American University of Beirut

Graduate Programs

Master of Engineering and Master of Science Programs

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) offers the degree of Master of Engineering (ME) with the following majors and concentrations:

• Major: Civil Engineering (CE) Concentration: Construction Engineering and Management, Geotechnical, Materials, Structural and Transportation
  
• Major: Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWRE) Concentration: Environmental Engineering and Water Resources Engineering

Also offered is a program leading to the degree of Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Science with the following major:

• Major: Environmental Technology (ET)
• The master’s degree programs equip students with the necessary tools for professional practice and/or the pursuit of higher education.

Doctor of Philosophy Programs

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) offers the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with the following majors and concentrations:

• Major: Civil Engineering (CE) Concentration: Construction Engineering and Management, Geotechnical, Materials and Transportation
• Major: Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWRE) Concentration: Environmental and Water Resources

Master of Engineering (ME)

General Information

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers two graduate programs leading to the ME degree:

• Thesis Program
• Non-Thesis Program

The Thesis Program prepares students through course work and provides them with significant research experience in their selected area of concentration. All graduate students must satisfy either the thesis or the non-thesis program requirements. The program will be indicated on the student’s transcript.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the graduate program, a student must hold a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field. Students with a bachelor’s degree in majors other than Civil Engineering must fulfill the prerequisite course requirements as set by the department. 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 this catalogue.

Bachelor of Engineering holders from a 5-year equivalent engineering program may obtain a waiver for 9 credits of relevant graduate level courses from their BE degree as long as they maintain a minimum grade of 3.3 (B+) or its equivalent in each of these courses.

Bachelor of Science holders must complete an additional 18 credits of engineering courses prior to enrollment in the master’s program and must achieve a GPA of at least 3.3 (B+) in these courses. No credit toward the graduate degree is given for these courses.

A minimum of one calendar year of residency​​​ is required for graduation. The student must also satisfy all relevant Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA) and AUB requirements.

Major: Civil Engineering (CE)

The objectives of the CE program are to:

1. Convey state-of-the-art knowledge in the specialized field of choice;
2. Develop sophisticated scientific computational and experimental research skills; and
3. Encourage independent and creative thinking.

Thesis Program Requirements

In order to fulfill the graduation requirements in the CE Thesis Program, a student must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate courses and a thesis (6 credits) based on independent research, equivalent to at least 6 credit hours. The required course work is distributed as follows:

• A minimum of four graduate courses (12 credit hours) in the field of concentration
• A maximum of two graduate courses (6 credit hours) in a relevant CEE field
• A maximum of two graduate courses (6 credit hours) of relevant electives in a related field in engineering or science (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Economics)
• Comprehensive Exam (CIVE 799T)
• Thesis (CIVE 799)
• Seminar course (CIVE 600)

The courses that fall in the elective category must be pre-approved by the department. Up to two senior level civil engineering courses (CIVE 600 series), taken at the undergraduate level, can be counted towards the master’s degree.

Non-Thesis Program Requirements

In order to fulfill the graduation requirements in the Non-Thesis Program, a student must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours of graduate courses. The required course work is distributed as follows:

• A minimum of five graduate courses (15 credit hours) in the field of concentration
• A maximum of three graduate courses (9 credit hours) in a relevant CEE field
• A maximum of three graduate courses (9 credit hours) of relevant electives in a related field in engineering or science (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Economics)
• Comprehensive Exam (CIVE 799T)
• Seminar course (CIVE 600)

The courses that fall in the elective category must be pre-approved by the department. Up to three senior level civil engineering courses (CIVE 600 series), taken at the undergraduate level, can be counted towards the master’s degree.

Major: Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWRE)

The objectives of the EWRE program are to:

1. Convey state-of-the-art knowledge in the specialized field of choice;
2. Develop sophisticated scientific computational and experimental research skills; and
3. Encourage independent and creative thinking.​

Thesis Program Requirements

In order to fulfill the graduation requirements in the CE Thesis Program, a student must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate courses and a thesis (6 credits) based on independent research, equivalent to at least 6 credit hours. The required course work is distributed as follows:

• A minimum of two core graduate courses (6 credit hours) in the area of specialty
• A minimum of two graduate elective courses (6 credit hours) in the area of specialty
• A minimum of two graduate courses (6 credit hours) in the minor area
• A maximum of two graduate elective courses (6 credit hours) in a related field in engineering or science (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Economics)
• Comprehensive Exam (CIVE 799T)
• Thesis (CIVE 799)
• Seminar course (CIVE 600)

The courses that fall in the elective category must be pre-approved by the department. Up to two senior level civil engineering courses (CIVE 600 series), taken at the undergraduate level, can be counted towards the master’s degree.

