Spring Paris Program
Astronomy in Paris

Please note: Study abroad programs sponsored by the undergraduate College of the University of Chicago are open to University of Chicago students only. Applications from outside the University are not accepted.

General Description:
   


L'Observatoire de Paris



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. For a virtual tour of Paris, visit http://paris.arounder.com/.

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 thirteenth arrondissement, places it within easy walking distance of the relocated Bibliothèque Nationale de France, François Mitterand and just across the street from the new home of the Université Denis Diderot.


L'Observatoire de Paris: Site de Nançay


  
Housing:
Participants in the Astronomy program will live in one of the residence halls of the Cité Internationale Universitaire, a campus-like assemblage of houses for international students. In addition to its various national residences, the Cité comprises a library, restaurant (with adjoining cafeteria) and several sports and exercise facilities. Located at the southern edge of Paris (the fourteenth arrondissement), the Cité offers easy access, by metro and bus, to all of Paris.

Credits:
Students 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 students have already met the physical sciences requirement they may use the astronomy credits as electives. Course titles, units of credit and grades are placed on the student's Chicago transcript.

Registration and Tuition:
Astronomy program participants remain registered full-time in the College and pay regular College tuition, the Spring Paris program fee and the non-refundable study abroad administrative fee required of all participants in Chicago's programs abroad. For precise figures, see Study Abroad Program Fees.

Financial Aid:
Students retain their financial aid eligibility. However, two expenses--the study abroad administrative fee and the round-trip airfare--are not underwritten by College financial aid. On the other hand, since students cannot be expected to work part-time while in Paris, the self-help component of their financial aid package does not include a term-time employment factor.

Eligibility and Application:
The Paris Astronomy program is open to University of Chicago undergraduate students only. Applications from outside the University are not accepted.

The program is designed for undergraduates in good standing, including first-year students. While the program stipulates no minimum grade-point average, an applicant’s transcript should demonstrate that they are a serious student who will make the most of this opportunity. Because the physical sciences sequence is taught in English, there is no language prerequisite, although students are encouraged to take French on campus before the program begins. 

Each application is examined on the basis of the student's scholastic record, personal statement and academic recommendation.

A student accepting an offer of admission is expected to secure his or her place with a non-refundable study abroad administrative fee.

Application for Spring 2010:
To apply to the Spring 2010 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. To begin the application process, please click here.

Application for Spring 2011:
For the Spring 2011 Astronomy in Paris program, please click here to apply through our new online application system.

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.