Academic Catalog 2017–2018

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Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics Engineering

Overview

Mechatronics is a modern, multi-disciplinary professional engineering area of study that combines several essential aspects from the fields of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering.

Every day, mechatronics engineers are involved in the research and development of state-of-the-art technologies in automation, control and robotic systems that are widely adopted in the fields of medicine, security, energy, construction and economics, among others. Examples of its applications include driver-less autonomous vehicles, medical robots, exoskeletons, artificial human limbs and smart building management systems.

Graduates with a degree in mechatronics engineering work in several disciplines, including industrial automation and control, intelligent systems, robotics, manufacturing, product development, oil well drilling, home automation, smart transportation systems, Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) devices and smart grids, among others.

Mission

The B.E. in Mechatronics will provide students with a comprehensive, specialized, and contemporary education preparing them for successful careers in the industry and graduate studies.

Program Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, graduates of the B.E. in Mechatronics Engineering will

  1. establish themselves as practicing mechatronics engineers or be engaged in advanced studies,
  2. conduct themselves as effective professionals, and
  3. demonstrate leadership and collaborate effectively with diverse team members.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.E. in Mechatronics Engineering, students will acquire 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 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, formulate, and 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 for and the ability to engage in lifelong learning,
  10. a knowledge of contemporary issues, and
  11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and the modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission may apply to either of the two campuses (Beirut or Byblos). Applicants will be evaluated by the School of Engineering Admissions Committee and final acceptance will be based on each applicant’s qualifications and the availability of places. The following documents are required for application:

  1. Scores on English exam as per university regulations
  2. Scores on the SAT I exam
  3. Scores on one of the following Official Exams: Lebanese Baccalaureate or equivalent, French Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, or A-Levels
  4. Grades from the last three years of school.

More details are found in the SOE Admissions Quick Guide.

Curriculum

The total number of credits required for graduation is 150 credits, distributed as follows:

  • Four Technical Elective courses,
  • Nine courses with a separate industry standard software laboratory or physical laboratory sessions,
  • Elective Track courses for emphasis depending on student’s interests and current market needs,
  • Software and physical laboratory courses to enhance the learning experience and improve employment opportunity, and
  • A minimum residency of four years, including three summer semesters.

Technical Electives (12 credits)

MCE Technical Electives could be taken from any of the following courses:

MCE Elective Courses1

  • MCE510 Real Time Systems (3 cr.)
  • MCE520 Industrial Automation (3 cr.)
  • MCE522 Intelligent Building Management Systems (3 cr.)
  • MCE524 Building Automation Systems (3 cr.)
  • MCE530 Smart Materials (3 cr.)
  • MCE532 MEMS (3 cr.)
  • MCE540 Introduction to Biomechatronics (3 cr.)
  • MCE550 Robotics & Intelligent Systems (3 cr.)
  • MCE552 Computer Vision & Image Processing (3 cr.)

ELE Elective Courses

  • ELE411 Electromagnetic Fields (3 cr.)
  • ELE501 Microelectronics (3 cr.)
  • ELE526 Renewable Energy Sources (3 cr.)
  • ELE537 Communication Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE548 Linear Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE553 Reliability (3 cr.)
  • ELE557 Simulation of Electronics Circuits (3 cr.)

MEE Elective Courses

  • MEE403 Heat Transfer (3 cr.)
  • MEE442 Mechanical Vibrations (3 cr.)
  • MEE505 Solar Systems (3 cr.)
  • MEE515 Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning (3 cr.)
  • MEE543 Acoustics & Vibration Control (3 cr.)
  • MEE590 Energy Audit (3 cr.)
  • MEE599D Intro to Sustainable Energy (3 cr.)
  • MEE599E Advanced Powertrain (3 cr.)
  • MEE599H Passive Building Design (3 cr.)

COE Elective Courses

  • COE416 Software Engineering (3 cr.)
  • COE423 Computer Architecture (3 cr.)
  • COE424 Digital Systems (3 cr.)
  • COE527 VLSI Design (3 cr.)
  • COE543 Intelligent Data Processing & Applications (3 cr.)
  • COE544 Intelligent Engineering Algorithms (3 cr.)
  • or any other Technical Elective course approved by the department

1These are planned courses; actual delivery may vary.

Note that all Technical Electives require at least senior standing in addition to their relevant prerequisites.

Mathematics and Science Core Courses (19 credits)

  • GNE331 Probability & Statistics (3 cr.)
  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MTH207 Discrete Structures I (3 cr.)
  • MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr.)
  • PHY201 Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr.)

