For a breakdown of enrollment and degrees awarded, click Enrollment and Graduation Data for more information.​​​

I. University Requirements
Every student is required to take 24 credit hours of general education courses distributed over seven domains. Fifteen (15) mandatory credit hours are selected from domains 1, 2, 3, and 4 and (9) elective credit hours selected from domains 5, 6, and 7 as indicated in the University section (General Education).

II. College Requirements
The list of the College required courses and their descriptions are presented in the introductory pages of the College of Engineering section.
 
III. Program Requirements
The list of the Program required courses and their descriptions are presented below.


A. Mandatory requirements
The CWDE mandatory core courses are listed in the table below.

No.	Course #	Course Title	Credit Hours	Prerequisites
Compulsory Courses (72 credit hours) ​ ​
1.	0408170	Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering	2	-
2.	0408270	Water Resources and Management	3	- Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering (0408170)
3.	0408271	Water Chemistry and Analysis	3	- General Chemistry 1 (1420101)
4.	0408272	Chemical Thermodynamics	3	- Calculus 1 for Eng. (1440133) - Calculus 2 for Eng. (1440161)
5.	0408272	Applied Fluid Mechanics	3	-
6.	0408274	Membrane I: Introduction to Membrane Science and Technology	2	- Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering (0408170)
7.	0408275	Fundamental of Thermal Desalination Processes	2	- Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering (0408170)
8.	0408276	Material Processing Engineering	3	- Physics 1 (1430155) - General Chemistry 1 (1420101)
9.	0408277	Principles of Heat Transfer	3	- Chemical Thermodynamics (0408272)
10.	0408278	Mass Transfer	3	-
11.	0408279	Polymers Engineering	3	- Membrane I (0408274)
12.	0408280	Principles of Water Treatment Technologies	3	- Membrane I (0408274) - Fundamental of Thermal Desalination Processes (0408275)
13.	0408281	Chemical Thermodynamics Lab	1	- Chemical Thermodynamics (0408272)
14.	0408282	Applied Fluid Mechanics Lab	1	- Applied Fluid Mechanics (0408272)
15.	0408370	Thermal System Design and Analysis	3	- Membrane I (0408274) - Principles of Heat Transfer (0408277)
16.	0408371	Membrane II: Membrane Preparation, Characterization, Performance, and Fouling Testing	3	- Membrane I (0408274)
17.	0408372	Pre and Post Treatment for Desalination Plants	3	- Principles of Water Treatment (0408280)
18.	0408373	Polymers Engineering Lab	1	- Polymer Engineering (0408279)
19.	0408374	Thermal Desalination Process Design and Analysis	3	- Thermal System Design and Analysis (0408370) - Fund. of Thermal Desalination (0408275)
20.	0408375	Membrane III : Applied Membrane Separation Processes	3	- Membrane 2
21.	0408376	Sea Water Desalination using Non-Conventional Methods	3	- Membrane 1
22.	0408377	Principle of Water Treatment Technology lab	1	- Principles of Water Treatment (0408280) - Pre and Post Treatment (0408372)
23.	0408378	Heat and Mass Transfer Lab	1	- Principles of Heat Transfer (0408277) - Mass Transfer (0408278)
24.	0408470	Process Control and Simulation	3	- Differential Equations for Eng. (1440261)
25.	0408471	Plant Design and Cost Analysis	3	- Engineering Economics (0401301) - Membrane 2 - Pre and Post Treatment (0408372)
26.	0408472	Membrane Preparation, Characterization, Performance and Fouling Testing Lab	1	- Membrane 2
27.	0408473	Water Desalination Lab	1	- Thermal Desalination Process Design and Analysis (0408374)
28.	0408474	Water and Energy	3	- Membrane 3 - Thermal Desalination Process Design and Analysis (0408374)
29.	0408477	Practical Training	0	- Senior Standing (90 hours completed)
30.	0408478	Senior Design Project I	1	- Senior Standing (90 hours completed)
31.	0408479	Senior Design Project II	3	- Senior Design Project I
32.	0403300	Professional, Social and Ethical Issues in Engineering	1	Junior Standing

