Learning Abroad in the College of Science and Engineering

"Scientific inquiry and industrial endeavors are inherently global in today's world. As a CSE graduate, you will work with colleagues from around the world regardless of your career path.  By studying and researching abroad, you will grow personally and professionally while gaining skill sets desired by industry and graduate programs."

–Mos Kaveh, Dean, College of Science and Engineering 

College of Science and Engineering (CSE) Recommendations

Consult with the CSE International Office and your academic advisor to determine the best time for you to go abroad.

CSE Majors

The College of Science and Engineering has 19 majors.  Click here for a full list of majors offered. 

Timing

• Some CSE degrees have more flexibility than others. For some majors, the Spring Semester of Sophomore Year is a good semester to consider going abroad and Fall Semester of Senior Year is good for other majors. 
• For some degrees, due to the high number of sequenced technical requirements, Junior Year can be a challenging time for a semester abroad. 

Academic Planning

• Unless you are fluent in languages beyond English, you will most likely focus your search on universities with engineering schools that offer technical coursework in English (whether or not the locally spoken language is English). You are not required to take your technical coursework in English. If you are eligible to take coursework in another language, you certainly can.
• Search the U Credit Abroad Search to select from more than 2,000 study abroad courses that have already been pre-approved for liberal education requirements and a growing list of technical courses. You may also submit any liberal education course not yet evaluated for approval online.
• CSE uses the U Credit Abroad Search to store major/minor requirements. If your department is one of them, you may search for equivalencies approved for your requirements. To have new courses reviewed for technical equivalencies, start by talking with the CSE International Programs Office.
• Information about courses open to study abroad students is not always readily available and correspondence with the host university’s department may be necessary.
• Spending a semester or two abroad is a possibility to fulfill core major requirements and technical electives. Careful planning will be required since some of your academic requirements are only offered once per year at the UofM.

Ready to get going?

• Meet with the CSE International Office in 115 Lind Hall to discuss your options and the courses you plan on taking abroad. You can make an appointment with the CSE International Programs Team to learn about options and processes.
• Drop-in CSE learning abroad advising is also offered weekly during the fall and spring semesters:
  • Lind Hall 115, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
• Students planning on studying abroad will need to start working on their Academic Planning for Study Abroad Form as soon as they have selected a program. 

Program Types

CSE Exchange Programs

CSE has made special arrangements for students to earn technical credits at top engineering universities abroad through CSE Exchange Programs. Credit transfer is easy, and the cost is lower than similar semester programs.

Comprehensive University Study

Many CSE students look at comprehensive university study abroad programs or “Uni Study in” programs where they will have access to science and engineering coursework in English.

CSE Technical Seminars Abroad

To help ensure access to international experiences, CSE offers technical seminars abroad. Every year, CSE faculty lead seminars abroad during breaks in our regular semester schedule--Winter Break, Spring Break, and May Session. Students can experience the world without necessarily being gone for an entire semester.

Additional Program Options

The Learning Abroad Center (LAC) also works with a variety of affiliate programs. If the program or university is not listed in this resource, consider using the LAC subject search for additional options.

Get Involved While On Campus

Looking to get more involved with global conversations, while still here in Minnesota? Join CSE International Ambassadors.

Programs

Still looking for more options?

Some CSE students use Summer Session abroad to do something like intensive language study. Some exchange partners also offer summer sessions available for visiting students. Other students are doing volunteer work abroad through student groups like Engineers Without Borders or Innovative Engineers. CSE students also work abroad through IAESTE.