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The College’s spring-quarter Astronomy program in Paris is built around a compressed physical sciences sequence devoted to theoretical and observational astronomy. This sequence is designed for non-science majors (and thus assumes no mathematics beyond the College's pre-calculus requirement). The program may also be of interest to science majors who want to supplement their work in physics and chemistry with a quarter devoted to the cosmos. The first two courses in the sequence correspond to the two-quarter astronomy sequence taught on campus (PHSC 119 and PHSC 120), the first course treating stellar astronomy, the second cosmology and the origins of the universe. The third course is an astronomy elective with a focus that shifts from year to year (though an historical orientation will normally prevail). These courses, which are taught by Chicago faculty, capitalize on the Paris setting through museum and laboratory visits as well as guest lectures by French astrophysicists. In this regard Chicago's connection with the Laboratoire de Astroparticule et Cosmology (APC) at the Université Denis Diderot (Université de Paris-VII) is central. (Chicago's Center in Paris is in fact just across the street from the new home of the Université Denis Diderot.)
In addition to the astronomy sequence, program participants take a French language course, which runs at a normal pace through the quarter, a course designed to help students connect with French (and Parisian) culture. (Previous study of French is not a prerequisite for this program.) As a supplement to classroom work the Astronomy program features excursions to local sites of historical and cultural interest. It is assumed that, apart from these organized excursions, students will use their free time to explore Paris on their own and to gain for themselves knowledge of this remarkable city deeper than that of the breathless tourist.
Center in Paris:Headquarters for all of the College's programs in Paris is the University of Chicago’s Center in Paris. The Center in Paris builds upon the University's long association with various Parisian institutions, as well as its eminence, recognized by the French government, in interdisciplinary scholarship related to France. It acts as a gathering place for undergraduates, graduate researchers, and alumni as well as a site for lectures, conferences, and receptions. For participants in the various programs sponsored by the College in Paris, the Center, with its classrooms, offices, computers, language lab, and (modest) library, provides an administrative and instructional home as well as a supportive environment. Its location, in a "new," academically-oriented neighborhood in the 13th arrondissement, places it within easy walking distance of the Bibliothèque Nationale (Bibliothèque François Mitterand), the newly relocated Université Denis Diderot, and other similar institutions.
Housing:
As a participant in the Astronomy program you will live in one of the residence halls of the Cité Internationale Universitaire, an assemblage of houses for international students. Most of these houses are located within a campus-like setting in the 14th arrondissement. A satellite residence is in the 19th arrondissement near the Porte des Lilas. In addition to its various national residences, the Cité comprises a library, restaurant (with adjoining cafeteria), and several sports and exercise facilities.
Credits:
You receive three credits for the astronomy sequence, which meets the College’s physical sciences requirement for non-science majors, and one credit for the French language course. If you have already met the physical sciences requirement you may use the astronomy credits as electives. Course titles, units of credit, and grades are placed on your Chicago transcript.
Registration and Tuition:
You remain registered full-time in the College and pay regular College tuition, the Astronomy program fee and the College's study abroad administrative fee. The program fee covers accommodation (without meals) and some excursion costs. For precise figures, please see the Study Abroad Program Fees.
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You retain your financial aid eligibility. However, two expenses, the study abroad administrative fee and the round-trip airfare to Paris, are not underwritten by College Financial Aid. On the other hand, since you cannot be expected to work part-time while in Paris, the self-help component of your financial aid package does not include a term-time employment factor.
Eligibility:
The Astronomy program is designed for all undergraduates in good standing regardless of major or year of study (applications from first-year students are welcome as are those for fourth-year students). While the program stipulates no minimum grade-point average, a transcript should be presented, demonstrating that you are a serious student who will make the most of this opportunity. Because the astronomy sequence is taught in English, you are not required to have had previous study of French. At the same time you are encouraged to take as much French as possible before the beginning of the program, and your application is likely to be strengthened by doing so (and your experience of Paris enhanced).
Application:
Applications are available on the study abroad website. To apply to the Astronomy in Paris program, a student submits a general study abroad application electronically, then downloads the supplementary application specific to this program and submits it on paper, normally in mid-winter quarter of the previous academic year.
A student accepting an offer of admission is expected to secure his or her place with a $500 non-refundable study abroad administrative fee. (To begin the application process, click on the Study Abroad General Application.)
Further Information:If you would like to discuss this program and the possibility of your participating in it, you are invited to contact Sarah Walter (Harper 207A; 834-3753).
Statements contained on this site are subject to change without notice.
