Recommended Studies Page

"What Will I Study At USFQ?"

 

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CONTENTS

 

Introduction: What you need to register in classes at USFQ/Cumbaya Campus

 

List of Colleges and Links to Dean's Recommendations

 

Studying Spanish at USFQ

       Studying Spanish in the Language Institute

       Studying Spanish in the College of Liberal Arts 

       Registering According to Your Spanish Level

       Courses and their Language Requirements

 

Number of Credits Allowable

 

INTRODUCTION:  WHAT YOU NEED TO REGISTER IN CLASSES AT USFQ/CUMBAYA CAMPUS

 

IMPORTANT:  As of August, 2007, international students are responsible for registering themselves, monitoring their schedules, and finding answers to academic questions on their own.  There are the tools that will be required to accomplish this task:

 

• Familiarization with USFQ's Academic Colleges

• USFQ Course Descriptions (1.8 MB pdf download)

Remember - these are the descriptions of all of our courses, not necessarily the ones being offered while you will be here.  To see what is being offered while you will be here, refer to the online "Schedule of Classes"  Information on how to access this is available under the "Academics" section of the "Incoming Students Page", and also in a detailed email that is sent to candidates before their arrival.

• Careful study of the information provided by the deans in each college, found below

• Familiarization with the Spanish requirements for certain courses, found below

• Access to the contact information for all academic authorities in each of the academic areas -- because questions should be posed directly to them,

• The results of the online Spanish exam that was administered (contact Pancho Guerrero for details, if you don't have this)

• A Student ID number and the "Registration Instructions" pdf document (sent to students individually via email - contact Pancho Guerrero for details). 

 

RELEVANT LINKS

Special Programs & Campuses Page

Simple Listing of all Colleges and Degree Programs Offered

Listing of all Academic Authorities at USFQ.  Questions should be posed directly to these authorities

Listing of all USFQ Personnel (MS Word document)

 

Note:  When the USFQ 2006-2008 Catalogue is made available online, students will be able to study the latest information on each of these colleges. 

 

 

The Colleges / Los Colegios

 

College of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition / Colegio de Agricultura, Alimentos y Nutrición 

College of Architecture & Interior Design / Colegio de Arquitectura y Diseño Interior

College of Biological and Environmental Sciences / Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales

College of Business Administration / Colegio de Administración para el Desarrollo

College of Communication and Contemporary Arts / Colegio de Comunicación  y Artes Contemporáneas

College of Health Sciences / Colegio de Ciencias de La Salud

College of Law / Colegio de Jurisprudencia

College of Liberal Arts / Colegio de Artes Liberales

College of Police Sciences / Colegio de Ciencias Policiales

School of Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Tourism / Colegio de Hospitalidad, Arte Culinario y Turismo

School of Science and Engineering (The Polytechnic) / Colegio de Ciencias e Ingeniería (El Politécnico)

School of Technologies / Colegio de Tecnologías

General College / Colegio General

 

Studying Spanish at USFQ

 


College of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition

Dean: Mike Koziol

Website: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/1COLEGIOS/Vida/vida.htm

 

Dean Koziol, an Oxford Rhodes Scholar and former Nestle executive, runs his college like a family business.  His faculty are his friends and colleagues, and the students are like his children.  He cares for them deeply and demand the most from them.  The College of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition offers degrees in agribusiness, biotechnology, environmental communication, applied ecology and human nutrition.  The college's state-of-the-art facility boasts world class laboratories and a full-scale commercial food production facility.

 

Courses of interest to International Students

 
All courses are open to international students if they are fluent in Spanish and have taken the relevant background courses. Additionally, they will require a rudimentary scientific vocabulary.

The following courses do not require prior knowledge in the field:

NUT100 Introducción a la Nutrición Humana and NUT100e Introduction to Human Nutrition are offered both semesters.
ALI100 Química Gastronómica can be offered according to request.
ALI116 Introducción a la Ciencia de Alimentos (second semester only) & ALI116L Laboratorio de Introducción a la Ciencia de Alimentos
ALI250 Introducción a Alimentos Funcionales (first semester only) & ALI250L Laboratorio de Introducción a Alimentos Funcionales
ALI380 Alimentos Fermentados (second semester only - a bit of microbiology would be helpful) & ALI380L Laboratorio de Alimentos Feremnetados
AGR100 Introducción a la Agricultura (second semester only).
AGRS03 Prácticas de Campo

College of Architecture & Interior Design

Dean: Diego Oleas S. 

Website: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/1COLEGIOS/Arquitectura/index.html

 

The School of Architecture and Interior Design, which has rapidly become renown for its ability to produce innovative, creative architects and designers in Ecuador, is a professional college that prepares students in a five year program of studies.  Approximately 120 students are enrolled in the college. 

 

Many of USFQ's architecture students travel abroad on exchange programs, and it is the intention of the School of Architecture that its students continue on for specialized advanced degrees in architecture.  The school of architecture has traditionally received very few foreign students, but it would like to see this trend reversed.

 

The School of Architecture is actively involved in the international scene, having hosted seven annual International Architectural Forums, each with a geographical focus (Mexico, Spain, Chile, New York City, etc.).  The School also hosts International Workshops in the summers.  These highly prestigious international events result in the production of various publications, including the "STOA".

 

Courses of interest to International Students

 

Like most professional degree programs, the School of Architecture's courses build upon one another. However, students are welcome to take both entry level courses and more advanced courses (if the prerequisites are met). Also of interest to international visiting students may be the Architectural elective courses ("optativas"), which can be found in the course offerings each semester . These elective courses vary from semester to semester, but often include unique courses that may be of interest to international students. This could be an excellent opportunity for visitors to study Latin American architecture. Please visit the School of Architecture's website and the USFQ Catalogue to study the regular courses offered. Check the Registration site for elective courses that might be offered, or contact Dean Oleas with questions.

 

Except for courses taught by special visiting professors, the courses are conducted in Spanish.

