Chairperson
| Chehab, Ali |
| Associate Chairperson | Costantine, Joseph |
| Professors | Abou-Faycal, Ibrahim; Bazzi, Louay; Chaaban, Farid; Chedid, Riad; Chehab, Ali; Costantine, Joseph; Dawy, Zaher; Elhajj, Imad; El- Hajj, Ali; Jabr, Rabih; Kabalan, Karim; Karaki, Sami; Kayssi, Ayman; Sharafeddine, Sanaa |
| Associate Professors | Awad, Mariette; Daher, Naseem; Saghir, Mazen; Tawk, Youssef; Zaraket, Fadi |
| Assistant Professors | Atallah, Jad; Chehimi, Mahdi; Fahs, Jihad; Issa, Ibrahim; Sarieddeen, Hadi; Tajeddine, Razane |
| Adjunct Professors | Hajj, Hazem; Mansour, Mohammad; Kanj, Rouwaida |
| Full-Time Lecturers | Bakri, Hussein; El Dassouki, Khaled; Jlailaty, Hussein; Mohanna, Ammar; Moukadem, Imad; Shwaykani, Hassan |
| Part-Time Lecturers | Alkhansa, Rasha; Bichara, Rosette Maria; El Abbasi, Mona; Hussein, Ali |
| Senior Instructors | Ashkar, Nicolas; Chebaro, Malek |
Graduate Programs
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers the degree of master of engineering (ME) in electrical and computer engineering and the degree of doctor of philosophy (PhD) in electrical and computer engineering.
Master of Engineering (ME)
The ME program offers the degree with two options: A non-thesis and a thesis option. The ME degree develops future engineering professionals who drive innovations, conduct research, and advance technology for a successful career in industry and academia.
All programs must satisfy either the thesis program requirements or the non-thesis program requirements. The program is indicated on the student’s transcript. Accepted students into the thesis option are normally eligible for Graduate Fellowship and Assistantship Program (GFAP) and Graduate Research Assistant (GRA). Refer to the General University Academic Information section.
Program Mission
The ME Program in the ECE department is to:
- Educate graduate students with advanced knowledge in electrical and computer engineering, preparing them for leadership roles in academia and industry.
- Cultivate Innovation by fostering research and development in the different areas of ECE.
- Collaborate across disciplines to promote creativity and ethical responsibility in emerging technologies.
- Serve society through the application of engineering solutions that address global challenges in energy, healthcare, information technology, and sustainable development.
Program Objectives
The ME program in the ECE department prepares graduates to:
- Advance their professional or academic careers and undertake leadership roles with creativity and integrity.
- Pursue professional development and further education to stay at the forefront of technological advancement and contribute to knowledge creation in the field of electrical and computer engineering while upholding ethical standards.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the ME program are expected to:
- Analyze advanced core concepts and theories in areas of electrical and computer engineering.
- Produce original research or advanced engineering solutions in a specialized area of electrical and computer engineering.
- Effectively communicate scholarly work in a variety of formats with a range of audiences.
- Apply professional and ethical principles in engineering practice and research conduct.
Admission Requirements
All relevant requirements and regulations of the university and the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture for the master’s degree apply to the ME in ECE program.
To be eligible for admission, students must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited university.
Students whose undergraduate degree is in an area other than engineering and students whose undergraduate degree is a three-year degree are considered prospective graduate students. The supplementary courses must be completed within four consecutive regular terms.
Residency Requirements
Refer to the General University Academic Information section.
Master of Engineering (ME) Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Master’s Thesis (30 cr.)
- 24 course credit hours of which:
- A minimum of 21 credits of graduate level courses.
- A minimum of 18 credits of ECE graduate level courses.
- A minimum of 9 credits of graduate level courses in the major area.
- The seminar course should be registered for a minimum of 2 terms (EECE 797).
- The comprehensive exam should be registered before the fourth term (EECE 799T).
- 6 credits for master’s thesis (EECE 799).
- Students must declare their major area by the end of the registration period of their last term.
Note: Students may declare a minor area after registering for at least two courses in the area.
Master’s Non-Thesis (33 cr.)