Non-Thesis Program Requirements

In order to fulfill the graduation requirements in the Non-Thesis Program, a student must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours of graduate courses. The required course work is distributed as follows:

• A minimum of three core graduate courses (9 credit hours) in the area of specialty
• A minimum of three graduate elective courses (9 credit hours) in the area of specialty
• A minimum of three graduate courses (9 credit hours) in the minor area
• A maximum of two graduate elective courses (6 credit hours) in a related field in engineering or science (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Economics)
• Seminar course (CIVE 600)
• Comprehensive Exam (CIVE 799T)

The courses that fall in the elective category must be pre-approved by the department. Up to three senior level civil engineering courses (CIVE 600 series), taken at the undergraduate level, can be counted towards the master’s degree.

Specialization: Environmental Engineering

Minor: Water Resources Engineering

• Core Courses: CIVE 550, CIVE 551, CIVE 552, CIVE 553, CIVE 555
• Elective Courses: CIVE 645, CIVE 650, CIVE 651, CIVE 652, CIVE 653, CIVE 654, CIVE 655, CIVE 656, CIVE 657, CIVE 751, CIVE 755

Specialization: Water Resources Engineering

Minor: Environmental Engineering

• Core Courses: CIVE 541, CIVE 542, CIVE 640, CIVE 641, CIVE 642
• Elective Courses: CIVE 644, CIVE 645, CIVE 647, CIVE 648, CIVE 656, CIVE 740

Master of Science (MS)

Major: Environmental Technology (ET)

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Technology (ET). The program is part of the Interfaculty Graduate Environmental Sciences Program (IGESP) and is open to non-engineering students who hold a degree in basic sciences. For more details, on the IGESP program, refer to the Interdisciplinary Research Centers and Programs section of this catalogue.

In order to fulfill the graduation requirements in the MS Program, a student must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate courses and a thesis equivalent to 6 credit hours, or 27 credit hours of graduate courses and a project course equivalent to 3 credit hours.

The required course work is distributed as outlined below:

• Two courses selected from the following sequences:
  • No more than one course from the ENVH program (3 cr.) ENSC 640/ENHL 310, ENSC 641/ENHL 312, ENSC 642/ENHL 314
  • No more than one course from the ECOM program (3 cr.) ENSC 630/EDEM630, LDEM 301, LDEM 302
  • No more than one course from the EPP program (3 cr.) ENSC 650/PSPA 316
• A minimum of three graduate core courses (9 cr.) in Environmental Engineering
• A minimum of two graduate elective courses (6 cr.) in Environmental Engineering
• Experimental Design and Statistical Methods course (3 cr.) (CIVE 602)
• Comprehensive Exam (ENSC 695)
• Thesis (ENSC 699) or Project (ENSC 697)​
  
• Seminar course (CIVE 600)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

General Information

The PhD programs offered by the CEE department train graduate students to address and solve current problems in civil and environmental engineering. PhD students are trained to be future educators and proficient researchers geared to assume leadership roles in their profession.

The objectives of the PhD program are to:

• cultivate expertise in concentration areas of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
• develop research skills necessary for the formulation and solution of challenging problems,
• and acquire teaching expertise through assistance in class lectures and laboratory sessions.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the PhD program, a candidate must:

• hold a master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering or a related discipline from AUB or another recognized institution of higher learning (for admission in the regular track), or a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline (for admission in the accelerated track). A minimum cumulative course GPA of 3.7, or its equivalent, is required for admission.
• submit a complete application including a statement of interest, transcripts of academic records from all institutions attended after high school, a curriculum vitae and three letters of recommendation,
• provide scores for the General Exam part of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE),
• demonstrate proficiency in the English language if English is not the native language (refer to the catalogue section on Readiness for University Study in English (RUSE)),
• and complete an interview either in person or by phone (for non-AUB students).

The application to the doctoral program will follow the deadlines set by the Office of Admissions at AUB. Admission decisions for the PhD program are made upon the recommendations of the CEE department and the MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee, with the approval of the AUB Board of Graduate Studies.

Regular PhD Program Requirements

The regular PhD program requires a minimum of 24 credit hours of course work beyond the master’s degree and 24 credit hours of thesis work. The course work consists of

• a minimum of 12 credits in the area of concentration, (major courses),
  
• 6 credits in a related area, (minor courses),
  
• and 6 credits in an area other than the candidate’s field of research, which can be taken inside or outside the department,  (elective courses).
  

