American University of Beirut

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​​

Educational Goals and Progra​​m 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,
  • and understand advances in selected energy technologies, products and energy end-use efficiency and their impact on market economy and development activities.

Admission R​​equirements

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 Admissions section (page 38).

Credit W​​​aiver 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 advisor, 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 a student has taken credit overload during his/her undergraduate BE studies. To apply, the student must have completed graduate electives that meet the program requirements with a score of at least 3.3.

Degree Require​​ments

The program permits full-time or part-time enrollments. To obtain a master’s degree in energy studies (thesis program), the student 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:

• 9 credits of required core courses
• 3 or 6 credits of elective courses from List A on energy resources, economics and policy
• 6 or 9 credits of elective courses from List B on energy science and technology
• 3 credits of elective course as approved by the thesis advisor/s if the elective is not from List A or B
• 0 credit seminar

Credit Summary

​​MS-ENST Non-Thesis Program Requirements​​​​​​​​​​​​

See General University Academic Information section in this catalogue (page 72).

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 a student fails to obtain a grade of C+ in any of the undergraduate prerequisites, s/he is allowed to repeat the course only once.​

The sample program schedule is given in the following table:

See General University Academic Information section in this catalogue (page 72).

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.

A student 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 student is already registered in one degree, s/he may apply for the second degree no later than the end of a student’s second term at AUB.

The program permits full-time or part-time enrollments. To fulfill the basic requirements for the dual degree, a student 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 advisor/s (ENST)

The courses that are counted toward 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

​Energy Studies Interdisciplinary Courses

• Energy Studies Interdisciplinary Courses​
  

Graduate Diploma in Building Energy Systems (GDBES)

The online Graduate Diploma in Building Energy Systems aims to equip the students with the following:

• Ability to identify how through an integrated building design approach, modification on envelop material, construction, orientation, mechanical systems for heating and cooling can be greatly reduced or eliminated
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis tools for evaluating energy performance of new and existing buildings including materials, envelope, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems that provide occupant comfort and good air quality
• Stimulated thinking about approaches for integration of renewable energy sources and systems into buildings and processes
• Understanding of the impact of energy economics, energy policies and regulatory frameworks on improving energy performance of systems, processes and buildings.

Upon successful completion of the GDBES, students are able to:

• Determine energy demands in buildings and processes for meeting needs of power, cooling ventilation, and heating in different climates and building functions
• Identify how through an integrated building design approach, modification on envelop material, construction, orientation, mechanical systems for heating and cooling can be greatly reduced or eliminated
• Perform analysis, develop and recommend enhanced performance technical solutions for meeting energy demands and air quality requirements in buildings and systems as applicable
• Use analysis tools to assess economic, building standards, and policy aspects that can help in expanding renewable energy resources use in systems, processes, buildings and their market.

Admissions Requ​irements

The student should meet the university’s minimum requirement for admission to a graduate degree program. The student should have an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in engineering (BE or its equivalent) with GPA 3.0 in the last two years of study (or standardized equivalent from other institutions of higher learning). In addition, an applicant who does not meet the minimum undergraduate average requirement but appears to have reasonable potential for academic success, for example as manifested by relevant practical experience or high scores on relevant standardized exam (e.g. GRE exam), may be admitted based on the recommendation of the faculty.

A student cannot be admitted simultaneously to the online GDBES program and the MMEAE program.

Degree Requ​​irements:

The online GDBES will require the successful completion of 12 credits of course work as follows:

• 6 credits of mandatory courses
• 6 credits of elective courses as offered by the program

Credi​​t Summary

​Features​​ of Online Delivery Courses

The course must comply with the AUB online course design standards.

The course has frequent formative and summative assessment using a mix of low stakes and high stakes activities that enhance student learning and permit continuous and prompt evaluation of student work.

The GDBES includes a comprehensive face-to-face exam which carries a weight of at least 30% of the overall grade of the course.