- 33 credit hours of graduate level courses
- A minimum of 24 credits of ECE graduate level courses.
- A minimum of 12 graduate credits in the major area.
- The seminar course should be registered for a minimum of 2 terms (EECE 797).
- Students must declare their major area by the end of the registration period of their last term.
Note: Students may declare a minor area after registering for at least two courses in the area.
Major and Minor Areas
Refer to the section of major and minor areas of the ME program.
Comprehensive Exam for Master Program
All master’s program require that the students register and pass a 0-credit comprehensive examination course. Refer to the General University Academic Information section.
Supervision of Master’s Thesis
Thesis Committee and Proposal
Students are expected to meet with faculty members in the ECE department to discuss possible thesis topics and select a thesis adviser. They must prepare a thesis proposal by the end of the second regular term.
A Thesis Committee is formed by the thesis adviser and the student in coordination with the chairperson/coordinator of the program according to several conditions. Refer to the General University Academic Information section.
Students must register for the comprehensive exam (EECE 799T) before the fourth term and then submit the thesis proposal to the committee and secure their approval.
Subsequently, Students will submit the thesis proposal, along with a completed Thesis Proposal Form by Petition, to obtain the approval of the department and Graduate Studies Committee.
Thesis Defense
Students must register the thesis defense (EECE 799), with a minimum of six month after passing the comprehensive examination. Refer to the General University Academic Information section.
Deposit of the Thesis in the Library
Refer to the General University Academic Information section.
Master’s Degree Graduation Requirements
Refer to the General University Academic Information section.
Doctor of Philosophy Program (PhD)
The PhD program is designed to prepare students for advanced research, academic leadership, and innovation in the field. It provides training through coursework, seminars, and independent research, enabling candidates to contribute original knowledge and address complex challenges in engineering and technology. The program emphasizes collaboration with faculty, interdisciplinary exploration, and the development of expertise that supports both academic and industry careers.
Program Mission
The PhD program in ECE creates knowledge through advanced coursework and original research with expert faculty to shape the next generation of leaders for careers in academia and industry. It provides students with research-intensive studies in the different areas of ECE to develop competencies and proficiency in emerging technologies, and the latest advancements in science and engineering.
Program Objectives
The PhD program in the ECE department prepares graduates to:
- Advance their professional or academic careers and undertake leadership roles with creativity and integrity.
- Pursue professional development and advance the forefront of technological innovations in the field of electrical and computer engineering through cutting-edge research and development while upholding ethical standards.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the PhD program are expected to:
- Analyze advanced core concepts and theories in different areas of electrical and computer engineering.
- Produce original, novel, and independent research that contributes to knowledge advancement in a specialized area of electrical and computer engineering.
- Demonstrate scholarly communication skills in clear, detailed, and well-structured scientific written and oral formats consistent with high standards of their discipline.
- Employ teaching activities focused on student learning related to their electrical and computer engineering.
- Apply professional and ethical principles in engineering practice and research conduct.
Applicants who have an excellent record of academic achievement and potential for creative and independent work may be admitted according to one of the following categories:
- Students holding a master’s degree
- Students holding a bachelor’s degree
The minimum admission requirements for the two categories are described below.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the PhD program must hold a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering or a related discipline from AUB or another recognized institution of higher education, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 or its equivalent. Admission is determined by evaluating the following:
- Academic transcripts from the institution(s) of higher education attended by the applicant.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores.
- A written statement of purpose.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- A portfolio that includes a resume and samples of work.
- An interview conducted by the ECE Graduate Committee (EGC) in person, by phone or over the Internet.
- Satisfaction of the university requirements for admission to PhD program.
Residency Requirements
Students must register for at least four terms beyond the completion of the master’s degree. Requirements for the PhD degree must be completed within a period of ten regular terms years after starting graduate work beyond the master’s degree. Extension beyond the five-year limit requires the approval of the EGC, MSFEA GSC, and GC.
PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Program Requirements
Completion of at least 48 credits of graduate study consisting of combined course work and research beyond the master’s degree is required for the PhD degree in electrical and computer engineering. A minimum of 18 credits of course work, and a minimum of 24 credits of thesis work are required.
