Mechanical Engineering, BS

Planning your Program

• When to Participate in a Study Abroad Program

  Mechanical engineering students study abroad during the fall quarter of their last year. 

  Year	Recommended Student Action
  Year 1	Start considering where you want to study abroad, what types of classes you want to study abroad and mention to your advisor that you are interested in studying abroad
  Year 2	Explore the OIE Website to understand steps to take and utilize DU Passport to see what options are available
  Year 3	Take INTZ 2501, the required study abroad course and complete study abroad application items during the fall, winter or spring quarter. Fall: Attend a First Step Session & meet with your advisor to discuss your study abroad plans
  	Spring: Complete any pre-departure requirements
  Year 4	Fall: Study Abroad
  	Winter: Take advantage of any returning study abroad student events

   

• Advice and Considerations

  Advice from Ritchie School of Engineering & Computer Science

  Discuss your intention to study abroad with your engineering advisor by the start of your 3rd year. Your advisor can help you plan your courses to align with what courses are available abroad.

  Advice from the Office of International Education

  Attend a First Step Session 

  1. Attend our mandatory info session First Step if this is your first time studying abroad through the OIE. Learn about how to find programs, how DU's system works & important considerations.

  Research programs 

  1. Start by considering what you want out of a program. See Things to Consider to get an idea of what you should be asking yourself. Once you have an idea of what you want, search for programs in DU Passport. 
  2. Read the entire online program brochure for each program in DU Passport that interests you – be sure to check the Eligibility section. 
  3. Visit each program's website for more details (course lists, extracurriculars, etc.) 

  Stop by Drop-in Advising hours to get help with getting started 

  1. Come by our office during drop-in advising hours to speak to someone about how to get started, how to narrow down your program choices and review what steps you need to take in order to study abroad. 
• Meet with Your Academic Advisor

  How to make an appointment

  • Check Inspire to confirm who your advisor is and communicate with them via email or an appointment to discuss your plans to study abroad.
  • If you don’t know who your advisor is please contact Sandra Hovey at sandra.hovey@du.edu

  Key questions to ask

  • What are my remaining degree requirements?
  • How many upper-division credits do I still need to complete for my degree?
  • How many elective credits (lower vs. upper division) do I have left to complete my major?
  • What remaining prerequisites must I fulfill, and how will a study abroad program impact my progress?
  • Which of my remaining degree requirements could I complete abroad?  Are there any that I cannot take abroad?
  • Can I receive academic credit for an internship abroad?
  • Are there any in-residence requirements I need to be aware of before I go abroad?
• Meet with the Office of International Education

  Our advisors are dedicated to helping you find the perfect program for your academic and personal goals, and can help provide you with the preparation necessary to excel once you arrive. 

  First Step Session 

  Ready to get started with your study abroad planning? Your first step is to attend an in-person First Step Session where you will learn how to choose a program & get started on your DU Abroad application. See Events for event times. 

  Drop-In Advising 

  This is where you start! Have general questions about studying abroad? Want help on how to narrow down to the right program for you? Come to our Drop-in Advising sessions! Bring your questions. Our Peer Advisors will help answer your questions & help you determine next steps. 

  1-on-1 Meetings 

  Once you have narrowed it down to a program, learn more specifics about the program by Making an Appointment with an OIE Advisor. Before meeting with an OIE advisor you are required to attend our First Step Session (see above). OIE advisors help guide you through the study abroad application & pre-departure steps. 

• Course Considerations for Your Major

  Review major or minor degree requirements

  The most common required courses taken abroad are AI or SI-Society Courses, Math/Science Electives, or Engineering Electives. The availability will vary by program and should be discussed with your faculty advisor.

  Finding courses and course approvals 

  Review the Registrar’s database of courses pre-approved for your program (TIERS). 

  If you identify courses offered by your program not in TIERS, or courses in TIERS come back differently than you would like, you can request new course approvals. 

  1. Obtain syllabi for the courses you are seeking to be approved. 
  2. Utilize the Additional Comments field of the course approval form to clearly explain what type of credit you are trying to receive for the departmental reviewer.   
  3. Advising and course approvals occur during the academic year when faculty are on campus. Make sure to submit course approvals at least five weeks before Summer or you may not have a response until the following Fall.  

  It is important to identify and seek approval for backup courses.  Your program may not have registration until you arrive on site, or courses could be changed, cancelled, or have time conflicts.   

  If necessary, you can submit course approvals anytime, including while you are abroad and after you return.   

  Departmental Considerations

  Students who study abroad during the fall quarter of their final year will be required to take Engineering Design Project I (ENGR 3313) remotely while they are abroad.

• Research Funding

  Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing an international experience. Not only should you understand the costs of your program but you should also anticipate the other costs that will be associated with your travel. Please visit our Financial Planning page regarding tuition, housing, and meal costs of DU Partner Programs (DUPP) and unaffiliated programs. It is important that you understand all of the items and services that will and will not be included in your program. 

  Studying abroad doesn't have to be more expensive than staying at DU. If you plan ahead, few locations are out of reach, even with a limited budget. You need to be realistic about how cost-of-living varies around the world, but that can work in your favor. Sometimes, it's even possible to save money by studying abroad!

  In the spirit of the commitment of the Cherrington Global Scholars (CGS) initiative, it is our hope that financial constraints never be the sole reason that a student is not able to study abroad. If you are aware that finances will be a challenge for you, let your OIE advisor know these concerns early on in the advising process and we will do our best to find a program that fits your budget.

  Most students are able to utilize most of their financial aid while studying abroad. We encourage you to speak directly with the Financial Aid Office for details on your specific aid package. 

  Details of how Financial Aid applies to your study abroad program can be found on our Financial Aid page. 

  Many general scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study in the U.S. can be applied to study abroad. You should check to see if you are eligible to apply for general scholarships that are not specific to, but can be applied, to study abroad. There also are a huge number of study abroad specific scholarships available with varying eligibility criteria and deadlines. If finances for studying abroad are a concern, you are encouraged to begin searching and applying for scholarships as soon as possible. 

  More details on available scholarships can be found on our Scholarships page.