UPDATE: Due to COVID-19, the EUR Undergraduate Immersion Program has been rescheduled for Jan 31 – Feb 13, 2021

Overview

Experience University Research (EUR) for University Undergraduate and Graduate Students is an academically challenging and culturally immersive program designed to help highly motivated students take advantage of a Top 10 university campus, building practical skills and gaining invaluable experience as they further their academic and profession careers. This EUR Package is designed to accommodate both international students with high English proficiency (iBT TOEFL score of 60 or TOEIC 600 recommended) and native English speakers over the age of 18. An F-1 visa is recommended for this program, but part-time options are available for students traveling on an ESTA waiver. If you are concerned about your English language abilities, we offer a EUR Intro Week option (summer only).

Benefits

  • Enhance your resume or further university applications by taking university elective courses taught by UCI faculty, and field experts—with no risk or affected GPAs!
  • Get involved in hands-on learning in some of UCI’s strongest fields of study: engineering, business, finance, computer science, biology and social ecology
  • Develop in-demand skills for your academic and professional career
  • Partner with native English-speaking UCI students to complete assignments and learn about campus life
  • Explore Southern California
  • Enjoy UCI recreational and dining facilities (includes convenient campus meal plan)
  • Earn a UCI Certificate of Participation

Instructors

Read the biographies of the instructors you will be learning from here.

Core Courses (required)

Global Communication SkillsExpand
2 units.

As students prepare to further their academic and professional careers, they must effectively communicate their ideas to diverse audiences. The goal of this course is to prepare students to communicate with both native and non-native English speakers, particularly in relation to their chosen fields of study. In this course, students will study and practice effective methods for speaking and presenting their ideas clearly to a global audience, including voice projection, enunciation, timing, nonverbal communication, cultural norms, simplifying speech, and specifying meaning. Examples of learning activities in this course include class discussions and debates, individual and group presentations, listening logs, listening quizzes, and leading discussion groups.

Instructor: Helen Nam, M.A.


Schedule: M-F, times vary


Prerequisites: none


Materials Fee: $0

Advanced Writing CompositionExpand
2 units.

Effective writing is crucial to success in any field. The goal of this course is to prepare advanced and native English speakers for academic writing at the graduate level, particularly in relation to their chosen fields of study. Students will learn to develop and express ideas effectively for a variety of purposes (expository, analytic, and argumentative), audiences, and occasions. Students will also study and apply various rhetorical strategies used in different academic and professional disciplines. By the end of the course, students will be expected to understand the writing process, evaluate and use various types of evidence, identify and use effective prose, engage with others’ ideas, and properly cite sources.

Instructor: Emily Wong, M.A.


Schedule: M-F, times vary


Prerequisites: none


Materials Fee: $0

Elective Courses (choice of one or more)

Environmental Policy & TechnologyExpand
2 units.

The goal of this interdisciplinary course is to explore science-driven solutions to major global challenges. Students will investigate such topics as why access to clean water is so difficult both globally and locally, what can be done about it, and how to transcend the negative impacts of a changing environment. In doing so, students will integrate tools from natural and social science to analyze real-life examples and apply creative thinking to shed new light in how to address environmental challenges in evidence-based papers. By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of major contemporary challenges, the formation of public policy, and how solutions may be found. This course is ideal for students pursuing careers in public policy, law, environmental science, and political science.

Instructor: John Whiteley, Ed.D


Schedule: TBD


Prerequisites: none


Materials Fee: $100

Expressive Design with IoT Devices and RobotsExpand
3 units.

Skills in Python, computer hardware, and IoT devices have many applications and are highly sought after. The goal of this course is to build students’ skills in these areas by designing and programing robots to complete a series of pre-determined tasks using Raspberry Pi single-board computers. In doing so, students will set up the Raspberry Pi environment, use Python-based IDE (integrated development environments) for the Raspberry Pi, and learn computer hardware. Students will work together in teams of 2-3 to build the robots. The course will culminate in a competition, putting students’ programming and designs to the test. May the best robot win!

Instructor: Saleem M. Yamani, M.S.


Schedule: TBD


Prerequisites: some experience in Python recommended


Materials Fee: $250

BusinessExpand
2 units.

Project Management is a methodology that allows for an efficient and effective approach to achieving results.  This course will utilize these methodologies starting with Initiation, then Planning, Executing, Monitoring and finally closing out a project.  The selected case study used in class will be the application of current data analytics methods taking Big Data and creating innovative solutions to a business problem. Students will perform data-driven discovery and prediction, extracting value and competitive intelligence for their projects. Basic elements of successful Big Data implementation will be covered as well as a review of commercially available tools and technology.

Instructor: Martin Wartenberg, M.S., MBA

Schedule: TBD

Prerequisites: Some experience in Probability and Statistics recommended


Materials Fee: $0

FinanceExpand
2 units.