The basic program of study for the PhD degree is built around one major area and at least one minor area. Students take courses to satisfy the major and minor area requirements and acquire the knowledge needed for the written and oral examinations.
- The major area must be in one of the ECE areas.
- Students must take at least four graduate courses, including courses prior to admission to the PhD program, in their PhD major area.
- Students must also take at least 2 graduate courses in their PhD minor area, including courses taken prior to admission to the PhD program.
- The minor courses must be from one of the ECE areas.
- The seminar course should be registered for a minimum of 4 terms (EECE 797).
- Students must complete Qualifying Exam Part I: Comprehensive Exam (EECE 980).
- Students must complete Qualifying Exam Part II: Defense of Thesis Proposal (EECE 981).
- Students must register for the PhD Thesis course every term (one of EECE 982, 983, 984, 985, and 986).
Students must register a total of 9 cr. each term combining both graduate course work and PhD thesis work. The PhD thesis course must be registered in the following sequence:
| EECE 982 (3 cr.) | EECE 983 (6 cr.) | EECE 984 (9 cr.) | EECE 985 (12 cr.) | EECE 986 (0 cr.) |
| EECE 982 | EECE 983 | EECE 984 | EECE 985 | EECE 986 |
| EECE 982A | EECE 983A | EECE 984A | EECE 985A | EECE 986A |
| EECE 982B | EECE 983B | EECE 984B | EECE 985B | EECE 986B |
| EECE 982C | EECE 983C | EECE 984C | EECE 985C | EECE 986C
|
For example, if students enroll in 1 graduate course (3 cr.), they should also enroll in the PhD Thesis EECE 983 (6 cr.). However, if they enroll in 2 graduate courses (6 cr.), then, they should enroll in the PhD Thesis EECE 982 (3 cr.). Additionally, if students have already enrolled in one of PhD Thesis courses (EECE 982, 983, 984, 985, or 986) and plan to re-enroll in it later, hence, they must ensure to maintain the course’s sequence letter. (For example, if enrolled in EECE 983, the subsequent enrollment should be EECE 983A, not EECE 983B).
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.7 to remain in good standing. The cumulative average is calculated for courses taken beyond the master’s degree. Students will be placed on probation if they fail a course (below C+) or have a cumulative average that falls below (3.7). In such cases, students have one term to raise their cumulative average to a minimum grade of (A-) and must repeat failed courses as soon as the concerned courses are offered. Failure to do so will result in academic dismissal. Students cannot earn a PhD with a cumulative average below (3.7).
Major and Minor Areas
Refer to the section of major and minor areas of the PhD program.
PhD Qualifying Exam
The PhD program requires that PhD students pass the qualifying exam. The PhD qualifying exam is two parts. The Qualifying Exam Part I: Comprehensive Exam & the Qualifying Exam Part II: Defense of Thesis Proposal.
Refer to General University Academic Information section.
PhD Qualifying Exam Part I: Comprehensive Exam
The first part of the Ph.D. qualifying exam is an oral exam that must be taken by the student during the third regular semester in the program. This exam is administered by a qualifying exam committee of four faculty members, including the advisor. The qualifying exam is composed of the following components:
- Stage 1: Research Proposal Report and Presentation. The PhD candidate is assigned a topic different than their main thesis topic to assess their capacity for original research, including mastery of current knowledge in the field.
- Stage 2: Fundamental Knowledge. The committee members ask questions about concepts in the major and minor areas of the student. The purpose of these questions is to test the depth and breadth of knowledge of the Ph.D. student.
Qualifying Exam Part II: Defense of Thesis Proposal
Within two terms of passing the comprehensive examination, the students must take an oral qualifying examination, administered by their thesis committee. The defense of the PhD thesis proposal is considered part of the oral qualifying examination. In addition to reviewing the prospectus of the thesis, the nature and content of the examination are related to the student’s field of research.
Admission to Candidacy
Students must be admitted to candidacy at least two terms before obtaining the PhD degree.