Other Engineering Required Courses (15 credits)

  • CIE200 Statics (3 cr.)
  • COE201 Computer Proficiency (1 cr.)
  • GNE301 Professional Communication (2 cr.)
  • GNE303 Engineering Ethics (2 cr.)
  • INE320 Engineering Economy (3 cr.)
  • INE428 Project Management (3 cr.)
  • MEE211 Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)

Mechatronics Engineering Required Courses (82 credits)

  • COE211 Computer Programming (4 cr.)
  • COE312 Data Structures (3 cr.)
  • COE321 Logic Design (3 cr.)
  • COE322 Logic Design Lab (1 cr.)
  • COE323 Microprocessors (3 cr.)
  • COE324 Microprocessors Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE201 Electrical Circuits I (3 cr.)
  • ELE302 Electrical Circuits II (3 cr.)
  • ELE303 Electrical Circuits II Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE401 Electronics I (3 cr.)
  • ELE402 Electronics I Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE430 Signals & Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE442 Control Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE443 Control Systems Lab (1 cr.)
  • MCE301 Electromechanics (3 cr.)
  • MCE410 Mechatronics Project1 (3 cr.)
  • MCE411 Mechatronics System Design (3 cr.)
  • MCE498 Professional Experience (6 cr.)
  • MCE591 Capstone Design Project I (3 cr.)
  • MCE592 Capstone Design Project II (3 cr.)
  • MEE241 Dynamics (3 cr.)
  • MEE301 Thermodynamics (3 cr.)
  • MEE311 Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • MEE312 Fluid Mechanics Lab (1 cr.)
  • MEE320 Strength of Materials (3 cr.)
  • MEE321 Material Properties & Processes (3 cr.)
  • MEE341 Kinematics & Dynamics of Linkages (3 cr.)
  • MEE351 Computer Aided Design (3 cr.)
  • MEE391 Instrumentation and Measurements (3 cr.)
  • MEE422 Mechanical Engineering Design (3 cr.)

LAC Requirements (18 credits)

Core Courses (6 credits)

  • ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
  • COM203 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3 cr.)

Elective Courses (12 credits)

  • One course in social sciences (3 cr.)
  • One course in philosophy, religion, or history (3 cr.)
  • One course in literature (3 cr.)
  • One course in arts (3 cr.)

Sample Study Plan

First year

Fall (17 credits)

  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • MTH207 Discrete Structures I (3 cr.)
  • PHY201 Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr.)
  • CIE200 Statics (3 cr.)
  • COE201 Computer Proficiency (1 cr.)
  • ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)

Spring (17 credits)

  • MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MEE211 Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)
  • MEE241 Dynamics (3 cr.)
  • ELE201 Electrical Circuits I (3 cr.)
  • COE211 Computer Programming (4 cr.)
  • LAC Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (9 credits)

  • MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr.)
  • GNE331 Probability & Statistics (3 cr.)
  • LAC Elective (3 cr.)

Second Year

Fall (14 credits)

  • ELE302 Electrical Circuits II (3 cr.)
  • ELE303 Electrical Circuits II Lab (1 cr.)
  • MEE321 Material Properties & Processes (3 cr.)
  • COE312 Data Structures (3 cr.)
  • COE321 Logic Design (3 cr.)
  • COE322 Logic Design Lab (1 cr.)

Spring (17 credits)

  • ELE401 Electronics I (3 cr.)
  • ELE402 Electronics I Lab (1 cr.)
  • COE313 Data Structures - Lab (1 cr.)
  • COE323 Microprocessors (3 cr.)
  • MEE320 Strength of Material (3 cr.)
  • MEE391 Instrumentation & Measurements (3 cr.)
  • MCE301 Electromechanics (3 cr.)

Summer (8 credits)

  • COM203 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3 cr.)
  • GNE301 Professional Communication (2 cr.)
  • LAC Elective (3 cr.)

Third year

Fall (16 credits)

  • MEE301 Thermodynamics (3 cr.)
  • MEE311 Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • MEE312 Fluid Mechanics laboratory (1 cr.)
  • MEE351 Computer Aided Design (3 cr.)
  • GNE303 Engineering Ethics (2 cr.)
  • COE324 Microprocessors - Lab (1 cr.)
  • MCE410 Mechatronics Project I (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • MEE341 Kinematics & Dynamics of Linkages (3 cr.)
  • ELE430 Signals & Systems (3 cr.)
  • MCE411 Mechatronics System Design (3 cr.)
  • MCExxx Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • SOE Signature Course (3 cr.)

Summer (6 credits)

  • MCE498 Professional Experience (6 cr.)

Fourth year

Fall (16 credits)

  • ELE442 Control Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE443 Control Systems – Lab (1 cr.)
  • MCE591 Capstone Design Project I (3 cr.)
  • MCExxx Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • MCExxx Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • INE320 Engineering Economy (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • INE428 Project Management (3 cr.)
  • MEE422 Mechanical Engineering Design (3 cr.)
  • MCExxx Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • MCE592 Capstone Design Project II (3 cr.)
  • LAC Elective (3 cr.)