To succeed in the expanding international economy, business professionals must learn about the role and impact of international financial markets. This class begins with the history and structure of the international monetary system. Topics build on this foundation with a focus on the forces that drive exchange rates as well as international trade and investment; international financial risks and the protection that can be achieved through the use of financial derivatives. The course also emphasizes some of the most important financial techniques used by multinational firms to manage their international financial operations.

Instructor: Dr. Steven Keener


Schedule: Tu, Th 1pm-4pm


Prerequisites: none


Materials Fee: $0

JavaScriptExpand
2 units.

JavaScript is the most widely adopted browser language with full integration with HTML/CSS. This course will teach students highly sought after skills of JavaScript and web programming. Students will learn how to utilize the power of JavaScript by combining it with HTML through the DOM (Document Object Model) in order to build fully functional web applications. The goal of this course is to equip students with practical skills for real-world application, such as best practice idioms and patterns, common programming concepts, advanced language features, and common libraries and tools for web application development.

Instructor: Kevin Hanegan, B.S.


Schedule: TBD


Prerequisites: 1-2 years of university-level programming courses


Materials Fee: $0

Intro to Machine LearningExpand
2 units.

This course will be introduce concepts and topics essential to AI and Machine Learning such as, predictive analytics algorithms, artificial neural networks, data analysis and data mining. Students will explore design, architecture, and applications of networks for practical applications. Students will also learn how artificial neural networks such as multilayered perception are implemented in Python.

Instructor: Keith McCormick, B.S.


Schedule: TBD


Prerequisites: Intermediate to Advanced knowledge of Python


Materials Fee: $0

Overview of EsportsExpand
2 units.

Esports is an emerging as a global industry. Students will learn the history of Esports and gain vantage points from developers, athletes, fans, sponsors and media. The course will also introduce the roles and influences that game developers have in the industry, and students will get a glimpse into the structures of an organization and how it builds a brand. Students will also be informed of the jobs available in Esports and where to get started in order to be involved.

Instructor: Jonathan Pan


Schedule: TBD


Prerequisites: None


Materials Fee: $0 

Industrial DesignExpand
3 units.

Come experience the union of Art, Design, Science, Engineering and Business in our exciting program in Industrial Design. Understand why companies and individuals embark on new and innovative products and learn current techniques of how to prototype and manufacture these products.  Use the Design Process through experimentation in our “Creative Manufacturing Lab” where you will learn and use a variety of manufacturing techniques to create functional and visually appealing products and product packaging. Use Design Thinking and the Art of Manufacturing to let your sense of style, form and function guide you to build new and better sustainable products that meet market needs. Gain experience with Industrial Design software tools and experience the entire design process, from concept, prototypes, design iterations, validation, manufacturing, marketing and product support. Students will learn how to synthesize and communicate ideas visually, verbally and document them in writing. Work with a team of your classmates to develop design projects that begin with market research, conceptual ideas, user stories and sketches. The projects are then developed into models and working prototypes that are tested and packaged. All teams will enter their projects into the final design competition judged on innovation, visual appeal, functionality, sustainability and marketability.

Instructor: Dave Dimas, PhD


Schedule: TBD


Prerequisites: One year of undergraduate engineering courses recommended


Materials Fee: $250 

Conversation & CultureExpand
2 units.

Perfect for students who need additional English language practice, this course will focus on the development of verbal communication, listening skills, and strategies that will improve the quality of the students’ English speaking and conversation in a fun and interactive atmosphere. Course content is designed to give students cultural background knowledge that may be incorporated into language and culture lessons as well as new perspectives on approaching universal classroom problems. Students will create a project or presentation to demonstrate their learning.

Students accepted with a minimum score of 40 TOEFL iBT and 400 TOEIC

Instructor: Meg Parker, M.A.


Schedule: TBD


Prerequisites: None


Materials Fee: $0

Included with Program Fee:

  • 50 Hours of Academic Instruction (includes one elective course)
  • 15 Hours of Academic-Related Activities
  • Airport Transfers
  • Health Insurance
  • UC Admissions and Majors Presentations
  • Campus and Lab Tours
  • Conversation Partners
  • Welcome and Farewell Lunches
  • Grade Reports and UCI Certificates of Participation
  • Official transcripts

Students may participate in optional cultural and educational activities for additional fees. More information located here.

Some Electives may require an additional materials fee. Students may add multiple Electives for an additional fee.

Non-refundable fees, Application Fee and Housing Deposit ($400 total), are due with application. All other fees are due 30 days prior to program start date

Course schedules, instructors, and availability subject to change.

Refund/Cancellation policy available here.

Ready to experience?

Contact us for further information or to begin shaping your program.

APPLY NOW REQUEST MORE INFO 2019 PROGRAM REPORT

UPCOMING PROGRAM DATES

Arrival DateJan 31, 2021
Dates of InstructionFeb 1-12, 2021
Departure DateFeb 13, 2021

TUITION AND FEES

Application Fee$200
Program Fee $3,500

Housing Options

Please contact us for housing options.

SINGLE COURSE ENROLLMENT

Domestics students who are interested in enrolling in courses only without houses or activities may view those program details here.