 

 

College of Biological and Environmental Sciences

 Dean:  Stella de la Torre   Tel. 297-1798
 Website: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/1COLEGIOS/Vida/vida.htm

 

Dean Stella de la Torre, the new dean of the college, works with the smallest primates in the world.  Having a Ph.D. in behavioral ecology from the University of Wisconsin/Madison, she certainly qualifies as an expert.  She points out that her college, while small (50 majors or less), is home to some of the most fascinating courses at the university.  These courses take advantage of the amazing biological diversity in Ecuador and the international student taking advantage of this college's experts will not regret it.

 

If you ask Stella what courses are best for international students, she will tell you the Galapagos ecology & conservation course that includes a trip to go to the Galapagos, the tropical ecology course that takes you deep into the Amazon rainforest to the Tiputini Biodiversity Research Station, and the multitude of biology seminars that study everything from sharks to medicinal plants in incredible detail.  Check out the latest schedule of courses to see what special seminars are being offered!

 

Courses Recommended by the Dean:

 

BIOLOGY ("BIO")

The three most basic/universal courses in the college are the three introductory biology courses.:

 

BIO140 General Biology

BIO202 Botany - at the end of the semester there is taxonomy information, covers all plants

BIO222 Zoology - at the end of the semester there is taxonomy information, covers all animal.  Zoology uses English texts.

 

Under biology there are many specialized courses focused on very specific issues.  International students are allowed to take these, since they don't really have prerequisites. Examples of these courses are:

BIO225  Tiburones y Rayas.  Intensive study of sharks and rays.

BIO364 Plantas Medicinales.  Taught by an expert in the field, this course discusses the amazing healing properties of Ecuador's plants

See course listings for course being offered such as those focusing on Ornithology, Marine Tropical Mammals, etc.

 

RECURSOS ("REC")

These are natural resource courses for majors in ecology.  If an international student was interested in this area, and was majoring in ecology, they can contact the dean and discuss the possibility of taking one of these courses.

 

There is one course appropriate for non-mjors:

REC340 Energias Renovable (renewable energy) - prerequisites can be waived for international students.  This course covers possible alternatives to humanity's dependence on fossil fuels.

 

ECOLOGIA ("ECL")

While most of these courses are designed for ecology majors, there are a few exceptions that are appropriate for non-majors.  These classes normally have a lot a lot of International Students in them.

 

ECL101 Ecología y Recursos del Ecuador - introductory course excellent for non-majors.  Does include a 1-day field trip.  (Sometimes done via Distance Education)

ECL250 Ecology and Biogeography.  This course is particularly popular with international students. Has a field trip. In advanced Spanish.

ECL407E Tropical Ecology - lots of international students, usually offered in English.  Requires field trip to Tiputini.  Prof. David Romo usually teaches it.  General course covering the topic of tropical ecology.  Students do a small research project at the Tiputini Biodiversity Research Station.  Travel costs not included.

ECL353 Ecology & Conservation of Galapagos, offered in Cumbaya in Spanish - but includes a trip to USFQ's GAIAS Campus on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Archipelago.  1 parallel/semester offered.  Travel costs not included.  (There is ECL351, a 1-credit version of the same class that doesn't include the trip to the Galapagos.)

 

 

 

 

College of Business Administration and Development

 Dean:  Juan Montúfar

Website: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/1COLEGIOS/Administracion/administracion.htm

 

The College of Business Administration is one of the most active colleges at the university.  It sends the most students abroad, and has the largest undergraduate and graduate programs.  It is a college that recognizes the future of commerce in the Western Hemisphere is one of economic unity between North and South America.  Its graduates are highly respected and either continue on for graduate school abroad or directly enter into local mid-level management positions - the college prefers that they do both.

 

Dean Juan Montúfar, former President of CitiBank Ecuador, is enthusiastic about the work of his college.  If asked what makes the college unique, he will emphasize that Ecuador is a "living entrepreneurial lab" that offers many special opportunities to learn fundamental concepts that would be more difficult to learn in a developed country like the United States.  Business students in the U.S. tend to think in terms of entering the workforce; at USFQ they think in terms of becoming leaders who will create the workforce itself. 

 

In each of the college's four areas - marketing, economics, finances and administration - a different learning opportunity exists.

 

Marketing

Because Ecuador is not as developed as North America, students visiting from there will have the chance to see business developing from the ground floor up - and in an environment where there is no foreign exchange problem.  Rarely do you see the combination of an undeveloped market and a stable currency.  The importance of this should not be underestimated.  Because of the endless opportunities for expansion and growth, marketing is the pivotal ingredient - and at USFQ it goes beyond the four P's (Product; Price; Place (Distribution); Promotion). Marketing students in the College of Business Administration are expected to actually put fundamental entrepreneurial principles into action in Ecuador, whereas in the U.S. marketing students are expected to apply their education and integrate into an already well-developed system.  In Ecuador that is not the case; students are much more able to learn how to create and market an idea simply because so many things have yet to be created and marketed.  The visiting exchange student should capitalize on this unique opportunity.

 

Economics

Again, Ecuador is an economic laboratory - especially in the arena of studying common currencies.  Ecuador's ongoing experiment in implementing the U.S. Dollar in 2000 allows economic students many opportunities to sit with experienced professors and explore questions such as: How do you implement common currency?  What are the challenges?  How does this compare to the EU's experience in common currency?

 

Finances

Because there is no real stock or bond market, the area of finances relies heavily on studying U.S. markets.  Similar to the previous areas discussed, an opportunity to see a financial market developing at a much less mature state exists.

 

Administration

Again, similar to the previous areas, preparing business administrators in Ecuador requires broad and interdisciplinary business training.  Managers in Ecuador have to know a little bit about everything - they are not as specialized as in the U.S.  This area recognizes that Ecuador needs business leaders who understand the importance of creative aptitudes in management.  Unlike managing in a developed country, managing in a developing country cannot be formulaic.  It requires an understanding of everything from operations to personnel.  It's not about focusing on specific pre-defined jobs like in a developed country; in Ecuador it's about understanding that the name of the game is survival, growth and creation.

