FAQs

Q1: How many graduate programs are there in the EE department?

There are four types of programs offered by the EE department. They are Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Engineering (M.ENG), Professional Master (MX) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Q2: What are the specializations available in different programs of the EE department?

The Department of Electrical Engineering offers specializations in power systems, microwaves and photonics, digital systems, electronics, control systems, signal processing, and communications within its graduate programs and research activities, covering a wide range of electrical engineering disciplines to cater to diverse interests and career paths.

Q3: Is it required to take courses as a part of completing a degree?

Yes, successful completion of a specified course sequence and supervised research leads to a written M.S. thesis, M.S.T.E. thesis, or Ph.D. dissertation, which must be defended by the student.

Q4: What is the requirement for admission in MS program?

Applicants must hold a B.S. degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.

Q5: What is the requirement for admission in MS in Telecommunication Engineering?

Applicants must hold a B.S. degree in EE, COE, or equivalent.

Q6: What is the requirement for admission in PhD program?

Applicants for the Ph.D. must hold a master’s degree.

Q7: How many credit hours does it require to complete an MS degree?

A total of thirty (30) credit hours, which includes nine (9) credit hours of concentration courses and six (6) credit hours of thesis work.

Q8: What are the core courses in different specializations?

The core courses include Power System Analysis, Radiation and Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves, Design of Digital Systems, Analog Integrated Circuits Design, Linear Control Systems, Digital Signal Processing I, and Digital Communication I.

Q9: How many credit hours are there for MS Thesis?

Six (6) credit hours.

Q10: What is a degree plan?

The degree plan is a detailed plan of courses and thesis required to complete a particular degree to be approved by the department and the Deanship of Graduate Studies.

Q11: What is the deadline for students to submit their degree plans?

The degree plan has to be submitted as early as possible but not after the 8th week of the second semester of enrollment.

Q:12 Is it allowed to take 400-level courses in MS degree?

At most one 400-level course (as electives) may be allowed on approval of the advisor.

Q13: What are the requirements for completion of a Ph.D. degree?

The program requires coursework and the successful completion of a research dissertation, which is an original and significant contribution to knowledge in the discipline. A Ph.D. student is also required to pass a comprehensive examination covering his area of study, a preliminary dissertation proposal defense, a presentation and defense of the dissertation.

Q14: How many credit hours of coursework is required in the Ph.D. program?

Thirty (30) credit hours of coursework beyond the M.S. Degree.

Q15: What happens if someone fails in comprehensive exam?

In case of failure in the Comprehensive Examination for the first time, the student can take the examination a second time in the following semester.

 Q16: Is it required to take EE 599/699 (Seminars)?

Yes, students from all graduate programs are required to register for EE 599/699 (Seminars) before finishing the degree requirements.

Q17: How many credit hours are there for Ph.D. Dissertation?

Twelve (12) credit hours.

Q18: How many courses (maximum) can a Ph.D. student take from outside the department?

At most four (4) courses, at least two (2).

Q19: I am currently a regular Master of Science (MSc) student and I would like to switch to the Master of Engineering (MEG) program. Is it allowed and how? 

The switch from the regular MSc program to the MEG program is allowed only for part-time students. You can access the link at the graduate school for “Change of Degree Objectives”.

Q20: Is it possible to register a course from outside the EE department (non-EE) as one of the courses required for the area of specialization?

Every degree specifies the number of courses that can be/have to be taken from other departments. This is applied to non-cross-listed courses. For cross-listed with EE courses, it is only possible to register for the course if the equivalent EE course is not offered. The approval of the EE department is required. In this case, the course will be counted as one of the EE courses.

Q21: What is a degree plan and how and when to submit it?

Please refer to:
http://www1.kfupm.edu.sa/deanships/dgs/Pages/en/faq_degree_plan.aspx

Q22: Where can I go for help in completing my degree plan?

The department graduate coordinator.

Q23: How and when can I select a thesis advisor?

As early as possible, but if the student did not select his advisor by the end of 1st semester; for full-time students (no later than the 2nd semester for part time students), the chairman of the EE department will assign him an advisor.

Q24: How can I submit an academic petition?

For the time being, you can print the petition form found in the graduate school and get signed by the graduate coordinator, and submit it to the graduate school. Soon the process will be online. The link to the form is:
http://www1.kfupm.edu.sa/deanships/dgs/Pages/en/faq_academic_petition.aspx

Q25: Is it required to register the thesis every semester while it is under process (once started)?

