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MSc / PhD (RESEARCH MODE)

Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemical Engineering

Introduction

School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia is among the most active and productive schools in this university when come to postgraduate research. Researchers from this school have received numerous awards and recognitions from national and international bodies. The School has several programmes that provide postgraduate research opportunities in topics across the broad spectrum of chemical engineering. It has regularly attracted research students from academia, industries, research institutions and governmental departments either locally or abroad. The School offers master and doctorate programmes (by research) that lead to Master of Science (MSc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemical Engineering, respectively. The programmes are run by highly qualified and experienced academicians who have high level of technical expertise in their respective fields. The postgraduate studies could either be in full-time or part-time basis. In generally, the studies will involve literature review, proposal presentation, planning and conducting of experimental works, modelling and simulation works, preparation and submission of research articles and finally thesis submission for examination. Throughout the study, a postgraduate student will be closely guided by a main supervisor and assisted by co-supervisor.


Objective

The main objective of the programmes is to train graduates in chemical engineering and related disciplines on research skills pertinent to important niche areas in chemical engineering. With the state-of-the–art skills and experience acquired during the study, the graduates should be able to adapt and excel in their carrier after graduation in view of the ever changing demand and technological revolution in chemical engineering disciplines either in industries, research institutions, consultation firms, governmental bodies etc.


Research Areas

The School has state-of-the-art facilities to support research works in the following areas:

  • Nanotechnology: Carbon Nanotube, Nanocarbon Composite, Activated Carbon, Carbon Molecular Sieve, Magnetic Nanoparticle
  • Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering: Chemical Reaction Engineering, Zeolite and Environmental Catalysis, Nanoporous Materials, Membrane Reactors, Fuel Technology, Renewable Energy, Electrochemical Reaction etc.
  • Biochemical/Bioprocessing: Enzyme Technology (Biocatalyst), Fermentation Technology and Modeling, algae, Tissue Culture, Biotransformation, Biological Products Recovery, Bioreactor Design and Analysis and Biofuel Production, Phythochemistry, Biosensor, Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine
  • Separation Processes: Membrane Technology, Adsorption, Filtration, Ion-exchange, Diffusion and Mass Transfer, Solvent Extraction (including molten salts and supercritical fluids), Electrophoresis, Electrodialysis, Reactive Distillation, Pervaporation, Zeolite Membrane for Gas Separation, Electrocogoagulation
  • Treatment of Solid, Gas, Wastewater and Toxic Materials: Membrane Technology, Solidification/stabilization, Biosorption, Adsorption, Combustion, Pyrolysis, Nutrient Removal and Recovery, Bioremediation, NOx Removal from diesel exhaust, VOC Removal using Catalytic Combustion and SOx removal from Flue Gas using adsorbent from waste materials
  • Advanced Process Control: Process Modelling, Simulation and Optimization, Process Intensification, Fuzzy Logic and Neural Networks
  • Plant Safety and Hazard Analysis: Process Safety and Integration, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Gas sensor
  • Petroleum and Gas Processing: Natural gas utilization in the production of chemicals, Ethylene production from Methane, Hydro-cracking of residual oil, Gas to Liquid Technology (GTL), Gas Purification
  • Petroleum and Gas Processing: Composting, Renewable Energy, Green Technology and Organic Acid Production

(Further information on expertise of potential supervisor is available from : http://chemical.eng.usm.my)

Admission Requirements

Applicants should possess the following:

For MSc

I. Bachelor degree

A) CGPA of at least 2.75/4.00; or

B) CGPA of 2.50 - 2.74/4.00 with; or
  • Research experience – 1 year; or
  • Professional experience in related field- 1 year; or
  • One(1) academic publication in related field; or
  • Grade B for major/ elective courses; or
  • Grade B+ for final year project.
C) CGPA of 2.00 - 2.49/4.00 (Honours degree) with; or
  • Research experience - 5 years; or
  • Professional experience in related field - 5 years, AND
  • One (1) academic publications in related field; or
  • Grade B for major/elective courses; or
  • Grade B+ for final year project.
II. APEL A Certificate (APEL T-7)

http://www2.mqa.gov.my/APEL/

For non-CGPA qualifications, please refer to IPS for confirmation.


For PhD

I. Master degree (Coursework or Mixed Mode)

A) CGPA of at least 3.00 / 4.00; or

B) CGPA of 2.50 - 2.99 with; or
  • Research experience – 2 years; or
  • Professional experience in related field – 2 years; or
  • Two (2) academic publications in the field; or
  • Grade B+ for major/elective courses; or
  • Grade B+ for Coursework Mode or P for Mixed Mode dissertation/project; 
II. Master degree (Research Mode)

For non-CGPA qualifications, please refer to IPS for confirmation.


Language Requirement (Applicable to international applicants only)

  • Applicants should possess the following:
  • MUET minimum 3.5; or
  • IELTS minimum 5.0; or
  • TOEFL iBT minimum 40; or
  • TOEFL Essentials (online) minimum 7.5; or
  • PTE Academic minimum 47; or
  • Cambridge English: B1/B2/C1/C2/Linguaskill Online minimum 154; or
  • English is the candidate's mother tongue or National Language; or
  • The candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and Master level is English; or
  • English courses offered by British Council (The level of qualification and the relevant courses are to be identified by the University Postgraduate Studies Council ); or
  • English courses from selected Malaysian public/private University or institution (The level of qualification and the relevant courses are to be identified by the University Postgraduate Studies Council)

Duration of Study

For MSc
  • Full-time: Min 2 semesters / Max 6 semesters
  • Part-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 12 semesters

 

For PhD
  • Full-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 10 semesters
  • Part-time: Min 6 semesters / Max 15 semesters

Fees

Please refer to the Institute of Postgraduate Studies website for more information on the fees structures. (http://www.ips.usm.my)

Enquiries

For further information on the postgraduate studies at School of Chemical Engineering, please contact;

Deputy Dean (Research),
School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
Engineering Campus, Seri Ampangan, 14300 Nibong Tebal,
Pulau Pinang, MALAYSIA
Tel : +604-599 6409/6459
Fax : +604-599 6908

E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.