With some planning and foresight, biology majors may include a study-abroad component in their undergraduate experience. Possibilities include spending the junior or senior year at a European university, utilizing a summer program, or applying for a fellowship to spend 1-2 years abroad immediately following the BA degree.
Washington University offers a unique opportunity for junior or senior biology majors to spend a year at Trinity College Dublin studying Genetics. WU students can join a department with about 12 Trinity undergraduate students, 8 faculty, 30-40 graduate students and 16 postdocs. The Department specializes in molecular genetics (microbial, plant, and human) and in molecular evolution (including bioinformatics). This year-long intensive study of genetics allows you to transfer up to 30 units of credit, satisfying the departmental requirements for upper level courses in biology areas 1, 3, and 4, and potentially the lab requirement. The program also will introduce you to Trinity's excellent Medical School. Similar programs may be arranged at Trinity with other life science departments. Opportunities for overseas study of biology are available also at Kings College in London. Students who desire experience in field studies abroad can make special arrangements to enroll in programs offered by several organizations including the Organization for Tropical Studies and the School for Field Studies. Contact the Overseas Programs Office (x5-5958; overseas@artsci.wustl.edu) for more information on applying to these programs, and Allan Larson (x5-4656; larson@wustlb.wustl.edu) for information on counting work done abroad toward the Biology major.
A summer program offered at WU is the "France for the Pre-Med" program held in Nice during May and June. This program combines immersion in French language and culture with an opportunity to learn first-hand about the French medical system. Contact Professor Colette Winn (5-5477) or Overseas Programs for more information.
There are several fellowship programs that fund 1-2 years of study abroad after the BA degree, including Rotary Scholarships (any country), Marshall Scholarships (British universities), Rhodes Scholarships (Oxford UK), and Churchill Scholarships (Cambridge UK). Contact Dean Warren Davis for more information. The Fulbright Program offers study, research, and/or teaching in 130 countries. Contact the Overseas Programs Office or Dr. Priscilla Stone, Fulbright Advisor (5-5958) for more information. Applications for these programs are due in early fall of the senior year.