B. Technical Elective
As part of the program for the Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Water Desalination Engineering, the student is required to study  9 credit hours of technical elective courses. These courses allow the student to focus on a specific area for in-depth knowledge and understanding. The student can also mix and match elective courses from different areas to get more general exposure to the different Chemical and Water Desalination Engineering disciplines. The student should select, in cooperation with the academic advisor, the list of electives that best meet his or her needs and aspirations. It is highly recommended that the student registers for these courses after completing the program requirements.

​No.	​ Course #	​Course Title	​Credit Hours	​Prerequisites
Elective Courses (9 credit hours) ​ ​ ​
1.	0408480	Renewable Energy Desalination	3	-
2.	0408481	Hybrid Desalination Processes	3	-
3.	0408482	Modeling & Simulation of Multi-Stage Flash Desalination	3	-
4.	0408483	Membrane Distillation	3	-
5.	0408484	Pressure Retarded Osmoses (PRO) Membranes	3	-
6.	0408485	Nanotechnology for Water Treatments and Desalination	3	-
7.	0408486	Nuclear Desalination	3	-
8.	0408487	Special Topic	3	-

 

C. Senior Design Project Option
Students will have a Senior Design Project during their senior year of study over two semesters: 

• Senior Design Project I (1 credit)
  
• Senior Design Project II (3 credits)
  

   

Course Description
The courses offered in the  Chemical and Water Desalination Engineering program are designated code numbers in the form of (0409ABC) where:

A	Year (level)
B	Areas
C	Course sequence in an area

 


Course Description

0408273

Applied Fluid Mechanics

This course will cover the basic concepts of the Fluid properties; Units; Pressure and fluid statics: pressure distribution in fluid at rest, hydrostatic forces on plane and curved surfaces, buoyancy and stability, Fluids in rigid body motion; Fluid Kinematics, dynamics of fluid motion: concepts of streamline, control volume, steady and one-dimensional flows; continuity, Euler, Bernoulli, steady flow energy, linear and angular momentum equations; flow in pipes and losses, Flow through prose media and membranes. Pre-requisite: 1440133, 1440161, 1420101

 

0408274

Membrane I: Introduction to Membrane Science and Technology

The Course covers comprehensive introduction to the membrane science and technology to gain a basic understanding of membranes types, properties, preparation and applications as well as their present and future technical relevance and economic impact. The course is concentrated on the discussion of selected fundamental and application related aspects. Following to a comprehensive introduction, some fundamental thermodynamic and mathematical relations necessary for an understanding of the membrane functions in the various processes and their applications will be covered. Pre-requisite: 0409100

 

0408275

Fundamental of Thermal Desalination Processes

The Course covers comprehensive introduction to the thermal desalination to gain a basic understanding of different types, of thermal technologies as well as their present and future technical relevance and economic impact. The course is concentrated on the discussion of selected fundamental and application related aspects. Following to a comprehensive introduction, some fundamental thermodynamic and mathematical relations necessary for an understanding of the thermal desalination in the various processes and their applications will be covered. Pre-requisite: 0409100

 

0408276

Material Processing Engineering

This course will provide general background about fundamental characteristics of a variety of materials including metals, ceramics, and polymers for graduate level students.  The course will present a broad multidisciplinary approach to understanding the chemical bonding in materials, crystal structure and defects, diffusion, and phase diagrams and manipulating the mechanical, electrical, optical and magnetic properties of materials. Pre-requisite: 1420101 , 1430115

 

0408278	Mass Transfer
The course will cover basic principles of mass transfer and its application to separation processes: The quantitative description of mass transport (convection and diffusion). Application of mass transfer principles to model and quantify the different systems such as humidification, and drying. Understand the analogies between momentum, heat and mass transfer. Pre-requisite: 0406202

