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GPA

2.5, 3.0 for UC3M 

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria. 

Requirements

All Madrid Sustainable Smart Cities students enroll in 4-5 courses for a total of 12-17 credits per semester. At least one course in the area of sustainability is required. Students select from: &�Բ�����;

• ����Ϸ���� courses &�Բ�����;
• Up to 2 courses at UC3M 
• Up to one  ASU online courses (max 6 total credits), only after a required minimum of 12 in-person credits) 

Program Credit

Total Credit: 12-17  U.S. semester credits/18-25.5 24 quarter credits.   &�Բ�����;

Course Credit

• ����Ϸ���� Courses: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits; 45-60 contact hours &�Բ�����;
• ����Ϸ���� Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours (15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours) &�Բ�����;
• ����Ϸ���� Directed Independent Research: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours (15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours) &�Բ�����;
• ����Ϸ���� Service-Learning Project: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 seminar hours (15 seminar hours, 90 service hours) &�Բ�����;
• UC3M Courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours  
• UC3M International School English-track courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours 
• ASU Online Courses: Typically, 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours   ASU Online Courses: Typically, 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours   &�Բ�����;

Academic Culture

����Ϸ���� courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student engagement. Similar to classes at U.S. institutions, students should expect to spend an average of two hours of preparation and study for each hour in ����Ϸ���� classes.  &�Բ�����;

����Ϸ���� courses typically run from Monday through Thursday, providing students with a concentrated schedule that allows for intensive study and exploration. This condensed format encourages students to fully engage with the material and make the most of their time. Attendance is mandatory for ����Ϸ���� courses. 

Charles III University of Madrid (UC3M): Unlike a U.S. college or university, where students typically have a greater amount of flexibility and freedom in course electives and degree progress, engineering courses at UC3M are highly focused and academically challenging. Students complete a lot of daily reading and homework assignments in the direct enrollment courses at UC3M. Attendance at lectures is required. Class schedules are varied and, depending on your class group sections, are offered anywhere from Monday to Friday. Classes range in size from 25 to 80 students, and classrooms are modern and comfortable. Coursework and exams are to be completed as assigned, on schedule. UC3M courses run from early September until mid to late December in fall, and from late January to late May in spring. 

Early departure is not allowed in fall and spring. ����Ϸ���� students take their UC3M final exams in December during the fall semester and in late May and early June during the spring semester.  

ASU Courses: Most ASU online courses are asynchronous. You may find yourself in classes with students from ASU, other American universities, and students from around the world. You’ll receive direct and individualized support from faculty, 100% online. Most ASU online courses are asynchronous, meaning there are no set log-in times, but make sure to verify this before the add/drop deadline in case you want to make a change. 

Class Format

����Ϸ���� classes are for ����Ϸ���� students only. Classes are small, typically with 20 to 25 students per class, and emphasize communication and work in small groups. Instruction is supported and augmented online with our learning management system, Canvas.  

Charles III University of Madrid (UC3M): UC3M classes are taken in English or Spanish, depending on the student's language level – regular university classes are open to Spanish and other international students. Engineering School courses are taught in English and follow a lecture format for the first four to six weeks, and then switch to lab work or smaller group sessions. It’s common for a UC3M course coordinator to instruct with a co-teacher who alternates teaching lectures with performing lab research. Most STEM courses favor depth in a specific area of study at an accelerated speed of learning and incorporate online coursework. UC3M students typically favor working in peer study groups and sharing class notes to keep up with the learning pace of classes.  

ASU online courses meet in “sessions” that are 7.5-weeks long in the semester, and all work must be completed within the session dates regardless of when your other ����Ϸ���� courses begin or end. &�Բ�����;

Grading

The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. In ����Ϸ���� courses, students are graded on the basis of attendance, class engagement, homework, project work, presentations, and mid-term and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi. &�Բ�����;

At UC3M, students are graded on class participation, class activities, homework assignments, exams, papers, and/or oral presentations. Professors give numeric grades based on a 10-point scale. ����Ϸ���� reports final grades for host institution courses using recommended U.S. letter grade equivalencies, following a predetermined grade conversion scale. The Spanish university system, including the UC3M, does not apply a grade curve system as in some U.S. higher education systems; UC3M students typically study consistently throughout the semester to pass a course successfully with the all-important final exam.    

ASU grading follows the same format and standards as ASU courses taught in-person. “Pass/fail” or “Audit” is not allowed for ����Ϸ���� students. 

Language of Instruction

English and/or Spanish