Graduation Requir​​ements

To be eligible for graduation, the student must:

• Pass all four courses with a minimum grade of (C+) in any course.
• Attain a cumulative course average of 3.3 or above, over the four courses.
• Transfer of Credits to Regular Master Program
• The student can transfer up to 12 online credits taken towards the GDBES into the full regular MMEAE program. The number of transferred credits counts towards the grand total of 12 credits that a student with a Bachelor of Engineering degree is allowed to transfer.
• The student must obtain an overall course grade of 3.3 to be able to transfer the course.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Specialization: Mechanical Engine​​ering

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 I​​nformation

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,
• and 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 Admissions Office. 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) (See page 38).

PhD Program Description

The PhD program in mechanical engineering requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree. The student must pass a two-part PhD Qualification Examination. In addition, the student must submit an original thesis based on independent research that makes a significant contribution to her/his area of research. The thesis is the principal component of the doctoral program and the part that will serve as the major indicator of a candidate’s abilities. A minimum of 30 credits registered as thesis work is required.

Advis​​​ors

After admission into the department, a general advisor will be assigned to the PhD student to guide her/him with the initial selection of courses and to introduce the student to the various research areas in the department. The student must select a thesis advisor by the end of the first term after admission into the program. The student must seek the faculty members that are in the student’s area of interest and discuss possible research topics for the PhD thesis with them. Once an advisor is identified, the student will develop a Proposed Program of Study that lists the courses the student intends 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.

Cours​​e 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 student’s 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 student’s 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 Cou​rse Requirements

A 3-credit advanced course in mathematics is required from all doctoral candidates. The course must be approved by the candidate’s advisor. The mathematics course requirement is satisfied if the student has completed at least 6 credits of advanced courses in math beyond the bachelor’s degree.

Major Course Area R​​equirements

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 student and must be approved by the student’s graduate thesis advisor. This will enable the doctoral candidate to pursue coursework in direct support of her/his research. The coursework must address all recommendations made during the qualification period by the student’s advisor and thesis committee.

The following major course areas are offered:

• Thermal and Fluid Sciences
• Design, Materials and Manufacturing
• Mechatronics

Minor Su​​bject Requirements

The minor is a program of advanced study that will help the student develop knowledge and some competence in an area related to her/his research other than the candidate’s 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 student’s 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 student is registered in a graduate program at AUB. The minor subject must be approved in advance by the student’s thesis committee and the MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee. The approval of the department offering the minor should also be sought.

If the student chooses mathematics as her/his minor, then the course taken to fulfill the mathematics course requirement will count towards the minor subject requirements.

PhD Qualif​ication Examination

See PhD Qualifying Exam under General University Academic Information section (page 89).​

Qualifying Exam Part I: Com​​prehensive Exam

Students must demonstrate that they have mastered the concepts of advanced calculus, solution of differential equations and computational methods.

The student 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 (page 89).

Qualifying Exam ​Part II: Defense of Thesis Proposal

See Qualifying Exam Part II: Defense of Thesis Proposal under General University Academic Information (page 90).

PhD Thesis Re​​​quirements

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 student intends to do and how s/he intends 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 C​​​ommittee

See PhD Thesis Committee under General University Academic Information (page 90​).

Course Plan for Ph​​D 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 student’s advisor is required. Acceptable courses include the following:

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 student 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. A student is required to register for a minimum of 30 credits of thesis work. A student may register for a maximum of 12 credits in any given term. The student must submit a thesis based on 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 student’s thesis advisor, a final oral examination will constitute the thesis defense.

Residency Requirements

The student 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 of 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 student has 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 student chooses 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 student 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 (page 454).

Refer to Qualifying Exam Part I and II section.

Graduation Requirements

A student can graduate at the end of any academic term upon satisfying the following requirements:

• Met the residency requirements and all pertinent AUB regulations
• Had at least two papers, based on her/his 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
• Attained a minimum cumulative course average of 85 (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​

• Energy Studies Interdiscip​linary Courses​
  
• Mechanical Engineering Courses
  
• Online Courses