Embedded Course Options

Programs with Embedded Course Options

• Antarctica: Human Impacts on a Fragile Environment (ENGR 499/ERM499), will be offered in fall 2023 with travel during winter break, 2023-2024
  
  During the pre-trip course, students will attend weekly lectures, write two short essays, complete a midterm project and final essay exam and submit an annotated bibliography of their field course readings.  During winter break, the students experience a two-week field excursion, by plane and ship, to Antarctica, where they will explore sites such as the Beagle Channel, which is inhabited by black-browed albatrosses, Magellanic penguins, skuas, different varieties of seagulls and Alakush ducks. The ship will continue on to the Antarctic Peninsula, where students can view icebergs and land at various points, including coves, inlets, islands and bays. Wildlife is abundant during this season: penguins, seals, whales and orcas are likely to appear during the excursion.  While planning for the course continues, students interested in learning more can contact Dr. Angela Rothrock, Center for Global Engineering Engagement associate director, at arb184@psu.edu

  
  Open to all students in the Colleges of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences. More information »

• Campinas, Brazil: Squatter communities, known as Favelas, are springing up on private and public lands. These communities are formed outside of the traditional legal and formal real estate market which raises difficult questions over ownership and legal property protections. In addition, critical infrastructure is required in developing the Favelas into sustainable communities.  Students will be providing engineering support to lay out and map a water distribution system of a Favella in cooperation with engineering students from Brazil's public university in Campinas (UNICAMP).

  This spring semester course is open to all majors and all campuses.  Students should consult their academic advisor to determine which degree requirements (i.e., general education or major requirement) can be satisfied by these 3 credits of cross-listed courses SUR 299, GEOG 6N. 

  This program will not be held in 2023.
  

  For more informaiton contact, 

  Salvatore A. Marsico, sam4@psu.edu
  Henrique Oliveira, hmo5157@psu.edu

• Engineering Leadership Development Minor (ELDM): Students in the minor can take courses that develop cultural awareness, international collaborations and virtual teaming skills. Project teams work to apply engineering skills in solving socially relevant issues. Travel is offered in these courses, to witness first-hand the value of engineering in addressing the needs of developing countries. More information »
  
  
• Entrepreneurship in South Korea: In this embedded ENGR 411, Business Basics for Entrepreneurs course, students will add a study of entrepreneurship in South Korea to this comprehensive business course. Students will compare product marketing in South Korea to marketing similar products in the United States. The demographic and generational segmentation of the South Korean market will be investigated and compared to that of the US. The class will visit South Korean startups and explore founders' journeys to see how they are similar and different from that of a US founder. The class will investigate startup funding in South Korea and compare it to financing a startup in the US. Students will also visit South Korean cultural and historic sites and experience the local culture.

  Students enroll in the embedded ENGR411 section for 3 credits for the Spring and will also enroll in ENGR 499 Entrepreneurship in South Korea for 1 credit. Students must also take the asynchronous STS 115 for 1 credit. 
  
  For questions, contact Dr. Ted Graef, tedgraef@psu.edu.

  Apply by December 12, for spring 2023. 

• First-Year Seminar; Santiago, Chile: Spring Break 2024 (date TBD)
  
  This unique opportunity for first-year students facilitates adjustment to the college learning environment and increased academic liberties associated with the transition to college life.  Students will be introduced to the College of Engineering’s academic disciplines, learn about opportunities for co-curricular engagement, and will participate in a culturally immersive experience in Santiago, Chile during spring break. This spring break embedded course satisfies the FYS and Humanities (GH) course requirements. Apply by October 1 for spring 2024.
• Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE): During the HESE field experience you will live, work, and play in a community in Kenya for the month of May while you collaborate on ventures and technologies that impact the world. The HESE field experience is open to all majors who are prepared to test the results of the previous HESE course. If you are interested in this field experience, please contact hese@psu.edu to join the HESE program at least one semester ahead of time.
   
• The Science of Sustainable Development; Oaxaca, Mexico: November 18-26, 2023
  
  This Embedded course takes students to Oaxaca, Mexico earning 3 credits of an interdomain GenEd (GN & GS). This course is open to students from any major and any campus with travel over Spring break completing SUST150N- The Science of Sustainable Development. Oaxaca is a Cultural Center where students will experience:
  • • An Organic Farm and other Ecological Sites
    • The Monte Alban Archaeological Site
    • A Mexican Cooking Class
    • Survival Spanish Training
    • Other Programmed Studies and Cultural Activities

  For more information contact, Dr. Eric Lipsky at eml13@psu.edu.
  Apply by August 25, 2023

• Technical Presentations for Engineers:  Sydney, Australia: December 26 - January 7, 2024
  

  3 Credit Interdomain (GWS)

  Travel to Sydney, Australia during Penn State's winter break to learn about sustainable development initiatives in a variety of urban environments.  This course will focus on built environments,  gentrification, and the impact of redevelopment on communities.  Students will gather information through a series of site visits and present their findings in oral, written, and visual presentations.  

  For more information, please contact Dr. Angela Rothrock, arb184@psu.edu

  Apply by October 1, 2023

• You, The World, and Change: Your First Global Development Experience, Costa Rica 
  
  How do you begin your journey to make meaningful change in the world and in your community?  Travel the world in your first or second year to learn how people are making more equitable communities happen.  In this interdomain course, diverse students from across the university will travel to Costa Rica to explore technology, health, and food security innovations and the people who develop them. Students will earn 3 credits BBH/ENGR/INTAG 299. This interdisciplinary course brings together the domains of social and natural sciences GS/GN interdomain class. 
  
  This program will not be held in 2023.