2011-2012 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

possible overseas destinations and
to decide on an appropriate abroad
experience. The Assistant Dean will
explain all Columbia Engineering study
abroad formalities and requirements.
Students then must gain approval from
their departmental advisers to ensure
that their work abroad meets the
requirements of their majors. Students
must register with the Office of Global
Programs, 606 Kent Hall, for study
abroad by November 15 for spring
programs and March 15 for summer,
fall, and academic-year programs.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to participate in a semesteror
yearlong study-abroad program,
students must:
• Have at least a 3.0 GPA
• Be making good progress toward
finishing the first and second year
requirements
• Have at least intermediate proficiency
in the local language, if it is not
English. (Please note: For programs
in countries where the language of
instruction is not English, students
must take all course work in the local
language.)
Students’ study-abroad plans must
be approved by the Assistant Dean
by October 15 for spring programs
and March 15 for summer, fall and
academic-year programs. A review
of each student’s academic and
disciplinary records is conducted as
part of this process. Students on
academic or disciplinary probation are
not permitted to study abroad during the
term of their probation.
Study-abroad students remain
enrolled at Columbia, and tuition is paid
to Columbia. Students participating
in Columbia-approved programs pay
housing costs directly to their host
or sponsoring institution. Students
receiving financial aid at Columbia will
remain eligible for financial aid when they
study abroad with Columbia’s approval.
Students who wish to be considered
for financial aid while studying abroad
should consult the Office of Financial Aid
and Educational Financing (618 Lerner).
Program Information
Choosing the right university abroad is
an important step in planning to study
abroad. Study-abroad options vary
widely in size, geographical location,
academic philosophy, language
requirements, living arrangements,
and opportunities for research and
internships. Students must establish
a set of goals for the study-abroad
experience, taking into account their
foreign-language skills and adaptability
to new environments, as well as their
research objectives and professional
aspirations.
Students must visit the Office of
Global Programs’ website to review the
various lists of program options and
then consult with the Assistant Dean for
specific information or help in choosing
an institution that offers the best courses
in their engineering major. Early planning
is crucial so that study abroad plans
can be integrated into the student’s
curriculum plan.
Summer study-abroad programs
allow students to earn credits for
language instruction and nontechnical
electives. Students can either participate
in Columbia-approved summer
programs for transfer credit or on
Columbia-sponsored programs for
direct credit. The Columbia-sponsored
summer programs include the Chinese
Language Program in Beijing, the
Business Chinese and Internship
Program in Shanghai, the Italian
Cultural Studies Program in Venice, the
Columbia University Summer Arabic
Language Program in Amman, Jordan
and the Columbia University Programs in
Paris at Reid Hall.
Non-credit-bearing internships,
including the CEO program in London,
Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai,
Beijing, and Amman are coordinated by
the Center for Career Education. Please
visit the Center’s website for more
information.
In addition, the Summer Ecosystems
Experience for Undergraduate Education
through the Center for Environmental
Research and Conservation (CERC)
provides opportunities for engineering
students in Brazil, Puerto Rico, the
Dominican Republic, and Jordan.
Other internship options may be
possible through Columbia Engineering
international partner institutions.
Academic Credit
Students in Columbia-sponsored
programs receive direct Columbia credit,
and the courses and grades appear on
students’ academic transcripts. These
include Reid Hall, Paris; the Berlin
Consortium for German Studies; the
Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies; the
Columbia University Summer Arabic
Language Program in Amman, Jordan
and the Tsinghua University program in
Beijing.
Credit from approved programs that
are not Columbia sponsored is certified
as transfer credit toward the Columbia
degree upon successful completion
of the program verifiable by academic
transcript. Students must earn a grade
of C or better in order for credits to
transfer. Course titles and grades for
approved programs do not appear on
the Columbia transcript, and the grades
are not factored into students’ GPAs.
Faculty from the Columbia
Engineering academic departments
have the responsibility to assess all
work completed abroad and make
decisions about how these courses fit
into major requirements. It is imperative
that students gain course-by-course
approval from their department prior to
departure on a study-abroad program.
The Assistant Dean for Undergraduate
Student Affairs and Global Programs
will provide students with the forms
necessary to obtain this approval.
Combined Plan Programs
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212-854-2522
Fax: 212-854-1209
E-mail: combinedplan@columbia.edu
www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/
admissions/engineering/combined
Columbia Engineering maintains
cooperative program relationships with
institutions nationwide and with other
Columbia University undergraduate
divisions. These programs allow students
to complete the equivalent of the First
Year–Sophomore Program and transfer
directly to a field of specialization in the
School, beginning their study at the
School as junior-level students.
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engineering 2011–2012