 

Curriculum

The content of the courses in USFQ's College of Business Administration are industry standard.  None of the unique opportunities discussed above take away from the actual technologies; students in the College study the latest principles in all of these fields.  It's the focus on entrepreneurialism and fundamental beginnings that is different; the basic structure is the same. 

 

Texts

Almost always the texts are American standard text books translated into Spanish.  With advance planning between the College of Business Administration and the student it is possible for the visiting international student to bring with them English versions.

 

Language

Most courses are usually conducted in Spanish, although all professors in the college speak English.

 

College of Communication and Contemporary Arts

 Dean:  Hugo Burgos

Website: http://192.188.53.116/ccac/2006/web/index.asp

 

The College of Communication and Contemporary Arts (CCCA) combines both professional careers and creative practices under one umbrella. Dean Burgos explains that the curriculum is comprehensive, combining all different facets of the arts - full film/video, multimedia, photography, and studio art facilities. The academic level is the same as a U.S. university, and because they're in Ecuador they are allowed to teach more advanced courses than the average undergrad U.S. institution. Many of the courses would actually be Masters-equivalent in the U.S.

 

The CCCA has the only academic film/video program in Ecuador and is renowned for its students' prize-winning accomplishments at both local and international festivals. The college is ground zero for the Ecuadorian independent film movement (known films are Ratos, Rateros & Ratones, Cronicas, Que Tan Lejos, as well as many well known documentaries).

 

The college is also known for its strong communication design and digital animation programs. (Digitial animation is usually not offered at the undergraduate level, so this could be a unique opportunity for international students visiting USFQ.) Like the film/video program, the design and animation programs are award winning and have an excellent international reputation among peers.

 

Finally, the college has the most avant-garde programs in contemporary and studio arts and interactivity in multimedia.

 

Facts:

90% of the college's professors have U.S. degrees

50% of the college's professors have won Fulbright awards

The college has a total of 71 professors -- 21 full time

Total students: 520

8 majors

180 courses offered per semester

 

The Dean's Recommendations for the International Student

 

COM200 - Critical Studies in Communication and Art

This "core communication studies" course is required for all students in the college and is highly recommendable. The course allows you to study communication and art from a cultural perspective - with a slight emphasis on Latin American culture. Some authors studied are Jesus Martin Barbero and Nestor Garcia Canclini, as well as classics such as Habermas, Adorno, Benjamin, Jameson, Stewart Hall.

Note: All Critical Studies in Communication and Art texts and instruction are in Spanish, so an advanced level of Spanish is highly recommended.

 

COM395 - Topics in Communication and Art

These "Temas" (Topics) classes are excellent options for the international student looking for courses with a Latin American flavor. Two or three different sections of this course are offered every semester, and the themes vary. Recent topics have been Popular Culture and Music, Digital Culture, Globalization Studies, and Creativity in Media. Contact the Dean directly to see what courses will be offered while you are at USFQ.

 

CTVS07 - (1 credit seminar) - Ecuadorian Latin American Film

This course provides an interesting opportunity to become familiar with Latin American culture via popular film.

 

PER Periodismo Courses

Multimedia Journalism courses often include field work that would be interesting to the visiting international student.

 

COM480 - Social Marketing

This course is an interesting option for students wanting a course that addresses social issues and also gets them out into the community. The course is part of the college's Public Relations program of studies. It's a fourth-year course where students are required to work with a Non-Governmental Organization or social cause and do field work. International students will be allowed to enroll even if they're not fourth-year as a special exception.

 

All of the college's various art courses are always popular. A few are:

 

ARTTJO - Jewelry Making

This very popular jewelry-making workshop is offered in seven sections every semester.

 

ARTTTB - Tejido Basico (Basic Weaving)

Artistic weaving, taught by Mariola Kwasik, are interesting. This course is influenced by the European tapestry tradition of Gobelinos.

 

Painting, drawing, and clay modeling courses offer wonderful studios, and open workshops on Fridays in all areas (students are required to put in a number of hours every week in any workshop that they like, so the workshops, or "talleres", are open to all). Consult the Dean or one of the area coordinators listed on this web page.

 

Modern Dance and Theater (in particular Acting I) classes are popular among international students, too, and the professors in both are excellent.

 

Note: The Art area does not have classes on Fridays to allow students time to spend time in the workshops.

 

Language issues:

Courses offered in Spanish, reading packets usually English and Spanish, sometimes leaning towards one or the other, but usually balanced. 90% of professors proficient in English, although courses are taught in Spanish. Very often professors accept work written in English.


 

 

College of Health Sciences

 Dean: Dr. Enrique Noboa

Website: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/1COLEGIOS/Salud/salud.htm

 

The College of Health Sciences is one of USFQ's most prestigious and fastest-growing colleges. In Ecuador, a physician is prepared in a six year professional degree program that begins when a student finishes high school. USFQ follows this model, although for the first two years of their college education the students receive the obligatory liberal arts preparation that is the cornerstone of USFQ. USFQ Medical School graduates are all prepared - in a rigorous series of practice examinations - to pass the NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) exams, which lead to licensure to practice medicine in the United States.
 
A number of international exchanges exist, and the numbers of students both coming and going are increasing rapidly. Still, USFQ's College of Health Sciences' Dean, Dr. Enrique Noboa would like to continue to increase such collaboration. The majority of the exchanges happening now are in the form of international rotation opportunities. USFQ both sends, and receives, students going through their rotations.
 
Pre-med students at U.S. institutions are welcome to participate in an academic exchange agreement with USFQ. The medical school offers all of the basic pre-med courses that are required in the United States.
 
In addition to the six year medical program, USFQ's College of Health Science offers a Masters in Public Health that takes advantage of the full medical school as well as Ecuador's unique setting.
 
This college's most active agreements are with Universiteit Maastricht in the Netherlands, the University of Florida, the University of Southern Florida, Emory University, Tulane University, The University of Alberta, and the University of Massachusetts/Boston. The college also works closely with the Canadian Association of Medical Teams Abroad.
 
