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 is the major commercial centre of the state. This multicultural city lies just 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 in both its downtown area and immediate suburbs. It has great cultural centers, gorgeous parks, and colorful gardens. Perth has retained many of its historic buildings with distinctive architecture. Like neighboring Fremantle, Perth enjoys a cosmopolitan lifestyle with a myriad of shops, cafes, galleries, restaurants and pubs.

Program of Study

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

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.

While at UWA, students may enroll in a select set of courses pre-approved by Notre Dame faculty. Engineering students will also be placed with either local companies or will work with UWA graduate students on projects for their "hands on" field experience course.

In addition, all program participants will have the opportunity to travel to other parts of Western Australia where a special field component in Aboriginal culture is conducted. They will visit a variety of geographic and ecological zones which offer fascinating case studies in the links between human economic development and the environment.

The academic calendar for the semester follows the Australian system. Fall semester arrival and orientation occur in early to mid July (Australian winter) and the semester concludes about mid to end of November. Grades are assigned according to the Australian system in numerical scores, but will be translated to the Notre Dame format and entered on the students' academic 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 the Office of International Studies selection committee.

Application Deadline: November 15.

Additional Information

There is so much more to tell you about the vibrant religious, cultural and recreational life of Perth's community. Information about student housing, transportation, health care and much more can be found by clicking here. It is, after all, the details that make this program so appealing.