Chairperson
| Lakkis, Issam |
| Professors | Asmar, Daniel; Ghaddar, Nesreen; Lakkis, Issam; Moukalled, Fadl; Shihadeh, Alan |
| Professor Emeritus | Sakkal, Fateh |
| Associate Professors | Harb, Mohammad; Mustapha, Samir; Oweis, Ghanem |
| Assistant Professors | Abou Jaoude, Dany; Bakarji, Joseph; Honein, Theresa; Hussein, Hussein; Kaddouh, Bilal |
| Assistant Research Professor | Talih, Soha |
| Instructors | Al Saidi, Abed Alkader; Balhas, Zainab; Fayad, Rami; Kassis, Lina; Kfoury, Elie
|
General Information
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers three graduate master’s programs which include the degree of master of engineering with a major in mechanical engineering (thesis/non-thesis), the degree of master of mechanical engineering with a major in applied energy (thesis/non-thesis), the degree of master of science in energy studies (thesis/non-thesis), in addition to the degree of doctor of philosophy (PhD) in mechanical engineering.
In addition, an online graduate diploma in building energy systems is offered in the Department of Mechanical Engineering for professionals who seek to enhance their knowledge and experience in the field.
Master of Engineering (ME)
The department offers the following programs, all leading to the master of engineering in mechanical engineering degree:
- Master of Engineering, major Mechanical Engineering (Thesis)
- Master of Engineering, major Mechanical Engineering (Non-Thesis)
- Master of Mechanical Engineering in Applied Energy (Thesis)
- Master of Mechanical Engineering in Applied Energy (Non-Thesis)
Graduate Diplomas
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers the following program:
- Online Graduate Diploma in Building Energy Systems
Requirements
Students applying for admission to a graduate program are only eligible if they have a bachelor of engineering degree with a mechanical engineering major or the equivalent. Students must also satisfy the requirements of the university and the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture for admission to graduate study, as specified in the relevant sections of the university catalogue.
Master of Engineering (ME), Major: Mechanical Engineering
ME Thesis Program Requirements
In this program, students may choose a concentration in any of the following areas:
- Thermal and Fluid Sciences
- Design, Materials and Manufacturing
- Mechatronics
Students are encouraged to select a concentration area of personal interest. The master’s degree requires a minimum of 21 credit hours of coursework and a thesis equivalent to 9 credits. Twenty to twenty-four months of research are usually required to complete the master’s degree. The students and the graduate adviser, in coordination with the thesis committee, develop a plan of study tailored to the students’ specific interest and background. It is advisable that this plan be developed no later than the first month of the second term of graduate work.
The required 21 course credit hours and the 9 credits for thesis are distributed as follows:
- A mandatory 3-credit course in applied mathematics
Acceptable courses include, but are not limited to, the following:
| CMPS 354 | The Finite Element Method |
| CMPS 350 | Discrete Models for Differential Equations |
| CMPS 373 | Parallel Computing |
| ENMG 604 | Deterministic Optimization Models |
| MATH 307 | Topics in Analysis |
| MECH 630 | Finite Element Methods in Mechanical Engineering
|
| MECH 648 | Non-linear Systems: Analysis, Stability and Control |
| MECH 663 | Computational Fluid Dynamics |
| MECH 691/EECE 648/ENMG 628 | Convex Optimization |
| MECH 764 | Advanced Topics in Computational Fluid Dynamics
|
The math or math-oriented course offered by other departments must be approved by the graduate students’ adviser.
- Three engineering technical courses (9 credit hours) in the concentration area and at least one from the list of fundamental courses in the area.
- Three engineering elective courses (9 credit hours) with a maximum of two courses in other departments within the MSFEA, also subject to the approval of the graduate students’ adviser.
- Seminar Course: MECH 797 (0 credit hours). This is a pass/fail course based on attendance and is offered at least once per year. Students must register for the course each time it is offered.
- Thesis: MECH 799 (equivalent to 9 credit hours) should be completed based on independent research.
ME Non-Thesis Program Requirements
The course-based master’s program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of graduate level courses:
- A minimum of one 3-credit course in applied mathematics. Acceptable courses are listed on the previous page.
- Three engineering technical courses (9 credit hours) in the concentration area and at least one from the list of fundamental courses in the area.
- Seven engineering electives courses (21 credit hours) within ME with the option of having a maximum of two courses in other departments within the MSFEA, also subject to the approval of the graduate students’ adviser.
- Seminar Course: MECH 797 (0 credit hours). This is a pass/fail course based on attendance and is offered at least once per year. Students must register for the course every time it is offered.