The medical students in this college are of the highest caliber, are highly self-motivated and are quick to take initiative. They have - on their own - begun their own medical publication "Medizine", and have established the first chapter of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) at USFQ.

 

Medical Rotations Opportunities

 
This college's most attractive offering for the international students considering coming to USFQ for medical-related education is in its many opportunities for unique rotations in rural health care, tropical medicine, and also have access to a large tertiary hospital.
 
For details and contact information on how to participate in a medical rotation in Ecuador via USFQ's College of Health Science's "International Health Training Center" email Andres Corral or Mauricio Espinel, or the Office of International Programs.


Courses of interest to International Students

 

Pre-med undergraduate students may be interested in taking introductory-level courses in the College of Health Sciences. Please visit the College of Health Science's website to study their course offerings.

MED 399 Practica de Desarrollo y Salud Comunitaria -- an interesting course for foreign students since its main focus is public health and its relationship to community development (healthy behaviors, prevention of health risks, implementing appropriate solutions, problem solving. Normally this course is for third year students majoring in medicine. Consult the dean for permission to enter.

 

INTERNATIONAL PRACTICUM

 

The College of Health Sciences offers international students the opportunity to carry out "pasantias" (practicums) and residency experiences in area hospitals.  The program has a website - http://ihtc.usfq.edu.ec/  and has a brochure in English - http://www.usfq.edu.ec/progint/docs/IHTC.jpg  .  This is what the Director of the program has to say about it:

 

Me permito comentarte que hemos creado el "International Health Training Center" que esta ya funcionando desde hace algun tiempo. Su objetivo es precisamente facilitar pasantias, entrenamientos, experiencias tanto para estudiantes como para profesinales. Tenemos convenios con los hospitales mas importantes de Quito y con hospitales de segundo nivel en costa, sierra, oriente y galapagos. Tambien ofrecemos experiencias en proyectos de investigacion que mantienen nuestros profesores. Hemos recibido algunas decenas de estudiantes hasta el momento. Tambien nos interesaria la posibilidad de que nuestros estudiantes y profesores visiten tu trabajo.
 

Dr. Mauricio Espinel, MD, MTM, Phd.  mauricioe@usfq.edu.ec

 

Students must apply and qualify for this program.  Questions should be sent directly to Mauricio (copying Cornell Menking in the Office of International Programs).

College of Law

Dean:  Fabian Corral

Vice Dean: Paula Cordova

Website: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/1COLEGIOS/Jurisprudencia/jurisprudencia.htm

 

USFQ's prestigious College of Law offers professional law degrees (to obtain the title "Abogado") in a five year degree program, with minors in Human Rights Law and Environmental Law. In Ecuador, becoming a lawyer is an undergraduate professional degree that includes an extra year and a thesis. Ecuador does not have the J.D./L.L.M. system like in the U.S. Nevertheless, some of the faculty members are educated abroad and have comparative experience.

 

International students are welcome to consider taking courses in USFQ's College of Law. However, they should understand that "law" is a field that is normally very particular to the country in which it is taught; Ecuador is no exception. Generally speaking, it adheres to a Roman/European code of law system, whereas the United States generally follows of the common law tradition.

 

Probably the most interested students would come from the fields of either pre-law or political science. A few students in the humanities might be interested in human rights law courses or historical law courses, or environmental students might be interested in environmental law.

 

The USFQ College of Law has international agreements with other Spanish speaking countries such as Spain and Uruguay.

 

Courses of Interest to International Students

 

Any of the first semester law courses would be good for pre-law students coming from North America. These courses are basic and have no prerequisites. These are courses such as:

 

Teoría de la Norma Jurídica (no prerequisites)

Sociedad y Derecho - Very general, addresses justice, morals, man & society, etc. (no prerequisites)

 

Other interesting courses might be the following:

 

Historia del Derecho (1, no prerequisite) & Historia del Derecho Ecuatoriano (2)

Instituciones del Derecho Romano (prerequisite can be waived) - Interesting introduction to the system of law that differs from the Anglo-Saxon system that the U.S. is based on.

Estado y Derecho - focus on the development of the system of government and laws in Ecuador.

Derecho Constitucional - A history of Ecuadorian constitutional law & the state of it today.

Negociación - An instrumental course, based on role playings

Investigación en la escena del Crimen (CSI)

 

Many more would be interesting for people from Spanish-speaking countries coming to Ecuador because they study very specialized areas of law that are pertinent to the practice of law in those countries.

 

The College of Law also offers interdisciplinary courses for Communication, Environment, Administration

 

Language Considerations

"International Contracts" - is offered in English. This course has a focus on legal terms and their translations.

 

"Ingles Legal" - bilingual focus on analysis of contracts

 

All other courses are offered in Spanish. Suggestion: Buy a good legal dictionary if considering taking any of these courses. The terminology is very technical and difficult to translate. However, it would be excellent preparation for any pre-law student interested in working with Hispanic populations or internationally with Spanish-speaking countries. 

 

College of Liberal Arts

Dean: Jose Julio Cisneros

Website: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/1COLEGIOS/AL/artes_liberales.html

 

The College of Liberal Arts is the backbone of the University's philosophy of education.  USFQ was founded on a platform - not unusual to the average North American, but revolutionary in a country like Ecuador - that what is needed in the country is an education that prepares critical and creative thinkers.  The philosophy of Liberal Arts itself, originating in medieval times, is associated with the Enlightenment period when humanity broke the chains of dogmatism.  It argued that a well-rounded education (including elements such as grammar, logic and rhetoric) was the key to becoming fully actualized human beings.  This is still the fundamental philosophy and mission of USFQ, and the College of Liberal Arts is charged with offering the courses that assure that the mission is fulfilled.  This college is home to many of the core-required courses that students must take before graduating, and incorporates the following degrees:

 

Majors:

Liberal Arts

Education

International Relations

Psychology

 

Minors:

American Studies

Anthropology

Education

Creative Writing

Latin American Studies

Philosophy

History

Art History

English

Literature

International Relations

Psychology

Sociology

Spanish

Masters Degrees:

Education

Chinese Philosophy

 

Associates Degrees:

Early Childhood Education

Liberal Arts

 

The college's faculty are actively involved in many scholarly activities throughout Ecuador.  The college hosts a prestigious and popular National Short Story Competition open to all college students throughout Ecuador, and awards valuable prizes such as trips and computers.  The college also publishes LiberArte - http://www.usfq.edu.ec/liberarte/index.html - an online publication.  Its graduates very often continue on for specialized graduate degrees.

