TASSEP Exchange

Language Requirement: Varies
Academic Standing by Program Start: Junior or above
Location: Europe, Austria, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland
GPA: 3.0
Program Overview

As scientific research becomes ever more international and cooperative, it is important for science students to experience scientific teaching and research in international settings. If you are an undergraduate student majoring in Physics, Math, Chemistry, or Biochemistry, the TASSEP program is a great fit for you. This program will give you the opportunity to experience a year of studying and living abroad in Europe while continuing to earn credits toward your UO degree. The program encompasses 16 different European universities, each with unique academic offerings and research specializations, in 8 different countries. Classes are taught by regular science faculty members, and you will take classes with host national peers. TASSEP is a highly individualized program that encourages you to take initiative and work in a more independent environment.

Academic Advisor: The academic advisor will interview and nominate you for the program. They will then be available to advise you about course selections in your major, and approve courses for UO crediting, in cooperation with Global Education Oregon.

Lead Coordinator: Courtney Brost (Global Education Oregon) serves as the lead coordinator and advisor for the TASSEP program, helping to administer the program, working with TASSEP to maintain the partnership, and will assist you in learning about the TASSEP program and help you in choosing the university that best fits your interests. The advisors will assist you in planning for departure.

Dates and Deadlines
 
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Fall-Winter Semester 2023-24 2/1/2023 Varies by school and country Varies by school and country
Academic Year 2023-24 2/1/2023 Varies by school and country Varies by school and country
Spring Semester 20243 2/1/2023 Varies by school and country Varies by school and country
Academic Details

As scientific activities, both in private industry as well as university and government laboratories, become increasingly international in scope, it is essential to become familiar with foreign cultures, languages, and economic systems. One of the most effective vehicles for addressing this problem is through the TASSEP exchange program in which you will spend a year abroad, living much like the students at the foreign university. As science students, you face unique problems because of the large number of required courses in the standard four- or five-year curriculum and the vertical structure of the science curriculum. On the TASSEP program, you will take courses primarily in your major, under the advisement of the academic director. Courses taken in other fields are subject to the UO's approval process for new study abroad courses. You will be responsible for providing syllabi and other relevant course information to the UO registrar.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE OPTIONS

Denmark: Aarhus University
For the minority of courses taught in Danish, two or more years of college Danish would be required. Courses are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Nanotechnology, Physics and Astronomy, Psychology, and Sports Science.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE OPTIONS:

Note: The universities listed below offer some courses taught in English. Search each university course listings or talk to a GEO advisor for more information.

Vienna, Austria: Technische Universität Wien
Two or more years of college German (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Computer Science, Materials Sciences, Surveying and Geoinformation, Technical Chemistry, Technical Mathematics, and Technical Physics.

Grenoble, France: Université Joseph Fourier
Three or more years of college French (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Informatics, Mathematics, and Physics.

Lyon, France: École Supérieure de Chimie Physique Électronique
Three or more years of college French (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Analytical Sciences, Molecular Chemistry, Mathematics, Informatics, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, and Physics.

Orsay, France: Université de Paris 11, Orsay
Three or more years of college French (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Informatics, Mathematics, and Physics.

Paris, France: Université de Paris 6
Three or more years of college French (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mechanics, and Physics.

Toulouse, France: Université de Paul Sabatier
Three or more years of college French (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geological Science, Mathematics, and Physics.

Germany: Wuerzburg Universitat
Two or more years of college German (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Neuroscience, and Physics.

Germany: Technische Universität Berlin
Two or more years of college German (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geotechnology, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.

Germany: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität (Jena)
Two or more years of college German (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Biochemistry, Biogeosciences, Bioinformatics, Biology, Computer Science, Material Science, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, and Sport Science.

Bologna, Italy: Università di Bologna
Three or more years of college Italian (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Astronomy, Atmospheric Physics and Meteorology, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Geological Sciences, Industrial Chemistry, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physics, and Statistical Sciences.

Pavia, Italy: Università di Pavia
Three or more years of college Italian (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geology and Natural Resources, Green Chemical Technology, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, Physics, and Plant Sciences.

Bilbao, Spain:  Universidad del País Vasco Bilbao Campus
Three years of college Spanish (or the equivalent) required. About half of all courses are taught in Basque. Courses are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, and Physics.

Madrid, Spain: Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Three years of college Spanish (or the equivalent) required. Courses are offered in Anatomy, Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Genetics, Geophysics, Mathematics, Microbiology, Paleontology, Parasitology, Petrology and Geochemistry, Pharmacology, Physics, Physiology, and Zoology.

San Sebastián, Spain: Universidad del País Vasco San Sebastián Campus
Three years of college Spanish (or the equivalent) required. About half of all courses are taught in Basque. Courses are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Geology, Health Sciences, Mathematics, Mineralogy and Petrology, Neurosciences, Paleontology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Psychology, and Zoology.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional requirements
  • 3 years of college-level French, German, Italian, or Spanish for universities in countries in which those languages are spoken, except if enrolling only in courses taught in English
Application process

The application process for this program is competitiveGEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements. 

Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

Housing Description

You will live in housing arranged by the specific host university, most often in student residence halls (generally, in single rooms on floors populated by diverse groups of international and host national students). Note that housing is not always guaranteed, and you may be responsible for arranging your own housing for certain locations. You will pay for your housing directly to the local housing authority or university depending on the site selected. Please note that Global Education Oregon staff members are not responsible for coordinating your housing application or assignment. You will work directly with the host university once accepted and be sure to apply for housing be the deadline if applicable.