The Sydney Sophomore Engineering program combines coursework at the BU Sydney Center and the University of Sydney with professional work experience in or near Sydney. It is ideally suited for second-semester sophomores in engineering and is designed to fit neatly into engineering students’ existing curriculum. During the semester, students will participate in a credit-bearing internship, engineering coursework, and a course in Australian Culture & Society. Student accommodations are located in the BU Sydney Center, and offer easy access to public transportation, Darling Harbour, Chinatown, and the city business district.
BU Abroad: A Sydney Perspective
BU Abroad: A Sydney Perspective
Requirements & Considerations
- All students must enroll according to, and remain in compliance with, the Boston University Study Abroad Course Load Policy.
- Ideally suited for second-semester sophomore engineering students
- Select courses carry prerequisites
- The University of Sydney’s admissions criteria require study abroad students to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- Preference will be given to Engineering majors.
- Admissions requirements for all programs
Curriculum
During the semester, students will participate in a credit-bearing internship, engineering coursework, and a course in Australian Culture & Society. Together, these courses will allow students to gain a broader understanding of the field of engineering and help situate their learning in the Australian context. Students will study their technical curriculum at the University of Sydney for the semester and gain insight into the past, present, and future of engineering technologies through field trips to research institutions, technical museums, and companies.
Required Courses
Students enroll in the following courses:
- CAS AN 368 Australian Culture & Society (4 credits)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Historical Consciousness
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Research and Information Literacy
- Major focus on Australia’s global and national development as a multicultural nation with European roots, traditional western alliances and an imagined future in the Asia-Pacific region. The themes of continuity and change in relation to the Aboriginal population are explored in some detail.
- Syllabus
- CAS MA 226 Differential Equations (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area:
- Prerequisite: CAS MA 225 or MA 230, or the equivalent.
- First-order linear and separable equations. Second-order equations and first-order systems. Linear equations and linearization. Numerical and qualitative analysis. Laplace transforms. Applications and modeling of real phenomena throughout. (Cannot be taken for credit in addition to CAS MA 231.)
- Syllabus
- ENG EK 307 Electric Circuits (4)
- Corequisite: CAS PY 212, or the equivalent.
- Introduction to electric circuit analysis and design; voltage, current, and power; element I-V curves, circuit laws, and theorems; energy storage; frequency domain, frequency response, transient response, sinusoidal steady state and transfer functions; and operational amplifiers, design. Includes lab.
- Syllabus
- ENG EK 490 ENG Internship (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area:
- This course and academic project, drawing from a 120-hour internship, provides Engineering students with professional development resources to enhance their intern experience. Workshops include: Australian business culture /cross cultural business communication, conflict management, goal setting, and writing for reflective learning.
- Syllabus
Elective Courses
- ENG BE 209 Principles of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology (4 credits)
- Prerequisites: high school biology and at least one semester of college chemistry.
- For biomedical engineers. Principles of cell and molecular biology and biochemistry emphasizing biomolecules, the flow of genetic information, cell structure and function, and cell regulation. Three hours lecture, three hours lab.
- Syllabus
- ENG EC 311 Introduction to Logic Design (4)
- ENG ME 305 Mechanics of Materials (4)
As the language of instruction is English, additional course options at the University of Sydney may be possible. Students work with the College of Engineering for course approval.
Housing & Student Services
Program Residence
- Students have single, furnished rooms, in 3–4 person suites with a shared kitchen, 1.5 bathrooms, and a common area with a television. They are provided with bedding, a bath towel, and wash cloth. There is a microwave in the kitchen which can also be used to bake. There is a mall a short walk away where students can purchase kitchen supplies, home goods, and groceries.
- Board is not included/no stipend
- No dining hall availability
- 24 hr. security, a roof deck for students to hang out, a fully stocked library with computers, and classrooms in the same building
Program Dates
- Spring Semester: early January – late June
Application Timeline
Spring Semester
- Applications Open June 1*
- Applications Deadline September 15
This program is not on a rolling admissions cycle. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials have been received by the BU Study Abroad office by the application deadline. Decisions will not be made until after the application deadline. Applicants will receive their decision via email.
Information on other programs that do not follow a rolling admissions cycle and information for BU Students Awaiting an Admissions Decision can be found here.
Please Note: After September 15, applications will continue to be accepted on a space-available basis.
Cost & Financial Considerations