 

Courses of Interest to International Students

Because of its great variety of courses in the humanities, the College of Liberal Arts is host to probably the greatest number of international students.  Many of its courses are interesting.  Here are just a few to consider:

 

Note: "EPE" courses - "Espanol para Extranjeros" courses are also offered at USFQ.  These are taught by the "Instituto para Lenguajes Extranjeros" (ILE).

 

 

College of Police Sciences

Dean: Cesar Cisneros

USFQ has signed an agreement with Ecuador's National Police.  All police cadets study at USFQ and have a stand-alone program.  The only way this affects the average international student is that they will see police on campus.

 

School of Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Tourism

Dean: Mauricio Cepeda

Website: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/1COLEGIOS/HGT/hgt.htm

 

USFQ's School of Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Tourism is one of the University's most notable colleges - and certainly one of its most popular.  Through this college, USFQ provides gourmet dishes for the public, via its "Marcus" restaurant, as well as exquisite lunches to the entire university every day during the regular semester.  The college and its students also cater special events on campus.  Its chefs interact with the great chefs of the world - including being host to numerous international culinary arts events. 

 

This college offers the following degrees:

 

Careers in Hospitality and Tourism:

B.A.  in Administration of Hospitality Businesses

 

Careers in Culinary Arts & Administration of Foods and Beverages:

Associates degree ("Técnico") in Baking and Pastries (2 years)

Associate of Arts degree in Culinary Arts (2.5 years)

Bachelor of Arts degree in Culinary Arts (4 years)

Bachelor of Arts degree in Culinary Arts & Administration of Foods and Beverages (4.5 years)

 

Courses of interest to International Students

 

For non-majors, there are a few courses which visiting students find interesting.  They are:

 

"High Cooking 1" and "High Cooking 5". -- GAC201-IAC ALTA COCINA I (2 Cr.) & GAC305-IAC Alta Cocina V (2 Cr.)

These courses are part of a series of cooking courses for majors in the college.  These two courses are both focused on cooking in Latin America and naturally deal with cultural issues that non-Ecuadorians find interesting.  For international students, Dean Mauricio Cepeda has waived the prerequisites for these courses - with the understanding that the international students will be careful not to slow down those students who are majoring in the Culinary Arts.  While these courses have no text book, they are very practical and hands-on.  Instruction is in Spanish. Courses offered every semester.

 

Baking and Pastries ("Panaderia & Pasteleria 1 & 2).  No prerequisites.  These are popular courses that are basic and introductory.  The professor is a European pastry chef.

 

Introduction to Wines & Combining Food Wine (Enologia y Mixilogia).  This course is exactly what it says it is.  For wine lovers.  Instruction in Spanish, but instructors speak English. (Extra course fee applies.)

                                                                                                

Potential Partner Institutions

 

Dean Cepeda is very interested in strengthening agreements with universities with programs in the areas of the Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Tourism.  If you are interested, the Office of International Programs will be happy to facilitate communication between you and our School of Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Tourism.

 

 

 

School of Science and Engineering (The Polytechnic)

 Dean: Fernando Romo Proaño
Website: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/1COLEGIOS/Politecnico/index.htm

 

 

The "Polytechnic" -- The School of Science and Engineering (Colegio de Ciencias e Ingeniería -- El Politécnico) offers a full array of engineering, physics, math, chemistry, geology, and computer systems degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate level (see list of degrees).  It is home to an impressive 600 undergraduate students and 100 professors.   It has special international agreements with Calgary University (Masters in Sustainable Energy Development), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Masters in Business Construction and Real Estate), Embry Riddle Aeronautics Institute (joint degree program) in Daytona Beach, Florida.  Of course it also accepts exchange students from USFQ's existing exchange partners.  Many of USFQ's students in the Polytechnic study abroad - both through USFQ's normal exchange agreements, as well as via The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE), which arranges for international practical placements in 100 countries around the world.

 

Dean Fernando Romo explains that what is unique about the Polytechnic at USFQ is that it appreciates the need to create leaders in the technical fields.  This leadership, he believes, is best fostered in an environment that prepares its students in a holistic fashion.  Like all programs at USFQ, Polytechnic graduates must pass through the core "Colegio General" courses which prepare students in general curriculum of science, humanities and philosophy.  In contrast, most technical degree programs in Latin America prepare students in a very narrow, specialized manner.  USFQ's engineering programs, for example, finish with courses in management and accounting - to prepare its graduates to be leaders in the field.

 

Courses of interest to International Students

 

Like most professional degree programs, the Polytechnic's courses build upon one another.  However, students are welcome to take both entry level courses and more advanced courses (if the prerequisites are met) in physics, volcanology, geology, math, chemistry, and computing.  Visit the Polytechnic's website to study the courses offered.  If you are not sure if you are qualified to take a course, contact Dean Romo.

Except for the joint program with Calgary University, the courses are conducted in Spanish.

 

 

School of Technologies

Dean: Jorge Barba

Vice Dean: Arturo Paredes

Website: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/1COLEGIOS/CT/index.html

 

USFQ's Technical school is responsible for providing courses at the Associates Degree level (three year programs).  However, these courses are often transferable to regular four-year bachelor's degree programs.  Dean Barba, a former Subsecretary of Finances, an engineer by trade, and a philosopher of science today, is very conscientious about creating a global environment for the students in the School of Technologies.  All students must pass through a "Cosmos" course designed by him that teaches a comprehensive combination of science, philosophy and the cosmos.  His objective is to ensure that this area's graduates are well-rounded.  This Cosmos course, which forms one of the core "Socratico" courses at the University, actually might be of interest to International Students.

