Lebanese American University

Infobox_University

name = Lebanese American University
established = 1924
type = Private
president = Joseph G. Jabbra
city = Beirut and Byblos
country = Lebanon
endowment = $$298.7 million [cite news | last = | first = | coauthors = | title =College and University Endowments Over $250-Million, 2007 | work =Chronicle of Higher Education | pages =28 | language = | publisher = | date =2008-08-29 | url = | accessdate = ]
students = 6,000+
website = [http://www.lau.edu.lb www.lau.edu.lb]

Lebanese American University is an American institution operating in Lebanon. LAU has two campuses, in Beirut and Byblos. LAU offers programs leading to Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees in the arts and sciences, and Doctorates in Pharmacy.

History

LAU was founded in 1835 by American Presbyterian Missionaries as the American School for Girls. In 1924, the high school added a two-year junior college program. Three years later, the College was separated as the American Junior College for Women, and moved from downtown to Ras Beirut. In 1933, it relocated once again to its present location in Koreitem, West Beirut. [ [http://www.lau.edu.lb/general-info/historical-backg.html Historical Background.] , LAU Official Website, 2004]

In 1948-1949, the College expanded into a four-year, university-level institution, and changed its name to the Beirut College for Women. In the same year, the College obtained a New York state charter. In 1955, the College was authorized to grant Associate's and Bachelor's degrees.

In the early 1970's, the College acceped a limited number of men into selected programs. In recognition of this change, the College changed its name to Beirut University College (BUC). BUC became fully co-educational in 1975.

On January 24, 1987, four scholars at BUC, Jesse Turner, Alan Steen, Robert Polhill, and Mithileshwar Singh, were abducted from the campus and held hostage. The kidnappers were unknown.

Off-campus programs were initiated in northern and southern Lebanon. In 1991, BUC established a satellite campus in Byblos, convert|42|km|mi north of Beirut.

In 1994, the college changed its name to Lebanese American University.

As of 2007, over 6,400 students were enrolled in the five schools of the University: the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Engineering and Architecture, the School of Medicine, and the School of Pharmacy.

Campuses

The Beirut campus remains the largest University campus. It has been expanded over the past five years, with a new Business School and the new Riyad Nassar Library.

The Byblos campus is home of the three professional schools at LAU: the School of Engineering and Architecture, the School of Pharmacy, and the School of Medicine. The Byblos campus also has branches of the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business.

Accreditation

Since 1949, LAU and its predecessors have operated under a charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. (USNY is actually a purely administrative body which among other functions accredits colleges and universities in the state.) On September 21, 2007, the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).granted candidacy status to the Lebanese American University. According to President Jabbra he said he felt "very strongly" that LAU would receive full accreditation in 2009.

LAU's five-year Bachelor in Architecture program is accredited by the French government.

LAU and Harvard Medical International (HMI), the medical-consulting arm of Harvard Medical School (HMS), have signed an innovative 10-year collaboration agreement that will significantly reinforce LAUMS' standing. LAU will also partner with Clemenceau Medical Center (CMS), an affiliate of Johns Hopkins International, and Rafik Hariri University Hospital for the clinical element of the program.

The School of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. LAU is the only institution outside of the United States with an ACPE-accredited pharmacy program.

chools of the University

School of Arts and Sciences

The School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) is LAU's oldest school. The School is made up of five Divisions: Natural Sciences, Humanities, Computer Science and Mathematics, a Social Sciences and Education, and Arts and Communication (Beirut only). SAS also administers the Peace and Justice Institute and the Institute for Diplomacy and Conflict Transformation.

Faculty

The School has 36 full-time faculty members in Byblos of whom 86.6% have terminal degrees.

Divisions

Computer Science and Mathematics

The Division offers Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and Master of Science in Computer Science. The Division has recently added a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, a structured minor in actuarial studies.

Humanities

The Division offers degrees in Graphics Design and Communication. The Division prepares and houses annual student play productions and major play productions, and concerts with local and international musicians. The Humanities Division is also active in research.

Natural Sciences

The Division offers degress in chemistry, biology, and molecular biology. As part of its life sciences emphasis, the Division has established the "Genomics and Proteomics Research Unit".

Offered Degrees

School of Arts and Sciences

A.A. in Liberal Arts

A.A.S in Communication Media, Computer Science, General Science, and Graphic Design

B.A. in Communication Arts (Emphases in Journalism, Radio/TV/Film, Theater), Education, English, Fine Arts, Political Science, Political Science/International Affairs, Psychology, and Social Work

B.S. in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Graphic Design, Mathematics Education, and Science Education

M.A. in Comparative Literature, Education, and International Affairs

M.S. in Computer Science and M.S. in Molecular Biology

chool of Business

A.A.S. in Business Management

B.S. in Business, Economics, and Hospitality and Tourism Management

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Executive MBA

Endorsed Internal Auditing Program (EIAP)

chool of Engineering and Architecture

A.A.S. in Interior Design

B.A. in Interior Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture

Bachelor of Engineering

B.S. in Interior Design

School of Pharmacy

Complete Pharmacy curriculum

School of Medicine

Built and designed with the association of Harvard Medical International.

Libraries

Riyad Nassar Library (Beirut Campus)

The Riyad Nassar Library has over 224,000 information records, 960 current periodical subscriptions and four special collections. [ [http://www.lau.edu.lb/libraries/beirut.php] , URL accessed June 1, 2008]

Alumni

*Hind Hariri ,The daughter of the Former Prime Minster Rafik Hariri
*Nadine Njeim ,Miss Lebanon2007

Byblos Campus Library

The Byblos Library has about 113,500 volumes of books and non-book materials and over 700 periodicals — current and retrospective. [ [http://www.lau.edu.lb/libraries/byblos.php] , URL accessed June 1, 2008]

References

External links

* [http://www.lau.edu.lb/ Lebanese American University Website]
* [http://www.sas.byblos.lau.edu.lb/ School of Arts and Sciences, Byblos, Website]
* [http://vlsi.byblos.lau.edu.lb/ Computer Science and Mathematics Division, Byblos]
* [http://www.professorhunt.com ProfessorHunt.com] Department and Professor Reviews across the Middle East.