American University of Beirut

The first programs leading to a master’s degree in MSFEA were introduced in 1962. Since then, other programs have been added to help meet the growing demand for advanced engineering education. Between October 1990 and October 1994, six new master’s degree programs were introduced: the master of engineering management (1990), four programs leading to the degree of master of engineering with majors in computer and communications engineering, electric power engineering, electronics, devices and systems, and environmental and water resources engineering (1991-1993), and the master of mechanical engineering (1994) with majors in applied energy, materials and manufacturing, or thermal and fluid sciences. In 1998, two programs were added: the master of urban design and the master of urban planning and policy. In 2014, two master’s degree programs were introduced in chemical engineering: the master of science degree program and the master of engineering degree program. In 2016, a master of science degree program in biomedical engineering was introduced. 

In 2007, PhD programs started accepting students in three departments of MSFEA: the civil and environmental engineering department (PhD in civil engineering and PhD in environmental and water resources engineering), the electrical and computer engineering department (PhD in electrical and computer engineering), and the mechanical engineering department (PhD in mechanical engineering). In 2016, a new PhD program in biomedical engineering was established. 

We offer world-class educational programs that prepare students for the engineering, architecture, and design professions. Rooted in the liberal education model, our programs also prepare students to be engaged citizens and leaders, entrepreneurs and researchers who deploy their skills with ingenuity, integrity, and a sense of responsibility towards future generations. Our faculty produces transformative knowledge and technology through internationally-recognized research and design, and seeks to leverage the special contexts of Lebanon and the region to define highly novel and relevant research programs. We impact policy and practice through our alumni and by directly engaging industry, government, and the public at large.

The Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture offers graduate programs leading to the degree of master of engineering (ME) with majors in civil engineering, environmental and water resources engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering. The faculty also offers the degrees of master of engineering management (MEM), master of urban design (MUD), master of urban planning and policy (MUPP), master of mechanical engineering with a major in applied energy, and master of science (MS) with majors in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, and energy studies. MSFEA also offers a master of science in environmental sciences, major: environmental technology (ET) as part of the interfaculty graduate environmental sciences program. 

The requirements for admission to the master’s programs are those specified for the master’s degree in the Office of Admissions section of this catalogue with the following interpretations and additions.

The department or program of the intended major may recommend waiving up to 9 credits of coursework for students who have completed a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree and are applying for admissions to a Master of Engineering (ME) program, which is subject to approval by the adviser, chairperson and the MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee. To apply, the students must have completed advanced engineering courses (normally at the 600-level and above) that meet the program requirements with a grade of at least B+. In addition, the total number of transferable credits from BE to ME should not exceed 12. This means that if students have taken a credit overload during their undergraduate BE studies, they can waive a maximum of 12 credits. 

For the Master of Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP) and the Master of Urban Design (MUD) programs, the Architecture and Design (ArD) Department may recommend waiving up to nine credits of coursework for students who have completed a bachelor of architecture degree, and up to six credits of coursework for students who have completed a bachelor of landscape architecture degree. 

The ArD Department may also recommend waiving up to six credits of coursework for students who have completed a bachelor of engineering degree and are applying for admission to the MUPP program. 

Waiving of credits is subject to approval by the program coordinator, the chairperson, and the MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee. To apply, the students must have completed the advanced course(s) with a grade of at least B+ or equivalent. An advanced course is a course taken during the senior (third) or later year(s) of undergraduate study and deemed equivalent, by program coordinator, chairperson, and MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee, to a course listed under Mandatory Courses or Elective Courses in the MUD/MUPP section of the graduate catalogue.  

Master’s level students who are required to take undergraduate courses must obtain a grade of at least C+ in each undergraduate course taken. If students fail to obtain a grade of C+ in any of these undergraduate courses, they are allowed to repeat that course only once. Failure to meet the requirements will result in the students being dropped from the graduate program.

The curricula and courses offered in each department are presented in the appropriate sections of this catalogue.

Students from other faculties are allowed to take any course for credit offered by the MSFEA, provided space is available, the prerequisites are satisfied and the students have prior approval of both their faculty and the department offering the course.

The Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture offers graduate programs leading to the degree of doctor of philosophy (PhD) with specializations in biomedical engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, environmental and water resources engineering, and mechanical engineering. 

Candidates for a doctoral degree program must hold a master’s degree or its equivalent and must demonstrate outstanding academic ability (minimum GPA of 3.7 or its equivalent) at the master’s level as well as the potential to conduct scholarly research. Additional specific requirements for each program can be found in the departmental sections of this catalogue. Application to the doctoral program will follow the deadlines set by the Office of Admissions. All applicants are required to take the General Exam part of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and submit their scores. Students other than AUB graduates and graduates of recognized colleges or universities in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand must meet the English Readiness for University Study in English (RUSE) set for master’s students. 

Admission to a PhD program requires the recommendation of the department offering the program and the approval of the MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee. 

To apply to the accelerated program, students must have a GPA of 3.7 or above in their undergraduate work. This applies to the average in the major as well as the cumulative average. 

In addition to meeting the requirements described in the General University Academic Information section of the catalogue, there may be specific requirements described in the departmental sections.

The MSFEA offers several types of graduate assistantships to the most qualified applicants to its graduate programs, which include fellowships, graduate research assistantships (GRA), graduate teaching assistantships (GTA), and graduate administrative assistantships (GAA). 

Students who receive financial support are expected to maintain a high level of academic performance, satisfactory progress towards a degree and satisfactory performance of the work assignments associated with the aid.  

These fellowships, GRAs, GTAs, and GAAs covering tuition are available for students at the graduate level in return for assisting faculty members and departments in teaching and/or research for a specified number of hours per week. Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic record and the needs of the relevant department. For more information, refer to Full-Time Status for University Graduate Assistants and Graduate Research Assistants section.

Applicants opting for the non-thesis track are normally not offered graduate assistantships.​​