Accelerated PhD Program Requirements

The accelerated PhD program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of course work beyond the bachelor’s degree and 42 credit hours of thesis work. The course work consists of

• a minimum of 21 credits in the area of concentration, (major courses),
  
• 9 credits in a related area, (minor courses),
  
• and 6 credits in an area other than the candidate’s field of research, which can be taken inside or outside the department, (elective courses).​
  

Candidacy Requirements

Qualifying Exam Part I: Comprehensive Exam

All students admitted to the PhD program must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination administered by the department. The purpose of the comprehensive exam is to ascertain the student’s knowledge in his/her field of specialization and related areas. The written exam will cover major topics from within the concentration area and related fields. Normally, a student on the regular track will take the comprehensive exam no later than 18 months after enrollment in the PhD program and after completing a minimum of 15 credits of courses. A student on the accelerated track will usually take the comprehensive exam no later than 24 months after enrollment in the PhD program and after completing a minimum of 30 credits of courses. Students who do not pass the comprehensive exam may, upon the recommendation of the department, take it for a second time the following term. Failing the exam a second time will result in the student’s discontinuation from the graduate program. 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: PhD Thesis Defense under General University Academic Information section.

Admission to Candidacy

See Admission to Candidacy under General University Academic Information section.

Thesis Requirements

Refer to General University Academic Information section.

Thesis Committee

See PhD Thesis Committee under General University Academic Information section.

Thesis Defense

See PhD Thesis Defense under General University Academic Information section.

PhD Publication Requirements

See PhD Publications Requirements under General University Academy Information section.

Residency Requirements

See Residency Requirements under General University Academy Information section.

Graduation Requirements

• Attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 (A-) in 24 credits (regular program) or 36 credits (accelerated program) of course work taken at the PhD level
• Attain a minimum grade of 3.3 (B+). for courses taken at the PhD level
• Pass the PhD thesis defense
  
• Satisfy the minimum residency requirements
  
• Have at least two publications according to one of the following options: (1) in two internationally refereed journals, (2) in two international conferences, or (3) in one internationally refereed journal and one international conference.
• Satisfy all pertinent AUB regulations
  

Sample Study Program

A typical program of study for a PhD student is shown below.

PhD in Civil Engineering (CE)

The concentration areas and specialized tracks of the PhD programs in CE are consistent with the fields of expertise and research interests of the faculty members and the existing research and laboratory facilities. The specialty areas are as follows:

Structural and Materials Engineering

• Advanced design and behavior of concrete, steel structures and fiber-reinforced composites
• Strengthening and rehabilitation of structural systems, and structural health monitoring
• Advanced concrete technology including plain, hot-weathered and high-strength concrete
• Petrographic, chemical, and mechanical properties of sands and aggregates
• Seismic evaluation and assessment, and earthquake engineering design
• Numerical modeling and computer-aided structural engineering

Construction Engineering and Management

• Pre-project planning and design management for construction projects
• Construction estimating, planning and scheduling
• Construction technologies, methods, equipment and safety
• Construction project delivery, management and contracts
• Construction contract administration and dispute resolution
• IT and BIM applications in construction
• Construction systems analysis and lean applications
• Sustainability issues related to building design and construction
• Construction business environment and risks

Geotechnical Engineering

• Land reclamation and site improvement
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) used in decision-making and expert tool applications
• Geo-environmental engineering with reference to waste disposal and site contamination
• Geotechnical earthquake engineering, geo-hazards and risk assessment
• Behavior of soils

Transportation Systems

• Urban transportation planning and modeling (transport and mobility considerations in urban universities, characterization of uncontrolled traffic conditions and walkability in urban areas, travel demand modeling)
• Public transport (operational planning and market arrangement implications in mass transit systems)
• Transportation and the environment (modeling and estimation of traffic induced emissions)
• Road safety (modeling and simulation of aggressive driver behavior)
• Maritime transport (maritime shipping, optimization of container terminal operations)
• Project evaluation (feasibility assessment and project delivery of transport infrastructure projects)

PhD in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWRE)

The PhD program in EWRE focuses on the following courses and research topics:

• Water and wastewater treatment systems
• Solid and industrial waste treatment/management
• Air quality management and air pollution control
• Environmental and water resources management and planning
• Water quality modeling
• GIS and IT applications for environmental and water resources management
• Watershed modeling and management
• Hydrologic systems analysis
• Hydraulic systems analysis
• Environmental biotechnology and bioremediation
• Fate and impact of emerg​​​ing environmental contaminants
  
• Biofuels and bioenergy

Course Descriptions

Structural ​Courses

Structural ​Courses

Construction Engineering an​d Management Courses

Construction Engineering and Management Courses

Geotechnical​​ Courses

Geotechnical Courses

Water Resour​​ces Courses

Water Resources Courses

Environ​mental Courses

Environmental Courses

Transportation Cours​es

Transportation Courses

Materials ​​Courses

Materials Courses

Multidisciplinary Courses

Multidisciplinary Courses

Special Courses

Special Courses​