 

0408278	Mass Transfer
The course will cover basic principles of mass transfer and its application to separation processes: The quantitative description of mass transport (convection and diffusion). Application of mass transfer principles to model and quantify the different systems such as humidification, and drying. Understand the analogies between momentum, heat and mass transfer. Pre-requisite: 0406202

 

0408279	Polymers Engineering
This course gives an introduction to polymer science and engineering and it covers the following topics: Properties of polymers, Polymers characterization techniques, Polymer reactions kinetics and reactors design, Polymer synthesis and production processes, and Composite Materials. Pre-requisite: 0409204

 

0408280

Principles of Water Treatment Technologies

The course aims to provide the students with a background of the theory, operation and design of various advanced physical and chemical water treatment processes for controlling water quality which have not been discussed in the Fundamentals of Water Treatment course, including: adsorption, centrifugation, ion exchange, chemical oxidation and advanced oxidation, UV technology, disinfection, and an introduction for membrane separation processes. Pre-requisite: 0409100, 0409200

 

0408281

Chemical Thermodynamics Lab

This course covers the basics of the different Chemical Thermodynamics fundamental concepts experiments that will help the student during their study of the different desalination processes. These experiments include:  relation between pressure and temperature of Marcet Boiler, study of different temperature measuring devices, measuring the air humidity and changes the state of the gases as well as the phase change, measurement of heat capacity and thermal conductivity of solid, liquid and gas determine the power input, heat output and coefficient of a vapor compression cycle in Mechanical Heat Pump,  Study of a gas turbine operation demonstration of its different components. Pre-requisite: 0409202

 
 

0408282

Applied Fluid Mechanics Lab

This lab course demonstrate experimentally the basic concepts of flow behavior, fluid forces and analysis tools through different systems. The experiments includes: Measurement of Viscosity, Density and Specific Gravity of Fluids Calibration of Pressure Gages, Hydrostatic Forces Experiment,  Reynolds pipe flow: laminar flow, transition to turbulence, and turbulence,  Verification of Bernoulli's theorem, Fluid Flow Visualizations/ Cavitation, Water Hummer , Determination of Friction Loss along Straight Pipes, bends and elbows , Packed Bed, Fluidized Bed, Pelton turbine . Pre-requisite: 0409203

 

0408370

Thermal System Design and Analysis

In this course, the principles of heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics will be combine to study the design of the thermal system. At the end of the course the student will be able to step by step design different types of heat exchangers and evaporators that is related to thermal desalinations process.    Topics covered include: Heat transfer in Boiling and condensation, design of Heat exchangers and evaporators, and simulation of thermal system and optimization. Pre-requisite: 0409202, 0409207

 

0408371

Membrane II: Membrane Preparation, Characterization, Performance and Fouling Testing

Introduction to Membrane Synthesis, Fabrication Processes for Polymeric Membrane, Fabrication Processes for Inorganic Membrane, Fabrication of Polymeric and Composite Membranes, Surface Modification of Inorganic Materials for Membrane Preparation, Fabrication of Low-Fouling Composite Membranes for Water Treatment, Introduction to Membrane Characterization, Spectroscopy Methods for Membrane Characterization, Microscopy Methods for Membrane Characterization, Physical and Chemical Characterization Methods for Membrane Characterization, Mechanical Properties Characterization of Membranes. The synthesis and characterization of the polymer used for the membranes preparation are covered in details in courses 409209. Pre-requisite: 0409204, 0409206, 0409209

 

0408372	Pre and Post Treatment for Desalination Plants
The course aims to provide the students with a background of the theory, operation and design of various advanced physical and chemical seawater Pre and Post treatment technologies used for desalination. Pre-requisite: 0409210

 