For admission to candidacy, students are expected to have:
- Submitted a program approved by the thesis committee, ECE Graduate Committee (EGC), MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) and Graduate Council (GC).
- Passed the Qualifying Exam Part I and II.
- Completed at least 12 credits of graduate courses beyond the master’s degree.
- Attained a cumulative GPA of 3.7 in all courses taken beyond the master’s degree.
- Maintained good academic standing.
Supervision of Doctoral Thesis
PhD Thesis Committee
In accordance with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the thesis committee should be composed of at least five faculty members:
- Chair of the committee, adviser and at least one member from the student’s department/program.
- Two members must be from outside the university.
- At least four committee members must be from the student’s major area.
- All members must hold doctoral degrees.
- The adviser and at least three of the members must be of professorial rank.
- The chair of the thesis committee must be a full professor and cannot be the adviser.
Members of the committee are recommended by the student’s thesis adviser and approved by the Graduate Committee of the ECE department, MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee, and Graduate Council.
The committee approves the thesis topic and research plan, administers the oral Qualifying Exam (Part II), and conducts the thesis defense. The thesis proposal and selection of the committee should be approved at least two terms before the thesis defense.
Any changes in the committee, including the thesis adviser, must receive the approval of the EGC, MSFEA GSC, and GC.
PhD Thesis Proposal
Refer to PhD Thesis Proposal under General University Academic Information section.
PhD Thesis
Students must submit a thesis based on the results of original and independent research. The PhD thesis is expected to make a significant contribution to the field of electrical and computer engineering. Upon its completion and after its approval by the thesis adviser, the thesis must be defended orally. Refer to PhD Thesis Format under General University Academic Information section.
PhD Thesis Defense
Refer to PhD Thesis Defense under General University Academic Information section.
Deposit of the Thesis in the Library
Refer to PhD Thesis Defense under General University Academic Information section.
PhD Degree Graduation Requirements
To earn the PhD degree in electrical and computer engineering, students must complete the following requirements:
- Have at least one journal article, based on the PhD thesis, accepted in a leading international journal in the field of specialty subjected to at least two reviews. Additionally, at least two refereed conference papers based on the thesis must have appeared in conference proceedings.
- Have a cumulative average, beyond the master’s degree, of (3.7) or above and be in good academic standing.
- Satisfy the course and research credit requirements.
- Pass the comprehensive and oral qualifying examinations.
- Successfully completed the Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (C-THE) program.
- Complete and successfully defend a PhD thesis.
- Satisfy the residence requirement and all other pertinent AUB regulations.
ME & PhD Major or Minor Areas
The major and minor areas for the ME and PhD in ECE programs are shown below with their corresponding courses.
- Applied Electromagnetics and RF Systems: EECE 680, EECE 681, EECE 682, EECE 683, EECE 684, EECE 685, EECE 686, EECE 687, EECE 688
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: EECE 634, EECE 639, EECE 664, EECE 667, EECE 668, EECE 690, EECE 693, EECE 699
- Biomedical Engineering: EECE 601, EECE 603, EECE 605
- Communications and Signal Processing: EECE 640, EECE 641, EECE 644, EECE 645, EECE 646, EECE 691, EECE 692, EECE 694, EECE 695
- Computer Hardware Systems: EECE 611, EECE 612, EECE 616, EECE 617, EECE 621, EECE 622, EECE 623, EECE 624, EECE 625, EECE 626
- Computer Software Systems: EECE 606, EECE 631, EECE 636, EECE 637, EECE 638, EECE 642, EECE 652, EECE 696, EECE 731, EEE 732
- Control Systems: EECE 610, EECE 648/MECH 691/ENMG 628, EECE 660, EECE 661, EECE 662, EECE 663, EECE 665, EEE 669, EECE 697, EECE 698
- Energy and Power Systems: EECE 670, EECE 671, EECE 672, EECE 673, EECE 674, EECE 675, EECE 676, EECE 677, EECE 678, EECE 679
- Networks and Security: EECE 632, EECE 635, EECE 647, EECE 651, EECE 653, EECE 654, EECE 655, EECE 656, EECE 657
Course Descriptions