The Physics Department encourages its students to broaden their educational
experiences by studying abroad through the Education Abroad Program. This
program provides students the opportunity to study physics, while gaining
an international perspective and expanding their academic horizons. College
is an ideal time to take advantage of the opportunity to live abroad for a
summer, a semester, or a year. In addition to developing your self-confidence,
independence and perspectives, your international experience can benefit
your career goals and/or graduate school opportunities.
Opportunities abound for enhancing your understanding of physics when studying abroad. Exceptional students are encouraged to apply either for a term or a full academic year.
Studying abroad can help you:
• Take advantage of unique academic and research opportunities
• Participate in a different educational system
• Advance cross-cultural and problem-solving skills
• Expand your world perspective
• Develop self-confidence and independence
• Prepare for a internationally competitive career
• Enhance your resume and/or graduate school applications
Returning EAP students often describe their experience abroad as a life-changing and uniquely valuable one for future choices of professional and personal goals.
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Programs conducted in English produce the most success in terms of providing coursework that integrates well with the UCSB Physics curriculum. Some examples of programs that provide instruction in English are Sweden at Lund University; United Kingdom at the Universities of Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, and Sheffield and King’s College of the University of London; and Singapore at the University of Singapore. However, students proficient in another language may find excellent programs in other counties and universities.
To help you choose an appropriate abroad program, visit the EAP web site:
www.eap.ucop.edu. If you wish to fulfill general education requirements abroad, consider a summer program. For a listing of EAP summer programs, go to the EAP web site. Summer possibilities include programs in China, England, Korea and Italy. Students should meet with an advisor in the College of Letters and Science prior to studying abroad.
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The best time for physics majors to study abroad is during their junior year. By this time, they should have completed preparatory classes for the major and be in the process of completing upper division courses. It is very important to meet with a Physics Faculty Advisor prior to studying abroad to ensure the completion of the major in a timely manner.
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Physics majors will most likely want to take upper division physics classes while studying abroad. In order to count for the major, courses will need to be very similar in content and level to the UCSB course they would be replacing. Application of credit to major requirements will be subject to the discretion of the Department and approval of the College.
Students are strongly encouraged to review their course choices with their Physics faculty advisor to maximize the number of EAP units that may apply towards the major.
Keep in mind that at least 20 units of upper-division major coursework (or
12 upper-division minor units) must be completed in residence at UCSB
along with other residence requirements. Consult an advisor in the College of Letters & Science for more information.
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Begin by identifying your goals for study abroad and then consult the EAP web pages (http://eap.ucop.edu/) to identify appropriate EAP programs. To find programs which offer particular disciplines or to search courses taken by EAP students over the last 5 years by subject, keyword and/or location, explore the resources found under Program and Course Search. Navigate to host universities’ web sites on the available links to learn more about the schools and their departments.
Stop by the EAP office at 2431 South Hall. Peer advisors who have recently returned from studying abroad as well as staff advisors are eager to answer your questions.
Go see your department Faculty Advisor and a College of Letters & Science advisor to discuss major, general education, residence and other requirements.
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Department of Physics
Broida Hall
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9530
Phone: (805) 893-3888
www.physics.ucsb.edu
