B- grade for course credit.
Students are responsible for planning their graduate program in consultation with their Academic Advisor. Students must meet all deadlines and be aware that most Core Courses are offered only once per academic year.
Students are expected to complete the MS degree in three Semesters and one Summer Session. Given the sequential nature of this cohort-based program, students who fail a course will face Academic Dismissal. The Graduate Student Leave Policy and Time Limit and Extensions Policy do not apply to students pursuing the MS in TIE. Students are asked to discuss circumstances that could impact their progression and duration of study with the Program Chair.
This program is designed to recruit students with interdisciplinary backgrounds, admitted through a highly selected admission process. Potential gaps in specific skills, required to succeed in the program, will be closed by a series of elective courses. Students in the TIE program will be required to take assessment tests to facilitate the development of customized study plans. This will guide the selection of suitable elective classes.
MS Course Requirements
MS students must complete the following requirements:
- Core Courses (12 credits)
- Elective Courses (12 credits)
- Summer Internship (6 credits)
- Directed Product Development (12 credits)
- Graduate Seminar (non-credit)
- Winter Enrichment Program (non-credit)
Core and Elective Courses must be technical courses and cannot be substituted with Research, Internship, or Broadening Courses to fulfill degree requirements.
Core Courses (12 credits)
Students must complete 12 credits by registering in the following core classes.
Elective Courses (12 credits)
Elective Courses allow students to tailor their educational experience to meet individual research and educational objectives with the permission of the Academic Advisor.
Group A (6 credits)
Students must complete 6 credits by registering in two classes from the following list based on their customized study plan.
Students can also choose CS 294W Applied ML for Scientists and Engineers.
Group B (6 credits)
Students must complete 6 credits by registering in two classes from the following list.
| TIE 231 | Innovation Navigation: From Idea to Impact | 3 |
| TIE 232 | Innovative Strategies for Entrepreneurial Success | 3 |
| TIE 241 | Product Design and Digital Manufacturing | 3 |
| TIE 242 | Biodesign in Digital Health: A Comprehensive Exploration | 3 |
Summer Internship (6 credits)
To be eligible for Summer Internship (TIE 295), students must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students will spend the Summer session at a partner institution (e.g., InnoX Academy Shenzhen) to develop their project ideas and will start the process of prototyping. They will engage with potential customers to work on commercially relevant products. The students will be given well-defined objectives that they will have to meet by the end of the Summer session. The students will receive an S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory) grade for their Summer Internship work.
Graduate Seminars (non-credit)
Students must register for two Graduate Seminar Courses (TIE 298) and must receive a Satisfactory (S) grade in both. Students will have the flexibility to attend seminars in CS, ECE or ME programs or specialized seminars offered by the TIE program. Students must attend a minimum of nine Graduate Seminars to receive a Satisfactory (S) grade.
Directed Product Development (12 credits)
Directed Product Development (TIE 296) represents a scientific approach to product development and innovation. This course immerses students in a systematic exploration of the entire product development lifecycle, emphasizing ideation, design, prototyping, and testing. It encourages iterative development and fosters a culture of experimentation and adaptation, applying the scientific method to expedite the creation of fit-for-use products. Throughout this process, students are expected to apply empirical research methods and techniques. This enables students adopt an iterative approach to their product development that is based on empirical evidence. By requiring students to create a business plan alongside product development, TIE 296 bridges the scientific and entrepreneurial disciplines that focuses on evidence-based decision-making in product design and commercialization. Through each prototype iteration, students engage in a systematic process of data-driven decision-making, embodying the principles of empirical research. The assessment of this course integrates empirical feedback, data-driven decision-making, and a comprehensive understanding of the scientific and engineering principles underpinning product development and innovations for the market. This course thus represents a significant integration of research principles within the domains of product development, innovation and entrepreneurship.
For TIE 296, students will spend the Fall semester at the partner institution to develop their product through a series of prototyping cycles. The aim is to have a minimally viable product by the end of the Fall semester. The students will present their work at the partner institution as well as at KAUST before the Fall Commencement Ceremony. The students will receive an Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade for TIE 296.
Winter Enrichment Program (non-credit)
All students must register for WE 100 and successfully complete one Winter Enrichment Program (WEP).