MSc Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

American University of Sharjah

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (MSChE) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) prepares you to become a highly skilled chemical engineering professional with strong analytical, research, and practical skills. Designed for graduates of chemical engineering and closely related disciplines, the programme strengthens your knowledge in areas like transport phenomena, thermodynamics, kinetics and reactor design, giving you the tools to excel in technical careers or pursue doctoral study.

📘 Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Advanced Engineering Fundamentals

In your first year, you’ll build a robust foundation in the core technical aspects of chemical engineering that define the field’s practice and research demands. Courses focus on transport phenomena to deepen your understanding of momentum, heat and mass transfer; advanced chemical thermodynamics to explore energy transformations and equilibria; and kinetics and reactor design, where you’ll analyse, model, and optimise chemical reactions and processes. Together these units develop your analytical thinking and prepare you for independent technical work later in the programme.

Year 2 – Specialisation & Research or Project

In the second year, you tailor your degree through either a thesis, a professional project, or continued coursework, depending on the path you choose. The Thesis Option immerses you in research with faculty mentorship on a topic of current relevance, advancing your skills in experimental design and scientific communication. If you opt for the Professional Project or Course-Only Option, you’ll extend your expertise with advanced coursework or project work that applies technical knowledge to practical engineering challenges.

🎯 Focus Areas (in a string):

Transport Phenomena, Advanced Thermodynamics, Kinetics & Reactor Design, Engineering Mathematics, Computational Methods, Materials Science Laboratory, Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory, Corrosion Laboratory, Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory.

📈 Learning Outcomes (in a string):

Conduct independent research using modern tools; apply mathematical and engineering knowledge to identify and solve complex chemical engineering problems; select and use techniques and skills essential to professional practice; communicate effectively; demonstrate lifelong learning and ethical responsibility.

🧑‍⚖️ Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

This programme is offered by the College of Engineering’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at AUS — a university accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education — ensuring your degree meets recognised academic quality standards and is respected by employers and institutions worldwide.

🏆 Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

AUS is widely recognised in the UAE and region for high academic standards and strong industry links. Graduates from the MSChE programme benefit from AUS’s reputation for rigorous engineering training and research readiness, giving them a competitive edge in employment and further study. While specific programme rankings are not published, AUS’s inclusion in global rankings and positive employer perceptions strengthen graduate opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MSc in Chemical Engineering at AUS is built around hands-on engineering practice, advanced laboratories, and applied research, ensuring you graduate with skills that translate directly to industry and doctoral-level research. From day one, you’ll engage with real engineering systems, modern instrumentation, and faculty-supervised projects within one of the UAE’s most respected engineering campuses—combining theory with experimentation, modelling, and professional problem-solving:

Here’s how experiential learning is embedded throughout the programme:

Specialised Chemical Engineering Laboratories: You’ll work extensively in AUS’s Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory, Materials Science Laboratory, Corrosion Laboratory, and Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory, gaining practical experience aligned with graduate-level coursework and research.
Thesis or Professional Project Options: Depending on your chosen pathway, you’ll complete either a research thesis or a supervised engineering project, allowing you to tackle real chemical engineering problems under close faculty mentorship.
Advanced Computational & Modelling Tools: Graduate courses and projects integrate engineering mathematics, process modelling, and computational methods, supporting data-driven design and optimisation work.
Team-Based Projects & Problem-Solving: Many courses emphasise collaborative project work, mirroring how chemical engineers operate in industrial and R&D environments.
Research-Active Faculty Environment: You’ll benefit from close interaction with research-active faculty in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, often contributing to ongoing research themes relevant to energy, materials, and process engineering.
Library & Digital Resources: AUS’s University Library and electronic databases provide access to high-impact journals, technical standards, and engineering reference tools essential for coursework, projects, and thesis development.
Industry Exposure & Graduate Assistantships: Eligible students may access graduate assistantships, research support roles, and industry-linked projects, enhancing both practical experience and employability.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSChE at AUS move confidently into advanced technical and leadership roles thanks to the programme’s strong grounding in core chemical engineering, research options, and applied project work. Alumni commonly progress into positions such as Process Engineer, Chemical Engineer, R&D Engineer/Scientist, or Quality & Operations Engineer across energy, chemicals, materials, manufacturing, and consulting—while others leverage the thesis route to transition smoothly into doctoral study.

Here’s how AUS supports your progression and outcomes:

Career Development & Employer Engagement: AUS provides structured career coaching, CV/interview preparation, employer events, and alumni networking, helping you connect with regional and international employers.
Applied Capstone Value: Whether you choose the Thesis or Professional Project, you graduate with a tangible body of work that demonstrates problem-solving, modelling, experimentation, and professional communication—highly valued by employers.
Industry-Ready Skillset: Advanced training in transport phenomena, thermodynamics, kinetics/reactor design, and computational methods aligns directly with industry needs in process optimisation, safety, and scale-up.
Institutional Reputation: AUS is widely recognised for rigorous engineering education and strong employer perception in the UAE, strengthening the market value of your qualification.
Accreditation Confidence: The degree is delivered within a university accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education, ensuring long-term recognition for professional and academic pathways.

📚 Further Academic Progression:

Graduates aiming for research and academia can advance to PhD programmes in Chemical Engineering or related fields at leading universities worldwide. The Thesis Option is particularly well-suited to this route, building research design, publication, and presentation skills; alternatively, the Project or Course-Only options support progression into specialised certifications or executive technical training alongside professional practice.