- Qualification examination: comprehensive exam (MECH 799T) should be done upon the completion of the coursework in all major and minor areas.
List of Mechanical Engineering courses for the thesis and non-thesis option is shown below:
Thermal and Fluid Sciences
Fundamental Courses: MECH 701 (Principles of Combustion), MECH 760 (Advanced Fluid Mechanics), MECH 761 (Convection Heat Transfer), MECH 762 (Advanced Thermodynamics), MECH 707 (Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics), MECH 764 (Advanced Topics in Computational Fluid Dynamics), MECH 763 (Radiative Heat Transfer), MECH 766 (Turbulent Flow and Transport), MECH 767 (Heat Conduction)
Technical Electives: MECH 602 (Energy Conservation and Utilization), MECH 603 (Solar Energy), MECH 604 (Refrigeration), MECH 606 (Aerosol Dynamics), MECH 607 (Micro Flows Fundamentals and Applications), MECH 609 (Experimental Methods in Fluid Dynamics), MECH 663 (Computational Fluid Dynamics), MECH 665 (Unsteady Gas Flow), MECH 702 (Pollutant Formation and Control in Combustion), MECH 703 (Combustion Modeling), MECH 600 (Applied Reservoir Engineering I), MECH 608 (Applied Reservoir Engineering II), MECH 653 (System Analysis and Design), MECH 670 (Laboratory for Renewable Energy in Buildings), MECH 671 (Renewable Energy Potential, Technology and Utilization in Buildings), MECH 672 (Modeling Energy Systems), MECH 673 (Energy Efficient Buildings with Good Indoor Air Quality), MECH 674 (Energy Economics and Policy), MECH 675 (Building Energy Management Systems), MECH 676 (Passive Building Design), MECH 678 (Solar Electricity), MECH 679 (Energy Audit Lab), MECH 705 (Bioheat Modeling and Human Thermal Environments), MECH 751 (Simulation of Multiphase Flows), MECH 765 (Advanced Finite Volume Techniques), MECH 768 (Transport Through Porous Media), MECH 769 (Advanced Scientific Computing), MECH 770 (HVAC and Refrigeration Systems Lab), MECH 771 (HVAC System Control Strategies and Energy Efficiency), MECH 772 (Moisture and Control of Humidity Inside Buildings), MECH 773 (Numerical Methods in Energy Technology), MECH 778 (Special Projects on Renewable Energy Systems Design).
Design, Materials and Manufacturing:
Fundamental Courses: MECH 624 (Mechanics of Composite Materials), MECH 720 (Advanced Machine Design), MECH 721 (Elasticity and Plasticity), MECH 630 (Finite Element Methods in Mechanical Engineering)
Technical Electives: MECH611 (Computational Modeling in Biomechanics), MECH 615 (Continuum Mechanics), MECH 619 (Quality Control in Manufacturing Systems), MECH 622 (Advanced Manufacturing Processes), MECH 631 (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems), MECH 632 (Structural Health Monitoring), MECH 633 (Biomechanics), MECH 634 (Biomaterials and Medical Devices), MECH 637 (Micromechanics and Crystal Plasticity), MECH 736 (Modeling Solidification Processes)
Mechatronics:
Fundamental Courses: MECH 643 (Mechatronics and Intelligent Machines Engineering), MECH 740 (Advanced Dynamics), MECH 641 (Robotics), MECH 642 (Computer Vision), MECH 648 (Nonlinear Systems: Analysis, Stability and Control), MECH 650 (Autonomous Mobile Robotics), MECH 653 (Systems Analysis and Control)
Technical Electives: MECH 628 (Design of Mechanisms), MECH 644 (Modal Analysis), MECH 645 (Noise and Vibration Control), MECH 646 (Wheeled Mobile Robotics), MECH 647 (Hydraulic Servo Systems), MECH 654 (Adaptive Control), MECH 655 (Optimal Control), MECH 656 (System Identification), MECH 657 (Vehicle Dynamics and Control), MECH 691/EECE 648/ENMG 628 (Convex Optimization).
Master of Mechanical Engineering (ME), Major: Applied Energy (APPE)
The objectives of the master’s program leading to the master of mechanical engineering: applied energy degree are for its graduates to be able to:
- design and manage efficient energy systems for buildings with high-quality indoor environments.
- integrate renewable energy technologies with conventional energy systems to improve sustainability of energy supply systems.
- understand the economic, policy and regulatory frameworks within which decisions on sustainable energy utilization practices are made.
