Colorado State University, USA

Ranked among America's top public research universities, some CSU Masters programmes are being offered in India through the Mysore-based American Institute of Distance Learning

Founded in 1870 as the Colorado Agricultural College, the Fort Collins-based Colorado State University (CSU) has attained the status of a highly respected research varsity. In its 2010 league table of America’s Best Colleges and Universities, the US News and World Report ranks CSU among the country’s top 40 public research univer-sities. Moreover Princeton Review, a New York-based education company, rates CSU among the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education and one of 120 ‘Best in the West’.

Sprawled across four campuses in Fort Collins, Colorado, CSU offers 150 study programmes in its eight colleges with its degree programmes in biomedical sciences, engineering, environmental science, veterinary medicine, business, agriculture, human health and nutrition, particularly reputed. Currently it has a student enrolment of 25,000 including 891 foreign students from 82 countries worldwide, instructed by a highly-qualified faculty of 1,517.

“CSU has earned its reputation as one of the leading land-grant research universities of the 21st century, thanks to its world renowned faculty, dedicated staff, talented and involved student body, and engaged groups of alumni and supporters. Our goals as an institution are straightforward: we provide students with outstanding competitive education; conduct important research that can improve the quality of life for people and communities worldwide; and help meet the practical, informational, and economic needs of Colorado through an unparalleled commit-ment to community outreach,” says Dr. Anthony A. Frank, president of the university.

With effect from August this year, some CSU’s study progra-mmes are being offered to students in India through its partner organisation — the Mysore-based American Insti-tute of Distance Learning (AIDL). AIDL will conduct CSU’s Masters programmes in computer information systems and business management, and certificate progra-mmes in computer information systems. These postgraduate progra-mmes will be delivered through academic partnerships with higher education institutions in India with students receiving CSU degrees. “Our plan is to promote American Institute learning centres in all the major cities of India beginning with Mysore, Bangalore and Chennai. Until then, CSU study programmes will be offered on the campuses of our partner engineering colleges,” says Adil Khan, the Fort Collins-based director of AIDL.

Fort Collins. Sited in northern Colorado at the base of the Rocky mountains, Fort Collins (pop.137,200) was ranked among the Top 10 ‘Best College Towns’ by USA Today (September 2010) and the second ‘best place to live’ in America by Money magazine (July 2008). A student-friendly city, Fort Collins boasts more than 83 parks, 20 miles of off-street hike/bike trails, three golf courses, a racquet centre, three swimming pools, an ice rink, 600-plus restaurants, and numerous shopping arcades. Moreover regular theatre, dance, music, visual arts and children’s programmes are staged at the Lincoln Center, the hub of cultural activity in the city. Situated a mere 65 miles from Denver, capital of Colorado state, Fort Collins is also well served by a reliable public transport system.

Gifted with 300 days of sunshine every year, Fort Collins offers moderate climate with summer temperatures averaging 22oC and winter -2oC.

Campus facilities. CSU, which includes the main campus, a foothills campus, the agricultural and mountain campuses (Pingree Park), sprawls across 5,000 acres in Fort Collins. Additionally it has 4,600 acres earmarked for research centres, cooperative extension offices, and Colorado state forest service stations.

The 582-acre main campus is defined by the Oval, an expansive green area lined with 65 nearly century-old American elm trees. The Oval is surrounded by several historic buildings including the Johnson Hall, once a students hub; Laurel Hall, which first housed animals for the veterinary programme and the Guggenheim Hall.

Another campus focal point is the main plaza, around which are sited several academic buildings including the Lory Student Center and Morgan Library. The university’s oldest building — Spruce Hall (constructed in 1881) — houses the division of continuing education and admissions office. The Morgan Library boasts more than 2 million books, 30,000 electronic resources, and offers access to 300 desktop computers and 200 laptops.

On the cultural front, CSU hosts more than 300 world-class music, theatre and high profile arts events annually.

The Student Recreation Center (aka the Rec) includes a multi-activity court with indoor basketball, volleyball and soccer facilities; indoor running track, climbing tower and bouldering wall; tennis complex; four new group fitness studios; cycling studio and a two-storey fitness centre.

Moreover there are 346 student organisations and 35 honour societies on campus.

Admission. The minimum eligibility requirement for admission into CSU’s undergraduate programmes is successful completion of Plus Two and a bachelor’s degree for postgrad progra-mmes. In addition overseas students must submit proof of proficiency in the English language (TOEFL and IELTS test scores preferred). Though not mandatory, applicants are advised to also submit SAT scores particularly for admission into business, engineering, computer science, and biomedical scien-ces programmes. For admission into the spring semester (January), completed applications must be submitted by October 1 while for the fall semester (August), the deadline is May 1.

For further information contact Colorado State University, Office of Admissions, 1062 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 1062. E-mail: admissions@colostate.edu. Website: wwww.colostate.edu or CSU’s representative in India, the American Institute of Distance Learning (AIDL), 16, 1st Cross Adipampa Road, V.V. Mohalla, Mysore 570002. Ph: +91 98862-05489; e-mail: rabia@aidlusa.org.

Accommodation. All first-year overseas students are guaranteed accommodation in 13 on-campus residence halls which house more than 5,000 students.

Degree programmes. CSU offers more than 150 undergraduate, postgrad and doctoral study programmes across eight colleges (see box).

Summiya Yasmeen