Undergraduate Program Rules
Students in the School of Engineering may earn a certificate in International Engineering Studies (IES) by completing a minimum set of requirements that include a study abroad experience and associated cultural enrichment and language studies. The certificate will indicate the country and language in which the IES program was completed.
In order to earn the IES certificate the student must formally apply to and be accepted into the IES program. Application forms may be obtained from the Study Aboard for Engineers Office. The application must include a plan for completing the requirements for a certificate. The plan must specify all relevant coursework to be completed at the University of Pittsburgh as well as the activities and site of the study abroad experience. The study abroad program must be formally approved by the student's advisor and the IES Faculty Committee.
In order to earn the certificate, the student must complete at least four of the five requirements listed below:
Language Training
A minimum of either one term-long course at the intermediate level in the local language on-site during the study abroad program, or two term-long, intermediate level courses at the University of Pittsburgh. A summer language school program at the study abroad site could be used to satisfy this requirement.
Local Culture
A minimum of one term-long course on-site during the study abroad experience. Acceptable areas are broadly defined to include subjects such as fine arts, history, literature etc., and should focus on the culture local to the study abroad program.
Culture Requirement at Pitt
An upper division course at the University of Pittsburgh which will serve as a complement to Requirement 2.
Academic Courses in Engineering
A minimum of two term-long courses on-site during the study abroad experience. The courses must satisfy graduation requirements for specific courses in the student's major department or program.
Work Experience/Internship
Equivalent of 1 term spent in engineering-related work in the study abroad country. A co-op rotation or an internship may be used to satisfy this requirement.
NOTE: If the study abroad experience is in an English speaking country, the first requirement is waived and the student must complete three of the remaining four requirements. The courses taken as part of requirements 1, 2, and 3 may be used to satisfy part of the student's humanities and social science requirements as long as the courses are on the approved list of such courses for the School of Engineering and focus on the local culture of the country of interest.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE STUDY ABROAD FOR ENGINEERS OFFICE, B80G BENEDUM HALL, X45942.