- and assess and evaluate the impact of new technical developments in energy systems on society, the environment, and the economy.
APPE Thesis Program Requirements
Program Structure
The master’s degree with the thesis option will normally require between 20 and 24 months for completion.
The program consists of 30 credits distributed as follows:
- 9 credits of mandatory courses
- 3 credits of lab
- 6 credits of elective courses selected with the approval of the graduate students’ adviser in any of the following areas: sustainable energy production from renewable sources, hybrid systems, and sustainable energy utilization practices in the context of buildings.
- A 3-credit general graduate technical elective from science, math, or engineering as approved by thesis adviser.
- Seminar Course: MECH 797 (0 credit hours). This is a pass/fail course based on attendance and is offered at least once per year. Students must register for it each time it is offered.
- Thesis: MECH 788 (equivalent to 9 credit hours). The thesis must be based on independent research.
APPE Non-Thesis Program Requirements
The course-based master’s program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of graduate level courses distributed as follows:
- 9 credits of mandatory courses.
- 3 credits of lab.
- 15 credits of elective courses selected with the approval of the graduate students’ adviser in any of the areas described above.
- 6 credits of general graduate technical electives from science, math, or engineering as approved by thesis adviser.
- Seminar Course: MECH 797 (0 credit hours). This is a pass/fail course based on attendance and is offered at least once per year. Students must register for it each time it is offered.
- Qualification examination: Comprehensive Exam (MECH 799T) should be done upon the completion of the coursework in all major and minor areas.
List of APPE courses for the thesis and non-thesis option is shown below
Mandatory Courses, 3 credits each:
| MECH 671 | Renewable Energy Potential, Technology and Utilization in Buildings |
| MECH 672 | Energy Systems Modeling |
| MECH 673 | Energy Efficient Buildings with Good Indoor Environment |
| MECH 674 | Energy Economics and Policy
|
Lab Courses, 3 credits each:
| MECH 670 | Renewable Energy Lab |
| MECH 679 | Energy Audit Lab |
| MECH 680 | HVAC and Refrigeration Systems Lab
|
Technical Electives, 3 credits each:
| MECH 603 | Solar Energy |
| MECH 670 | Renewable Energy Lab |
| MECH 676 | Passive Building Design |
| MECH 677 | Heat Pumps |
| MECH 678 | Solar Electricity |
| MECH 679 | Energy Audit Lab |
| MECH 680 | HVAC and Refrigeration Systems Lab |
| MECH 681 | Green Building Basics and LEED Practices |
| MECH 683 | Wind Turbines |
| MECH 771 | HVAC Systems Control Strategies and Energy Efficiency
|
| MECH 772 | Moisture and Control of Humidity Inside Buildings |
| MECH 778 | Special Project in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
|
Any course from the thermal and fluid sciences concentration in the master of mechanical engineering program can be selected.
Master of Science Degree Program in Energy Studies
Professors
| Ghaddar, Nesreen (MECH); Karaki, Sami (EECE) |
| Lecturers | El-Meouchi, Chadia; Habchi, Carine; Kinab, Elias; Rached, Mounir
|
Educational Goals and Program Learning Outcomes
The master of science in energy studies program is planned to consolidate and build on AUB’s excellent research and professional profile addressing current and future energy research needs of the region in areas such as energy science and technology, economics, public policy, and energy management. The program’s educational goals are:
- to promote an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and evaluating various modes of energy supply and end-use efficiency of energy systems within the context of sustainability and development in the region.
- to develop effective collaboration skills among students from different disciplines including energy science and technology, economics and public policy.
- Upon successful completion of this interdisciplinary course of study, students will:
- evaluate different sources of energy related to energy extraction, conversion, and utilization for both traditional systems and sustainable/renewable energy alternatives.
- apply methods of economic analysis, risk and decision analysis, environmental impact assessment and policy techniques for performing energy planning and reaching, and decision-making while addressing sustainability in supply and demand.
- understand advances in selected energy technologies, products and energy end-use efficiency and their impact on market economy and development activities.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements to the program will follow AUB Graduate Studies Policies. Bachelor degree holders from relevant fields of study are eligible to apply for admission into the energy studies master’s program. Remedial courses may be needed for students as would be recommended by the program.
Applicants to any graduate program other than AUB graduates and graduates of recognized colleges or universities in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. See Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) under The Office of Admissions section.
