The University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB‎) is an university located in the town of Bab-Ezzouar 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Algiers, the capital of Algeria. Houari Boumediene was the second President of Algeria until his death on 27 December 1978. For Boumediene Niemeyer's buildings were a sign of Algeria's modernity and commitment the rupture with the past. Construction began on the facility in 1968, and the university was inaugurated in 1974 as the Faculté des Sciences of the University of Algiers. The name became the L'Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene in 1980 and became and independent entity. It is one of two university campuses designed by Niemeyer. The other, in Constantine, is the University of Mentouri. Courses offered include Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Civil Engineering, Electronics and Computers Engineering, Process Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.