Technical Electives for ESE Students in Switzerland
Learn in world-class electrical engineering labs.
This program provides a unique opportunity for ESE students to gain practical experience in technical skills while being immersed in Swiss culture in Fribourg, Switzerland. Laboratory facilities for the offered technical electives do not exist at the University of Calgary.
The IP Networking course gives a broad view of the protocols and technologies used to design and deploy modern IP Networks. Architectures, switching, routing, performance and security issues are addressed. The course is strongly laboratory based (1/3 lecture, 2/3 laboratory).
In the Safety and Reliability Engineering course, you will learn about development requirements (e.g. regulations; environmental standards; design process, specifications and documentation; and certification) and safety and reliability analysis methods for both hardware and software systems.
Get hands on practice and access unique laboratories while immersing yourself in the Swiss way of life and going on technical and cultural field trips in this Group Study Program. Possible excursion locations include Lucerne, Broc, Cern Nuclear Research Centre, Veytaux and Bulle.
Key information
Application information
Application deadline
First come, first considered
Additional requirements
Students must be from Electrical or Software Engineering to apply. See the Eligibility section below for more details.
Info sessions
Session #1: Nov 1, 12-1pm on Zoom. Register here.
Session #2: Nov 25, 12-1pm on Zoom. Register here.
Student Experience
Have questions?
For program information, please contact Svetlana Yanushkevich at syanshk@ucalgary.ca
For application and registration support, please contact the Group Study Team at group.study@ucalgary.ca
Other useful links:
Program details
Questions about these courses should be directed to the program instructor.
Please note: course descriptions are tentative and subject to change.
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Courses offered
Students on this program are required to enroll in the following two courses:
ENEL 519.57: IP Networking (3 units)
ENEL 519.58: Safety and Reliability in Engineering (3 units)
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Prerequisites
ENEL 519.57: ENEL 471 or Consent of the Department; Anti-requisite ENEL 573, CPSC 441
ENEL 519.58: Consent of the department
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Pre-departure
Date TBD, Calgary: Academic pre-sessions and pre-departure orientation.
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In-field
May 1, Calgary/Fribourg: Depart Calgary for Geneva, transit to Fribourg
May 2, Fribourg: Arrive at accommodations
May 3, Fribourg: Course: Introduction to Swiss Society & Field trip – Getting to know Fribourg
May 4 – 31, Fribourg: Lectures, field trips, study weekends
June 1, Fribourg: Final labs
Jun 2-3, Fribourg: Final exams
June 4, Fribourg/Calgary: Depart Fribourg for Calgary or independent travel
Click here for the detailed itinerary
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Post-field
TBD
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Costs
The estimated cost of the Technical Electives for ESE Students in Switzerland Group Study Program is $8491. This includes tuition, airfare, field trips, local transportation, accommodations and meals.
For the full cost breakdown and payment deadlines, please see the program Student Cost Summary.
Important information regarding deposit payments: Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits secure your space in the program and allows payment for logistical arrangements to be made in advance.
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Funding
International Study Travel Grant: Students studying abroad may be eligible for the University of Calgary's International Study Travel Grant. For more information on eligibility, application details and deadlines, please click here.
Schulich Student Activity Fund: At the Schulich School of Engineering, we believe amazing learning experiences happen inside and outside the classroom. Every year, the Schulich Student Activities Fund provides $500,000 for extracurricular activities such as field trips, team competitions and student travel. For more information, please click here (Please note: when applying, it is important you list all the sources of funding available to you).
Please click here for more information on funding.
Participants will be staying in single-gender hotel rooms shared with another student. Rooms include single bed, private bathroom to be shared with a roommate, and small study space area. Students will have access to a main conference room for studying and meals, and a continental breakfast is included each day. Laundry services are available at an additional cost, however students may chose to complete
Accommodation is situated two bus stops and/or a 20 minute walk away from the University.
This program is open to undergraduate students in good academic standing from the Schulich School of Engineering - Electrical and Software Engineering concentrations only.
Applications will be considered after your application and unofficial transcript have been received by Study Abroad.
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Statement of Purpose
Please tell us why you want to study abroad, why you have selected this particular program (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how this program will meet your academic objectives and/or complement your degree, how you plan to finance your program and why you should be selected.
The Statement of Purpose is submitted within your online application (max 500 words).
Note: Because the online application will time out after one hour, we recommend that you compose your statement of purpose in advance in Word to check for spelling, grammar and word count, and then paste it into the online application.
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Unofficial Transcript
Download an unofficial transcript from your Student Centre and submit it by email to group.study@ucalgary.ca.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to access your unofficial transcript.
Please ensure that you have read the Group Study Program General FAQs thoroughly before applying.
Program-Specific FAQs
Q: How are students selected?
A: A set number of spaces are available for the program. Student applications will be reviewed and accepted/declined/waitlisted after the registration deadline until all spaces are filled. While good academic standing is required, instructors look for students from a variety of backgrounds to make up the traveling group.
Q: Is this program open for Visiting or Open Studies students?
A: No, participation is not open to open studies students.
Academically, the High Voltage Engineering course offered a lab experience unlike anything in Calgary; it was very fun and exciting.
Delanie
Past Participant, Electrical Engineering
Getting started
Program-Specific Info Sessions
Info sessions are scheduled for every Group Study Program. Attending an info session is not required to apply, but strongly recommended as it will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor and learn more about the travel experience.
We also recommend watching Global Learning 101 for general information.
Study Abroad Advising
If you have questions about this program, you can meet with one of our Group Study Advisors by emailing group.study@ucalgary.ca or booking an appointment through the link below.
1. Select "Advising"
2. Select “Study Abroad”
3. Select “Book by Appointment Type”
4. Select your program advisor to view available times.
Academic Advising
Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how a Group Study Program might align with your degree.
After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular study abroad program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Study Abroad Team will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
Please note if you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Study Abroad Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.