Academics

Program prerequisites | Course descriptions | Living arrangements |
Extra costs | Deadlines | Further information | Helpful links

The University of Wollongong, located on the coast of New South Wales, approximately 50 miles south of Sydney, is the study site for the Australia Study Group.  This study-abroad program is designed for students who have demonstrated a strong affinity for broad-based, interdisciplinary exploration of geography and environmental studies.  The academic offerings and extensive resources of the University of Wollongong, as well as the living and studying opportunities with Australian students, allow study-group participants a unique means to broaden and deepen their understanding of the historical, cultural, geophysical, and biological diversity of Australia.

The overall goal of this study group experience is to acquaint students with the historical, geographic and environmental processes that have shaped the modern state of Australia.  This experience will immerse students in a foreign culture, exposing them to contrasting ways of thinking about and configuring the world, which will deepen their understanding of their own beliefs and identity.

Program prerequisites
Students from any department or program are eligible to participate in the Australia Study Group, but preference will be given to individuals with a concentration or minor in ENST or GEOG.  Normally, completion of ENST 100 or ENST 101 and/or two courses in geography or two courses that comprise the ENST programs in biology, economics, geography, or geology is expected.  Preference will also be given to students who have completed their distribution requirements at Colgate.  In addition, the University of Wollongong requires a GPA of 3.0 for matriculation in their international student Study Abroad Program.


Course descriptions
All participants are required to enroll in and complete four courses during the fall term at the University of Wollongong. Students elect three courses and must enroll in the course described below.

ENST 309 Australian Environmental Issues (Professor Adam Burnett) This course covers key geographic and environmental issues in Australia with particular focus on geophysical processes, such a climate change, ecological characteristics, land use, and environmental policy.  Through class discussion, critical reading, independent research, and field trips, the course considers the physical environmental history of Australia and the dynamics that shape human relationships with the Australian environment.  Field excursions will exemplify Australia’s rich and diverse environmental and cultural heritage, and illustrate current challenges in environmental protection and management.  Trips within New South Wales may include: Sydney, Jervis Bay, Windellama, and Port Kembla.  An additional trip takes the group to Queensland to visit the tropical rainforest and Great Barrier Reef. 

Three Course Electives:
The remaining three courses are electives that will be chosen by the student in consultation with the program director and the student's academic advisor at Colgate University.  At least one of the three courses must be selected from a list of approved courses in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.  Students are urged whenever practical to select electives that resonate with one or both of the required courses (ENST 309).  This procedure underscores the environmental emphasis of the Australia Study Group, including its fundamental interdisciplinary nature.

Australian History Seminar (Professor John McQuilton)
This one day seminar is held during orientation week and includes lecture and discussion of the history, politics and culture of Australia. 

Australia Study Group participants:  Please read the following information regarding Wollongong courses and print the course approval form.  The completed approval form is due in the Registrar's Office.

Australia Study Group credit information
Colgate course approval form

Living arrangements
Students may live in one of several residence halls of the University of Wollongong (e.g. Campus East, Weerona College).  Amenities vary with housing selection.  Dining facilities, computers and internet access are available.  Colgate students have access to the social, athletic, recreational, computer, and library facilities of the University of Wollongong. Some of these require payment of a separate fee.

Extra Costs
Costs above Colgate’s tuition include room and board, airfare, and necessary out-of-pocket expenses. On the average students can expect to spend $5,000-$6,000 more than a semester on campus. These increased costs are used in calculating the aid packages of students who receive financial aid, provided this is their first study group experience.

Estimated Student Expenses

Calendar and deadlines
Information sessions will be held on Monday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, November 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the Ho Science Center, Room 238. All students interested in applying should plan on attending one of these sessions.

The deadline for applications to the Fall 2009 Australia Study Group is November 20, 2009.   Applications should be submitted to Linda Rauscher in the Geography Department office (Ho 216).

Student notification of selections will be completed by mid-January 2010.  The application process to the University of Wollongong will commence in earnest in February and course selections in late March and early April.  Later during the spring term, the study group director will work closely with students to prepare visa applications and to complete required medical examinations and clearances.

Students will depart for Australia around July 12, 2009.  The academic calendar for the spring session at the University of Wollongong runs for 14 weeks (classes start on July 26) with a scheduled one-week recess between Sept. 27 and Oct. 4.  The group will be traveling together in Queensland during the beginning of the recess (Sept. 25-28) after which students are free to travel on their own.  Final examinations are scheduled for November 6-18.