Study Abroad
Study Abroad
Study abroad can provide a unique way to enhance your undergraduate experience. Fortunately for our students, CSE Learn Abroad offers a robust set of programs tailored to the needs of science and engineering students. Some students choose to do short-term trips such as a May term program. Others seek out a full semester experience to delve more fully into the host culture. With careful planning, EE and CompE students can usually earn a full semester of credit while studying abroad.
Generally speaking, students wanting to study abroad for a full semester can find a number of EE and CompE classes at the host university. Many of the CSE Exchange Programs offer science courses taught in English, so language is not necessarily a barrier. Students can also take non-technical courses such as lib ed classes.
To start, we recommend reviewing the CSE Study Abroad website to find more information such as logistics and cost. You will then work with the ECE Academic Advisor and DUGS to degree plan for classes abroad, explore class options, and gain approval to have them applied to your ECE degree.
Learning Abroad in CSE: CSE has a range of ways that you can experience studying abroad, including a semester abroad or global seminars. Find out more about study abroad here and how to meet with a CSE Learn Abroad Advisor for help.
Learning Abroad Center (LAC): This study abroad office serves all colleges at UMTC, and LAC provides ECE students access to some study abroad programs at technical or engineering schools that aren't part of the CSE exchanges. ECE students have participated in LAC programs in Montpellier, Madrid, and Copenhagen in recent years, but that list is not exhaustive. Many other programs may allow students to take a combination of EE, CSCI, or other technical courses that can count for the ECE degree requirements.
When are the best times for ECE students to go abroad?
Typically, the best semesters for ECE students to go abroad are spring sophomore year, spring junior year, or senior year. Regardless of when you go, it is recommended to start planning sooner rather than later to ensure you can find courses to take abroad. Generally speaking, spring is the best time to go.
How do I find equivalent courses?
UCredit is a database maintained by the university with courses abroad that have already been reviewed for equivalency. This is a great place to start! The ECE department recommends that the 3xxx-level EE courses (3015, 3101, and 3115) be taken here at the U.
What do I do if I find a course abroad that doesn’t have an equivalency?
Although the UCredit database has some course equivalencies, there will always be more courses that need to be evaluated. Contact Erin Piper in CSE Abroad to find out how to submit foreign courses for evaluation.
What are the most popular programs for ECE students?
Here is a list of the more common programs ECE students participate in. This list is not exhaustive, so please meet with Erin Piper in CSE Abroad to see what other options may be available:
Computer Engineering:
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
University Study in the United Kingdom: Queen Mary University of London
University Study in the United Kingdom: University of Glasgow
Exchange in Norway: University of Oslo (CSCI courses offered but no engineering)
Computer Science & Math in Madrid (CSCI courses offered but no engineering)
Electrical Engineering:
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
University Study in the United Kingdom: Queen Mary University of London
University Study in the United Kingdom: University of Glasgow
General information on programs for CSE students:
What are the first steps for students interested in studying abroad?
It is recommended to first meet with Erin Piper in CSE Abroad! She is the expert in helping students figure out what programs may work best and can help walk you through finding equivalent courses. Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment at https://cse.umn.edu/college/learn-abroad