 

The School of Technologies offers mostly practical and technical degrees - taught in the evening and targeting working adults.  Many of these courses can be built upon and applied towards a full Bachelor's degree.  Courses which are guaranteed to transfer to a Bachelor's program are indicated with an "AA" in the registrar's system.  Courses that are not guaranteed to transfer - but which might - are indicated with a "CC".  If you are interested in a "CC" course, please ensure that your university will accept that credit before you take it (it is very likely that it will).

 

In collaboration with the relevant academic colleges, the School of Technologies offers programs of study in the following areas:

 

Administration *

Design

        Interior Decorating

        Fashion Design

        Graphic Design *

Early Childhood Education

Sustainable Agriculture *

Automotive Electronics *

Mass Communications Media *

Bread and Pastry Making

Networking and Operating Systems

Public Relations

Tourism Operations

 

* Associates Degree programs that can be extended to full bachelor's degree programs.

 

Courses of Interest to International Students

 

A variety of courses in these programs might be of interest to International Students - provided they are willing to study in the evening, and are prepared to ensure that the courses are transferable to their programs at their home universities.  A few of these courses to consider are:

 

Networking Systems courses - These can be excellent ways to get world-class certification in various computer systems.

 

Tourism Operations - Many courses offered in this program include interesting trips around Quito that will teach you local folklore, take you through the historical buildings, show you the colonial and modern art of Ecuador, and show you the natural geographical wonders of Ecuador.  It can be a great way to see the area!  In particular, these courses are:

 

TUR311CC, TUR341CC, TUR221CC, TUR220CC, TUR305CC, TUR330CC.  See this page for course names.

 

 

 

General College

 Dean: David Lansdale

 

This college oversees three academic areas -the "Socraticos" (Socratic Courses),  the Foreign Language Institute ("Instituto para Lenguajes Extranjeros", and "Deportes" (Sports).

 

Socratic courses are part of the core required courses that all USFQ undergraduate students are required to take.  They include philosophy, science and literature courses and are conducted using the Socratic method (using dialogue).

 

The Foreign Language Institute - the "Instituto para Lenguajes Extranjeros" - known as "ILE" - offers all foreign languages.  It is especially strong in its English as a Foreign Language and Spanish as a Foreign Language courses (see below).

 

Sports are offered at USFQ through this college.

 

 

STUDYING SPANISH AT USFQ

 

Spanish courses are offered by two different departments at USFQ. 

 

Studying Spanish in the Instituto para Lenguajes Extranjeros

 

The  "Instituto para Lenguajes Extranjeros" teaches approximately ten different foreign languages.  As part of this, they offer "Español Para Extranjeros", which are seen as "EPE" courses in the catalogue.  These are an excellent choice for international students.  They offer both grammar and conversational classes.  Here is a listing of the courses as of Fall 2006:

 

EPE 301 Español Básico I (3)

El propósito fundamental de este curso es familiarizar a los estudiantes con la pronunciación española, con los elementos básicos de la gramática  y con un vocabulario que les permita el desenvolvimiento en el medio en que viven: Ecuador. Para ello se trabaja con ejercicios que propician el desarrollo de estas habilidades.

 

EPE 302 Español Básico II (3)

Este curso profundizará  las habilidades ya adquiridas y desarrollará otras como: la comprensión auditiva, la lectura de textos, la presentación oral por parte de los estudiantes de temas simples. Se manejará un vocabulario más amplio, así como estructuras gramaticales más complejas.

 

EPE306 Español Intermedio (3)

Los estudiantes que toman este curso deben alcanzar destrezas en el uso adecuado de los diferentes tiempos verbales. Además, deben manejar un vocabulario que les permita la comunicación fluida  en el medio en que viven. Se desarrollan habilidades de expresión oral y escrita, así como de comprensión auditiva y de lectura. Los textos utilizados tratan temas políticos, sociales, económicos, y también de la vida diaria de Ibero América. Algunas expresiones idiomáticas empleadas en el mundo hispano también son objeto de estudio en este curso.

 

EPE 307 Español Avanzado (3)

En este curso se manejan algunos aspectos del español hablado en Ecuador, se incorporan nuevos vocablos y expresiones idiomáticas. Los estudiantes deben ser capaces de escribir composiciones y ensayos empleando la gramática estudiada en clase y ajustándose al contenido orientado por el/la profesor(a). Se tratan también aspectos de la vida económica, social y política de España y Latinoamérica.

 

EPE 320 Conversación Intermedia (3)

El objetivo esencial de este curso es que los estudiantes adquieran confianza y expresen sus opiniones y puntos de vista con coherencia y fluidez. Los estudiantes deben ser capaces de hacer presentaciones de temas varios, de participar en debates, de leer e interpretar textos. Sus habilidades de expresión oral y de comprensión auditiva deben alcanzar un nivel muy bueno. Noticias, películas y documentales, también contribuyen a completar los objetivos mencionados.

 

EPE 321 Conversación Avanzada (3)

En este curso los estudiantes deben alcanzar una fluidez y comprensión altas. Deberán  hablar con soltura de temas diversos, con coherencia sintáctica y gramatical, con un vocabulario amplio y rico en expresiones. Las clases son debates y presentaciones de temas cotidianos y del ámbito económico, político y social. Se utilizarán además películas, documentales y textos adecuados al nivel.

 

EPE 310X Español Intermedio Intensivo (2)

En la modalidad intensiva, los estudiantes deben alcanzar las mismas destrezas que en el curso regular, solo que el ritmo será mas rápido y cada clase cubrirá las cuatro habilidades necesarias para el manejo adecuado de una lengua: lectura, escritura, comprensión y expresión. Los textos que se emplearán abarcan temas del mundo Iberoamericano. 

