As early as 1913, the American University of Beirut recognized the need for engineering education and training in the Arab East, thus courses in this field were offered in the School of Arts and Sciences. In 1951, a separate School of Engineering was established and curricula were initiated in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and architectural engineering. In 1966, the School was renamed the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture that comprised, among others, the Department of Civil Engineering, which was renamed in 1992 as the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.