American University of Beirut

Department of Mechanical Engineering

​​Chairperson
Lakkis, Issam

Professors

Asmar, Daniel; Ghaddar, Nesreen; Lakkis, Issam, Moukalled, Fadl; Shihadeh, Alan 
Professor EmeritusSakkal, Fateh
Associate ProfessorsMustapha, Samir; Harb, Mohammad; Oweis, Ghanem

Assistant Professors

Abou Jaoude, Dany; Bakarji, Joseph; Honein, Theresa; Hussein, Hussein; Kaddouh, Bilal
Assistant Research ProfessorTalih, Soha

Instructors

Al Saidi, Abed Alkader; Balhas, Zainab; Fayad, Rami; Kassis, Lina; Kfoury, Elie
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers one undergraduate degree program that leads to a bachelor of engineering with a major in mechanical engineering (BE in ME) and a minor in applied energy.

Bachelor of Engineering (BE) Major: Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering program extends over a four-year period and is offered exclusively on a daytime, on-campus basis. The program is offered in 11 terms whereby eight terms are 16-week fall/spring terms given over four years, and three terms are eight-week summer terms taken during the first three years of the program. In the summer term of the third year (Term IX), students are required to participate in a practical training program with a local, regional, or international organization. The entire program is equivalent to five academic years but is completed in four calendar years with three summer terms.

The undergraduate program also provides students with options to pursue minors in the following:
  • Applied Energy Minor
  • Other minors offered by the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business

Program Mission

The mechanical engineering faculty members have agreed that the undergraduate program mission is as follows:

The undergraduate program in mechanical engineering seeks to empower students to pursue successful careers and to create a learning environment in which they can develop their creative and critical thinking skills, grow into lifelong learners in light of ever-increasing challenges of modern technology, and commit to the ethical and professional responsibilities required in their calling at the global level while focusing on the needs of Lebanon and the region.

Program Educational Objectives

The program is based on the following educational objectives that were approved by the mechanical engineering faculty members on May 27, 2010:

Our graduates will be able to advance successfully in their careers as reflected in continued employment, job satisfaction, leadership responsibilities and professional recognition.

Our graduates will be able to succeed in graduate studies as reflected in admission to highly ranked programs, timely completion of degree requirements and recognition by competitive fellowships and other awards.

Program Requirements

The undergraduate curriculum for the degree of bachelor of engineering (BE), major: mechanical engineering is a five-year program. It consists of 180 term credit hours of coursework of which 30 credits are completed in the freshman year while the students are enrolled in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and 150 credits are completed in four years while the students are enrolled in the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. Students admitted at the sophomore level will be required to complete 150 credits in four years to earn the degree as outlined here:
  • General Engineering: FEAA 200, CIVE 210, EECE 210, EECE 230, EECE 312, EECE 312L, INDE 301
  • Mathematics: MATH 201, MATH 202, MATH 212, MATH 218, MATH 251, STAT 230
  • Sciences: PHYS 211, PHYS 211L, CHEM 202, and one biology elective (BIOL 201 level or above, except BIOL 209)
  • General Education: Arabic course, ENGL 203 and ENGL 206, two courses in Cultures and histories, one course in History of Ideas (from CHLA), and two courses in Societies and Individuals, one course in human values, and one course in community engaged learning.  To cover the student engaged learning requirement, students may opt to take their free elective as HEHI 201 (Foundations of Humanitarian Engineering and Public Health Innovations); or complete an UG research (MECH 499) related to the topic (by approved petition); or do an FYP project related to humanitarian engineering (by approved petition). Please note that 3 cr. from Cultures and Histories Or societies and individuals should cover the theme of social inequalities (refer to GE list)
  • ME Core Courses: MECH 201, MECH 230, MECH 310, MECH 314, MECH 320, MECH 332, MECH 340, MECH 341, MECH 410L, MECH 412, MECH 414, MECH 420, MECH 421, MECH 430, MECH 432, MECH 436, MECH 510, and MECH 525
  • Technical Electives: Five courses with at least three from the selected ME track. One elective can be from outside the major and one free elective (such as engineering, math, economics, business, or science).
  • Approved Experience: MECH 500
  • Final Year Project: MECH 501 and MECH 502

