Location

The University of Notre Dame operates two study programs in Australia. The second of its programs is located in Perth, Australia at the University of Western Australia (UWA). UWA is one of Australia's top universities. It was established in 1911 and is a member of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight leading research-intensive universities. Western Australia is the biggest state among the states that make up the commonwealth of Australia. It is a land of contrasts, featuring a wide range of climatic and geographical conditions. Since two-thirds of Western Australia lies below the Tropic of Capricorn, much of the area experiences tropical and subtropical weather.

Perth is the capital of Western Australia and the major commercial centre of the state. This pollution free city, lies a few kilometers from the Indian Ocean and enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Perth, a modern but relaxed city of about 1.5 million people, boasts a variety of natural and man-made attractions both in its downtown area and immediate suburbs. It has great cultural centers, gorgeous parks, and colorful gardens and has retained many of its historic buildings with distinctive Architecture. Like neighboring Fremantle, Perth enjoys a cosmopolitan lifestyle with a myriad of cafes, galleries, restaurants and pubs.

Program of Study

A special program has been developed in the fall semester at the University of Western Australia in Perth, which combines course work with an intensive field research program established in conjunction with several Australian mining and engineering companies. The semester-long academic program, fall only, is designed for juniors, and is open to students from the Colleges of Engineering and Science. The prgraom also will admit qualified Arts & Letters students specifically ALPP majors who need courses in their science portion of the curriculum.

The University of Western Australia (UWA) offers a wide variety of courses at the undergraduate level in the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts, the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Economics and Commerce, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Notre Dame students of all majors and ALPP majors in the College of Arts and Letters may enroll in a select set of courses approved by the Notre Dame Deans while at UWA. Engineering students will also be placed with local companies for their "hands on" work experience field course. Program participants will have the opportunity to travel to the north coast town of Pilbara where a special field component in Aboriginal culture is conducted. Click here for links to courses offered in Perth.

The academic calendar for the semester follows the Australian system, fall semester arrival and orientation occurring early to mid July (Australian winter) concluding the about end of the month of November. Grades are assigned also according to the Australian system (numerical scores), but will be translated to the Notre Dame format and entered on the students' records here on campus. Grades obtained in Perth/UWA will be included in the computation of the grade point averages.

Eligibility for the Program

The program is open to qualified juniors of the University of Notre Dame in the Colleges of Engineering and Science. ALPP majors who need science courses are also eligible. Candidates must have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, must demonstrate adaptability to new situations, desire and motivation for residence and study abroad, and be free of serious moral, social, or psychological problems. Participants are chosen by a selection committee for International Study Programs. Application Deadline: November 15.

Additional Information

There is much more we can tell you — about this location, vibrant religious, cultural and recreational life of this community ... about the student housing, transportation, health care and much, much more. It is, after all, the details that make this program so appealing. Interested? Just click here for additional information.