Credit Waiver Policy
The energy studies program may recommend a waiving of up to 6 credits of graduate coursework for students who have completed a bachelor of engineering degree (BE) and are applying for admissions to a master of energy studies program (MS-ENST). This is subject to approval by the adviser, the chairperson and the MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee. In addition, the total number of transferable credits from BE to MS-ENST should not exceed 9 credits when students have taken credit overload during their undergraduate BE studies. To apply, the students must have completed graduate electives that meet the program requirements with a score of at least 3.3.
Degree Requirements
MS-ENST Thesis Program Requirements
The program permits full-time or part-time enrollments. To obtain a master’s degree in energy studies (thesis program), students must complete a minimum of 24 credits of graduate coursework, 6 credits of interdisciplinary thesis work on energy-related fields and a 0-credit seminar. The course work is distributed as follows:
Credit Summary
|
Course |
Credits |
| Required core courses | 9 cr.
|
| Elective courses from List A | 3 or 6 cr.
|
| Elective courses from List B | 6 or 9 cr.
|
| Elective graduate course | 3 cr.
|
| Thesis | 6 cr.
|
| Seminar | 0 cr. |
|
Total number of credits required for graduation |
30 cr. |
MS-ENST Non-Thesis Program Requirements
To obtain a master’s degree in energy studies (non-thesis program), students must complete a minimum of 30 credits of graduate coursework and a 0-credit seminar. The coursework is distributed as follows:
- 9 credits of required core courses
- 6 or 9 credits of elective courses from List A on energy resources, economics, and policy
- 9 or 12 credits of elective courses from List B on energy science and technology
- 3 credits of elective course as approved by thesis adviser/s if the elective is not from List A or B
- 0-credit seminar
Credit Summary
|
Course |
Credits |
| Required Core Courses | 9
|
| Elective courses from List A | 6 or 9
|
| Elective courses from List B | 9 or 12 |
| Elective graduate course | 3
|
| Seminar | 0
|
|
Total number of credits required for graduation |
30 |
Required Core Courses
|
Credits |
ENST 305/
ECON 333/
MECH 674 | Energy Economics and Policy
| 3
|
| ENST320 | Energy Law and Case Studies | 3
|
| ENST 300 | The Science and Technology of Energy (FAS/MSFEA) | 3
|
|
List A |
Energy Resources, Economics, and Policy Courses |
Credits |
| ENMG 645 | Program and Portfolio Management | 3
|
| DCSN 330 | Project Management | 3
|
| ENMG 661 | Strategic Management | 3
|
| ENMG 698 | Special Topics in Engineering Management | 3
|
| ENST 310 | Advanced Energy Economics | 3
|
ECON 337
| Economic Development (with focus on energy and development) | 3
|
| ECON 338 | Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment | 3
|
| ECON 305 | Econometrics I | 3
|
| ECON 347 | Economics Forecasting | 3
|
| MFIN 360 | Energy Finance | 3
|
| ENMG 601 | Management Theory | 3
|
| ENMG 603 | Probability and Decision Analysis | 3
|
| ENMG 604 | Deterministic Optimization Models | 3
|
| ENMG 611 | Supply Chain Management | 3
|
| ENMG 632 | Project Planning Scheduling and Control | 3
|
| ENMG 656 | Management of Technological Innovations | 3
|
| ENMG 698L | ST: Operations & Process Management | 3
|
| PPIA 310G | Economic crisis in Lebanon | 3
|
| PSPA 316 | International Environmental Policy | 3
|
| PSPA 362 | Policy Research and Analysis | 3
|
| PSPA 381 | Special Topics in Energy and Public Policy | 3
|
| ENST 396 | Topics in Energy Issues: The Case of Lebanon | 3
|
ENST 396C
| Special Topics in Energy Issues: Energy Strategies for Developing Countries | 3
|
| ENST 398 | Special Projects in Energy Studies in Cooperation with Industry and/or NGO and Legislative Bodies | 3
|
| MFIN 356 | Financial Markets in ME Region | 3
|
|
List B |
Energy Science and Technology Courses |
Credits |
| ENHL 314 | Environmental Management Systems | 3
|
| CHEM 324E | Electrochemistry | 3
|
| CHEM 331 | Chemical Instrumentation for Environmental Analysis | 3
|
| CHEM 352C | Renewable Energy | 3
|
CHEN 619
|
Sustainability Science: Human and Environmental Interaction
|
3
|
| CHEN 690 | Reservoir Engineering | 3
|
| CHEN 798A | Waste Minimization in the Process Industry | 3
|
| CIVE 628 | Sustainable Building Design and Construction | 3
|
| CIVE 656 | Air Pollution Control I | 3
|
| CIVE 659 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3
