/ School of Engineering / Department of Civil Engineering /

Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Engineering degree program in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org), the recognized accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. ABET accreditation demonstrates a program’s com­mitment to providing its students with a quality education. 

ABET logo.jpg

Overview

The Department of Civil Engineering at LAU provides a well-rounded quality and challenging engineering education that graduates dynamic and creative engineers. The program draws upon the broad resources of the comprehensive university and aspires to be among the top prorams in the country and the region.

The Department of Civil Engineering is committed to providing students with a solid theoretical background, training in the latest design methods and proficiency in technological applications. Our graduates go on to pursue varied careers in design, construction, management and research.

The Department of Civil Engineering currently offers courses in the fields of:

Construction engineering:

  • Construction Engineering
  • Environmental engineering
  • Geotechnical engineering
  • Surveying
  • Structural engineering
  • Transportation engineering
  • Water resources engineering

MISSION

The mission of the  program of Civil Engineering at LAU is to provide students with a quality and challenging education, through innovative teaching, professional practice and community service, enabling the students to enrich their lives and make valuable contributions to their communities.

VISION

To prepare our graduates to be technically competent, talented, creative, and ethically responsible engineers who are effective professionals in today’s work environment. We keep them abreast of the latest technical software. This enables them to enrich their lives and make valuable contributions to their communities

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, the graduates of the Civil Engineering program will:

  1.  Achieve success in their chosen career path, be it professional practice or graduate studies;
  2.  Adapt to meet the changing requirements of the job market;
  3. Be responsible citizen engineers.

Student Outcomes

The students will acquire in their matriculation through the program, the following skills, knowledge, and behaviors:

  1. An  ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
  2. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
  3. An ability to design a system, component, or process, to meet the desired needs, within realistic constraints, such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
  4. An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.
  5.  An ability to identify, to formulate, and to solve engineering problems.
  6. An understanding of one’s professional and ethical responsibility.
  7.  An ability to communicate effectively.
  8.  A broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and social context.
  9. A recognition of the need and the ability to engage in lifelong learning.
  10.  A knowledge of contemporary issues.
  11. An ability to use the techniques, the skills, and the modern engineering tools that are necessary for the engineering practice.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for admission may apply to any of the two campuses (Beirut or Byblos) by sending an application to the campus they choose to join. Applicants may apply to LAU as regular or special, sophomore or transfer students. Applications are accepted within the set deadlines and students can join at the start of any semester (fall, spring or summer).

Application forms are available at the Admissions Offices or on the LAU website (www.lau.edu.lb under the “Admissions Office” link), or can be mailed to applicants upon request. Applicants will be evaluated by the School of Engineering Admissions Council and final acceptance will be based on each applicant’s qualifications and the availability of places.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The total number of credits required for graduation is 150. This includes six technical elective courses, and seven courses with a separate industry standard software laboratory. Elective courses allow students to choose the emphasis, depending on their own interests and current market needs. Software courses enhance the learning experience and improve the marketability of our graduates. A typical schedule over a four-year period, including summer modules, is listed hereafter. Students may elect to take these courses over a longer period of time.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

LIBERAL ARTS CORE CURRICULUM (13 CREDITS)

  • ARA2—/3— / Arabic Language/Literature (3 cr.)
  • COE201 / Computer Proficiency (1 cr.)
  • ENG202 / Sophomore Rhetoric (3 cr.)
  • ENG203 / Fund. Oral Communication (3 cr.)
  • HLT201 / Basic Health (1 cr.)
  • PED2— / Physical Education (1 cr.)
  • ETH201 / Moral Reasoning (1 cr.)

LIBERAL ARTS ELECTIVES (12 CREDITS)

  • One course in Social Sciences (3 cr.)
  • One course in Philosophy, Religion, History (3 cr.)
  • One course in Literature (3 cr.)
  • One course in Arts (3 cr.)

MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS (18 CREDITS)

  • CHM201 / Chemical Principles* (3 cr.)
  • MTH201 / Calculus III* (3 cr.)
  • MTH206 / Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MTH304 / Differential Equations (3 cr.)
  • GNE331 / Probability & Statistics* (3 cr.)
  • BI0200 / Basic Biology OR BI0203 / Introduction to Ecology (3 cr.)

*LAC Sciences and Quantitative Reasoning are satisfied through CHM201, MTH201, and GNE331.

OTHER ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS (10 CREDITS)

  • MEE211 / Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)
  • GNE301 / Professional Communication (2 cr.)
  • COE212 / Engineering Programming (3 cr.)
  • INE320 / Engineering Economy (3 cr.)
  • GNE305 / Professional Ethics (1cr.)

