Geneva Physics Program

With classes at the University of Geneva and directed research at the CERN Laboratory, straddling the French/Swiss border just outside of Geneva, students will work with the world’s leading physicists to explore the universe on the level of its most basic constituent particles.

Program Curriculum

The first six weeks of the program will be dedicated to an intensive French language course, an introduction to CERN, and a brief course in Root computing. When the UNIGE semester begins in mid-February, students will enroll in the two UNIGE courses as well as the CERN directed research course.

Required Courses

Students are required to take the following courses:

Intensive French (4 credits)
CAS PY 482: Undergraduate Physics Seminar (2)
Intended primarily for upper-level physics students but open to others with consent of the instructor. In-depth examination at an undergraduate level of an area of current physics research. Topics cover areas of contemporary interest and vary from year to year; possible areas include general relativity, particle physics, biophysics, and superconductivity. (CAS PY 482 may be taken multiple times for credit.)
The two UNIGE courses, Electrodynamics and Quantum Mechanics, will be taught in French, with a separate discussion section in English held weekly. Texts are in English. Prerequisites apply.
Electrodynamics II (4) Equivalent to Boston University CAS PY 406, Electromagnetic Fields and Waves. Taught in French with weekly English discussion section. Prerequisites apply.
Quantum Mechanics I (4) Equivalent to Boston University CAS PY 451, Quantum Physics I. Taught in French with weekly English discussion section. Prerequisites apply.
CAS PY 392: Directed Study For Juniors (4)
Intensive study of one aspect of physics under the supervision of a faculty member.

Program Details

Requirements	Must be an upper division physics major Minimum of two semesters of college-level French or the equivalent. Additionally, students will be required to enroll in and complete a specially-designed scientific French-language tutorial during the semester prior to studying abroad. Courses carry prerequisites Admissions requirements for all programs
Program Dates	Spring Semester: mid January to mid June Depart U.S.: January 15, 2012 Program Arrival: January 16, 2012 Depart Switzerland: June 30, 2012 Please note that this program is only offered during the spring semester.
Cost	2012/2013 Program Cost: $25,500 for spring 2013 Cost includes tuition, housing, airfare from designated U.S. cities, book allowance, field trips, and emergency travel assistance coverage. Download an estimated program budget, including cost of living expenses. Financial aid is available. The cost for 2013 has not yet been announced and will be subject to approval by the Board of Trustees at Boston University.
Credits	Upon successful completion of the program, students earn sixteen Boston University credits. Students must enroll for a total of sixteen credits.
Housing	Students are housed in a newly renovated student residence hall centrally located in town. It is located on a street adjacent to Lake Geneva and only a few blocks from the main classroom/administrative building of the program. The residence is a former hotel which has been renovated to accommodate students in a dormitory-style set-up. Participants of the program are placed in doubles or triples and share bathrooms. Rooms are completely furnished. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the building. A light breakfast is provided each weekday morning. There are also communal kitchens on each floor. Sheets and basic cooking utensils will be provided. Access to public transportation, which extends to all parts of the city, is close to the facility.
Application Deadlines	Spring Semester: September 1 Given visa restrictions, serious candidates for the spring semester Geneva Physics Program are strongly advised to apply by September 1. Although we will continue to accept applications up to September 30 or until the program is full, preference will be given to qualified candidates who submit their applications on or before September 1.

Download a description of the Geneva Physics Program.

Check out the Geneva Physics Program website for more information.

Program Staff

The Boston University Geneva program is administered by staff in both our Boston and Geneva offices. In Boston, a program manager facilitates the admissions and pre-departure procedures, and maintains contact with students prior to their arrival in Geneva. The Boston office also houses administrative personnel who are responsible for everyday operations. In Geneva, the staff comprises a resident director and administrative, academic, and housing personnel.