 Yes. The student has to register the thesis every semester until he defends it.

Q26: What is the minimum number of credit hours for a part-time student in a semester?

Part-time students may register 3 – 9 credit hours per semester.

Q27: Can I take courses extra to the degree? 

 Yes, but it requires the advisor and department approval.

Q28: How do I register for the PhD Comprehensive Exam?

 The student should schedule for his PhD Comprehensive Exam in consultation with the department’s Graduate Committee. Usually, the students will be contacted during their 2nd semester to arrange for the exam in their 3rd semester. Also, the student must be registered for the Seminar course (XXX-699) in the same semester of taking the Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam.

Q29: What is the deadline for passing Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam?

The student has to take the exam in his 3rd semester. If he did not pass, he may be given a second chance to pass his comprehensive examination no later than the end of the second year from the student’s enrolment in the Ph.D. Program.

Q30: What are the advantages of conducting research-based courses?

The main goal of introducing research-based courses is to enhance the students' research skills and productivity. They may also contribute to paving the way for the thesis or dissertation research topic.

Q31: What are the expectations in research-based courses?

In EE 600, EE 606, and EE 701, the student has to submit the conducted research in an IEEE-format as a conference paper or journal paper (can be a letter). However, in EE 702, the student has to submit the conducted research in an IEEE-format as two conference papers or a regular journal paper. The students are encouraged to conduct applied research in the EE 600 MEG project course.   

Q32: Is it possible to register for a research-based course in the first semester of enrollment?

An MSc or MEG student cannot register for a research-based course in the first semester of enrollment; however, a PhD student may do.

Q33: Do research-based course count towards the credit hours requirements for the major or minor area in EE?

No, the research-based courses are non-letter-grade courses, they count toward the degree but are not counted for the major/minor requirements.

Q34: How to register research-based courses?

The registration requirements for research-based courses start at the semester preceding the semester at which the course will be conducted. The student has to agree on a research problem with a faculty member (typically but not necessarily his candidate thesis advisor), submit a title and abstract by the tenth week, and a proposal (using the standard template) before the last day of classes.   

During Online Admissions:

Q35: What are the deadlines for online application?

For submitting a complete online application and the deadlines, please visit the following link:
https://www1.kfupm.edu.sa/Deanships/dgs/Default.aspx

Q36: What are the mandatory documents for online application?

(1) Complete Transcripts (2) 3 Recommendation Letters from Academic Referees (3) Statement of Purpose (4) Identification (5) CV.

Q37: What is exactly meant by 'complete transcripts'?

A transcript is an official document from a university that clearly mentions the names and grades/marks/scores of the various courses /subjects taken by you during your study.
For Ph.D. – MS and BS transcripts are required.
For MS – BS transcripts are required.

Q38: How do I submit Recommendation Letters?

In the online application, you should enter the names and email addresses of 3 academic referees in the section "Recommenders Info". After you complete the section, an email will be sent to your referee inviting him/her to submit an online recommendation letter for you.

Q39: What is a statement of Purpose?

It is a one-page essay focusing on your academic and research goals.

Q40: What do you mean by Identification?

For International Applicants – PASSPORT, For Saudi Nationals – National ID card, For Residents of Saudi Arabia - Iqama (Resident Permit).

Q41: How do I apply online?

Please check our website:
www.kfupm.edu.sa/deanships/dgs/

Q42: How do I upload documents?

The upload section is the last part of the online application.

Q43: I entered the wrong email for the recommender, how do I correct it?

You may edit them yourself after logging on to your application.

Q44: I uploaded a wrong document. How do I delete it?

 You may "update" it yourself after logging on to your application. 

Q45: One of my recommenders did not receive the request to fill out the online recommendation form. What to do about this? 

Please send this request to:
gs-admissions@kfupm.edu.sa
using the same email you used to create your online application and inform about this problem with a quotation of your username.

Q46: I don't have TOEFL /GRE/GMAT. Can I apply without them? Are they mandatory?

Yes, you may submit your online application without these test scores. But we can ask for these documents at any point during your application process. Please note that for International applicants for MBA – GMAT is a must along with the online application.

Q47: When will I know the results of my application? How will you inform me about it?

The results will be announced in the last week of May. You can check it online and also you will be notified via email.

Q48: I want to know whether you have received my recommendations.

You can check yourself in the tracking system.

Q49: Can I nominate my work supervisors/ colleagues as my recommenders/ referees?

No, only academic referees should be nominated.