CIVIL ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS (79 CREDITS)

  • CIE200 / Statics (3 cr.)
  • CIE202 / Mechanics of Materials (3 cr.)
  • CIE302 / Structural Analysis I (3 cr.)
  • CIE303 / Structural Analysis I-SOFT (1 cr.)
  • CIE304 / Stress Analysis (3 cr.)
  • CIE305 / Stress Analysis-LAB (1 cr.)
  • CIE306 / Concrete Structures I (3 cr.)
  • ClE307 / Concrete Structures I-SOFT 1 (1 cr.)
  • CIE308 / Construction Materials (3 cr.)
  • CIE309 / Construction Materials-LAB (1 cr.)
  • CIE320 / Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • CIE321 / Fluid Mechanics-LAB (1 cr.)
  • CIE322 / Hydraulics 3 (3 cr.)
  • CIE323 / Hydraulics-SOFT (1 cr.)
  • ClE361 / Surveying (3 cr.)
  • ClE362 / Surveying Lab (1 cr.)
  • ClE400 / Steel Structures (3 cr.)
  • CIE424 / Water Distribution & Treatment (3 cr.)
  • CIE425 / Environmental Eng’g -LAB (3 cr.)
  • CIE426 / Wastewater Collection & Treatment (3 cr.)
  • CIE427 / Environmental Eng’g –SOFT (1 cr.)
  • GNE305 / Professional Ethics (3 cr.)
  • CIE434 / The Civil Eng’ g Profession (2 cr.)
  • CIE436 / Detailing for Civil Engineers (2 cr.)
  • CIE444 / Soil Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • ClE445 / Soil Mechanics-LAB (1 cr.)
  • CIE446 / Foundation Engineering (3 cr.)
  • CIE447 / Geotechnical Engineering-SOFT (1 cr.)
  • CIE460 / Highway Engineering (3 cr.)
  • CIE461 / Transportation Eng’g -SOFT (1 cr.)
  • CIE465 / Transportation Systems Eng’g (3 cr.)
  • CIE480 / Civil Engagement  Mgt Fundamental (3 cr.)
  • CIE485 / Construction Plan. &Scheduling (3 cr.)
  • CIE486 / Construction Mgt-SOFT(1 cr.)
  • CIE498 / Professional Experience-Civil (6 cr.)
  • CIE601 / Capstone Design Project (3 cr.)

CIE TECHNICAL ELECTIVES (18 credits)

  • CIE510 / Finite Element Method (3 cr.)
  • ClE512 / Concrete Structures II (3 cr.)
  • CIE516 / Adv. Steel: Design & Behavior (3 cr.)
  • ClE517 / Earthquake Analysis of Structures (3 cr.)
  • CIE518 / Adv.Stru.Anal.forGrav&Lat.Load
  • CIE520 / Solid Waste Management (3 cr.)
  • CIE521 / Hydrology (3 cr.)
  • CIE522 / Environmental impact Assessment (3 cr.)
  • CIE525 / Environmental Policy and Management (3 cr.)
  • CIE526 / Environmental Remediation (3 cr.)
  • CIE540 / Advanced Geotechnical I Engineering (3 cr.)
  • CIE544 / Geotech. Asp. of Earthquake Eng (3 cr.)
  • CIE562 / Airport Planning and Design(3 cr.)
  • CIE563 / Transportation Planning and Land Use (3 cr.)
  • CIE564 / Mass Transit Systems (3 cr.)
  • CIE582 / Infrastructure Management (3 cr.)
  • ClE584 / Quality Management Systems (3 cr.)
  • ClE585 / Risk & Natural Hazard Mgt (3 cr.)
  • CIE 586 / Construction Decision under Uncertainty (3 cr.)
  • CIE587 / Construction Cost Engineering (3 cr.)CIE 589 / Construct. Methods & Equip (3cr.)
  • CIE600 / Topics in Civil Engineering (3 cr.)
  • CIE602 / Undergraduate Research (3 cr.) Or any other approved technical elective by the dept.

Note: All technical electives require at least senior standing in addition to their relevant pre- requisites.

Recommended study plan

This is a recommended plan of study over a four years period.

Year One

Fall (17 credits)

  • MTH201 / Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • CHM201 / Chemical Principles (3 cr.)
  • CIE200 / Statics (3 cr.)
  • COE212 / Engineering Programming (3 cr.)
  • COE201 / Computer Proficiency (1 cr.)
  • MEE211 / Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)
  •  ENG202 / Sophomore Rhetoric (3 cr.)

