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School of Engineering
Associate Dean
Hany El-Kadi
The School of Engineering offers Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in several engineering disciplines and in computer science. These are all comprehensive curricula that emphasize quality, communication skills, application to real-world situations, interdisciplinary learning and team building. AUS School of Engineering graduates are well equipped to face the future.
A degree from the AUS School of Engineering gives its holder access to a learned profession with opportunities for practice in industry, government, business, consulting and entrepreneurship. AUS engineering graduates are also well qualified for advanced studies toward a master’s or doctoral degree leading to careers in research and development, engineering management and higher education teaching. Additionally, an engineering education is an excellent avenue to other professions such as law, medicine and public service.
Engineering is an excellent choice for young men and women who aspire to well-paid careers in which they are empowered to contribute to society on a local, regional or global scale. Those who enter engineering today can look forward to a rewarding career that offers personal fulfillment, service to humankind and economic prosperity, as well as a national and international perspective on the world of professional work.
Mission Statement
The American University of Sharjah is a dynamic institution of higher education. As such, it offers to its students an innovative educational environment. The university’s degree programs are adapted to the needs of the citizenry of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In order to fulfill current and projected needs while maintaining an American-style curriculum, the School of Engineering has the following mission:
The School of Engineering at the American University of Sharjah aspires to be the recognized leader in engineering education in Sharjah, across the UAE and the GCC, and to become a top choice by students, parents, faculty and staff who choose to contribute to engineering higher education.
The school’s degree programs offer the highest level of professional and technical preparation, global preparedness and leadership development in an environment of English language education and partnership between faculty and students. All programs offer state-of-the art technology, understanding and experimentation with design and problem-solving processes, and excellent opportunities to experience real-world and research project involvement.
Curriculum
The School of Engineering offers undergraduate programs in chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science. The school’s faculty members provide an educational experience that is equivalent to those offered by leading state and private universities in the United States and Europe. Each curriculum has its own distinguishable features; however, common threads of design and problem solving have been woven into the fabric of the curricula to ensure that each student receives the very best education tailored to the needs of the Middle Eastern student and industry.
The engineering and computer science programs are intended to prepare graduates for regional as well as worldwide practice. The programs are designed to satisfy the general university requirements and to meet the program criteria adopted by accreditation agencies both in the United Arab Emirates and in the United States. The degree programs emphasize learning the effective use of technology, information resources and communication methods. The program instills in its graduates leadership qualities anchored in moral and ethical principles.
School of Engineering graduates will work in an international and very competitive environment. Graduates must possess English fluency in both written and spoken forms; hence, instruction and interaction between students and faculty members are conducted in English. English fluency is especially critical as more multinational corporations adopt English as the corporate language.
All engineering degree freshmen take the same courses to ensure a sound, broadly based preparation in general education knowledge as well as a firm understanding of the principles and practices of all engineering disciplines. The freshman year for computer science is slightly different. In various formats, the oral, written, graphical and software communication skills of a student are developed, demonstrated and assessed. This is accomplished foremost in the required laboratories, research papers, senior projects and internships. Also, independent study one-on-one with faculty is a valuable option available to the student. The critical use of paper and electronic forms of published literature is taught from the first semester in all curricula in the School of Engineering. Throughout the degree plan, students must use and are assessed on their ability to discover, understand and critically judge the quality of publicly available literature.
Well-equipped computer labs are provided for students during and after classes and laboratories. The menu of software systems available for design, analysis and synthesis tasks in classes, labs, senior projects and courses in other parts of campus is determined by what the faculty members teach in all of their courses. Each student must complete a team-based extensive senior project focused on a real-world problem that requires specification, design, analysis and synthesis as the problem-solving process is utilized. Faculty members serve as close advisors and monitor each student’s progress. Additionally, each student must complete a summer internship or training program in order to graduate. Many employers participate in this valuable experience.
Objectives and Outcomes
In order to help students be successful at AUS, the major educational objectives of the School of Engineering are to:
- Assist students in achieving their potential through preparation for a successful and satisfying career in the engineering and computer science professions
- Prepare well-educated graduates able to serve in regional and international practice with consideration of multicultural environments
- Prepare a BS-level graduate to be successful in graduate studies in a related area
- Offer undergraduate and graduate academic programs that are critical to the sustainable development of society and the quality of life in the region
- Offer broad-based curricula worthy of accreditation nationally and internationally due to a thorough, balanced foundation in math, science and design principles, as well as the humanities and social sciences
The graduates of the School of Engineering are educated to be able to demonstrate the following outcomes:
- Approach the system stages of problem identification, needs analysis, requirements definition, design, implementation, maintenance and phaseout using the life-cycle concept
- Write, read and speak in private and public to peers, supervisors and employers in a coherent, organized fashion that demonstrates understanding of problems and solutions that are practical and implementable
- Utilize in a variety of settings the fundamentals of math, science and engineering principles
- Keep abreast of and utilize in their work current computer and software technologies that are relevant to the field chosen by the student and graduate
- Achieve a recognized level of engineering practice and certification available to an engineering graduate serving in professional practice
- Participate in, as well as lead, team-based activities using current technology, engineering practices and science principles
- Make and implement ethical choices in all professional endeavors
Assessment and Evaluation of Curriculum
The School of Engineering has developed and implemented the Course Assessment and Improvement Process (CAIP). It is a comprehensive approach to the collection of student and faculty assessments of course material, delivery and student perception of learning. The results are used to improve course and laboratory content, delivery methods, testing and practical applications at the course level, for technical and supporting areas, as well as at the degree levels. The result is an ongoing process whereby students can be assured of improvements on a continuing basis.
