Study Abroad

Study abroad is a popular option for computer science majors. Computing impacts companies across all geographic scales, and experience abroad can provide an important perspective for the development of  software, information systems, and strategies that scale beyond the domestic market.

Students are encouraged to take their core computer science courses at UR, especially:

• CMSC 301 – Computer Organization
• CMSC 315 – Algorithms
• CMSC 323 – Design and Implementation of Programming Languages

Your study abroad time is most effectively used pursuing elective courses in your area of interest.

Students who start the computer science major after the first year will find it difficult to fit study abroad into their plans. In particular, it requires finding a strong program where at least one of the required courses can reasonably be taken.

Considerations by Year

First-Year Students
First-year students planning to study abroad should try to complete CMSC 150 or 155, CMSC 221 and CMSC 222 in their first year. A meeting with the computer science coordinator to discuss study abroad plans is advised.

Second-Year Students
Study abroad during the second semester of the second year is possible for computer science students but it typically means that CMSC 315 must be taken abroad, which is not encouraged. Students who complete CMSC 301 and CMSC 315 during their second year have the greatest flexibility for study abroad.

Third-Year Students
Third year is generally the easiest year for computer science students to study abroad. As long as you are able to find one appropriate elective course at your study abroad institution, you should have no difficulty in completing your major.

Fourth-Year Students
The required course, CMSC 323 – Design and Implementation of Programming Languages, is taken by all computer science majors in the fall semester of their senior year. We encourage all majors to take this course at UR. We have found one or two institutions that offer a comparable undergraduate course. If fall of your fourth year is your only possible semester for study abroad, early consultation with the computer science coordinator regarding appropriate programs is advised. Students planning to enter the workforce directly after graduating will need to be available for interviews during the spring semester, so that is not an ideal time to study abroad.

Recommended Programs

Below is a list of programs that the Computer Science Program recommends for receiving computer science transfer credit. To explore these and other programs, including summer programs, internships and semester programs in other locations, as well as information on financial aid, scholarships and application procedures, visit the Office of International Education.