Doctor of Philosophy in Water Resources

PhDDoctoralEnvironmental Science

About This Programme

A research doctorate in water resources and hydrology.

Course Highlights

  • Taught at UAEU, ranked #217 in the QS World University Rankings 2027
  • American-style credit-hour degree taught in English
  • Research doctorate with supervision across the college's research areas

What You'll Study

Taught full time, in person, on an American-style credit-hour system, primarily in English.

Coursework

24 credit hours: 3 credit hours core (seminar plus research methods) and 21 credit hours specialization requirements drawn from two course groups

  • PhD Research Seminar1 credit
  • Research Methods2 credits
  • Sustainable Water Resources Management3 credits
  • Water Resources Systems Analysis3 credits
  • Advances in Urban Water Management3 credits
  • Subsurface Hydrology3 credits
  • Aquatic Chemistry3 credits

Group 1 core courses and Group 2 electives (including further environmental, civil, chemistry, geology and bioengineering courses) together make up 21 credit hours of specialization

  • Sediment Transport3 credits
  • Water Resources Modeling3 credits
  • Hydrometeorology3 credits

Comprehensive / Qualifying Examination

Comprehensive Exam and Research Proposal (0 credit hours) taken after coursework to advance to candidacy

Dissertation Research

30 credit hours of supervised original doctoral research. Research areas (from the department's doctoral specialization courses): sustainable water resources management, water resources systems analysis, urban water management, subsurface hydrology, hydrometeorology, sediment transport, and water quality and aquatic chemistry

  • Dissertation Doctoral Research30 credits

Dissertation Defense

Dissertation Defense (0 credit hours). Minimum 54 credit hours total for the degree

Entry Requirements

Academic: A relevant master's degree from an accredited university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
English: IELTS Academic 6.5 (or 5.0 for Arabic-medium doctorates).

Full transcripts, two references and, where required, a research proposal are needed.

Careers

Graduates pursue careers in environmental consulting, sustainability, government and research, or continue to postgraduate study.

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

Licensed and accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA); UAEU also holds US institutional accreditation from WSCUC.

Programme Details

Award

Doctor of Philosophy

Start Date

August (Fall intake)

Typical Offer

A relevant master's degree from an accredited university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Duration

4 years

Qualification

Doctorate

Subject Area

Environmental Science

Campus

Al Ain

Course Type

Doctor of Philosophy

Study Pattern

Full time

Delivery Format

In person