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Suggested Programs for Computer Science & Engineering

Computer Science and Engineering may be one of the most flexible areas of engineering for study abroad. CSE majors can target CSE core courses, 16.0 units of technical electives, engineering fundamentals, and general education requirements. Study abroad may also present opportunities for CSE majors to work on special projects like robotics in Japan or entrepreneurship. Below are suggested programs for different students:

University lab, Japan

University lab, Japan

University lab, Japan

Computer Science and Engineering may be one of the most flexible areas of engineering for study abroad. CSE majors can target CSE core courses, 16.0 units of technical electives, engineering fundamentals, and general education requirements. Study abroad may also present opportunities for CSE majors to work on special projects like robotics in Japan or entrepreneurship. Below are suggested programs for different students.

Engineering Research-Focused Programs

Engineering & Science, Japan

Conduct research at Tohoku University, known for developing innovations and hands-on learning. Guided by a faculty supervisor, work in a lab with international and Japanese students on the new Aobayama campus.

Research
This program has a required research component which makes up from one third to one half of your academic curriculum during each semester. You will be placed in a research group based on a study plan you submit as part of your predeparture checklist. See the courses and credits tab for more information on Tohoku University research.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

STEM Research in Singapore

Work full time on research projects alongside Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) students and under the supervision of SUTD faculty in this 8-week program. Some past project examples include "Design of a Digital Twin for a Smart City’s Water System and Security" and "Data Analytics and Machine Learning for Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Diabetics."

Research
Exchange students will be able to participate in the different phases of research activity which include, developing research plans, writing proposals, conducting research, analyzing data and presenting research results in oral and written form.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Taiwan: Research in Taipei

Participate in full-time, undergraduate research in a wide range of fields and topics. In a team environment, you’ll work under the direction of local faculty and graduate students on your research project. Past projects include "Robot manipulation and uncertainty modeling" and "Computer aided surgery technology."

Research
In this program, students will have the opportunity to participate in all fields of research at NTU's state-of-the-art laboratories led by their respective professors. Laboratory work consists of working with graduate students of the university, as well as other participants in the program.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Research in Hong Kong

Each summer the Chinese University of Hong Kong offers approximately 80 undergraduate research opportunities in sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.

Previous students have participated in projects covering a range of topics. For example: Language learning and processing in the brain, big data analytics, machine learning and robotics, and many more.

Research
The Summer Undergraduate Research Programme (SURP) provides an opportunity for undergraduate students from overseas universities to undertake research attachments for eight weeks at CUHK during the summer. Students will conduct research under the supervision of a CUHK faculty member.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Japan: STEM Research Osaka

Students join one of Osaka University’s science and technology lab teams to conduct research ​through experiments, peer consultation, group work, and interactive discussions with graduate students and other undergraduates supervised by top scientists.

Research
UCEAP students are placed at FrontierLab @ OsakaU. FrontierLab @ OsakaU is a program for placing international students in laboratories of the following schools: Science, Engineering Science, Engineering, Information Science and Technology.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Immersion & Exchange Programs Suggested for Computer Science & Engineering

National Univ. of Singapore

The National Univ. of Singapore enjoys a best-in-Asia and top 20 worldwide ranking in computer science & information systems. It also has coursework in a number of target areas for UC Merced students: computer networks, database systems, algorithm design & analysis, operating systems, discrete mathematics, software engineering, circuits, and more. Courses are available in English.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Hong Kong Univ. of Science and Technology

HKUST ranks among the top 50 in the world for computer science & information systems. Here students take courses in data mining, principles of cybersecurity, theory of computation, human-computer interaction, and more. Courses are available in English.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Univ. of Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is a university town with strong offerings for UC CSE majors with coursework targeting computer networks, operating systems, database systems, computer architecture, discrete mathematics, software engineering, algorithms, and more. The university ranks among the top 25 in worldwide rankings.

Special note: For the Univ. of Edinburgh, you will need to apply to the "Scottish Universities" program and rank the Univ. of Edinburgh as your top choice.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

England: Imperial College London

The highly ranked engineering-focused Imperial College is an ideal match for many CSE majors in computer networks, operating systems, software engineering, computer architecture, algorithms, and more.