Curriculum for BE in Mechanical Engineering​

Term I (Fall)
Credits
MATH 201Calculus and Analytic Geometry III3
FEAA 200Introduction to Engineering and Architecture3
EECE 230Intro to Computation and Programming3
CIVE 210Statics3
PHYS 211Electricity and Magnetism3
PHYS 211LElectricity and Magnetism Laboratory1
  ​ Total 16

​Term II (Spring)
Credits
EECE 210Electric Circuits3
MECH 201Computer Aided Drawing and Design (CADD)3
MATH 202Differential Equations3
MECH 230Dynamics3
ENGL 203Academic English3
  ​ Total 15

​Term III (Summer)
Credits
MATH 218 or 219Elementary Linear Algebra with Applications or Linear Algebra I3
CHEM 202Introduction to Environmental Chemistry3
ENGL 206Technical English3
  ​ Total 9

Term IV (Fall)
Credits
EECE 312Electronics3
EECE 312LCircuits and Electronics Lab1
MATH 212Introductory Partial Differential Equations3
MECH 310Thermodynamics I3
MECH 340Engineering Materials3
Cultures and Histories ​3
  ​ Total 16

​Term V (Spring)
Credits
STAT 230Introduction to Probability and Random Variables3
MECH 314Introduction to Fluid Mechanics3
MECH 320Mechanics of Materials3
MECH 332Mechanics of Machines3
MECH 341Materials Lab1
MECH 430Process Instrumentation and Measurements3
  ​ Total 16

Term VI (Summer)
Credits
MECH 432Dynamics System Analysis3
Biology Elective ​3
Arabic Elective ​3
  ​ Total 9

Term VII (Fall)
Credits
MATH 251Numerical Computing3
MECH 410LThermal Fluid Laboratory1
MECH 414Thermodynamics II3
MECH 420Mechanical Design I3
MECH 421Manufacturing Processes I3
Societies and Individuals Elective (students can take one of these courses as social inequalities) ​

3

  ​ Total 16

Term VIII (Spring)
Credits
INDE 301Engineering Economy3
MECH 412Heat Transfer3
MECH 436Control Systems3
MECH 525Product Design and Development3
Societies and Individuals Elective (students can take one of these courses as social inequalities) ​
3
  ​ Total 15

Term IX (Summer)
Credits
MECH 500
Approved Experience
6cr / 1 billing
  ​ Total 6

Term X (Fall)
Credits
MECH 501
Final Year Project1
MECH 510Design of Thermal Systems3
Approved Human Values Course ​3
Technical Elective I ​3
Technical Elective II ​3
Cultures and Histories Elective (students can take one of these courses as History of Ideas) ​

3

  ​ Total 16

​Term XI (Spring)
Credits
MECH 502
Final Year Project II4
Technical Elective III ​3
Technical Elective IV ​3
Technical Elective V ​3
Cultures and Histories Elective (students can take one of these courses as History of Ideas) ​

3

  ​ Total 16


List of Pre-Approved Technical Electives

  • Engineering Electives: BMEN: 600, 602, 604, 605, 606, 609, 610, 611. CHEN: 531, 611, 614, 615, 619, 672, 673, 675, 798A. CIVE: 421, 451, 460, 552, 555, 602, 603, 610, 648, 655, 658, 659, 670. FEAA: 500A, 502, 520. INDE: 412, 513, 533. VIPP 301B, VIPP 401B. 
  • Science Electives: BIOL: 201, 202, 210, 223, 244, 246, 250, 260, 268. CHEM: 206, 208, 211, 212, 217, 218, 228, 233, 234. MATH: 210, 219, 223, 224, 225, 227, 233, 241, 261, 271, 303, 304, 305, 306, 314, 341, 350, 351, 358. PHYS: 216, 217, 220, 222, 223, 225, 226, 228, 235, 236, 237, 249, 301, 302, 303, 305, 306, 307.
  • Other Electives: CMPS: 257, 272, 274, 277, 281, 285, 286, 287, 288, 350, 368, 372, 373. DCSN: 200, 210. ECON: 214, 215, 217, 218, 222, 223, 226, 227, 228, 230, 232, 235, 236, 237, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243. GEOL: 202, 205, 211, 226, 227. ENST: 320, 396. MNGT: 215, 218, 220, 226, 229, 230. STAT: Any course with a number equal to or greater than 234.​

