Computer Science


General Planning Tips For Computer Science 

  • With careful and early planning, you can study abroad for a semester and still graduate on time. 
  • The minimum eligibility requirements to study abroad are the completion of one semester on campus and a GPA of 2.5 or higher.  Some programs may have additional eligibility requirements.
  • Study abroad is a great way to satisfy your KU Core requirements. Therefore, it is a good idea to reserve some of your KU Core classes to take abroad.
  • Scholarships are available for study abroad both through KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement and national organizations. Connect with your School of Engineering advisor to learn more about scholarship opportunities for engineering students pursuing international study.
  • Courses to take at KU: You should plan to take your senior design courses at KU.  Meet with your EECS advisor to learn more about which courses you can take abroad so that you can effectively plan for a study abroad experience.

When To Go

Freshman

  • Schedule a meeting with an engineering advisor during your first semester at KU to discuss your graduation plan and identify specific courses as well as specific timing opportunities for your study abroad experience.
  • After you've met with your academic advisor, continue your program research by visiting the KU Study Abroad Info Center in Lippincott Hall. Study abroad peer advisors can help you to identify suitable study abroad options based upon the information you received from your advisor.
  • Studying abroad usually requires two letters of recommendation, so it's good to start identifying individuals who can speak to your academic qualifications as well as your ability to be successful during an international experience.
  • There are a few summer programs that offer good course options for computer science majors, and the best time to pursue these programs is the summer before your sophomore year.  These programs typically offer courses such as  physics and/or upper level math.  Otherwise, summer is a great time to take some of your KU Core courses abroad.

Sophomore

  • One of the ideal times for Computer Science students to study abroad is the spring semester of their sophomore year, although the fall semester will work as well provided that the host institution offers a good equivalent course for Programming II (EECS 268). 
  • Because many of the sophomore level EECS courses at KU are offered during the fall and spring semesters, there is some degree of flexibility with your sequencing during this time.
  • You can take a combination of mathematics, basic sciences, KU Core, and/or EECS courses abroad.  We recommend you take no more than two to three engineering courses abroad.
  • Sophomore level EECS courses that are commonly offered abroad include: Programming II, Programming Language Paradigms, and Embedded Systems. 
  • If you are not planning on an internship during the summer, you could look for a summer program to complete some of your KU Core requirements abroad.

Junior

  • The fall or spring semester of your junior year may also be another option for computer science students to go abroad.  Similar to sophomore year options, look for KU Core and EECS courses abroad.  You could also take technical electives that do not serve as a prerequisite for other required EECS courses.
  • Junior level EECS courses that are commonly offered abroad include: Software Engineering I and Computer Architecture. 

Senior

  • It is not recommended that Computer Science students study abroad senior year due to their senior design course requirements. 

Courses and Credit 

  • KU Engineering faculty have already reviewed and pre-approved a number of study abroad courses for KU credit. To see available pre-approved courses, visit the Course Equivalency Database.
  • If you want to take a class/classes that have not been pre-approved, complete the credit approval process.

Recommended Semester Programs

Graz University of Technology – Austria

Recommended Timing: Spring semester – sophomore or junior year

Sample courses: EECS 510, EECS 678, and EECS elective coursework

University of Hong Kong – Hong Kong

Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester – junior year

Sample courses: EECS 368, EECS 448, EECS 645

University of Newcastle – Australia

Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester – sophomore or junior year

Sample courses: EECS 268, EECS 368, EECS 388, EECS 448

University of Birmingham– United Kingdom

Recommended Timing: Fall or spring semester – sophomore or junior year

Sample courses: EECS 140, 360, 368, 412, 510, 662

Recommended Short-Term Programs

TU Graz Summer Research Program

Recommended Timing: Summer after Freshmen year till Graduation. 

Optimization and the Cold War: Logistics in Berlin

Recommended Timing: Summer - after freshman year

Course: C&PE 601 (EECS Prof. Elective)

Universidad Pontificia Comillas – Spain

Recommended Timing: Spring semester – sophomore year

Sample courses: Research courses, upper-level math

Hanyang University Summer School-Korea

Recommended Timing: Summer after Freshmen year till Graduation

Sample Course: Multiple EECs courses, Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics.

CEA Engineering in Rome-Student Initiated Programs in Italy and Greece

Recommended Timing: Summer – after freshman year

Sample courses: Programming, Circuits 

CEA Engineering in Paris-Student Initiated Programs in France and Belgium

Recommended Timing: Summer – after freshman year

Sample courses: Statics, Engineering Electives. 

CEA Engineering in Prague-Student Initiated Programs in Central Europe

Recommended Timing: Summer – after freshman year

Sample courses: Statics, Engineering Electives. 

CEA Engineering in Buenos Aires-Student Initiated Programs in Spain, Portugal and Latin America

Recommended Timing: Summer – after freshman year

Sample courses: Dynamics, Circuits, Differential equations and Linear Algebra. 

 

Summer Global Internships

Recommended Timing: Summer – after freshman or sophomore year

Sample courses: varies by location