0408373

Polymers Engineering Lab

This lab gives a practical experiment on polymer science and engineering and it covers the following topics: Properties of polymers, Polymers characterization techniques, Polymer reactions kinetics and reactors design, Polymer synthesis and production processes, and Composite Materials. This course provides detailed information on the synthesis and characterization of the polymers that is used for the membranes fabrications. Pre-requisite: 0409209

 

0408374

Thermal Desalination Process Design and Analysis

The course describes the science and technology of thermal desalination processes. It addresses technical and economical parameters of both commercial operating and new technologies. It covers the recent developments, areas to enhance efficiencies, reduce water production cost and CO2 emission. The course also covers: the conventional thermal technologies; MSF, MED and VC, Hybrid, tri Hybrid and Integrated Technologies, New Technologies Analysis (H-DH, MD), Power-Desalination Cogeneration Analysis, Solar and Nuclear Desalination, Related issues; scale, corrosion, material used and Brine Management and Environmental Impact and Enhancing Desalination Processes Performance. Pre-requisite: 0409300

 

0408375	Membrane III : Applied Membrane Separation Processes
The course will cover basic principles of Membranes (Membrane Classifications and Membrane Configurations), Membrane Processes (Operation Modes and Membrane Fouling).   Principles of membrane-based desalination processes such as (Microfiltration, Ultra-filtration) for pretreatment, reverse osmosis, Forward Osmosis, and Membrane distillation. Performance degradation (membrane fouling, scaling, concentration polarization, and compaction), and Membrane cleaning and regeneration. Industrial membrane-based desalination units. Energy consumption using different membrane-based. Pre-requisite: 0409301
​
0408376	Sea Water Desalination using Non-Conventional Methods
The course describes the science and technology of non-conventional desalination processes. It addresses technical and economical parameters of the new technologies. It covers the recent developments, areas to enhance efficiencies, reduce water production cost and CO2 emission. Hybrid, tri Hybrid and Integrated Technologies, H-DH, MD, Solar and Nuclear Desalination, electrochemical and electro dialysis. Pre-requisite: 0409300, 0409204

 

0408377	Principle of Water Treatment Technology lab
The course covers fundamental experiments for different water and wastewater treatment technologies divided into three main categories: physical, chemical, and biological. Topics covered include: Determination of total solids (COD and BOD), adsorption, filtration, absorbance, ion exchange, chemical oxidation, jar test, and aerobic and anaerobic digestion. Pre-requisite: 0409210, 0409302

 

0408378	Heat and Mass Transfer Lab
The course covers fundamental experiments for different water and wastewater treatment technologies divided into three main categories: physical, chemical, and biological. Topics covered include: Determination of total solids (COD and BOD), adsorption, filtration, absorbance, ion exchange, chemical oxidation, jar test, and aerobic and anaerobic digestion. Pre-requisite: 0409207, 0409208, 0409300

 

0408470

Process Control and Simulation

Introduction to process dynamics and control: concepts and incentives, Mathematical modeling principles of typical process systems, Modeling and analysis for process control (solving ODEs by Laplace), Transfer functions and linearization, Empirical model identification (using Control Station), Dynamic behavior of first and second order system, The feedback loop and the PID algorithm, PID controller tuning algorithms for dynamic performance, Stability analysis for process control systems, Digital implementation of process control, Practical application of feedback control, Performance of feedback control system, Cascade, feed forward, ratio and override Control. Pre-requisite: 1440261

 

0408471

Plant Design and Cost Analysis

This course brings together the concepts of engineering and economics for chemical and desalination plant design and optimization. This course can be termed as the pinnacle of the chemical and desalination-engineering curriculum as it deals with applications of the individual aspects of chemical and desalination engineering such as fluid mechanics, mass transfer, heat transfer, process control, thermodynamics, thermal system design etc. for designing of an efficient and economic chemical and desalination process. By the end of this course the students will be able to understand; the concepts of General design considerations, Process design development, Layout of plant items, Flow sheets and PI diagrams, Break-even analysis, Optimum production rates in plant operation, Economic aspects and Optimum design, Practical considerations in design and engineering ethics, Degrees of freedom analysis in interconnected systems, Direct and Indirect costs, Factors affecting Investment and production costs, Estimation of capital investment and total product costs, Interest, Time value of money, Taxes and Fixed charges, Salvage value, Methods of calculating depreciation, Profitability, Alternative investments and replacements. Pre-requisite: 0401301, 0409302, 0409306, 0409307