Mechanical Engineering Optional Tracks

The core courses in the Mechanical Engineering Program are offered in the following track areas:
  • Thermal and Fluid Engineering
  • Mechatronics
  • Design, Materials and Manufacturing​
The students may opt for any track (thermal and fluid engineering; mechatronics; or design, materials and manufacturing) by taking at least three technical electives in the selected track. Normally one technical elective is allowed from outside the mechanical engineering major.

The ME focus area in control and robotics provides a coherent academic framework between the ECE and ME departments in the areas of control, instrumentation, and robotics. This track is open to all undergraduate ME and ECE students.​

​Track I: Thermal and Fluid Engineering
Credits
MECH 310Thermodynamics I3
MECH 314/
CHEN 311
Introduction to Fluids Engineering

3

MECH 414Thermodynamics II3
MECH 410LThermal/Fluid Systems Laboratory1
MECH 412Heat Transfer3
MECH 501Final Year Project I
1
MECH 502Final Year Project II4
MECH 510Design of Thermal Systems3

Technical Elective Courses (at least three technical electives are selected)
Credits
MECH 511Intermediate Fluid Mechanics3
MECH 512Internal Combustion Engines3
MECH 513Air Conditioning3
MECH 514Gas Turbines3
MECH 515Steam Turbines3
MECH 516Aerodynamics3
MECH 603Solar Energy3
MECH 604Refrigeration3
MECH 606Aerosol Dynamics3
MECH 607Micro Flows Fundamentals and Applications3
MECH 609Experimental Fluid Dynamics3
MECH 663Computational Fluid Dynamics3

MECH 671

Renewable Energy Potential, Technology and Utilization in Buildings

3

MECH 672Modeling Energy Systems3
MECH 673Energy Efficient Building with Good Indoor Air Quality3
MECH 677Heat Pumps3
MECH 678Solar Electricity3
MECH 679Energy Audit Lab3
MECH 680HVAC and Refrigeration Systems Lab3

MECH 682

Principles of Integrative Building design, construction, and operation for sustainability

3

MECH 683Wind Turbines: Design and Applications3​

Track II: Design, Materials, and Manufacturing
Credits
CIVE 210Statics3
MECH 201Computer Aided Drawing and Design (CADD)3
MECH 320Mechanics of Materials3
MECH 332Mechanics of Machines3
MECH 340Engineering Materials3
MECH 341LMaterials Lab1
MECH 420Mechanical Design I3
MECH 421Manufacturing Processes I3
MECH 501Final Year Project I1
MECH 502Final Year Project II4​
MECH 525Product Design and Development3​

Technical Elective Courses (at least three technical electives are selected)
Credits
MECH 520Mechanical Design II3
MECH 521Manufacturing Processes II3
MECH 522Mechanical CAD/CAE/CAM3
MECH 540Selection of Properties of Materials3
MECH 550Computer Applications in Mechanical Engineering3
MECH 615Continuum Mechanics3
MECH 617Smart Materials and Structures3
MECH 622Modeling of Machining Processes and Machines3
MECH 624Mechanics of Composite Materials3
MECH 625Fatigue of Materials3
MECH 626Metals and Their Properties3
MECH 627Polymers and Their Properties3
MECH 628Design of Mechanisms3
MECH 630Finite Element Methods in Mechanical Engineering3
MECH 633Biomechanics3
MECH 634Biomaterials and Medical Devices3
MECH 638Materials Selection and Design3

Track III: Mechatronics
Credits
MECH 230Dynamics3
EECE 210Electric Circuits3
EECE 312Electronics (for Mechanical Engineering students)3
EECE 312LCircuits and Electronics Lab1
MECH 430Instrumentation and Measurements3
MECH 436Control Systems3
MECH 501Final Year Project I1
MECH 502Final Year Project II4

