Australia: Brisbane
Students in the Brisbane, Australia, program attend the University of Queensland (UQ), one of Australia's esteemed "Group of Eight" institutions. Originally created to provide an international-study option for science, math and psychology majors, the program also offers opportunities for qualified non-science majors. UQ is known for its course offerings in business, economics, sociology, health and environmental studies.
Brisbane is a sub-tropical city of approximately 1.6 million people situated along the east coast of Australia. Known for its relaxed life style, educated and multiethnic work force, and extensive cultural opportunities, Brisbane has been named "Australia's Most Livable City." The state of Queensland is climatically and geologically diverse. It is home to a portion of Australia's famed outback, the Great Barrier Reef, world-class beaches and the Daintree Rainforest - the oldest rainforest in the world.
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) is home to 33,000 undergraduate and graduate students studying in 400 different majors and programs. The university offers more than 5,500 courses annually, ensuring that Dickinson students from a broad spectrum of disciplines will find coursework to enhance their academic pursuits. Each year more than 3,800 international students from more than 80 countries join the student body at UQ in pursuit of higher education.
UQ is well known for its science programs and is one of eight Australian universities designated as a research institution by the national government. It is noted for both excellent teaching and research, particularly in laboratory and field-based courses. The program at UQ complements Dickinson's curriculum by extending the range and variety of courses available within a major, while fostering greater international awareness and understanding through formal study and informal interaction.
Academics
The Dickinson College program at the University of Queensland was originally designed to provide students studying biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, geology, mathematics, physics and psychology with the opportunity to expand their understanding of those major disciplines through international study. Although the principle focus is to provide a study abroad option for science majors, the program offers opportunities for all majors. UQ is known for its course offerings in business, economics and sociology, as well as health and environmental studies.
Dickinson in Australia is designed as a semester-long program. On occasion, students study at UQ for a full year. UQ's first semester runs from mid-February through June and corresponds to Dickinson's spring semester. UQ's second semester runs from mid-July through November and corresponds to Dickinson's fall semester.
Students enroll in a total of four courses at UQ. The typical student takes two courses in his/her major, one course in Australian culture and/or history, and one course as an elective in an area of personal interest. While the program does not have a required core course, students must enroll in at least one course with a content focus on Australian culture and/or history.
Qualified students from non-science majors are invited to apply. Each semester, several spaces on the UQ program are designated for non-science majors. Additional non-science applicants are admitted on a space-available basis.
Examples of courses that fulfill the Australian culture and/or history requirement:
Aboriginal Women
Origins of Australia
Race and Ethnic Relations in Australia
Contemporary Australian Foreign Policy
Research with Indigenous People
Critical Social Issues in Australian Society
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives
On-Site Administration
Ann Wadsworth is the resident director of the Dickinson College program at UQ. She was formerly employed by UQ in its office for international students and was instrumental in the founding of the Dickinson College program at UQ. She is responsible for arranging housing for students, providing a general orientation to Australia, Brisbane and UQ, assisting students with course enrollment, organizing Dickinson academic excursions and managing the day-to-day operation of the program.
Housing
Students are housed in residential colleges on the UQ campus or in fully furnished, self-catering apartments near the campus. While student preference is considered, housing preference cannot be guaranteed. Students who live on campus eat in the residential college cafeteria. Students who are housed in apartments prepare their own meals and are credited Dickinson's board charges on their Dickinson student account.
Quick Facts
Dates Program Fee* Application Deadline
Fall mid-July. to late-Nov. $26,705 Feb.15
Spring mid-Feb. to late June $26,705 Sept. 15
* This is the program fee for 2011-2012; the program fee for 2012-2013 will correspond to on-campus tuition and fees and will be determined during spring 2012.
Program Fee Includes
• tuition and fees
• room and board
• pre-departure and on-site orientations
• required Australian government-issued health insurance
• academic excursions run by the Dickinson College program
• fee for one excursion associated with a single credit-bearing course
The program fee does not include primary health insurance, airfare, passport, visa, immunizations, optional travel, personal expenses, meals and housing during vacations, books or supplies.
Special Requirements
3.0 GPA
Open to all majors. Students majoring in biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, geology, mathematics, physics and psychology are encouraged to apply.
Links
University of Queensland
University of Queensland Courses
Information on Brisbane
Information on Queensland
Current Dickinson in Australia Blog
Past Dickinson in Australia Blog
For more information, contact:
Prof. Michael Holden, On-Campus Coordinator
Department of Chemistry
Dickinson College
P.O. Box 1773
Carlisle, PA 17013-2896
Phone: 717-245-1481
e-mail: holden@dickinson.edu