|
| CIVE 601 | GIS and Geospatial Data Modeling | 3
|
| CIVE 686 | Enviro Responsive Buildings | 3
|
| CIVE 691A | Scales of Sustainability | 3
|
| ENMG 602 | Introduction to Financial Engineering | 3
|
| ENMG 622 | Simulation Modeling and Analysis | 3
|
| ENMG 633 | Advanced Topics in Project Management | 3
|
| ENMG 655 | Management of Technology | 3
|
| ENMG 698 | Special Topics in Engineering Management | 3
|
| ENST 330 | Energy Science and Technology Lab | 3
|
| ENST 396B | Biofuels Between Food and Energy Security | 3
|
| ENST 396D | Energy Resources & Renewable Technologies: Regional Analysis | 3
|
| EECE 670 | Power System Planning | 3
|
| EECE 671 | Environmental Aspects of Energy Systems | 3
|
| EECE 672 | Energy Planning and Policy | 3
|
| EECE 675 | PV and Wind Electric Energy Systems | 3
|
ENST 398
| Special Projects in Energy Studies in Cooperation with Industry and/or NGO and Legislative Bodies | 3
|
| GEOL 300 | Elements of Petroleum Geology | 3
|
| MECH 600 | Applied Reservoir Engineering I | 3
|
MECH 671
| Renewable Energy Potential, Technology and Utilization in Buildings | 3
|
| MECH 673 | Energy Efficient Buildings with Good Air Quality | 3
|
MECH 682
| Principle of Integrative Building Design, Construction and Operation for Sustainability | 3
|
| PHYS 340 | Atmospheric Physics and Energy | 3
|
Comprehensive Exam
See General University Academic Information section in this catalogue.
Prerequisite Courses
Students who join the program may have to complete prerequisites for courses offered in the program or obtain the consent of the course instructor and program chair. The core courses are designed to include remedial preparation in social science. This will enable the waiver of social science prerequisites for students who join from sciences, math, business, or engineering majors. BA holders from the economics major may not need remedial courses beyond the core energy science course. Students from other social science majors or arts may be required to take one or more remedial courses over and above program requirements as would be recommended by the chair of the program upon admissions. Suggested remedial courses for BA holders are PHYS 210, MATH 201 or Math 204, and STAT 201 or their equivalents. These remedial courses are part of the general education requirements of most universities. The prerequisites by topic include:
- Preliminary concepts of fluid dynamics, heat, and first and second law of thermodynamics
- Methods of differentiation and integration
- Partial derivatives and multivariable functions
- Vector functions
- Probability and elementary statistics
The minimum passing grade for a prerequisite course taken after admission to the graduate program is C+. If students fail to obtain a grade of C+ in any of the undergraduate prerequisites, they are allowed to repeat the course only once.
Sample Program
The sample program schedule is given in the following table:
Fall (Term I)
| Spring (Term II)
|
| Course Title | Cr. | Course Title | Cr.
|
| Core Course I | 3
| Core Course II | 3
|
| List A Elective | 3
| List B Elective | 3
|
| List B Elective | 3
| Graduate Elective | 3 |
| Seminar | 0
| | |
| Total Credits | 9 | Total Credits | 9 |
Fall (Term III)
| Spring (Term IV)
|
| Course Title | Cr. | Course Title | Cr. |
| Core Course III | 3
| Thesis | 6
|
| List A or B Elective | 3
| Seminar | 0
|
| Seminar | 0
| |
|
| Total Credits | 6 | Total Credits | 6 |
Graduation Requirements
See General University Academic Information section in this catalogue.
Dual Master’s Degrees – Master of Engineering in Engineering Management and Master of Science in Energy Studies (thesis option only)
The dual master’s degrees - master of engineering in engineering management and master of science in energy studies – program is primarily intended for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in engineering who seek to deepen their knowledge in advanced energy studies and engineering management subjects.
Applicants must be accepted in both programs in accordance with the policies of each program and with AUB policies regarding dual graduate degrees.
Students wishing to apply for the dual degree may submit a single dual-degree application that will be sent to each program simultaneously when first applying for graduate admissions. If the students are already registered in one degree, they may apply for the second degree no later than the end of their second term at AUB.