 

0408472

Membrane Preparation, Characterization, Performance and Fouling Testing Lab

The course will cover process manufacturing Process of Ceramic and Polymeric membranes that includes Microfiltration, Ultra-filtration, Nanofilteration, Reverse osmosis, Forward Osmosis, and Membrane distillation. In addition, the labs will cover the testing the Performance degradation (membrane fouling, scaling, concentration polarization, and compaction), and Membrane cleaning and regeneration. Industrial membrane-based desalination units. Energy consumption using different membrane-based. The synthesis and characterization of the polymer used for the membranes preparation are covered in details in courses 409209 and 409304. Pre-requisite: 0409301

 

0408473

Water Desalination Lab

This course covers the basics of the different water desalination technologies that are divided into main categories, i.e., thermal desalination such as Multi effect distillation (MED), Multi-stage flash (MSF), and Vacuum desalination VD, and membrane desalination such as reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, electrodialysis, reverse electrodialysis and membrane distillation. Pre-requisite: 0409306, 0409307,  0409400

 

0408474

Water and Energy

This course introduces to the students the concept refers as the relationship between the water and energy (Water-Energy Nexus). Both, energy and water represent basic resources for all living systems. Water is used for both conventional and renewable power systems for energy production and electricity generation (hot water, steam power plant, concentrated solar power), and fuel production (fossil fuels and biofuels). Energy is required for water management, transportation, extraction, treatment, purification, and desalination. As the demand for both energy and water is increasing due to the population growth and with the increasing environmental pressures due to global warming, the understanding of the water-energy nexus is crucial for political and managerial decisions on the local, regional and global scale (Water-Energy-Food Security). Ethical and professional responsibility will be considered as part of a Water/Energy system design. Pre-requisite: 0409301, 0409306, 0409307, 0409308, 0409400

 

0408477	Practical Training
The Practical Training experience provides the student with an opportunity to explore career interests while applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in a work setting. The experience also helps students gain a clearer sense of what they still need to learn and provides an opportunity to build professional networks. Pre-requisite: Senior Standing/90 hours completed

 

0408479

Senior Design Project II

Students work on a major design project, applying the methodology and concepts proposed in senior design project I (0409491). Students apply and integrate the knowledge gained in previous course work to develop solutions to an open-ended problem. Students apply the modern engineering design methodology to choose from alternative design subject to realistic constraints, and incorporate standards and constraints. Student teams work together to build upon the proposed senior design project I (409491) methodology to design, build, refine and test complete hardware or/and software systems to meet specifications. Another alternative, student teams work together to design and run experiments, analyze data, and conclude on research findings based on their senior design project I (409491).  A project final product (prototype, software code, research/experiments findings, etc.…), oral presentations, poster presentation, and a comprehensive final report are required. Pre-requisite: Senior Standing

 

Elective Courses
Descriptions of the technical elective courses are given below:

0408480

Renewable Energy Desalination

Applications of sustainable methods such as renewable energy technologies for desalination systems. The course will cover desalination technologies powered with renewable energy systems including  solar PV, solar thermal, wind, geothermal, fuel cells and hybrid renewable power systems. Desalination powered with renewable energy systems will help to develop sustainable methods and strategies for freshwater production with lower greenhouse gas emissions and at competitive cost compared to fossil fuel powered desalination plants.  Pre-requisite: None. ​

 

