Oil and gas programs can help students learn about how fossil fuels are located, extracted, processed, and refined, preparing them to work within the field of energy production. Subjects covered might include everything from geology to chemical engineering.

The Middle East boasts a uniquely diverse population filled with a myriad of political, cultural and religious identities. In this setting, students have the opportunity to learn first hand about historic cultures and empires based in the region.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.