International Engineering Program

The University of Wyoming (UW) International Engineering Program (IEP) is designed to provide a true international experience, involving more than just international study.  IEP students will break through language barriers to immerse themselves in another culture.  They can then begin to understand the perspectives and attitudes held by others around the world.  With this understanding, IEP students will grow in their own recognition of domestic perspectives and attitudes and will return to UW with a broader foundation of cultural balance from which to develop their professional and personal lives.  IEP students will graduate with excellent academic credentials, fluency in at least one foreign language, and high-quality international work experience.

Key elements of the IEP for students include the following.

• A degree program that integrates foreign language study with technical coursework.
• One or two semesters of study abroad with language immersions at an international partner university.
• An optional paid internship of four to five months duration in which daily business is conducted in a language other than English.
• http://www.uwyo.edu/intprograms/docs_international_engineering_degree.pdf

Program Details

Development Focus

For more information about this program, please see the following link: (full proposal)

Contacts

Richard Schmidt, Associate Dean and Professor, College of Engineering and Applied Science, schmidt@uwyo.edu

Sherrie Merrow, Director of Development and Communications, College of Engineering and Applied Science, smerrow@uwyo.edu

When fully implemented, the IEP will provide the following support mechanisms and opportunities, among others, for students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science:

• Curriculum development: Cultural context courses, free electives and/or technical electives are replaced with foreign language courses.
• New foreign language course offerings: New technical foreign language courses are designed for engineering and computer science students.
• Internship partners: Formal internship agreements assure the student intern of a high-quality technical and cultural experience.
• Enrichment plan: Activities will include a speaker's series with international business leaders and returning study-abroad students, summer orientation trips to the target country, and career counseling and placement for international employment.
• Peer Mentors: First year IEP students will be assigned a peer mentor as well as a faculty mentor.

To achieve a fully functional and effective IEP, a multi-phased approach is being used.  Phase I consists of the creation of a pilot program using German as the language and Germany as the international location.  Phase II will focus on expanding the support for students to study other languages, enabling them to study and work in a wider variety of countries.

Although initial implementation of the IEP has focused on the German language and Germany, the program is in no way restricted to this language and country.  Students are encouraged to study any foreign language that interests them.  Also, to the extent possible, study abroad and internship arrangements in any country will be arranged.  With the expressed intention of expanding IEP opportunities for engineering students, UW has just recently established two new exchange agreements with partner universities in Japan.

Funding of Phase II

Funding is required to fully implement the IEP, supporting curriculum development, international travel for senior faculty, and creation of the international advisory board.  Additionally, one new staff member is needed to develop the marketing plan and coordinate exchanges and internships with our international partners.

The College of Engineering and Applied Science Development Office proposes to establish an endowment fund to support the following tentative budget line items:

The endowment amount needed to fund ongoing annual costs for the IEP of $194,000 is approximately $4M (using an annual return rate of 5%).  With the continued state match program (approved by legislature in March 2006), a donor(s) of $2M will fulfill this need.

College of Engineering and Applied Science Dept. 3295, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071 307-766-4253 www.eng.uwyo.edu