Master of Science Degree Program in "Groundwater Engineering and Management" at AUST Network

Dr. Zeinelabidin Rizk, Dean of the Institute and the Program Director mentioned that the objectives of the program are to Provide an advanced graduate education to students holding Bachelor Degrees in disciplines of Agriculture, Science and Engineering, apply new technologies in groundwater engineering and management, with an emphasis upon advanced groundwater extraction technologies, raise the student awareness with existing groundwater problems and constraints in the Gulf and Arab region, contribute to improvement of current groundwater management policies in the Arab region by introducing advanced practices in groundwater extraction and management, improve qualifications and skills of UAE nationals, and others, working as technicians or professionals in groundwater related areas, train students on groundwater exploration, exploitation and monitoring direct supervision of highly qualified experts in groundwater Engineering and enhance student abilities to collect, analyze and mange data in order to peruse higher level of research.

He said that this Master of Science Degree is intended to be "an interdisciplinary program" and applicants should have Bachelor Degree in Agriculture, Science, Engineering, or equivalent disciplines from accredited university or institution with a minimum Average Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.75 (out of 4) or 3.0 (out of 4.5). The program follows the credit hours system and students are required to successfully complete 36 credit hours to attain the M.Sc. in Groundwater Engineering and Management distributed as: 15 credit hours of core courses (including Field Training), 15 credit hours of elective courses, and 6 thesis credits.

Dr. Rizk added, the program is flexible enough to meet the circumstances of the employees who are enrolled as full-time graduate students, Who can complete the degree requirements in two years (4 semesters) with an average of 12 hours per semester, including thesis writing, examination, and defense. Part-time student can accomplish his/her the degree requirements in two and half to three years (5 semesters) with an average of 9 hours per semester. In non-thesis option, the thesis research credits are replaced by two (2) additional elective courses 6 credit hours.

The Program is running and supervised by a number of distinguished staff members with extensive knowledge in geology, hydrology, remote sensing and GIS and practical experience.