[lead]UT Tickle College of Engineering is making arrangements with three universities in Great Britain in order to develop standard programs for engineering students.[/lead]

At Swansea University, University of Nottingham, and University of Manchester UT students will have a list of preapproved engineering courses which they would be granted credit for.

Until now, UT students who studied abroad at these universities only took liberal arts courses.

Dr. Roger Parsons, Director of Engineering Outreach, says that the plan for developing standard programs helps engineering students plan in advance.

“We are trying to develop opportunities for undergraduate engineering students to study abroad and have a good possibility of taking at least one engineering course along with their study abroad experience. That way they can have both – a cultural experience and make progress towards their degree at the same time. We hope to have students from the UT Tickle College of Engineering going there every year. There would be students they can talk to and courses they are guaranteed credit for,” Dr. Parsons, who visited three universities in November 2009, explains.

He says that all three universities are excellent engineering schools and have good features for UT students.

Swansea is the oldest UT study abroad partner and probably the most popular.

“Swansea is in Wales, on the coast, and in the summer it is an actual beach resort town. It has some beautiful scenery. The campus itself is just up against the water. It’s a beautiful place to go to. Each semester there are about twelve UT students who go there,” Dr. Parsons explains.

Nottingham has not only an excellent research reputation but also historical attractions, and a U.S. like campus.

“Nottingham is an excellent University. It’s a Russell Group research university. It’s a medieval town so it has very old center part of the city. It actually has a Robin Hood statue that sits outside the Castle of Nottingham. There is also a current city official who has the title of Sheriff of Nottingham. The campus is very spacious, it has trees and walkways, and lots of modern architecture. UT students who go there will feel at home,” Dr. Parsons says.

Manchester, the highest ranked among these three Universities, has successfully incorporated unique features with academic success.

“Manchester is a huge university; it’s one of the largest in Great Britain. It’s an excellent research university. The town is a very interesting place. Their study abroad office is actually Ernest Rutherford, pioneering nuclear physicist’s laboratory. So when you are at the Study Abroad conference room you are actually in his laboratory,” Dr. Parsons explains.

Besides Swansea, Nottingham, and University of Manchester, UT Tickle College of Engineering has plans to expand to London and in the next couple of years start utilizing UT’s campus in the capital for engineering purposes.