​Technical Elective Courses (at least three technical electives are selected)
Credits
MECH 530Mechatronics System Design3
MECH 531Mechanical Vibrations3
MECH 628Design of Mechanisms3
MECH 631Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems [MEMS]3
MECH 634Biomaterials and Medical Devices3
MECH 641Robotics3
MECH 642Computer Vision3
MECH 643Mechatronics and Intelligent Machines Eng. II3
MECH 644Modal Analysis3
MECH 645Noise and Vibration Control3
MECH 648Nonlinear Systems: Analysis, Stability, and Control3
MECH 653Systems Analysis and Design3​
MECH 654Adaptive Control3
MECH 655Optimal Control3
MECH 656System Identification3
MECH 650Autonomous Mobile Robotics3
MECH 659Aerial Robotics3​​


ME Focus Area in Control and Robotics

Students choosing to enroll in the Control and Robotics Focus (CRF) area should satisfy the following course requirements:

Two core courses and one laboratory in their respective departments (listed in the table below)​

​Core Courses Electronics
Credits
MECH 430Process Instrumentation and Measurements3
MECH 432Dynamic System Analysis2
MECH 436Control Systems3


Three elective courses from either department (ECE/ME) (listed in the tables below) provided they obtain the necessary prerequisites for any given course. At least one course from each of lists A (Control Theory) and B (Robotics) must be chosen, and one elective from either list A, B or C.

​Technical Elective Courses (List A: Control)
Credits
MECH 648/
EECE 669

Nonlinear Systems: Analysis, Stability, and Control

3

MECH 653/
EECE 660

System Analysis and Design

3

MECH 655/
EECE 662

Optimal Control

3

MECH 656/
EECE 663

System Identification

3

MECH 654/
EECE 665

Adaptive Control

3

MECH 657Vehicle Dynamics and Control3

Technical Elective Courses (List B: Robotics)
Credits
MECH 530/
EECE 530

Mechatronics

3

MECH 641/
EECE 661

Robotics

3

MECH 646/
EECE 697

Wheeled Mobile Robotics

​3

MECH 650/
EECE 698

Autonomous Mobile Robotics

3

MECH 659Aerial Robotics3

Technical Elective Courses (List C)
Credits
MECH 555/
EECE 463

Artificial Intelligence for Control Systems

3

MECH 642/
EECE 692

Computer Vision

3

MECH 647/
EECE 699

Hydraulic Servo Systems

3

MECH 691/
EECE 648/
ENMG 628

Convex Optimization

​3


Minor in Applied Energy

The minor in applied energy is open to all MSFEA students who are interested in the energy domain and in renewable energy applications. Students seeking professional careers that will focus on energy, the environment, sustainable applications in buildings and energy systems may find this minor attractive. The minor in applied energy is administered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Students who have completed at least 60 credits at the sophomore level and higher and who have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or more may apply by completing a minor application. The minor will be indicated on the transcript of the students who complete all the requirements described below. A minimum grade of C+ is required for a course to count towards the fulfillment of the minor.

Applied Energy Minor Program Structure

Students wishing to complete the minor are required to complete a minimum of 18 credits: 6 credits from the list of core courses and 12 credits from the list of elective courses.

The first are two core courses (6 credits) that provide a foundation for the understanding of energy science and technology and its economy.

The second component is a number of elective courses (12 credits), selected by the students in close consultation with their academic adviser for the applied energy minor.

Required Courses (6 credits)

  • MECH 671 Renewable Energy Potential, Technology and Utilization in Buildings 3 cr., or EECE 675 Renewable Energy Systems 3 cr., or ENST 300 The Science and Technology of Energy 3 cr.
  • ECON 333 Energy Economics and Policy 3 cr.​

