Beirut, Beirut Governorate
The Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA) is a constituent faculty of the American University of Beirut (AUB), located in Beirut, Lebanon. Established in 1866 as part of the university’s founding, the faculty has evolved into a center for technical education and research in the Middle East. It operates under the charter of the American University of Beirut, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in the United States. The faculty serves as the primary engineering and design hub for the institution, providing undergraduate and graduate degrees to a diverse student body.
The faculty is organized into several distinct departments that cover a broad spectrum of technical and creative disciplines. These include the Department of Architecture and Design, the Department of Chemical, Petroleum, and Materials Engineering, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Each department offers curricula leading to Bachelor of Engineering (BE), Bachelor of Architecture (BArch), Master of Engineering (ME), Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Academic programs within MSFEA are designed to meet international standards of technical competency. Many of the undergraduate engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This accreditation signifies that the programs meet the quality standards established by the profession for which they prepare graduates. The curriculum emphasizes a combination of theoretical instruction and practical application, requiring students to complete senior design projects, laboratory work, and professional internships as part of their graduation requirements.
The physical campus facilities supporting the faculty are integrated into the broader American University of Beirut grounds in the Ras Beirut district. These facilities include specialized laboratories for robotics, fluid mechanics, soil analysis, environmental engineering, and sustainable design. The faculty also utilizes dedicated studios for architectural students, computer-aided design (CAD) centers, and shared university resources such as the Jafet Memorial Library. These spaces are intended to facilitate collaborative research and technical skill development across various engineering sub-disciplines.
Research and academic focus at MSFEA are centered on addressing regional and global challenges in infrastructure, energy, sustainable development, and urbanization. Faculty members and students engage in projects funded by both internal university grants and external international organizations. The research output covers areas such as renewable energy integration, water resource management, structural engineering, and urban planning. By maintaining these research initiatives, the faculty supports the university's mission to contribute to knowledge generation and the advancement of technical solutions within the local and international context.
The governance of the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture is aligned with the academic policies of the American University of Beirut. Admission processes, degree requirements, and student conduct codes are managed through the university’s central administration, ensuring consistency across all faculties. Students enrolled in MSFEA participate in the broader campus life of AUB, which includes access to student organizations, athletic facilities, and university-wide academic support services. This integration ensures that engineering and architecture students receive a comprehensive education that includes humanities and social science components alongside their technical coursework.
Professional development for students is facilitated through partnerships with industry, professional engineering societies, and alumni networks. The faculty maintains ties with organizations that provide students with opportunities for career placement, professional certification guidance, and networking. These connections are intended to bridge the transition from academic study to professional practice in engineering and design fields. By adhering to established engineering standards and maintaining continuous accreditation, the faculty remains a functional component of the educational infrastructure provided by the American University of Beirut.
