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Office of Education Abroad

Major Advising Page - Biology

Biology encompasses a wide variety of program options: in-classroom instruction, field studies, internships--just a few of the many programs out there for you to explore!

Plan on taking at least one or two major-related courses while studying abroad. This will allow you to gain knowledge of Biology and Biology-related subjects in a foreign country while allowing you to compare and contrast with our own domestic experience.

Biology majors should begin the study abroad advising process as early as possible. Tell your academic advisor that you are interested in study abroad at each registration appointment. Together, identify the best terms to go abroad,  for summer or semester, based on the courses in your four-year-plan.

Specific things to consider: 

  • The first-year Biology-major sequence should be completed before studying overseas. Students must meet prerequisite requirements for their overseas institution. 
  • One hurdle for Biology students is the introductory physics sequence, which is difficult to find overseas. Students need to consider taking these courses in the summer or before/after study abroad. 

Search the OEA Course Approval History database to select from more than 3,000 study abroad courses that have already been pre-approved for liberal education requirements and a growing list of technical courses.

The Course Approval History database is not all-inclusive and students can work with an OEA advisor to submit additional courses for review.

Don't forget - CLAS has a list of policies and limitations specifically focused on study abroad. Make sure you're aware of these as you plan your overseas experience.

Timing
This image shows when students can study abroad for their specific major. For Biology students, summer study abroad is possible after first year through end of junior year. Semester study abroad is possible beginning spring semester of sophomore year through fall semester of senior year. Senior year study abroad must be approved by the College.

Due to sequencing, students should work with their academic adviser to determine the best time to study abroad. 

The Biology department encourages students to consider programs that provide practical experiences. Internships, field work and lab research are wonderful ways to gain hands-on, professional experience. 

Study abroad opportunities are not limited to formal instruction. Consider taking advantage of the unique research, internship, and fieldwork opportunities available in different regions of the world. 

In the past, students have:

  • Shadowed various London doctors during clinical placement including general practitioners, osteopaths, and a sexual health clinic
  • Interned with the Standards Unit team of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Radiology where student was able to assess, organize, and present statistical data analysis of the continuous professional development requirements and certifications of the RANZCR radiologists and radiation oncologists. health care / infections disease (Sydney)
  • Researched ruthenium-based organometallic linkers for photoactive porous materials (VU Galway)
  • Conducted a research experiment along a wilderness trail to determine whether more bird species lived in sections dominated by hardwood trees, such as red maple, versus sections with more softwood trees, such as white spruce and balsam fir (VU Nova Scotia)
  • Researched Marine protected areas, rainforest biodiversity assessment, tourism impacts, ecosystem monitoring, community livelihoods, perceptions on conservation (SFS Panama)
  • Designed and completed a 4-week research project on the cutaneous microbiology of various species of Panamanian amphibians
  • dressed how safe-sleep practices can decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other unexpected infant deaths.= (SIT Argentina)

*Villanova University - Irish Studies at the University of Galway
NUIG offers a wide-array of Biology and science offerings; research opportunities exist for motivated students. 

Arcadia University College of Global Studies

Arcadia University offers supported direct enroll programs at many Universities around the world. 

DIS - Study in Scandinavia
Sites in Copenhagen and Stockholm, offering programs in Biomedicine, Medical Practice and Policy, Public Health, Sustainability as well as research and lab opportunities. 

IES Abroad
IES Abroad offers supported direct enroll and study center based programs in a variety of locations around the world. 

School for Field Studies (SFS)
 Grounded in research, real-world application, and hands-on experience, SFS offers programs around the world with focuses on Sustainability and Environment-related issues.

School for International Training
Focusing on experiential learning, programs in Global Health &Well-being, and Climate & Environment, offer strong hands-on expieriences.

Looking for more? 
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Visit Passport Villanova to discover other programs. 
 
Course Approval Database 
Students should consult with the OEA Course Approval Database to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings so and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.  

 

Non-VU partner programs under 6-weeks long must require a petition in order to be approved. Contact your OEA advisor for petition information.

*Villanova Summer at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea

Arcadia University - College of Global Studies
STEM Summer Research Opportunities

Arcadia Abroad - University College London Summer School

DIS - Study in Scandinavia
Summer programs in Copenhagen and Stockholm, offering programs in Biomedicine, Medical Practice and Policy, Public Health, Sustainability as well as research and lab opportunities. 

School for Field Studies (SFS)
Grounded in research, real-world application, and hands-on experience, SFS offers programs around the world with focuses on Sustainability and Environment-related issues.

School for International Training
Summer programs focusing on experiential learning, programs in Global Health & Well-being, and Climate & Environment, offer strong hands-on experiences.

Villanova Course-embedded Travel
Each year the Biology Department offers short term, international opportunities that are embedded within a semester or year long on-campus classes, which provide students with the opportunity to connect classroom learning with onsite Biology field work. Previous opportunities have included Field Ecology in Costa Rica, Sweden and Nova Scotia. Contact the Biology department for current offerings. 

Looking for more? 
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Visit Passport Villanova and explore other opportunities.

Course Approval Database 
Students should consult with the OEA Course Approval Database to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings so and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.  

 

It is important to plan ahead as it is not uncommon for scholarship deadlines to occur much earlier than a Villanova or program application deadlines.

There are many scholarships available for students through Villanova University, our partner programs and other external sources, like the US Government. The OEA can help students with the scholarship search and application process. If a scholarship is found outside of the OEA scholarship page, students should have it reviewed by the OEA to determine if it is a viable option. 

Browse the scholarships opportunities found on the OEA website.

CLAS

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