0408481

Hybrid Desalination Processes

Introduction to the concept of a hybrid complex desalination plant, which consists of several desalination units of different technologies operating in parallel or connected in series. Two or more technologies are usually involved in the hybrid desalination processes such as RO-MED; R0-MSF, MED-AD. The combination of two or more desalination processes will help to provide better environmental solutions and lower water cost compared to single desalination technology plant. Hybridization of desalinations systems offers many advantages: increase in the quality and the amount of desalinated water, reduction in the energy consumption and minimize the environmental impacts.        Pre-requisite: None. ​

 

0408482

Modeling & Simulation of Multi-Stage Flash Desalination

Introduction of Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) Desalination, MSF Desalination Plant Control Systems, Dynamic Model for an MSF Plant, General Linear Static Data Reconciliation Problem, Analysis of the Dynamic Model for Control, Model Reduction Methods, Multiloop Optimization, Adaptive Scheme with Optimally Tuned PID Controller, Application of Artificial Neural Networks, MATLAB® Programs for MSF. Pre-requisite: None. ​

 

0408483

Membrane Distillation

Introduction to Membrane Distillation (MD), Membranes Used in MD and Design, Formation of Flat Sheet Phase Inversion MD Membranes, Formation of Hollow Fibre MD Membranes, MD Membrane Modules, Direct Contact Membrane Distillation, Sweeping Gas Membrane Distillation, Vacuum Membrane Distillation, Air Gap Membrane Distillation, Membrane Distillation Hybrid Systems, Economics, Energy Analysis and Costs Evaluation in MD. Pre-requisite: None. ​

 

0408484

Pressure Retarded Osmoses (PRO) Membranes

This course will cover osmotically pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) in the fields such as desalination, water treatment and power generation. The course will explain the differences between the pressure-driven membrane processes, e.g., Reverse Osmosis (RO), which typically employs applied high pressure as driving force and PRO, which take advantages of naturally generated osmotic pressure as the sole source of driving force. In light of this, PRO possess many advantages over pressure-driven membrane processes. The advantages include low energy consumption, ease of equipment maintenance, low capital investment, high salt rejection, and high water flux. Pre-requisite: 0409301 ​

 

0408485

Nanotechnology for Water Treatments and Desalination

This course introduces the basic science and engineering concepts of nanoscience/nanotechnology and the Environmental impacts and the applications of nanomaterials in water treatment. Students will learn both basic science and technology and will discuss the opportunities for nanotechnology to improve the quality of life, as well as the potential negative consequences of this emerging science on the environment and human health.  The course will cover the following topics: physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles, colloid chemistry for understanding nanoparticle aggregation and mobility in the environment, nanomaterials for environmental remediation and water treatment, methodologies for assessing nanoparticle toxicity, novel research developments. Pre-requisite: None. ​

0408486

Nuclear Desalination

The course describes the science and technology of interest in using nuclear energy for producing potable water. This course contents comprises three major parts: Part I — Overview of nuclear desalination, Part II — Special aspects and considerations relevant to the introduction of nuclear desalination, and Part III — Steps to introduce nuclear desalination. In Part I, an overview of relevant technologies and pertinent experience accumulated in the past is presented. The global situation of the freshwater problem is reviewed and incentives for utilizing nuclear energy to contribute to solving the problems are briefly set forth. Part II identifies special aspects to be considered in decision-making process concerning nuclear desalination. There are technical, safety and environmental and economical aspects as well as national requirements. In Part, III necessary steps to be taken once nuclear desalination has been selected are elaborated. Policy issues are discussed, and project planning is summarized. This point also elaborates on project implementation aspects, which include siting, feasibility studies, plant acquisition and, eventually, design, construction and operation. Pre-requisite: None. ​

 

0408487	Special Topic
The course describes the science and technology of interest in water desalination related fields. The course will be proposed by expert instructor in the field of chemical, water treatment and desalination areas. It will cover the latest technologies developed in this field.  Pre-requisite: None. ​