Elective Courses (Minimum of 12 credits)​

CHEN 417Reactor Engineering and Reactor Design
3 cr.
CHEN 470Chemical Process Design3 cr.
CHEN 471Chemical Product Design3 cr.
CHEN 541Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering3 cr.
CHEN 570Process Synthesis and Optimization3 cr.
CHEN 612Desalination3 cr.
EECE 670Power System Planning3 cr.
EECE 671Environmental Aspects of Energy Systems3 cr.
EECE 672Energy Planning and Policy3 cr.
EECE 675Renewable Energy Systems3 cr.
ENST 320Energy Laws and Case Studies3 cr.
MECH 513Air Conditioning3 cr.
MECH 603Solar Energy3 cr.
MECH 631Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems3 cr.
MECH 670Laboratory for Renewable Energy in Buildings3 cr.
MECH 672Modeling Energy Systems3 cr.
MECH 673Energy Efficient Building with Good Indoor Air Quality3 cr.
MECH 676Passive Building Design3 cr.
MECH 677Heat Pumps3 cr.
MECH 678Solar Electricity3 cr.
MECH 679Energy Audit Lab3 cr.
MECH 681Green Building Basics and LEED Practices3 cr.
MECH 683Wind Turbines: Design and Applications3 cr.​


Minor in Integrated Product Design

Integrated product design is an interdisciplinary minor, located at the intersection of design, engineering, business, art, humanities, and social sciences. The minor in integrated product design is open to all AUB students who are interested in expanding their knowledge of design and obtaining a deeper understanding of the design process of goods, systems, and services from research and conceptualization, to design development and prototyping, and to marketing and branding. It is a minor for students who are inspired to become social entrepreneurs to design and develop products that can be implemented and scaled to trigger positive systemic change. Through the minor, students are exposed to a range of design skills and methods, from visualization of ideas to creative problem-solving, and transformative design thinking. They also learn to work with multidisciplinary teams on hands-on projects and in a studio environment.

Students must earn 18 credits to satisfy the requirements for the minor in integrated product design. These are distributed as follows:
  1. 6 credits of foundational design skills. Students must select 3 credits in basic design methods courses and 3 credits in visualization courses (see list 1).
  2. 6 credits of core product design and development. Students must select 6 credits in product design courses (see list 2).
  3. 6 credits of thematic field electives. Students must select 6 credits in two of the thematic areas A, B, C, and D (see list 3).

Students will follow AUB’s regulations while pursuing the minor. University minimum requirements for a minor are as follows:
  • A minimum of 15 credit hours earned on the basis of regular graded courses (not tutorial or special project type courses) is required for a minor (refer to the requirements of each faculty/school).
  • At least 9 credit hours of coursework must be completed at AUB.
  • Each minor must have at least 6 credits exclusive to it, 9 credits may be common with the program requirements of the major field(s) of study.
  • Minor courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis at AUB.

List 1: Foundational courses with a focus on basic design, visualization, and prototyping. Students should take 6 credits from this list.​

ENMG 664Introduction to Human-Centered Design3 cr.
ARCH 100Basic Design6 cr.
MECH 201Computer-Aided Drawing and Design (CADD)3 cr.

MECH 421

Manufacturing Processes I
Prerequisites: MECH 320, MECH 340

3 cr.

MECH 522

Mechanical CAD/CAE/CAM
Prerequisites: MECH 320, MECH 420, and MECH 432

3 cr.

ARCH 111Drawing I3 cr.

ARCH 112

Drawing II
Prerequisite: ARCH 111

3 cr.

ARCH 313
Digital Tools
Prerequis
ite: ARCH 112
3 cr.
GRDS 111Drawing3 cr.
GRDS 141Computer Graphics3 cr.


List 2: Core courses with a focus on product design and development. Students should take 6 credits from this list.

MECH 525

Product Design and Development
Prerequisites: MECH 332, MECH 420

3 cr.

MECH 510

Design of Thermal Systems
Prerequisites: MECH 410L, MECH 412, and MATH 251

3 cr.

ARDS 400

Systems Thinking
Prerequisite: ENMG 698E

3 cr.

ENMG 663Product Design and Development3 cr.
BMEN 501Bioengineering Design Fundamentals3 cr.

CHEN 571

Chemical Product Design
Prerequisite: CHEM 470

3 cr.

GRDS 305

Graphic Design V
Prerequisite: GRDS 304

6 cr.