 

EPE 312X Español Avanzado Intensivo (2)

Las habilidades a alcanzar en este curso son: alto nivel de expresión y comprensión, redacción de ensayos de temas relacionados con el contexto latinoamericano, ampliación del vocabulario, y profundización de los contenidos gramaticales. Este tipo de curso intensivo se caracteriza por el dinamismo y la variedad en cada clase. 

 

"LNE" classes

ILE also offers courses under the LNA (Asian languages) and LNE (European languages) headings.  Courses typically offered are Italian, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Farsi, Chinese, Quichua, etc.

 

The "Institute of Foreign Languages - (ILE)", which is located on the USFQ Cumbayá campus, offers Spanish language courses for foreigners and exchange students as part of the regular academic semesters.  The courses are conducted from the last week of August through the third week in December and from January through May.  Faster-paced summer courses run from early June to late July. Most of the students attending Spanish classes at USFQ are exchange students from other countries. 

 

 

If you have any more questions about the Institute of Foreign Languages' courses, you can contact any of the following people:


Guisela Arcos guiselaa@mail.usfq.edu.ec , Administrative Assistant
Enrique Wong enriquew@mail.usfq.edu.ec   ile@mail.usfq.edu.ec , Director
Martha Pico, marthap@mail.usfq.edu.ec , Academic Coordinator


 

Studying Spanish in the Spanish Department of the College of Liberal Arts

 

Also, the College of Liberal Arts' Spanish Department teaches courses under two different headings.  First, they teach Español courses, which are seen as "ESP" courses in the catalogue.  These are writing courses for Ecuadorian students and will not be of interest to foreign students.  . 

 

Second, the Spanish Department offers "Espanol Avanzado Internacional" courses which are also designed for foreign students.  These are indicated as "EAI" courses in the catalogue.   Here are those courses as of Fall 2006 (all courses may not be offered every semester):

 

EAI313 COMPOSICION (3 CR.)  REQUIRES SCORE OF "NIVEL AVANZADO (66-79)" ON PLACEMENT EXAM

Este curso está dirigido a estudiantes extranjeros con  un conocimiento avanzado del español.  Mejora la expresión escrita mediante el desarrollo del vocabulario y el manejo de elementos gramaticales y estilísticos propios del español.  Se trabajan también las otras destrezas linguísticas, como las de comprensión oral y escrita, además de la práctica de la expresión oral.

 

EAI315 GRAMATICA AVANZADA (3 CR.) REQUIRES SCORE OF "NIVEL AVANZADO (66-79)" ON PLACEMENT EXAM

Fortalece, mediante el análisis, el manejo de las estructuras sintácticas necesarias para que los estudiantes extranjeros puedan expresarse con propiedad en el contexto de los cursos universitarios que se dictan en español.

 

EAI317 LENGUA Y CIVILIZACION (3 CR.) REQUIRES SCORE OF "NIVEL AVANZADO (66-79)" ON PLACEMENT EXAM

Aproxima a los estudiantes a temas importantes de la cultura y civilización hispanoamericanas.  Un objetivo adicional de este curso es reforzar el desarrollo de las destrezas orales y escritas mediante el estímulo de la lectura de textos de interés académico para de esta manera expandir y enriquecer su vocabulario.  Los textos se refieren a los orígines de las culturas española e hispanoamericana, la familia, la religión, los problemas de género, urbanización, costumbres y creencias.  Incluirán también problemas políticos y sociales contemporáneos.

 

EAI319 TRADUCCIóN (3 CR.)  (requires a "native" score of 80-100 on the Spanish placement exam)

Este curso comprende aspectos teóricos y prácticos.  Estudia el proceso de traducción y decodificación de una lengua y la encodificación en otra lengua.  Aunque los traductores profesionales (ortodoxos) traducen sólo a su lengua nativa, los estudiantes en esta clase aprenden a traducir tanto al inglés como al español con el fin de mejorar y reforzar su manejo del español.  Se estudian los aspectos linguísticos y culturales, los problemas de equivalencia, las funciones textuales, el estilo y los niveles linguísticos tanto en la lengua escrita como hablada.

 

EAI 320 ESCRITURA CREATIVA (3 CR.)  (requires a "native" score of 80-100 on the Spanish placement exam)

Éste es un curso-taller  donde los estudiantes  desarrollan su creatividad a través de la escritura y exponen sus trabajos al análisis y crítica de sus compañeros.  Se analizan, además, modelos literarios que ayudan al estudiante a profundizar en el conocimiento y manejo del idioma español.

 

EAI321 LENGUA Y LITERATURA HISPANOAMERICANA (3 CR.) REQUIRES SCORE OF "NIVEL AVANZADO (66-79)" ON PLACEMENT EXAM

Este es un curso de introducción a la literatura hispanoamericana.  Se leen y analizan obras hispanoamericanas significativas del siglo XX.


EAI 323 FONOLOGIA Y FONÉTICA (3 CR.)   REQUIRES SCORE OF "NIVEL AVANZADO (66-79)" ON PLACEMENT EXAM

Enseña a los estudiantes a identificar los elementos fónicos del español, a conocer su funcionamiento fonológico y algunas variantes dialectales para mejorar más efectivamente su pronunciación.

  

 

REGISTERING ACCORDING TO YOUR SPANISH LEVEL

 

Below are the courses that have specified a minimum language requirment, and the corresponding levels.  For specific questions about this, consult the dean or area coordinator.

 

Aquí esta la lista de cursos con un nivel mínimo de español para el momento del registro de cursos.

 

NOTA OBTENIDA

 

Si el estudiante obtiene un resultado "Intermedio Bajo" (30-49), su sugiere cursos calificados a nivel intermedio bajo.  También podrían ser apropiados cursos a nivel intermedio alto si la nota está entre 44 y 49.

 

Translation (hopfeully not necessary!):

If a student gets an "Low-intermediate" (30-49) score, we suggest courses that require a low intermediate level (intermedio bajo).   If the student's score is between 44-49, a high-intermediate level (intermedio alto) is acceptable.