Spring (17 credits)

  • ARA 2—/3— / Arabic Language/Literature (3 cr.)
  • HLT201 / Basic Health (3 cr.)
  • CIE202 / Mechanics of Materials (3 cr.)
  •  MTH206 / Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • BIO200 / Basic Biology OR BIO203 / Intro to Ecology (3 cr.)
  • ETH201 / Moral Reasoning (1 cr.)
  • ENG203 / Fundamental of Oral Communication (3 cr.)

Summer I (3 credits)

  • Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective (3 cr.)

Summer II (3 credits)

  • Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (15 credits)

  • CIE308 / Construction Materials (3 cr.)
  • CIE309 / Construction Materials–LAB (1 cr.) 
  • CIE302 / Structural Analysis I (3 cr.)
  • CIE303 / Structural Analysis - SOFT (1 cr.)    
  • CIE320 / Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.)   
  • CIE321 / Fluid Mechanics - LAB (1 cr.)       
  • MTH304 / Differential Equations (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • CIE306 / Concrete Structures I (3 cr.)
  • CIE307 / Concrete Structures I–SOFT (1 cr.)    
  • CIE322 / Hydraulics (3 cr.)
  • CIE323 / Hydraulics–SOFT (1 cr.)                          
  • CIE304 / Stress Analysis (3 cr.)                        
  • CIE305 / Stress Analysis–LAB (1 cr.)
  • CIE361 / Surveying (2 cr.)
  • CIE362 / Surveying Lab (1 cr.)

Summer I (6 credits)

  • GNE331 / Probability and Statistics (3 cr.)                      
  • GNE301 / Professional Communication (2 cr.)                             
  • PED2— / Physical Education (1 cr.)

Summer  II (6 credits)

  • Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective (3 cr.)         
  • INE320 / Engineering Economy I (3 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (17 credits)

  • CIE444 / Soil Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • CIE445 / Soil Mechanics–LAB (1 cr.)
  • CIE424 / Water Distribution & Treatment (3 cr.)
  • CIE425 / Environmental Engineering –LAB (1 cr.)
  • CIE460 / Highway Engineering (3 cr.)
  • CIE461 / Transportation Engineering –SOFT (1 cr.)
  • CIE482 / Civil Eng. Management Fundamentals (3 cr.)
  • GNE305 / Professional Ethics (1 cr.)

Spring (17 credits)

  • CIE426 / Wastewater Collection & Treatment (3 cr.)
  • CIE427 / Environmental Engineering –SOFT (1 cr.)
  • CIE446 / Foundation Engineering (3 cr.)
  • CIE447 / Geotechnical Engineering–SOFT (1 cr.)
  • CIE465 / Transportation Systems Engineering (3 cr.)
  • CIE485 / Construction Plan. &Scheduling (3 cr.)
  • CIE486 / Construction Management–SOFT (1 cr.)

Summer I (6 credits)

  • CIE498 / Professional Experience-Civil (6 cr.)

Year Four

Fall (16 credits)

  • CIE601 / Capstone Design Project (3 cr.)
  • CIE436 / Detailing for Civil Engineers (2 cr.)
  • CIE434 / The Civil Engineering Profession (2 cr.)
  • CIE— / Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • CIE— / Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • CIE— / Technical Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • CIE400 / Steel Structures (3 cr.)
  • CIE— / Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • CIE— / Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • CIE— / Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective (3 cr.)

Extracurricular Activities

The program encourages students to get involved in a large variety of extracurricular activities.

Our civil engineering students are regularly offered corporate sponsorships and internships abroad.  Six or more of our students are sponsored yearly by the Dubai Contracting Company to participate in an intensive internship program in Dubai.

Our department also offers opportunities for excelling students to receive merit scholarships dedicated from generous donors.  Under partnership agreements, we offer training experience for some students as well as best achievement awards, best Final Year Project awards, best term paper award.  In addition, our students regularly participate in sponsored field trips.

Moreover, civil engineering students can register in the American Society of Civil Engineers club.

The club’s main purpose is to stay on top of the issues facing civil engineers and the civil engineering profession. The club has organized trips to experience real life projects as well as seminars with professional speakers to discuss future opportunities for civil engineers in Lebanon, Gulf, and worldwide. The importance of the club is to secure a fast and efficient way of communication between the Civil Engineering students, their official representative at the Student Affairs Committee and the faculty of the Civil Engineering Department.