Engineering students are eligible to study at the University of Maryland through bilateral exchange agreements between the Clark School/UMD. Through the exchange agreement, students pay tuition to their home institution. All other expenses for housing and meals, books, transportation, health insurance, and personal expenses are the responsibility of the student. Students are required to pay a student activities fee to the University of Maryland.

Students selected to study at the University of Maryland through a bilateral exchange agreement, must be nominated by the International/Study Abroad Office at their home institution. Inquiries regarding this process can be directed to exchange-partnerships@umd.edu.

How to Apply

Exchange students should follow the instructions for applying. Exchange students do not have to pay any application fees.

Important Links for Exchange Students

Class Registration for International Exchange Students

Exchange students should submit a plan of studies with five preferred classes and five alternate classes. Admitted exchange students should review the instructions below for gaining permission and registering for classes. Enrollment is based on documented successful completion of appropriate prerequisite classes and space availability in your selected courses. We cannot help you enroll in classes in business, computer science, or telecommunications; classes that have reached enrollment capacity; or classes designated for special programs/populations. It is important for exchange students to read class descriptions in the Schedule of Classes.

View Schedule of Classes.

The following information is provided to help you gain permission and register for engineering classes as an international exchange student.  Once you have received your admission notice from the University of Maryland and a registration appointment, you can begin registering for classes.  The majority of engineering, math and science classes require permission from the appropriate department or instructor in order to enroll in the class. 

  • Engineering exchange students must register for at least one engineering course.
  • Engineering exchange students can register for no more than four courses from any one engineering department, e.g., Aerospace, Chemical, and Mechanical initially. Once classes begin, you may be able to add additional classes.
  • Make sure you have completed or are currently enrolled in the prerequisites for the classes that you are requesting. Department advisors will not give you permission to enroll in two or more courses where one of the classes is a prerequisite for another. For example, ENAE 301 is a prerequisite for ENAE 403 – you will not be given permission to enroll in both courses in the same semester.
  • When requesting classes, be clear about the engineering classes that you must complete during the semester in order to stay on track towards graduation at your home institution. You should request no more than four of these classes.  You can request additional classes as alternatives.
  • Engineering exchange students are not guaranteed access to all engineering courses.
  • Exchange students may register for classes in the humanities and social sciences on a space available basis, with the appropriate prerequisites, and as long as the class is not restricted to a special student population (e.g., College Park Scholars, Freshman Connection, Hinman CEOs, and Honors Program).

For class times, prerequisites, brief course descriptions, available seats, and any class restrictions, see the Schedule of Classes on Testudo. 

Be sure to include your University ID number in all correspondence to University faculty and staff.

Graduate Engineering Courses

Exchange students seeking access to graduate engineering courses (600-800 level courses) should email engineeringexchange@umd.edu for more information. Students should have completed sufficient coursework in engineering, e.g., equivalent to an undergraduate degree, and be enrolled in graduate level courses at their home institution.

Class Notes:

  • Professional Masters classes (ENPM) are restricted to students completing a professional master’s degree at the University of Maryland. This program has a special fee structure not covered by the exchange agreements. Exchange students seeking permission for ENPM classes will need to wait until classes begin. Access to ENPM classes will be on a space available basis as long as the student has the appropriate prerequisites completed.

Undergraduate Engineering Courses

Students seeking permission for undergraduate classes (100-400 level courses) should review the information and instructions for the appropriate engineering major department(s) below.

Aerospace Engineering (ENAE)

Aerospace Engineering Course Listing

Syllabi are available at the above link. ENAE courses are typically offered once a year. Please see the Aerospace Course Offering Schedule for more information.

Permission for ENAE Courses:

Exchange students seeking access to aerospace courses should complete the Request for Non-Majors to Enroll in an ENAE Course form for each ENAE course requested. Be sure to indicate that you are an engineering exchange student when completing the form. The Aerospace advisor makes every attempt to find space to fulfill exchange student requests. However, it may be close to the start of the semester or during the first week of the semester before you receive permission for a class. In some cases, access cannot be granted so you may have to enroll in alternative classes.

Class Notes:

  • ENAE481/ENAE482 and ENAE483/ENAE484 are courses offered fall/spring. Exchange students planning to be at UMD for the full academic year and who are near the end of their academic program, may request access to the 2-course sequence capstone design classes. If you are only here for one semester, you will not be given permission for these classes as you would not be able to complete full sequence.

