Suggested Programs for Chemical Engineering

Expand your horizons, gain international exposure, immerse in diverse cultures, forge global connections, and experience cutting-edge research opportunities. Studying abroad will enrich your chemical engineering journey like nothing else can.

Studying abroad as a chemical engineering student offers a transformative experience that goes beyond academic knowledge. It nurtures personal growth, enhances cultural awareness, and equips students with valuable skills to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.

Chemical engineering lab

Chemical engineering lab

Chemical engineering lab

Expand your horizons, gain international exposure, immerse in diverse cultures, forge global connections, and experience cutting-edge research opportunities. Studying abroad will enrich your chemical engineering journey like nothing else can.

Studying abroad as a chemical engineering student offers a transformative experience that goes beyond academic knowledge. It nurtures personal growth, enhances cultural awareness, and equips students with valuable skills to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.

Engineering-Focused Programs

Research in Taipei, Taiwan

Chemical engineering at National Taiwan University's offers comprehensive opportunities with a strong focus on research and innovation, providing students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge projects and contribute to advancements in areas such as materials science, nanotechnology, and process optimization.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Engineering & Science in English, Tohoku Univ., Japan

Renowned for its research excellence, Tohoku University offers cutting-edge chemical engineering opportunities that combine fundamental principles with advanced research, providing students with opportunities to contribute to innovations in areas such as catalysis, energy conversion, and environmental sustainability.

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 Osaka, Japan

With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, chemical engineering at Osaka University offers students advanced laboratories and opportunities to engage in collaborative projects at the forefront of chemical engineering and materials science.

Research
This is a full-time lab research program; you will be placed in a lab based on a research proposal you submit as part of your predeparture checklist. See the courses and credits tab for more information on Osaka University researchers.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Immersion & Exchange Programs Suggested for Electrical Engineering

National Univ. of Singapore

NUS offers a cutting-edge chemical engineering program with a strong emphasis on research and innovation, allowing students to explore advanced topics and collaborate with leading experts. Courses are available in English.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

University of Cape Town, South Africa

The chemical engineering program at UCT focuses on research-driven education, offering students opportunities to engage in cutting-edge projects and contribute to sustainable solutions in energy, water, and materials. Courses are available in English.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico

UNAM's chemical engineering program is known for its comprehensive curriculum, focusing on process optimization, sustainability, and technological advancements, preparing students for diverse careers in industry and academia. Courses are available primarily in Spanish.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Tsinghua University

Known as a leading institution in China, Tsinghua offers a comprehensive chemical engineering program with a focus on sustainable development, process optimization, and interdisciplinary research. Courses are available in English.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Univ. of Melbourne, Australia

Offering a highly respected chemical engineering program, the University of Melbourne provides students with access to state-of-the-art facilities, industry partnerships, and a focus on sustainable engineering practices.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

Univ. College Dublin, Ireland

UCD's chemical engineering program offers a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on sustainable process design, energy systems, and advanced materials, preparing students for diverse careers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Courses are available in English.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application

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 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 SNS and Engineering requirements.

  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.

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.