Special note: For Imperial College you will need to apply to the "English Universities" program and rank the Imperial College as your top choice.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Sweden: Lund Univ.

In the heart of sustainability-oriented Scandinavia, Lund Univ. serves students with courses in computer architecture, operating systems, discrete mathematics, algorithms, and more. Courses are available in English.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

South Korea: Yonsei Unib.

The alma mater of our previous chancellor, Yonsei offers key coursework for CSE majors in computer architecture, engineering economic analysis, discrete mathematics, algorithms, and operating systems. Courses are available in English.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Japan: Engineering & Science

Study in Japan and take CSE courses in software engineering, robotics, computer architecture, lab research projects, and more. Alumni from this program often move on to jobs at Honeywell and other Fortune 500 companies. Courses are available in English.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Australia: Univ. of New South Wales

Ranked in the top 100 worldwide in computer science & information systems, UNSW is emerging as a strong choice for CSE majors and where they can take computer networks and operating systems among many other engineering courses.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Summer Physics Abroad

One potential route to study abroad for STEM students is to tackle a full year of introductory physics over the summer. Typically, this is the summer between students’ first and second year at UC Merced. Consider these options:

Australia: Sydney Summer Physics

Earn a full year of calculus-based physics credit in just eight weeks. Fulfill math requirements for the life sciences or get a jump on pre-med coursework and experience life in Sydney, Australia.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Cyprus: Nicosia Summer Physics

Study intensive physics for the life sciences in beautiful Cyprus. Note that this program is better suited to biological sciences students than other STEM students.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Ireland: Cork Summer Physics

In just eight weeks at the University College Cork, you can earn a full year of calculus-based physics credit, get a jump on math coursework, or prepare for a pre-med track. Lab experiments and group workshops expand your science knowledge with students from around the world.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Spain: Madrid Summer Physics

Add some sizzle to your summer—study in Madrid and return with a full year of physics credit. This intense 8-week program is ideal for life sciences majors who want to get a quick boost in academics.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

United Kingdom: Glasgow Science & Engineering

As the home to the James Watt School of Engineering and the School of Life Sciences, the University of Glasgow offers the perfect environment for this intensive physics summer program.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

United Kingdom: Summer in Sussex

Minutes from the sparkling seafront, Sussex is quintessentially English, with spectacular castles, greenery, and attractions fit for royals. Pre-med and life sciences majors can earn up to a year of physics credit in two months!

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Feature: 5 Reasons STEM Majors Should Study Abroad

Group study session

Want to stand out on your next job application or boost your chances into getting into grad school? Or are you looking to expand your worldview, perhaps explore a side interest? Whatever your goal is, there’s a good chance study abroad can help you achieve it.

Completing Other Engineering Degree Requirements Abroad

Engineering students have several general education requirements that they can easily tackle through study abroad:

  1. Approaches to Knowledge
    1. At least one course in natural sciences
    2. At least three courses in social sciences, arts, and humanities
  2. Intellectual Experiences
    1. Global Awareness, which is automatically fulfilled through study abroad with UCEAP
    2. Additional Intellectual Experiences, as appropriate, including, but not limited to:
      1. Societies and Cultures of the Past,
      2. Diversity and Identity, or
      3. Sustainability

These requirements represent the most flexible general education requirements for Engineering students planning to study abroad.

Technical Electives Abroad

Technical electives serve as the next most flexible degree requirement category. Study abroad advisors suggest that engineers who wish to pursue engineering coursework while abroad and take advantage of the specializations of uniquely-positioned world-class universities save as many technical electives as they can while enrolled at UC Merced and instead target core, prescribed engineering requirements. Technical electives should value at least 3.0 semester units or students should plan to combine more than one course to fulfill unit requirements in this area.

Enrollment Planning Strategies for Engineers

Whenever possible, study abroad advisors recommend that Engineering students aim for more of their major and School of Engineering degree requirements when selecting a program and using the general education requirements as fallback options in case the targeted engineering course requirements do not pan out. In this way students continue to make progress toward their degrees while maximizing their scholarship potential and the the opportunities to integrate an international experience with their academic interests.