Bioengineering (BIOE)

Bioengineering Course Listing

Course descriptions and prerequisite information for BIOE courses. Syllabi for undergraduate Bioengineering courses are not online in a central location. Exchange students should contact engineeringexchange@umd.edu if you need syllabi for Bioengineering courses. A few BIOE courses are only offered once a year.

Permission for BIOE Courses:

Exchange students seeking permission for BIOE courses will receive permission/registration instructions through the Office of Global Engineering Leadership. Be sure to review the BIOE prerequisites to determine if you have the appropriate background for the classes you want. Questions can be directed to engineeringexchange@umd.edu

Class Notes:

  • BIOE485 and BIOE486 is a two semester capstone course. Exchange students are only able to take these courses if they are visiting for a full year and willing to take the full sequence.

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CHBE)

CHBE Course Listing

Syllabi for undergraduate CHBE courses are not online in a central location. Some syllabi are available on instructors’ websites. Exchange students should contact engineeringexchange@umd.edu if you need syllabi for CHBE courses.

Permission for CHBE Courses:

Exchange students seeking permission for CHBE courses will receive permission/registration instructions through the Office of Global Engineering Leadership. Many CHBE courses are only offered once a year. Be sure to review the CHBE prerequisites to determine if you have the appropriate background for the classes you want.  Questions can be directed to engineeringexchange@umd.edu

Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENCE)

ENCE Course Listing

Syllabi for undergraduate ENCE courses are not online in a central location. Exchange students should contact engineeringexchange@umd.edu if you need syllabi for ENCE courses.

Permission for ENCE Courses:

Exchange students seeking permission for ENCE courses will receive permission/registration instructions through the Office of Global Engineering Leadership. Be sure to review the ENCE prerequisites to determine if you have the appropriate background for the classes you want.  Questions can be directed to engineeringexchange@umd.edu

Class Notes:

  • ENCE466 is the civil engineering capstone course and it is not open to exchange students.

Computer & Electrical Engineering (ENEE)

Electrical and Computer Engineering Course Listing

Electrical and Computer Engineering course syllabi are available the above link.

Permission for ENEE Courses:

Exchange students seeking permission for ENEE courses should email engineeringexchange@umd.edu for more information. Be sure to review the ENEE prerequisites to determine if you have the appropriate background for the classes you want.  Questions can be directed to engineeringexchange@umd.edu

Permission for CMSC Courses:

Computer Science courses are not offered through the A. James Clark School of Engineering. They are offered through the College of Computer, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences. Students seeking access to computer science (CMSC) classes must request those classes on their own. Exchange students may be granted access to a maximum of two CMSC classes on a space available basis and with the appropriate academic background. To request permission for CMSC class(es), email ugrad@cs.umd.edu.

Class Notes:

  • Permission for ENEE capstone design courses will not be given to non-UMD students.

Fire Protection Engineering (ENFP)

ENFP Course Listing

Syllabi for ENFP courses are available at the above Course Listing link.

Permission for ENFP Courses:

Exchange students seeking permission for ENFP courses  will receive permission/registration instructions through the Office of Global Engineering Leadership. Many ENFP courses are only offered once a year. Be sure to review the ENFP prerequisites to determine if you have the appropriate background for the classes you want. Questions can be directed to engineeringexchange@umd.edu

Class Notes:

  • ENFP425 and ENFP426 is a two semester capstone course. Exchange students are not allowed to register for ENFP426 without having completed ENFP425 or a comparable course.

Material Science and Engineering (ENMA)

ENMA Course Listing - Course syllabi are available at this link.

Permission for ENMA Courses:

Exchange students seeking permission for ENMA courses will receive permission/registration instructions through the Office of Global Engineering Leadership. Some ENMA courses are only offered once a year. Be sure to review the ENMA prerequisites to determine if you have the appropriate background for the classes you want. Questions can be directed to engineeringexchange@umd.edu

Class Notes:

Many courses in materials science require the following courses as prerequisites.

  • ENMA300 Introduction to Materials Engineering
  • ENMA460 Physics of Solid Materials
  • ENMA461 Thermodynamics of Materials

ENME312 is not open to students who do not have a strong background in solid state physics (ENMA460).

