Engineering Sophomore Study Abroad Programs
Sophomore Year Programs
Engineering students can apply to study abroad in the second semester of the sophomore year in Grenoble, France; Madrid, Spain or Sydney, Australia. These programs are structured to replicate the second semester of the sophomore year at Boston University, and all majors can participate. The courses are challenging and students should expect to work as hard as, if not harder than, they do for their coursework in Boston. Specific details for each of the programs are found below.
For more information on these programs or how the courses will work with your major, please contact Kat Mor (kmor@bu.edu).
Wondering how to manage your on-campus housing options in relation to studying abroad? BU Housing provides guidelines on this.
Please note: Students enrolled in the Boston University College of Engineering must be in good academic standing (cumulative GPA and semester GPI of 2.0 or greater) at the point of application, and must maintain this standing in order to be eligible to participate. If good academic standing is not maintained, Boston University Study Abroad and the College of Engineering reserve the right to rescind admission to this program.
Students should plan to stay for the duration of the program; late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.
Grenoble, France
Students study at the Université Grenoble Alpes, an institution that dates from the fourteenth century, located in Grenoble at the foot of the French Alps.
Courses
Required Courses
Students enroll in the following four, 4-credit courses:
- French Language (Students will be placed according to their level). This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in the Community.
- CAS LF 299: Approaches to Contemporary French Society and Culture. This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Social Inquiry I.
- ENG EK 307: Electric Circuits
- CAS MA 226: Differential Equations
Elective Courses
Students choose one of the following paths:
- CAS PY 314 Modern Physics (equivalent to CAS PY 313 but without the Hub units).
- ENG BE 209: Principles of Molecular Cell Biology & Biotechnology, 4.0 credits
Optional Additional Elective:
HUB SA 225: A BU Hub Study Abroad Experience
- 0-credit course
- Available to BU undergraduate students studying abroad
- Requires a written reflection of 750-1000 words submitted for review to the Hub
- Fulfills 1 Hub requirement in GCI
- No course enrollment required
Housing
All students in Grenoble will live in shared rooms or apartments in residences.
Admissions
- Ideally suited for second-semester sophomore engineering students
- Some courses carry prerequisites
- No prior language study is required
- For more information and to start your application process please visit: www.bu.edu/abroad/apply
Program Dates
Spring Semester: Early January to mid May
Madrid, Spain
The Comillas Pontifical University (Universidad Pontifica Comillas, ICAI-ICADE), founded more than 100 years ago by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), is one of the most prestigious private universities in Spain. Backed by a rich humanistic tradition and rigorous academics, this University is located in the heart of Madrid, near museums, theaters, culture centers and parks.
Courses
Required Courses
Students enroll in the following four, 4-credit courses:
- CAS LS XXX: Spanish Language (Students will be placed according to their level. Students who place into CAS LS 111 will earn a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Individual in Community. Students who place into CAS LS 212 will earn a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. Students who place into CAS LS 306 will earn a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Oral and/or Signed Communication)
- CAS LS 241: Spanish Civilization (This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Historical Consciousness)
- ENG EK 307: Electric Circuits
- CAS MA 226: Differential Equations
Elective Courses
Students choose one of the following paths:
- CAS PY 321: Thermal Physics, 2.0 credits and CAS PY 322: Quantum Physics, 2.0 credits. Together, PY 321 and PY 322 fulfill CAS PY 313 (except no hub units are earned). (4.0 credits).
- ENG ME 304: Energy and Thermodynamics
- ENG BE 209: Principles of Molecular Cell Biology & Biotechnology, 4.0 credits
Optional Additional Elective:
HUB SA 225: A BU Hub Study Abroad Experience
- 0-credit course
- Available to BU undergraduate students studying abroad
- Requires a written reflection of 750-1000 words submitted for review to the Hub
- Fulfills 1 Hub requirement in GCI
- No course enrollment required
Housing
All students in Madrid programs are placed in Spanish households, where they have their own room and take meals with their hosts.
Admissions
- Ideally suited for second-semester sophomore engineering students
- Some courses carry prerequisites
- No prior language study is required
- For more information and to start your application process please visit: www.bu.edu/abroad/apply
Program Dates
Spring Semester: mid January to late May
Sydney, Australia
The Sydney Sophomore Engineering Program offers a semester of study and work in the nexus of the Pacific and South East Asian regions. Ideally suited for second-semester sophomores in engineering, this English language program consists of engineering and science courses taught by faculty from the University of Sydney and the BU Sydney Academic Center. Students will gain an understanding of engineering practice in Sydney through a credit bearing internship program. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn a total of 20 Boston University credits.
Courses
Required Courses
Students enroll in the following four, 4-credit courses:
- CAS EK 490: ENG Internship (This course fulfills a single unit in the following Hub area: Individual and Community. The internship is credit bearing and will impact your GPA, but the credits do not automatically fulfill any degree requirements. May fulfill an elective by petition, depending on what the internship entails). Read about student’s Sydney internship experiences.
- CAS AN 368: Australian Culture & Society (This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy)
- ENG EK 307: Electric Circuits (Sydney course: ELEC 1103)
- CAS MA 226: Differential Equations
Elective Courses
Students choose one of the following, 4-credit courses:
- ENG EC 311: Introduction to Logic Design (Sydney course: ELEC 2602)
- ENG BE 209: Principles of Molecular Cell Biology & Biotechnology (Sydney course: BCMB 2001)
- ENG ME 305: Mechanics of Materials (Sydney course: CIVL 2201)
Optional Additional Elective:
HUB SA 225: A BU Hub Study Abroad Experience
- 0-credit course
- Available to BU undergraduate students studying abroad
- Requires a written reflection of 750-1000 words submitted for review to the Hub
- Fulfills 1 Hub requirement in GCI
- No course enrollment required
Housing
Boston University’s new BU Sydney Academic Center combines student apartment suites, classrooms, offices, a library, computer facilities, and lounge space. Students live in single bedrooms in fully furnished suites of four bedrooms. The BU Sydney Academic Center is located within walking distance of the University of Sydney and the Sydney Railway Station.
Admissions
- Ideally suited for second-semester sophomore engineering students
- Some courses carry prerequisites
- A 3.00 GPA is required for admission
- For more information and to start your application process please visit: www.bu.edu/abroad/apply
Program Dates
Spring Semester: early January to late June