summer
Comillas-ICAI Summer Engineering Research
Program Overview:
Designed for JHU engineering undergraduates, this summer program offers students a unique academic research opportunity in an international and multicultural setting, while immersed in Spanish culture.
The flexibility of the program offers the student two options:
- Research Lab (3 credits); or
- Research lab + one course on Spanish language, culture, or engineering (6 credits). For this option, check course offering below.
REQUIREMENTS
- No Spanish language background required.
- 3.0 term GPA.
Academic Offering
Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICAI) offers Hopkins engineering students the opportunity to form part of Spanish research labs to work together in research projects from a variety of fields such, but not limited to, environmental, electric, civil or computer engineering.
Each student is assigned a tutor who will supervise their tasks and assignments. Research is conducted Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though it is subject to student’s assigned research lab and class schedule. We recommend checking last summer’s class schedule to get a sense of what a typical day at Comillas would look like.
Past Comillas Labs:
- Mechanical characterization of 3D-printed photocurable resin reinforced with Graphene-Based nanomaterials (Mechanical Engineering)
- Analysis of dimensional stability of 3D printed parts (Materials)
- Using APIs to obtain schedule information in JSON format and create calendar files in iCAL format (Telematics/CompSc)
- Automatic Code Testing to help student in python programming courses (Telematics/CompSc)
- Automatic classification of biological powders with a submerged dielectric resonator biosensor and machine learning techniques (Electronics, IIT)
- Biomolecule detection in organic dissolutions with a submerged dielectric resonator biosensor and machine learning techniques (Electronics, IIT)
- Technical requirements and challenges for the controlled crystallization of high-end culinary salt (Mechanical Engineering)
- Art and science. Dance videos as a support for the teaching of mathematical concepts (Applied Mathematics)
- Design and manufacturing Arcan device to measure shear and tensile properties of polymers and adhesive joints (Material Science)
- Digital analysis of teeth structure (Mechanical Engineering/Biomechanics)
- Digital Twin based on Reinforcement Learning Techniques for water circulating pumps of a power plant (Telematics/CompSc/IIT)
- Determination of the elastic properties of materials by Digital Imaging Correlation (Materials Science)
- Setting and testing power system protection (Electrical Engineering)
- Implementation and testing of hardware-in-the-loop differential protection relays with GPS synchronization and testing of hardware (Electrical Engineering)
- Generation of calendars for teachers and students (Telematics/CompSc)
- International Arts&Science contest (Applied Mathematics)
- Sustainability analysis of night trains (Mechanical Engineering)
- Sci-fi for engineers. New subject proposal. II (Mechanical/Materials/Electrical, Electronics/Control, Telematics/CompSc/Management/Applied Mathematics/IIT)
- Design and optimization of a optical goniometer to determine surface energy (Material Science)
- Prevention and remediation of (micro-)plastic pollution in salt and salinas (Mechanical Engineering)
- A 100% renewable electricity market: simulation tools (IIT)
- Sci-fi for engineers. New subject proposal. (Mechanical, Materials, Electrical, Electronics/Control, Telematics/CompSc, Management, Applied Mathematics, IIT)
- Thermodynamic cycles simulator for Internal combustion engines. (Mechanical, Materials, Electrical, Electronics/Control, Telematics/CompSc, Management, Applied Mathematics, IIT)
- State-of-the-art for tea packing machine (Mechanical Engineering)
- Wind turbine anomaly detection methods based on deep learning (Telematics/CompSc,IIT)
We expect research lab offering to be available in December 2023
If you have any questions, e-mail our Resident Director at mcolasg1@jhu.edu
ICAI offers a selection of Humanities and STEM courses that may count toward major requirements. Please check the offer of courses below (students must get approval from their academic advisors for transfer credit):
- Spanish Language (Basic, Intermediate I and Intermediate II)
- Christianity and World Religions
- Spanish Culture
- Internet of Things (IoT): Basics and Practical Approach
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Housing: Full Room & Board
Students will live with a Spanish family during their stay in Madrid. Engaging with the family is a fundamental part of the experience and allows students to immerse themselves into the culture. All homes are located in the center of Madrid, close to public transport to reach the Comillas campus.
All meals are included. From Monday to Thursday, families will pack a sack lunch for students to take to campus.
For more information, visit our Homestay Experience section.
Important Dates
The program is open to all engineering majors for the summer term. To start planning your summer in Madrid, visit our Important Dates page.
MCAT examinations should be taken before date of arrival to Spain.
Student Testimonials
Hear what past JHU Madrid have said about the program! Check out the testimonial section of our website.
If you are a past student and would like to become a Student Ambassador at the Homewood Campus, reach out to us at jhumadrid@jhu.edu.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @jhumadrid for more student perspectives.