The Program
Developed specifically for BS/MS students in their fourth year of Materials Science
and Engineering, the exchange at the Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III (UPS) is an amazing opportunity for Drexel students to focus on energy studies in a European environment. Through this program, students will enroll in courses at UPS with participants in the European Masters’ Course MESC: Materials for Energy Storage and Conservation. All coursework is offered in English. While students will be studying in the south of France, their classmates will be from around the world, providing a truly multicultural environment that promotes a broader perspective to the study of energy-related materials.
Partner Institution
Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III (UPS) is an educational leader in the region and is devoted to studies in science, technology and health. UPS was established in 1969 and is named after the 1912 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Paul Sabatier. It is well-regarded for its excellent research facilities and attracts its 29,000 students from all over the country. UPS is committed to a strong synergy between teaching, research and innovation, making it an excellent host institution for Drexel students.
Course Offerings
Drexel students participating on the exchange will enroll in the same coursework as the MESC degree candidates. The exchange is only offered in the fall term, and students will enroll in the following courses:
General Electrochemistry
Solid State Chemistry
Energy Sources and Energy Storage: Demands and Applications
Applications of Surface Treatments to Energy Storage
Energy Storage and Conversion
French Language & Culture
All of the Engineering courses have been pre-approved for Drexel credit towards the BS/MS degrees in Materials Science and Engineering though all students must meet with their academic advisor to complete the Academic Approval Form. Students must complete a language placement test and adhere to the language transfer placement policy to determine the kind of credit they will receive for the French language course. Students who successfully complete their courses will fulfill five of the Optional Courses, one Required Course, and one Undergraduate Course toward their BS/MS degree requirements. Drexel participants must enroll in all six of the courses while studying at UPS. Students should also be aware that with the traditional French university calendar used by UPS, exams for the fall term typically take place in January, and students will need to make special arrangements with their professors to complete the exams early or to have the exams proctored by the study abroad office.
The Experience
Known as the “Ville Rose” for its distinctive brick architecture, Toulouse is home to 120,000
students making it an energetic and vibrant city in which to live for a term. Located on the banks of the Garonne River in southwest France, it is the fourth largest city in France with all of the amenities one would expect in a major metropolitan area. It is the cultural capital of the region with frequent festivals, performances and theater productions. The city also proudly supports the “Stade Toulousian” a professional rugby team and Toulouse FC, the professional soccer team. Largely fueled by its booming aerospace and high tech industries, Toulouse is growing faster than many other French cities. To get a better sense of the city, you can visit its website: http://www.toulouse.fr/accueil
UPS is home to many international students and the Bureau des Relations Internationales will assist students with local arrangements and requirements. Through a special arrangement with the MESC program, Drexel students will live in UPS student housing at no cost to the students. Many of the student housing options include a small kitchenette where students can prepare their own meals or students may take advantage of the CROUS university meals at a very reasonable cost. As France is well known for its food, students should also plan to experience at least a few meals in local bistros and restaurants as part of their cultural experience. More information on student services, including those for international students can be accessed from the CNOUS website: http://www.cnous.fr/ Students participating in the program will need to obtain a French student visa. Details on the visa application process will be provided to accepted students.
Eligibility
The UPS exchange is designed for BS/MS students in their fourth year in Materials Science and Engineering. Applicants must have a 3.3 gpa and have completed the equivalent of French 102. Interested students should meet with the academic advisor and the graduate study abroad advisor prior to submitting an application. A personal essay, transcript and one letter of recommendation are required.