The program permits full-time or part-time enrollments. To fulfill the basic requirements for the dual degree, students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of graduate coursework in each degree program. The remaining credits include additional course work and a thesis both of which are credited to the dual degree. The program requires a minimum of 42 credit hours of graduate coursework and 6 credits of thesis work. The coursework is distributed as follows:
- 9 credits of core Energy Studies (ENST) courses
- 6 credits of core Engineering Management (ENMG) courses
- 6 credits of common courses: Required core ENMG (ENST List A Electives)
- 12 credits of ENMG elective courses
- 6 credits of elective courses from ENST List B on energy science and technology
- 3 credits of elective course as approved by thesis adviser/s (ENST)
The courses that are counted towards both degrees are:
- ENMG 603 Probability and Decision Analysis 3 cr.
- ENMG 604 Deterministic Optimization Model 3 cr.
- Comprehensive Exam 0 cr.
- Thesis 6 cr.
Sample Schedule
Term: Fall I
|
| Course Number & Title | Credits | Prerequisite(s) |
ENST 305/ ECON 333/ Energy Economics and Policy MECH 674
| 3
| INDE 301
|
| ENST 320 Energy Law and Case Studies | 3
| |
| ENST 300 The Science and Technology of Energy | 3
| PHYS 210 or equivalent |
| Term credit total | 9 |
|
Term: Spring I
|
| Course Number & Title | Credits | Prerequisite(s) |
| ENMG 601 Management Theory | 3
| |
| ENMG 602 Introduction to Financial Engineering | 3
| |
| ENMG Elective 1 | 3
| |
| Term credit total | 9 |
|
Term: Fall II
|
| Course Number & Title | Credits | Prerequisite(s) |
| ENMG 603 Probability and Decision Analysis | 3
| |
| ENMG 604 Deterministic Optimization Models | 3
| |
| ENST List B Elective 1 | 3
| |
| Term credit total | 9 |
|
Term: Spring II
|
| Course Number & Title | Credits | Prerequisite(s) |
| ENMG Elective 2 | 3
| |
| ENMG Elective 3 | 3
| |
| ENST List B Elective 2 | 3
| |
| Term credit total | 9 |
|
Term: Fall III
|
| Course Number & Title | Credits | Prerequisite(s) |
| ENMG Elective 4 | 3
| |
| ENST Elective Graduate Course | 3
| |
| Comprehensive Exam | 0
| |
| Term credit total | 6 |
|
Term: Spring III
|
| Course Number & Title | Credits | Prerequisite(s) |
| Thesis | 6
| |
| Term credit total | 6
| |
| Program Total | 48 |
|
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Specialization: Mechanical Engineering
The Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture offers a graduate program of study leading to the PhD degree with specialization in mechanical engineering.
General Information
The graduate curriculum offers students opportunities to develop levels of expertise and knowledge consistent with a career of technical leadership. The doctoral program emphasizes the acquisition of advanced knowledge and the fostering of individual experience of significant intellectual exploration.
The educational objectives of the PhD program are to develop:
- expertise in a core area of mechanical engineering.
- the ability to identify pertinent research problems, formulate and execute a research plan, and generate and analyze original research results.
- the capacity to communicate those results through oral presentations and written publications.
- the practice of independent learning and advancing knowledge.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for the doctoral degree program are expected to have an outstanding academic record demonstrated by a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or a cumulative grade average of B+ according to AUB standards (3.3 in a 4.0 grade system) and have completed a master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline with a cumulative grade average of A- according to AUB standards (3.7 GPA in a 4.0 grade system).
The application to the doctoral program follows the deadlines set by the Office of Admissions. All applicants are required to take the General Exam section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and submit their scores. Students who are not AUB graduates or graduates of recognized colleges or universities in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand are required to meet the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE).
PhD Program Description
The PhD program in mechanical engineering requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree. The students must pass a two-part PhD Qualification Examination. In addition, the students must submit an original thesis based on independent research that makes a significant contribution to their area of research. The thesis is the principal component of the doctoral program and the part that will serve as the major indicator of candidates’ abilities. A minimum of 30 credits registered as thesis work is required.
Advisers
After admission into the department, a general adviser will be assigned to the PhD students to guide them with the initial selection of courses and to introduce the students to the various research areas in the department. The students must select a thesis adviser by the end of the first term after admission into the program. The students must seek the faculty members that are in the students’ area of interest and discuss possible research topics for the PhD thesis with them. Once an adviser is identified, the students will develop a Proposed Program of Study that lists the courses the students intend to take and the proposed dates for the written and oral Doctoral Qualifying Examinations. The Proposed Program of Study must then be submitted to the ME Graduate Committee for approval.
