The degree of Master of Science in Engineering Systems and Management (M.Sc. in ESM) is awarded for successfully completing the requirements of a program of study, which includes taught courses as well as a written thesis. The thesis is an independent investigation of specialized areas within the general field of Engineering Systems and associated disciplines. The M.Sc. in ESM is an interdisciplinary program that brings together experts in engineering, design, economics, management, and policy to teach and undertake research into large-scale complex systems and contribute to the process of discovery and knowledge creation through the conduct of original research.
The mission of the Master of Science in Engineering Systems and Management Program at KUST is to create corporate and government leaders that can effectively deal with global energy and sustainability challenges that involve large scale systems. The M.Sc. in ESM graduates are trained in strategy, industrial operations, operations research, and systems thinking. As such, they will be ideally positioned to take leadership positions in the private or public sector and guide research and implementation of advanced technologies and optimize the operations and design of complex systems. Research may be undertaken in several topics corresponding to the areas of focus identified by the University.
Objectives
The Master of Science in Engineering Systems and Management program will meet its overarching goals. These goals (objectives) are the same ones that were accredited by CAA in 2010, as the ones to educate its graduates professionally and ethically to be valuable professionals in the UAE and internationally with disciplinary preparation that imparts the following:
Ability to identify and respond to complex engineering systems problems (involving technical and socioeconomic components).
Ability to apply advanced systems analysis tools in a multi-disciplinary setting in order to bound, plan, analyze, design and implement solutions to engineering systems problems, while advancing professionally and be recognized as leaders in their chosen fields.
Understanding of the complex interactions between the engineering system solutions and their implications on larger scale (regional, national, global) technological, economic, societal and environmental systems with a view on long-term sustainability.
An understanding of the value of technical and scientific scholarship, service to society, leadership and life-long learning required to further their career aspirations in support of the needs of the community.
Overall structure and requirements
The M.Sc. in Engineering Systems and Management (ESM) program consists of a minimum of 36 credit hours. The required program credits are distributed as follows: 12 credits of Program Core courses, 12 credits of elective courses, and 12 credits of ESM Master’s Thesis work. A student may organize the selection of the elective courses and the master’s thesis topic to follow a specialization track within the broad field of ESM. In such cases, the track will be noted on the student’s transcript. The table below presents a summary of the M.Sc. in ESM degree program structure and requirements. All the M.Sc. in ESM 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 M.Sc. in ESM Degree Program Structure and Requirements
Category
Credits Required
Program Core
12
Seminar in Research Methods
0
Technical Electives
12
ESM Master’s Thesis
12
Total
36