Program Description
In this 6-week, 6 credit program, you’ll live at Notre Dame’s Roman Villa and attend class in Notre Dame’s Rome Global Gateway, just blocks from the Colosseum — both in the heart of Rome.
In addition to classes in the Rome Global Gateway, 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 2024 program will be led by Professors Jim Schmiedeler and Kyle Bibby.
Courses
All students enroll in both of the following courses for a total of 6 engineering credits.
- AME 34318: Mechanics of the Summer Olympics Games
This course will present an overview of the mechanics behind a variety of sports from the Summer Olympics Games. It is well known that the conservation of angular momentum governs the motion of a diver or gymnast in the air and the equations of a ballistic trajectory can be used to describe the motion of everything from a bullet in a rifle event to the shot in a shot put event. This course goes significantly beyond such basic examples to examine how the same principles of mechanics can be used to explain more complex phenomena like walking, running, equestrian, football (soccer), golf, tennis, table tennis, badminton, and cycling, which help to make the Summer Olympic Games so exciting.
- ENG 3XXXX: Water and Sanitation from the Roman Empire to Today
This course explores water quality and water infrastructure in Rome from the time of the Roman Empire to the modern day. The Roman Empire’s water system was one of the most extensive and sophisticated in the ancient world and played a critical role in the growth and expansion of the Roman Empire. One of the most significant innovations of the Roman water structure was the aqueduct system. These were massive structures that could span long distances and transport water from distant sources to urban centers. The Roman engineers used a combination of gravity and pressure to move the water along the aqueducts, which could reach heights of up to 80 meters. Once the water reached Rome, it was distributed through a network of pipes made of lead, terracotta or stone. The pipes were constructed to fountains, public baths, and private residences. The Romans also constructed large cisterns to store water for time of drought or emergency. In addition to bringing clean water to the cities, the Roman water infrastructure also included an extensive sewer system. These sewers collected waste and carried it away from the cities to prevent contamination and disease.
Dates
June 26 – August 3, 2024
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 Rome Global Gateway.

Program Fee
The cost of the 2024 program is $9,000, 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 Global Gateway 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 between September 25 – November 1, 2023.
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