MECH 502,
EECE 502,
INDE 502,
CHEN 502,
CIVE 402

Approval of adviser

​3 cr.​


List 3: Field electives. Students must take 6 cr. from at least two categories (A-D) 

Category A

INDE 412Engineering Entrepreneurship3 cr.
ARCH 068Design Innovation and Entrepreneurship3 cr.
ENMG 654Technology-Based Entrepreneurship3 cr.
ENMG 655Management of Technology3 cr.
ENMG 656Management of Technological Innovations3 cr.

MKTG 312

Consumer Behavior
Prerequisite: MKTG 306

3 cr.

MKTG 311Applied Market Research3 cr.
DCSN 310Operations and Process Management3 cr.

DCSN 340

Supply Chain Management
Prerequisite: DCSN 310

3 cr.

EMBA 521Digital Marketing3 cr.
ENTM 320Social Entrepreneurship3 cr.
ENTM 220Entrepreneurship and Business Planning3 cr.
INFO 220/
MKTG 220
Electronic Marketing
Prerequisites: MKTG 210, INFO 200

3 cr.

FINA 211Introduction to Finance for Engineers Prerequisite: ACCT 2103 cr.
INFO 227/
MKTG 227
Social Media in Digital Management
Prerequisite: MKTG 210, Permission of the instructor for non-OSB students

3 cr.

ENTM 230

Decision-Making Skills for Entrepreneurs
Prerequisite: MNGT 215

3 cr.

MKTG 234

Marketing for Social Change
Prerequisite: MKTG 210 (or equivalent). Permission of instructor for non-OSB students​

3 cr.

ENTM 270

Launching a New Venture
Prerequisite: MNGT 215, FINA 210

3 ​cr.​


Category B

​MECH 617
Smart materials and structures3 cr.

​MECH 631

Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
Prerequisite: MECH 430

3 cr.

MECH 632

Structural health monitoring
Prerequisites: MECH 320, MECH 430​

3 cr.

MECH 798CSustainable Materials3 cr.
MECH 634/
BMEN 608
Biomaterial and Medical Devices
Prerequisite: MECH 340 or consent of instructor

3 cr.

ARCH 040“Making It": Models and Prototypes of Complex Structures3 cr.
ARCH 060Algorithm and Iteration3 cr.
ARCH 063Do It, Then Fix It As You Go3 cr.
ARCH 069New Territories3 cr.
GRDS 0403D Animation3 cr.
GRDS 043Advanced Digital Animation3 cr.
EECE 625/425Embedded and IOT Systems Prerequisite: EECE 3213 cr.
EECE 652Web Server Design and Programming3 cr.

EECE 680

Antennas for Wireless Communications
Prerequisite: EECE 380

3 cr.

EECE 684Microwave Engineering3 cr.
​EECE 487/687Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC) Design
Prerequisites: EECE 380, EECE 311

3 cr.

EECE 685

Radio Frequency (RF) Circuits Design
Prerequisites: ECE 311, EECE 340, EECE 380

3 cr.

EECE 686

Radio-Frequency (RF) Transceiver Design
Prerequisites: EECE 311, EECE 380

3 cr.

EECE 687/487

Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC) Design
Prerequisites: EECE 380, EECE 311

3 cr.

EECE 697/
MECH 646

Wheeled Mobile Robotics

3 cr.

EECE 698/
MECH 650
Autonomous Mobile Robotics
Prerequisites: EECE 230, EECE 312, and MECH 436; or EECE 230 and EECE 460

3 cr.

CHEN 619Sustainability Science: Human and Environment Interaction3 cr.​​​


Category C

GRDS 062Brand Inc.
3 cr.

MKTG 225

Strategic Brand Management
Prerequisites: MKTG 210. Students cannot receive credit for both SOAN 231 and MKTG 225 or both SOAN 235 and MKTG 225

3 cr.

MKTG 210
Principles of Marketing
​Corequisite ENGL 204
3 cr.


Category D

GRDS 033Pre-Brand: A History of Identity Design3 cr.
GRDS 331Introduction to Visual Theory3 cr.


Course Descriptions

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