Degree Programs Offered
The School of Engineering offers six bachelor of science degrees, seven minors (biomedical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, engineering management, mechanical engineering and software engineering and security) and two master of science degrees (mechatronics and engineering systems management). An overview of the graduate programs is provided in the Graduate Studies section of the catalog. Descriptions of and requirements for the undergraduate degrees are provided below. The computer science degree is described in a section located after the engineering disciplines.
Admission and Degree Requirements
Formal admission to a major at the second-year level in all programs of the School of Engineering requires the completion of all required first-year courses (excluding the free elective) and a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0. In addition, a minimum average grade point of C (2.0) with a minimum of C- in each course must be earned in specific freshman-level mathematics and science courses. These courses are specified for each major as follows:
- Chemical engineering: MTH 103 Calculus I and CHM 101 General Chemistry I
- Civil engineering: MTH 103 Calculus I and PHY 101 General Physics I
- Computer engineering: MTH 104 Calculus II and PHY 102 General Physics II
- Electrical engineering: MTH 103 Calculus I and MTH 104 Calculus II, PHY 101 General Physics I and PHY 102 General Physics II
- Mechanical engineering: MTH 103 Calculus I and PHY 101 General Physics I
- Computer science: MTH 103 Calculus I and one science course (PHY 101, CHM 101 or BIO 101), and either MTH 104 Calculus II or a second science course (PHY 102, CHM 102 or BIO 102)
A freshman student who has a cumulative GPA of C (2.0) or above and an average GPA of at least B (3.0) in these specified courses is assured admittance to the second-year level of their chosen major. If the demand for a major exceeds the availability, then the students will be accepted in their intended major based on their GPA.
Graduation Requirements for the BS Degree in Engineering
In order to qualify for graduation with a bachelor of science degree in engineering, students must complete a minimum of 140 credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in the major, including:
- prescribed courses that ensure the satisfaction of the AUS general education requirements (44 credits)
- major requirements and major electives that include courses in mathematics, sciences, engineering sciences and engineering design that ensure preparation for professional practice (90 credits)
- summer internship or practicum for at least five weeks after the third year, working in a professional environment
- free electives (6 credits)
To qualify for graduation with the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree, students must complete a minimum of 130 credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in the major, including:
- 48 credits of general education requirements
- 58 credits of major requirements
- 12 credits of major electives
- 12 credits of free electives
- summer internship or practicum working in a professional environment for at least five weeks after the third year
Bachelor of Science Degrees
The School of Engineering offers a bachelor of science degree in each of the following disciplines:
- Chemical Engineering (BSChE)
- Civil Engineering (BSCE)
- Computer Engineering (BSCoE)
- Electrical Engineering (BSEE)
- Mechanical Engineering (BSME)
- Computer Science (BSCS)
The BS requirements include general education requirements (GER); major requirements (MJR); major elective (MJE) courses, which provide depth in a sub-specialty of a chosen field; and free electives (FRE). The general education requirements include foundation courses in mathematics, science, the humanities, social sciences, Arabic heritage and English.
Each engineering degree program is designed for completion in four years including one summer session (six weeks) of study and the summer internship. Students whose academic background requires the completion of preparatory courses in mathematics, English or physics will require more than four years to complete the engineering program. Even without preparatory courses, many students opt to take additional time to complete their BS program. During the final year, a senior design (capstone) project must be completed. All engineering degree students are required to take a comprehensive assessment examination in the capstone senior design course. Practical training in an engineering environment strengthens the student’s preparation for engineering practice. The computer science degree program is designed for completion in four years, including one summer internship. Students whose academic background requires the completion of preparatory courses in mathematics, computer science, English or physics will require more than four years to complete the computer science program. During the final year, a senior design (capstone) project must be completed. Practical training in a computer science professional environment strengthens the student’s preparation for professional practice.
Freshman Year in Engineering
The first year, which provides a base in physics, chemistry, engineering and mathematics, is common to all engineering students. Students with acceptable grades can change majors within the School of Engineering with no credit loss during the first year. Other course requirements for subsequent years are listed under individual engineering majors.
Information on each degree can be viewed through the following links. You can always come back to this page and select a different link for viewing:
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