Construction and Building Engineering
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Doctor of Philosophy in Construction and Building Engineering


Description

Program Description

The Department of Architectural Engineering & Construction Management offers a well-established PhD program in Construction and Building Engineering that prepares well-rounded, ethical researchers with a strong foundation in technical and managerial research methods, training in innovative problem-solving approaches, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The program combines advanced coursework with rigorous research training, giving students opportunities to explore cutting-edge areas, including:

  • Digitalization, Automation, and Smart Construction
  • Sustainable Energy and the Built Environment
  • Building Systems, Performance, and Human Health
  • Construction, Project, and Engineering Management
  • Smart Facilities, Operations, and Asset Management

Drawing on international best practices, strong industry partnerships, and the Saudi Vision, the program delivers a high-quality, interdisciplinary curriculum and research experience to prepare future leaders and innovators for the construction and building sector.

Graduate outcomes
The CBE PhD program equips graduates to make significant contributions across academia, government, and industry. We aim to:

  • Develop specialized expertise in Construction and Building Engineering to advance, adapt, and apply innovative technologies for the benefit of the Kingdom and global communities.
  • Produce ethical researchers and practitioners capable of addressing complex built-environment challenges by developing and evaluating innovative, sustainable solutions across diverse domains.
  • Prepare graduates for academic careers with robust capabilities in research, discovery, and knowledge dissemination.
  • Enhance KFUPM’s research impact and contributions to the built-environment domain.
Program Admission Requirements

The PhD program is designed for students who are expected to engage in scholarly work on a full-time basis. The program consists of 42 credit hours: 30 are for coursework (beyond the MS degree), and 12 are for the dissertation. The maximum load for the PhD student is 12 graduate credit hours per semester, and all the credited courses should be taken from the 500 and 600 levels. Thus, the coursework will require one and a half years, and the dissertation will require an additional year. Normal period to complete the PhD. The program is 4 years (with a maximum of 6 years, per KFUPM regulations).

  • Students applying to the doctoral program must provide evidence of exceptional scholastic ability, intellectual creativity, and research motivation. The minimum requirements for admission to the doctoral program as a regular student with full standing in Construction and Building Engineering are:
    • Have completed a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (architectural, civil, electrical, mechanical, or similar) or other construction-related degree (construction engineering and management, quantity surveying, etc.).
    • Have preferably completed a master's degree in areas of relevance to the domain of construction and building engineering.
    • Have superior academic records with a minimum Master's cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0
    • Have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and have an acceptable score on both quantitative and verbal sections. Exceptions will be allowed based on KFUPM rules.
    • Submit a complete application package before the deadline specified in the University catalog.
    • International applicants whose primary language is not English must also achieve the minimum score requirement of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Test System) as required by the University.
    • Core courses can be substituted by equivalent elective courses for students who have received their MS degree from the AECM department at KFUPM.

KFUPM rules will be applied for transfer requirements and course equivalency.

To earn a PhD in Construction and Building Engineering, students must complete:

Total Credit Hours: 42 credit hours (Core courses: 15 CH, PhD Seminar: 0 CH, PhD Pre-Dissertation: 3 CH, PhD DIssertation: 9 CH, Electives: 9 CH)

Comprehensive Examination: To be taken after completion of core coursework, typically at the end of the second year.

Research Dissertation: Completion of an original doctoral dissertation that demonstrates independent research and makes a significant contribution to the field.

Residency: Full-time study on campus.

Duration: Normally completed in 4 years (with a maximum of 6 years, per KFUPM regulations).

Department Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Department