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Study Abroad

Why study abroad?

A semester abroad affords students an opportunity to better understand other cultures, develop language skills, and study in a new environment. The CS department encourages all students to consider a study abroad experience.

When should you go?

CS majors typically study abroad in the fall or spring of their junior year, although study abroad in the spring of the junior year or fall of the senior year is also possible.

Where do CS majors go?

CS and Joint majors have studied in a variety of programs and countries. We encourage you to speak with your adviser, the department chair, and the director of study abroad programs to identify an appropriate study abroad program. Below is a representative sample of schools where our students have studied in recent years, but there are many other possible choices.
  • Australia: University of South Australia, University of New South Wales.
  • France: ESIEE, Paris
  • Hungary: AIT Budapest
  • New Zealand: University of Canterbury
  • South Africa: University of Capetown

Department rules for transferring credit

Students planning to study abroad should:
  • Submit a request to the department chair in advance for approval for major courses to be transferred. A letter grade of "B" or better is required for transfer credit for the major. For example, a CS course that is intended to be transferred must be approved by the CS Department Chair while a math course must be approved the Mathematics Department Chair. Petition forms are available online.
  • Discuss any HSA credit transfer plans with the HSA academic adviser .
  • For CS majors (or anyone intending to participate in CS clinic) Take CS 121 must no later than the end of the junior year.
  • Choose a program of study that permits graduation from Harvey Mudd in four years.

Who should I talk to for further advice?

An example plan for Study Abroad in Junior year for a CS Major

The following is a sample schedule for a CS major choosing to study abroad in the fall of the junior year. The fall and spring semesters are interchangeable in this schedule, allowing a similar schedule to be used for study abroad in the spring of the junior year.
Freshman Fall Units Spring Units
CS 5: Intro to Computer Science 3 CS 60: Principles of Computer Science 3
Math 25 B/G: Calculus and Linear Algebra I 3 Math 35: Probability and Statistics 1.5
Chemistry 23E and 23S: Energetics and Structure 3 Math 45: Differential Equations 1.5
Physics 23: Special Relativity 1.5 Chemistry 23D: Dynamics 1.5
Writing 001: Intro to Academic Writing 1.5 Phys 24: Mechanics and Wave Motion 3
Chem or Physics Lab 1 HSA 10: Critical Inquiry 3
Free Elective 3 Biology 52: Intro to Biology 3
PE Aerobics 1 Chem or Physics Lab 1
17 17.5
Sophomore Fall Units Spring Units
Math 55: Discrete Mathematics 3 CS 81: Computability and Logic 3
CS 70: Data Structures and Program Dev. 3 CS 105: Computer Systems. 3
Math 60: Multivariable Calculus 1.5 Engineering 59: Intro. To Engineering Systems 3
Math 65: Differential Equations and Linear Algebra II 1.5 Hum/Soc #2 3
Phys 51: Electromagnetic Theory and Optics 3 Free Elective 3
Hum/Soc #1 3 PE Elective 1
Choice Lab 1 CS 189: Programming Practicum 1
16 17
Junior Fall - STUDY ABROAD! Units Spring Units
CS Elective #1 3 CS 121: Software Development 3
CS Elective #2 3 CS 140: Algorithms 3
Hum/Soc #3 3 Hum/Soc #6 3
Hum/Soc #4 3 IE course 3
Hum/Soc #5 3 Free Elective 3
Seminar 0 CS 195: CS Colloquium 0.5
15 15.5
Senior Fall Units Spring Units
CS 183: Computer Science Clinic 3 CS 184: Computer Science Clinic 3
CS 195: CS Colloquium 0.5 CS 195: CS Colloquium 0.5
CS 131: Programming Languages 3 Free Elective 3
CS Elective #3 3 Hum/Soc #9 3
Hum/Soc #7 3 Hum/Soc #10 3
Hum/Soc #8 3 Free Elective 3
PE Elective 1
16.5 15.5

Note: This sample schedule satisfies the requirements of the CS Major and sums up to 130 units, rather than the 128 minimum.