For Engineering requirements, students will have courses reviewed through the   Engineering course approval form, assuming the courses have not already been previously approved to fulfill a degree requirement.

Previously Approved UCEAP Coursework

The School of Engineering has made some previously approved courses for Engineering substitutions and/or requirements available to the public. This is not a comprehensive list of courses available but it may be a starting point in your research.

Additionally, the School of Natural Sciences has some previously approved courses listed online. This is not a comprehensive list of courses available, either, but it may help with SNS coursework to fulfill Engineering requirements.

  Engineering Course Approvals for UCEAP

  Natural Sciences Course Approvals for UCEAP

Course Approval and Course Approval Forms

With a few exceptions of previously approved courses (ask your academic advisor), courses will need to be approved to meet individual degree requirements. In these cases, students will use the Course Approval Form for the school that would typically offer such a course at UC Merced:

 

The school will often require a syllabus or equivalent in order to do a review. Keep in mind that syllabi may be protected intellectual property of certain professors or universities and may not be publicly posted online. If it is a UC Center program, you may be able to acquire syllabi through your study abroad advisor. If the program is with a local host university and the course is not posted online, you may be able to inquire with the instructor or host university in some cases.

Academic Planning

No matter your academic intentions while studying abroad, you should consult your academic advisor and your MyDegreePath report to plan out your study abroad academic goals. Once you narrow your search to 1-3 study abroad programs consult your program page or ask your study abroad advisor about resources for researching courses in your program.

 

Start planning for study abroad with your academic advisor as soon as you can. One of the keys to maximizing academic success abroad is early planning and scheduling course loads before, during, and after study abroad. This includes strategies such as targeting a study abroad term to exploit areas of flexibility in your academic plan.

Be sure to make use of UCEAP course credit resources below, too.

 

UC Merced Campus Credit through UCEAP

How to Explore Database of Courses Previously Taken

 

Campus Credit Abroad

Planning the courses you’ll take on study abroad is as important as figuring out when and where to go. All courses taken on the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) are guaranteed UC credit, but understanding how each class may fit into your academic plan is a critical part of the planning process.

UCEAP Database of Courses Previously Taken

How to Find Courses for UCEAP

One of the challenges with academic planning and completing the Academic Planning Form is finding courses. While there is never any certainty with course offerings and study abroad always requires a little calculated academic risk, there are some techniques to minimize the risk and exploit unique educational opportunities through study abroad.

Courses & Credit Tab

For nearly every UCEAP program page, there will be a tab labeled “Courses & Credit.” Within this tab you will find information and links in the “Course Opportunities” area. The course resources are listed in order of relevance. Depending on the program, you might find any of the following resources:

  1. Course syllabi
  2. Links to academic majors or programs with courses
  3. A bulleted list of courses

UCEAP Course Catalog

All UCEAP coursework taken in the last five (5) years is listed in the UCEAP Course Catalog. There are a few things you should consider when using the UCEAP Course Catalog:

  1. The list of courses is not comprehensive.
  2. Course units are listed in quarter units (to convert to semester units, divide by 1.5).
  3. Syllabi are not included.
  4. You may need to search less intuitive subject areas to find coursework (e.g. health sciences for public health, "engineering" for bioengineering, business for management and business economics).

Check Previously Approved Courses

There are a few resources available showing coursework previously approved for study abroad online. The resources are limited but they do represent some of the more recent course approvals:

A Note on Course Syllabi

Your academic advisor or school may insist that you need syllabi in order to determine whether a course abroad will substitute a particular degree requirement. While this is generally true, this does not prevent you from planning out your academic schedule abroad and determining what type of degree requirements a course may fulfill.

Sometimes your study abroad advisor or UCEAP can acquire a syllabus on your behalf; however, this is not always the case. Please understand that syllabi are often considered intellectual property and may not be shared until the course begins. Previously approved courses (see above) are often your first go-to resource to select courses.