Course Requirements
The PhD program requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree. The program is composed of 3 credit hours of advanced study in mathematics, 9 credit hours of technical graduate level courses of advanced study in the students’ area of research (major course area requirements), and 6 credit hours of courses in a minor specialization area of study, selected by the student, in a field different from the major field of study. The minor specialization, which is composed of 6 credit hours of courses, must be taken from outside the Mechanical Engineering Department. The minor requirement could be satisfied through courses previously taken in the students’ master’s degree program. This, however, will not reduce the required minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework needed beyond the master’s degree.
Mathematics Course Requirements
A 3-credit advanced course in mathematics is required from all doctoral candidates. The course must be approved by the candidates’ adviser. The mathematics course requirement is satisfied if the students have completed at least 6 credits of advanced courses in math beyond the bachelor’s degree.
Major Course Area Requirements
At least 9 credit hours of core courses of advanced study in mechanical engineering are needed to satisfy this requirement. The courses should be in the major research area of the students and must be approved by the students’ graduate thesis adviser. This will enable the doctoral candidates to pursue coursework in direct support of their research. The coursework must address all recommendations made during the qualification period by the students’ adviser and thesis committee.
The following major course areas are offered:
- Thermal and Fluid Sciences
- Design, Materials and Manufacturing
- Mechatronics
Minor Subject Requirements
The minor is a program of advanced study that will help the students develop knowledge and some competence in an area related to their research other than the candidates’ major field of study. Two graduate courses (not less than 6 credits) must be taken in a coherent field that is different from the major field of study. These 6 course credit hours must be taken from outside the Mechanical Engineering Department (i.e., in other engineering or basic science departments). Part of this requirement could be satisfied through coursework done during the students’ master’s degree program. This, however, will not reduce the required minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework needed beyond the master’s degree. All courses taken in this minor area must be at the graduate level and must be taken while the students are registered in a graduate program at AUB. The minor subject must be approved in advance by the students’ thesis committee and the MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee. The approval of the department offering the minor should also be sought.
If the students choose mathematics as their minor, then the course taken to fulfill the mathematics course requirement will count towards the minor subject requirements.
PhD Qualification Examination
See PhD Qualifying Exam under General University Academic Information section.
Qualifying Exam Part I: Comprehensive Exam
Students must demonstrate that they have mastered the concepts of advanced calculus, solution of differential equations and computational methods.
The students must take four sections of the written qualification examination in four sub-disciplines that are normally selected from the list of topics below:
- Applied Mechanics
- Materials and Manufacturing Processes
- System Dynamics and Control
- Design
- Fluid Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Heat and Mass Transfer
For more Information, see Qualifying Exam Part I: Comprehensive Exam under General University Academic Information section.
Qualifying Exam Part II: Defense of Thesis Proposal
See Qualifying Exam Part II: Defense of Thesis Proposal under General University Academic Information section.
PhD Thesis Requirements
Following successful completion of the first part of the qualifying examination, all PhD candidates must submit a thesis proposal summarizing their thesis problem and planned approach. The purpose of the proposal is to inform the department and faculty, in a concise statement, of the candidate’s research program and those involved in it. It should explain what the students intend to do and how they intend to go about it. The thesis proposal must provide sufficient literature citations to indicate an awareness of previous work and enough detail to show how the work is expected to advance knowledge in the field.
Doctoral Thesis Committee
See PhD Thesis Committee under General University Academic Information section.
Course Plan for PhD Students
All courses that are offered for credit in the master’s program will also be offered as graduate courses for those in the PhD program.
Math Requirement Courses
At least one math course offered outside the ME department and approved by the graduate students’ adviser is required. Acceptable courses include the following:
MATH 307
| Topics in Analysis |
| CMPS 354 | The Finite Element Method |
| CMPS 350 | Discrete Models for Differential Equations |
| CMPS 373 | Parallel Computing |
| ENMG 604 | Deterministic Optimization Models |
| MECH 630 | Finite Element Methods in Mechanical Engineering |
| MECH 648 | Non-linear Systems: Analysis, Stability and Control |
| MECH 663 | Computational Fluid Dynamics |
MECH 691/MECH 691/
ENMG 628 | Convex Optimization |
| MECH 764 | Advanced Topics in Computational Fluid Dynamics
|
Note that in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, 300 level courses are graduate courses.