 

NIVELES

0-29 BASICO

30-65 INTERMEDIO

66-85 AVANZADO

86-100 EAI

EPE (casi nativo, sin restricciones): 80-100

 

Si el estudiante obtiene un resultado "Intermedio Alto" (50-65), se sugiere cursos calificados a nivel intermedio alto. También podrían ser apropriados cursos a nivel avanzado si la nota está entre 60 y 66.

Si el estudiante obtiene un resultado "Avanzado" (66-79), se sugiere cursos calificados a nivel avanzado.

 

Si el estudiante cree que su examen de ubicación de español no refleja su verdadero nivel de español, que hable en Programas Internacionales y coordinaremos con ILE para que lo dé otra vez

 

Courses and Their Language Requirements

Not all courses at USFQ have submitted a language requirement.  These are the courses we currently know of that have specified a language requirement.

 

LISTA DE CURSOS CON REQUISITOS DE ESPAÑOL:

 

EPE [NATIVO] (80-100)

1. Lengua y Traducción. Gustavo Fierro. EPE.

2. Cursos de jurisprudencia menos JUR240 (pero se analizarán casos particulares con menos de EPE). EPE

3. Escritura creativa (EAI 320).  EPE

4. Lengua y literatura (EAI395). EPE

 

NIVEL AVANZADO (66-79)

5. Todos los cursos de español EAI, excepto EAI320 y EAI395. Avanzado.

6. Introducción a los Derechos Humanos (JUR240).  Alejandro Ponce. Avanzado.  Acepta trabajos y exámenes en inglés.

7. Antropología Andina. Marleen Haboud.  Avanzado (solo español).

8. Plantas Silvestres Utiles.  Vlastimil Zak.  Avanzado (paseos).

9. Principios de Macroeconomía.  Avanzado  

10. Desarrollo Socioeconómico del Ecuador.  Franklin Maiguashca. Avanzado.

11. Filosofía Moral, política y social.  Jorge Gómez.  Avanzado.

12. Todos los cursos de literatura: Avanzado.

13. Problemas Contemporáneos.  Jorge Barba.  Avanzado (se aceptan trabajos en inglés)

14. Economía Internacional.  Franklin Maiguashca.  Avanzado.

15. Fundamentos de Comunicación. Juan Manuel Rodríguez.  Avanzado.

16. Filosofía Contemporánea.  Jorge Gómez.  Avanzado.

17. Epistomología.  Jorge Gómez.  Avanzado.

18. Comunicación Administrativa y Organizacional. Avanzado.

19. Relaciones PÚblicas. Avanzado.

20. Producción Editorial. Avanzado.

21. Estética del Pesimismo.  Juan Manuel Rodríguez.  Avanzado.

22. Cursos de agroempresa (AGR).

23. Cursos de CAAN.  

24. Introducción a la Metodología de la Enseñanza de Lenguas Extranjeras. Avanzado a EPE.

25. EAI390 Gustavo Fierro. Avanzado.

26. Desarrollo Socioeconómico del Ecuador.  Franklin Maiguashca. Avanzado.

27. Los cursos de Escritura Creativa.  Avanzado.

28. Ecología y Conservación de Galápagos.  Avanzado.

29. Administración de Ventas (MAK320).  Avanzado.

30. COM200 - Critical Studies in Communication and Art

 

 

NIVEL INTERMEDIO ALTO (50-65):

30. Principios de Microeconomía.  Pablo Beltrán.  Intermedio alto (acepta trabajos en

      inglés).

31. Conflicto y Resolución.  Jorge Zalles.  Intermedio alto. Trabajos y pruebas en inglés.

32. Temas de América Latina.  José Julio Cisneros.  Intermedio alto.

33. Teorías de liderazgo.  Jorge Zalles. Lecturas 80% inglés, trabajos en inglés. Intermedio Alto.

34. Ecoantropología.  Diego Quiroga. Intermedio Alto.

35. Cursos de química.  Carlos Fabara, Diego Gangotena, César Zambrano. Intermedio Alto.

36. Ecología de Poblaciones y Evolución.  Stella de la Torre. Intermedio Alto.

37. Historia del Ecuador.  Intermedio Alto.

38. Historia Occidental Antigua.  Intermedio Alto.

39. Historia de la Edad Media.  Intermedio Alto.

40. Historia Occidental del Siglo XX.  Intermedio Alto.

41. Cursos de matemáticas.  Intermedio Alto.

42. Técnicas de Alta Cocina.  Dimitri Hidalgo Miño.  Intermedio Alto.

43. Conceptos de Alta Cocina.  Dimitri Hidalgo Miño.  Intermedio Alto.

44. Comunicación Administrativa y Organizacional.  Gabriela Falconí.  Intermedio Alto.

45. Relaciones PÚblicas. Gabriela Falconí.  Intermedio Alto.

46. Comunicación para el Marketing Social.  Gabriela Falconí.  Intermedio Alto.

47. Proyectos de Comunicación.  Gabriela Falconí.  Intermedio Alto.

48. Ecología y Recursos del Ecuador.  Hugo Valdebenito.  Intermedio Alto (nota: Luis Rodríguez está dispuesto a aceptar estudiantes a nivel intermedio bajo en el mismo curso)

 

NIVEL INTERMEDIO BAJO (30-49):

49. Volcanología (GEO420). Theofilos Toulkeridis. Intermedio Bajo.

50. Geología (GEO110).  Theofilos Toulkeridis.  Intermedio Bajo.

51. Intro. a la Economía.  Pablo Beltrán.  Intermedio Bajo (acepta trabajos en inglés).

52. Seminario de Carreras.  Monserrat Fernández.  Intermedio.  Acepta trabajos en inglés. Intermedio Bajo.

53. Técnicas básicas de Escultura. Intermedio Bajo.

54. Metal y Piedra. Intermedio Bajo.

55. Dibujo básico . Intermedio Bajo.

 
 

Number of Credits Allowable

 

See the "Academic Section" of the Incoming Students page for more information about number of credits and academics in general..