Information and Procedures for Engineering Students

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM THROUGH PARTNER UNIVERSITY, ZHAW

In partnership with the Zurich University of Applied Science, the School of Engineering offers an opportunity for Electrical and Computer Engineering students to complete one semester of full-time study abroad in Switzerland.

ZHAW is located in Winterthur, near Zurich, which is in close proximity to the tri-national boarder region of Germany and France. You are certain to have a multi-cultural experience! Additionally, Zurich is one of the world’s financial centers, and is widely considered to be the banking and chocolate capital of the world. 

What You Need to Know:

DATES: This program is only available during the 5th Semester of the Engineering program, during the Fall term.

ELIGIBILITY:  

• Open to EE and CE students accepted into the School of Engineering
• Secondary admission required
• Students must have a minimum 2.70 GPA

WHAT CREDITS WILL I RECEIVE?               
This program has a specific course of study and will cover the following course equivalencies:

• EGR 314 Circuit Analysis II (4 credits)
• EGR 315 Electronic Circuits I (4 credits)
• EGR 323 Signals and Systems (3 credits)
• EGR 399 Readings in Engineering (1 credit)

ZHAW COURSES:    

• Signals & Systems (SISY1-EN) 4 ECTS
• Electricity 3 (EL3-EN) 4 ECTS
• Elektronik 2 (EK2) 4 ECTS                 
• IMPORTANT: See course articulation below.

PREREQUISITE COURSES: Refer to existing catalog

COURSE REGISTRATION:
Students participating in this program must register at GVSU for 11 credits of IS 380 International Studies AND 1 credit of EGR 399 Readings in Engineering.

COURSE ARTICULATION:
Prior to attending ZHAW, GVSU students must complete two sets of learning modules with labs: one set for EGR 314 and another one for EGR 315.

Prerequisite learning modules be completed under the supervision of a GVSU engineering professor within a 3-4 week period during the summer semester preceding the fall of junior year, or at the beginning of fall of junior year. Students are expected to work with the GVSU engineering professor to develop a schedule that does not conflict with the co-op work hours (after 4:00 p.m.).  If an extenuating circumstance warrants a time conflict with the co-op work hours, the student must submit a written explanation of the extenuating circumstance, as well as an outline of the alternative work schedule.  This agreement must provide written evidence that the student will complete the 500 hours necessary to earn academic for the co-op course, and it will require an approval from the GVSU engineering professor, co-op coordinator, and workplace supervisor.

After attending ZHAW, GVSU students must complete two additional sets of learning modules: one set with lab for EGR 314 and another one for EGR 315.

EGR 314 Summer/Fall PREREQUISITE Learning Modules: Led by Dr. Bogdan Adamczyk

1. Time-Domain Analysis of 2^nd-Order Systems
2. Laplace Transform/Inverse Laplace Transform
3. Transfer Function and s-domain Circuit Analysis

EGR 315 Summer/Fall PREREQUISITE Learning Modules: Led by Dr. Heidi Jiao

1. Op-Amp Circuits – Integrator, Differentiator
2. Instrumentation Amplifier
3. Diode Basics and Applications: Power Supply and Wave-Shaping Circuits

EGR 314 Winter POST-REQUISITE Learning Module: Led by Dr. Bogdan Adamczyk

1. Passive Filters

EGR 315 Winter POST-REQUISITE Learning Module: Led by Dr. Heidi Jiao

1. CMOS, Digital Logic Circuits

DELAY OF EGR 326 EMBEDDED SYSTEM DESIGN:
Please note that participation in this program will result in a necessary one year delay of EGR 326 Embedded Systems. As such, students will be required to take EGR 326 during the fall semester of their final year, in conjunction with EGR 490 Engineering Co-op III. Students must be able to commute to class during regular class periods. Available course times may conflict with student work schedules. Students are advised to obtain pre-approval from co-op employers prior to participating in this program.

WORLD PERSPECTIVES AND ISSUES CREDIT:
All students completing at least 3 credits abroad will automatically earn credit toward the Global Perspectives requirement. No additional paperwork is required.

All students completing at least 6 credits abroad who SUBMIT A WRITTEN REFLECTION PAPER with the corresponding form to the General Education Office WITHIN 60 days after the end of the study abroad program will earn up to 6 credits toward the Issues requirement.

For more information on fulfilling Global Perspectives and Issues Requirements, visit the Padnos International Center General Education web page.

It is important that you understand that credits from the academic courses will be transferred back on a Credit/No Credit basis. Therefore, you will NOT receive a letter grade. This is the normal process for study abroad experiences. 

Scholarship Opportunity:

ZHAW's School of Engineering offers approximately 15 scholarships each year for international exchange students. The scholarship is competitive; however, in 2015, ZHAW hosted approximately 20 exchange students. The scholarship is based on academic performance. The award is 2000 CHF, which can cover a very substantial portion of a student's housing expense for the semester. Students will receive an application after ZHAW has received their exchange application.

For more information visit the ZHAW Scholarship Announcement

NOTE: Students who are eligible for the ZHAW scholarship may still be considered for additional scholarships offered through the Padnos International Center.

What You Need to Do:

1. Visit the Padnos International Center information page on Programs at ZHAW
2. Make an appointment with a PCEC Professional Advisor: (616) 331-6025. Students interested in participating in ANY study abroad program must meet with a PCEC Professional Advisor. 
3. Notify Rachel Salinas (s[email protected]), Assistant Dean, Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, of your intent to participate in this program.
4. Make an appointment with Dr. Bogdan Adamczyk: [email protected] or (616) 331-7286. Students must meet with Dr. Adamczyk to verify eligibility in the program and discuss the logistics of completing the modules. 
5. Attend a First Step Meeting, or watch the Online Video.
6. Explore other Scholarships and Grants available to students studying abroad.
7. Meet with a Study Abroad Advisor in the Padnos International Center. This is a good time to ask questions regarding World Perspectives and/or Issues credits that may be earned during your term abroad.
8. Fill out an application with the Padnos International Center in OASIS.
9. Get your passport now! The Padnos International Center offers a walk-in passport photo service. You can also apply for your passport through a local post office.
10. Follow the ZHAW Application Process
11. Register for 11 credits of IS 380 International Studies and 1 credit of EGR 399 Readings in Engineering at GVSU.
12. Upon your arrival at ZHAW, register for the required courses.
13. Upon your return to the U.S., turn in your written reflection paper and corresponding form to the General Education office within 60 days of the completion of your abroad experience.

*The Padnos College of Engineering and Computing reserves the right to modify the above procedures.