Major Area Courses
Thermal and Fluid Sciences:
MECH 701, MECH 760, MECH 761, MECH 762, MECH 707, MECH 764, MECH 763, MECH 766, MECH 767, MECH 602, MECH 603, MECH 604, MECH 606, MECH 607, MECH 609, MECH 663, MECH 665, MECH 702, MECH 703, MECH 600, MECH 608, MECH 653, MECH 670, MECH 671, MECH 672, MECH 673, MECH 674, MECH 675, MECH 676, MECH 678, MECH 679, MECH 705, MECH 751, MECH 765, MECH 768, MECH 769, MECH 770, MECH 771, MECH 772, MECH 773, MECH 778
Design, Materials and Manufacturing:
MECH 611, MECH 624, MECH 720, MECH 721, MECH 630, MECH 615, MECH 619, MECH 622, MECH 631, MECH 632, MECH 633, MECH 634, MECH 637, MECH 736
Mechatronics:
MECH 643, MECH 645, MECH 740, MECH 641, MECH 642, MECH 650, MECH 628, MECH 644, MECH 648, MECH 647, MECH 653, MECH 654, MECH 657
Seminar Course
Seminar Course: MECH 797 (0-credit). The students must register for the course once a year. This is a pass/fail course.
PhD Thesis
MECH 899 PhD Thesis: The thesis is based on original, independent research. Students are required to register for a minimum of 30 credits of thesis work. Students may register for a maximum of 12 credits in any given term. They must submit a thesis based on the results of original, independent research. The PhD thesis is expected to make a significant contribution to the field of mechanical engineering. Upon completion of the thesis and after its approval by the students’ thesis adviser, a final oral examination will constitute the thesis defense.
Residency Requirements
The students must register for at least four terms beyond the completion of the master’s degree. Requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy must be completed within a period of five years after starting graduate work beyond the master’s degree. An extension will require the approval of the AUB Graduate Council.
Accelerated Doctor of Philosophy, Major: Mechanical Engineering
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum major and cumulative average GPA of 3.7 or its equivalent.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores.
- Three recommendation letters (one from the final year project supervisor).
- A written statement of purpose that shows the research potential in the proposed area of study.
- All applicants must also satisfy the university requirements for admission to PhD accelerated track.
Course Requirements
The completion of at least 78 credits of graduate study consisting of combined coursework and research beyond the bachelor’s degree is required for the PhD accelerated track in mechanical engineering.
- A minimum of 36 credit hours must be in approved graduate level coursework and a minimum of 30 credit hours of thesis work. In addition, normally a maximum of 6 credit hours of the 36 credits of coursework may be tutorial courses.
- The basic program of study for the PhD accelerated track is built around one major area and a minimum of one minor area. Students take courses to satisfy the major and minor area requirements and to acquire the knowledge needed for the Qualifying Exam Part I and Qualifying Exam Part II.
- The major area can be in one or a combination of two of the ME areas.
- Students must take:
- At least 2 courses (6 credit hours) in advanced mathematics. The courses must be approved by the candidate’s supervisor. The mathematics course requirement is satisfied if the students have completed at least 6 credits of advanced courses in math beyond the bachelor’s degree.
- Students must take at least 6 graduate courses (18 credit hours) in their major area.
- They must also take 2 graduate courses (6 credit hours) in their PhD minor area. The minor courses must be taken from outside the Mechanical Engineering Department (i.e., in other engineering or basic science departments). If the students choose mathematics as a minor, then the courses taken to fulfill the mathematics course requirements will count towards the minor subject requirements.
- Finally, students must take 2 graduate electives courses within the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Residency Requirements
- The students must register for at least eight terms beyond the completion of the bachelor’s degree.
- Requirements for the PhD degree in the accelerated track must be completed within a period of twelve regular terms after starting graduate work beyond the bachelor’s degree. Extension beyond the twelve regular terms limit requires the approval of the ME graduate committee, MSFEA GSC and GC.
- Students deemed by the department, within one to two years after admission into the accelerated track, as not qualified to complete a PhD degree, may be granted a master’s degree in the area after completing the equivalence of a non-thesis master’s.
For other requirements and rules, please refer to the PhD in mechanical engineering section.
PhD Qualifying Exam
Refer to Qualifying Exam Part I and II section.
Graduation Requirements
Students can graduate at the end of any academic term upon satisfying the following requirements:
- Met the residence requirements and all pertinent AUB regulations
- Had at least two papers, based on their PhD thesis, accepted in a peer reviewed technical journal, in addition to one refereed conference paper
- Passed all the required courses and completed the research credit requirements
- Passed the EDUC 401/ EDUC 402 courses in Teaching in Higher Education.
- Attained a minimum cumulative course average of (3.7) beyond the master’s degree and is not on probation
- Passed the Doctoral Qualifying Examination
- Successfully defended a thesis of original scholarly work
- Deemed worthy by the faculty
Course Descriptions