Program Description
In this 6-week, 6-credit program, you’ll live at Notre Dame’s Roman Villa and attend class at Notre Dame Rome, just blocks from the Colosseum — both in the heart of Rome.
In addition to classes at Notre Dame Rome, Notre Dame engineers participate in Papal audiences, tour the Colosseum, St. Peter’s, and Scavi and San Clemente.
You’ll also visit Orvieto, the small city perched on a rock cliff in Umbria. Students live in the Notre Dame Villa with modern dorm-apartment rooms in the heart of Rome.
The program is open to all Engineering students.
The 2027 program will be led by Professors Kyle Bibby and Professor Taeho Jung.
Courses
All students enroll in both of the following courses for a total of 6 engineering credits.
CEEES 34325: Water and Sanitation from the Roman Empire to Today
Instructor: Professor Kyle Bibby
The Roman Empire developed one of the ancient world’s most extensive and sophisticated water systems, using aqueducts, pipe networks, fountains, cisterns, and sewers to support its growing cities. Water and Sanitation from the Roman Empire to Today uses Rome and its remarkable engineering history as a backdrop for exploring the fundamentals of urban water systems. Students will examine how water is sourced, transported, stored, treated, and ultimately returned to the environment while connecting ancient engineering achievements with the challenges of modern water infrastructure.
Through coursework and exploration of Rome’s historic and modern water systems, students will learn fundamental concepts related to water quality, fluid flow, drinking water and wastewater treatment, and sanitation. The course also examines the relationship between water infrastructure and public health, including how engineers use risk assessment to make decisions about safe drinking water and sanitation. By studying these systems where many were pioneered thousands of years ago, students will see firsthand how engineering solutions continue to shape the health and development of cities today.
EG 34XXX: Cryptocurrency and Blockchain
Instructor: Professor Taeho Jung
Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are changing how information and value can be exchanged without relying on a central authority. EG 34XXX: Cryptocurrency and Blockchain introduces students to the foundational technologies behind digital currencies, distributed ledgers, and decentralized systems. Rather than approaching blockchain solely from a financial perspective, the course examines it as an engineering and systems-design challenge.
Students will explore how decentralized networks operate and learn the fundamental concepts behind cryptographic hashing, blockchain transactions, consensus mechanisms such as Proof of Work and Proof of Stake, and smart contracts. Through these topics, students will develop an understanding of how blockchain systems are designed, how participants establish trust in decentralized environments, and how the underlying technologies can be applied beyond cryptocurrency.
Dates
June 24 – July 30, 2027
Housing
You’ll live in the Notre Dame Villa with modern dorm-apartment rooms in the heart of Rome.
The Villa is a three-block walk to the Notre Dame Rome.
Program Fee
The cost for the 2027 Summer Study Abroad Program is $9,800, plus a $200 University Study Abroad Administration Fee.
The program fee includes the cost of 6 Notre Dame engineering credits; accommodations; GeoBlue international health insurance; all program academic outings and field trips; and on-site program support from Notre Dame faculty and Notre Dame Rome staff.
It does not include the cost of airfare, meals, or airport transportation; passport/visa fees; international cell phone/plan; or personal spending money.
All students are considered for need-based engineering scholarships to help unwrite program costs.
Apply
Applications will be accepted September 30 – November 3, 2026.
Program assignments and waitlist notifications occur before Christmas break.
Questions?
Feel free to contact:
Mike Kitz
Executive Director, Summer Engineering International Programs
mkitz@nd.edu
Todd Taylor
Director, Summer Engineering International Programs
ttaylo24@nd.edu