Mechanical Engineering (ENME)

ENME Course Listing - Course syllabi are available at the above course listing link.

Permission for ENME Courses:

Exchange students seeking access to mechanical engineering courses will receive permission/registration instructions through the Office of Global Engineering Leadership.  The Mechanical Engineering advisor makes every attempt to find space to fulfill exchange student requests.  However, it may be close to the start of the semester or during the first week of the semester before you receive permission for a class. In some cases, access cannot be granted so you may have to enroll in alternative classes. Questions can be directed to engineeringexchange@umd.edu

Class Notes:

  • ENME408: Selected Topics in Engineering Design: Automotive Design is the Formula SAE race team. Project based class. Minimum time commitment of 20 hours per week. To apply, fill out the ENME408 application form on the undergraduate mechanical engineering site.
  • ENME470: Finite Element Analysis is a very popular course that reaches its maximum enrollment very quickly. It is unlikely that exchange students will gain access to this class.

Engineering Science (ENES)

Engineering Sciences classes are managed by a variety of departments and many classes are restricted to students in special programs. Check the course listings and section information in the Schedule of Classes to determine if a class is restricted to students in a special group.

Keystone Courses - Available to exchange students

To obtain sample course syllabi, email engineeringexchange@umd.edu for assistance.

  • ENES100: Introduction to Engineering Design
  • ENES102: Mechanics I
  • ENES220: Mechanics II
  • ENES221: Dynamics
  • ENES232: Thermodynamics

Global Engineering Leadership Courses - Available to exchange students

  • ENES317: Introduction to Engineering Leadership Development
  • ENES424: Engineering Leadership Capstone (Class not open to exchange students.)
  • ENES472: International Business Cultures for Engineering and Technology (syllabus available)
  • ENES474: Global Perspectives of Engineering (This course is offered during the spring semester only. Prior completion or concurrent enrollment of ENES472 is required.)

Entrepreneurship Courses

To obtain sample course syllabi, email Alyssa Cohen Sherman (alyssa@umd.edu) for assistance.

Exchange students are welcome to enroll in any non-restricted courses open to all students, such as ENES140. ENES and HEIP courses may be restricted to students in special programs such as the Minor in Technology Entrepreneurship, Hinman CEOs, Honors Entrepreneurship and Innovation program, or Hillman Entrepreneurs, as indicated in the class or section restrictions (see the Schedule of Classes). 

Entrepreneurship and innovation courses that are restricted to students in the MPTE program will not be available to exchange students. This is a special master's program and courses are not open to students outside of the program.

QUEST Program

Courses restricted to students in this special program and not open to exchange students.

  • ENES190H: Introduction to Design and Quality
  • ENES390H: Systems Thinking for Managerial Decision Making
  • ENES397: Mentoring Design and Quality Teams
  • ENES491: Defining Consulting and Innovation Projects

RISE Program

RISE seminars restricted to students in this special program and not open to exchange students.

  • ENES304: RISE seminar
  • ENES305: RISE seminar

Virtus and Flexus Courses

Classes designed for students in the Virtus and Flexus programs are restricted and not open to exchange students.

Non-Engineering Courses

Non-engineering course contact list

Business (BMGT) classes are generally not available to Engineering exchange students prior to the start of classes. If there is space available and you have the required prerequisites, you may be able to register during the schedule adjustment period once the semester begins.

College of Computer, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences (CMNS)Exchange students seeking access to chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science classes should contact the appropriate advisor for permission. Indicate the class(es) in which you want to enroll, attach a copy of your transcript, and identify any prerequisites that you have completed noting the course number/title from your home institution. Submitting course descriptions or syllabi for completed prerequisites is also recommended. Below is the list of contacts for CMNS.

Biology Sciences (BSCI) Dr. Reid Compton at bioundergrad@umd.edu

Chemistry (CHEM) and Biochemistry (BCHM) Undergraduate Advising Office at chem-uso@umd.edu

Computer Science (CMSC) Read the CMSC website for "Notes for incoming students". Please contact the department at ugrad@cs.umd.edu for more information.

Mathematics (MATH)Applied Mathematics (AMSC) or Statistics (STAT) Ms. Ida Chan at ugadvisor@math.umd.edu

Physics (PHYS) Mr. Tom Gleason at ugrad@physics.umd.edu


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