Major Advising Page: Biochemistry
Science is a universal field, with many options to study internationally. Whether doing fieldwork in a rainforest in Ecuador, taking health-related courses in Denmark, or participating in molecular biology research in Germany, there are many ways to incorporate your interest in biochemistry into an international experience.
Your study abroad experience could be a “typical” classroom experience, or it could be based around an internship, fieldwork, or research experience. Beyond your science-related experience, studying or researching abroad can help you build cultural competence, problem-solving abilities, and world language skills.
Course considerations
L&S students need to keep in mind that at least 15 credits of work in the major/major department must be completed on the UW–Madison campus. CALS students need to keep in mind that they may be required to graduate when their requirements are complete. If you are a CALS student studying abroad in your final semester, then it is critical to save a degree requirement for your final semester.
Beyond that, there are no requirements for taking certain numbers of courses or credits here on campus versus while studying abroad on a UW–Madison-administered study abroad program, and it’s certainly possible to study abroad for your final semester at UW–Madison.
It can be challenging to fulfill core science requirements abroad for the biochemistry major, as these courses may not have direct equivalents or be taught in the same sequence as courses at UW–Madison. The most likely courses you could take abroad to fulfill requirements are:
- breadth courses (social sciences, humanities, language)
- upper-level biology courses for the biochemistry major (for those not pursuing Biocore). Study abroad courses that directly equate to a course on the upper-level biology for the Biochemistry major list will automatically count for that requirement. If a course does not directly equate to a course on the upper-level biology list, but is a bioscience course intended for juniors and seniors in a bioscience major, then it may still be a good option to take while studying abroad to fulfill the upper-level biology requirement for the Biochemistry major. Talk with your Biochemistry advisor about the likelihood that such a course could count based on the title and description, and/or send a syllabus for the course abroad to the advisor for review.
- some biochemistry courses may be available through some programs (i.e., Biochem 501 or advanced biochemistry courses). If a course does not match one of the biochemistry courses offered at UW–Madison, the department may still be able to grant biochemistry study abroad course credit, which could be used to fulfill major requirements at the discretion of the major department.
If you decide to participate in summer, winter, or spring break programs, including field, global health, or research-based experiences, there is less need to be concerned with fulfilling particular requirements or course equivalencies. CALS students may be able to fulfill the CALS International Studies Requirement by participating in summer, winter, or spring break programs.
Map your experience as a
biochemistry student
If graduating in four years is a high priority, then creating a degree plan (aka four-year plan) as soon as possible is a good idea. Because of the considerations outlined above, many biochemistry students plan to take their major coursework on campus and take elective courses or non-science breadth requirements abroad. Schedule an appointment with your biochemistry advisor as soon as you become interested in studying abroad to make making a degree plan easy.
For students participating in Biocore
Biocore is an honors-level biology sequence spanning four semesters — typically all of sophomore and junior year. Studying abroad during the fall of senior year is a great option for biochemistry students pursuing Biocore, as well as during any winter, spring, or summer break. It is also possible to study abroad during the fall or spring semester of sophomore or junior year as a Biocore student, but you will need to complete the remaining semesters of Biocore when you return. For example, you may study abroad during junior year, and then take the junior year Biocore courses as a senior. This can cause course conflicts with some of the required biochemistry courses in senior year, and will mean you finish Biocore in a different cohort of classmates than you started. Talking with your Biocore and biochemistry advisors will be essential to studying abroad as a sophomore or junior while participating in Biocore.
Example degree plan for biochemistry major coursework with study abroad junior year
*Note — does not account for breadth, general education, or pre-professional school requirements. Please make an appointment with your academic advisor for help with deciding on a Degree Plan, including study abroad.
| Year in school | Fall semester courses | Spring semester courses |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman | Chem 103 Math 221 | Chem 104 Math 222 |
| Sophomore | Chem 343 Biology 151 | Chem 345 Chem 344 Biology 152 |
| Junior | Study abroad Upper-level Biology (or senior year) | Biochem 507 Physics 207 Upper-level Biology (or senior year) |
| Senior | Biochem 508 Physics 208 Chem 327 | Chem 565 Biochem 551 Upper-level Biology (or junior year) |
Freshman year
Freshman year is a good time to focus on your core foundation courses — namely, math and chemistry. Some students study abroad during winter or spring break, especially if they are part of a FIG (First Year Interest Group) that has a study abroad component.
Sophomore year
Sophomore year can be a good time to study abroad, especially if your foundational coursework is completed early — for example, if you took Chem 109 and started Chem 343 freshman year, or if you have AP credit for Biology 151 and only need to take Biology 152 here. Summer, winter, or spring break programs are also great options.
Junior year
Junior year is a popular time for UW–Madison students to study abroad, and it also works well for the biochemistry major. Biochem 507 and 508 (the recommended General Biochemistry courses for biochemistry students) are both offered in the fall and spring semesters. Therefore, you can study abroad either semester of junior year and still complete the recommended biochemistry coursework. If taking Biochem 507 and 508 does not work for you, then you may be able to take Biochem 501 the semester you are on campus during junior year and then an advanced biochemistry course your senior year. Depending on the study abroad program, you may be able to take Biochem 501 or an advanced biochemistry course while abroad, and/or one or two upper-level biology courses for the biochemistry major. Summer, winter, or spring break programs are also great options that usually do not affect course sequencing.
Senior year
It is common for biochemistry students to study abroad in the fall or spring of their senior year. The fall of senior year can be an ideal time to study abroad, if you are not in the midst of applying to medical school or graduate school for immediate matriculation after graduation. Studying abroad senior year allows you to take Biochem 507 and 508 as a junior, and then take the core senior year courses (physical chemistry and the biochemistry major capstone course) together at UW–Madison in the remaining semester of senior year.
Ask questions
- Can we make a degree plan that includes studying abroad together?
- Which types of courses are likely to be found abroad for my major/degree? Which will I likely need to take here at UW–Madison?
- How do my other goals (summer research experiences, preparing for medical, professional, or graduate school, taking a gap year vs. applying right away) fit in with my coursework and timeline for studying abroad?
- When are some good times to go abroad?
- What classes can I take abroad?
- How and when do I select courses for my program?
- When will I know course equivalents for my program?
- What is the class structure like abroad?
- What skills do careers related to my major require, and how might participating in a particular program help me gain those skills?
- When would be the best time to participate in a program based on my career goals?
- How will participating in a study abroad, study away, or international internship make me stand out?
- Why do I want to study abroad?
- What are my academic and personal goals?
- How long do I want to study abroad?
- How much can I afford to spend?
- What are my post-graduation plans (work, graduate school, medical or professional school, etc.)
- Do I intend to pursue any post-undergraduate education right away or take time off? This may influence when you take certain standardized tests, when you need to take certain prerequisite courses, and when studying abroad is most feasible.
- What are my priorities for my undergraduate education — is it studying abroad for a semester, completing multiple majors/certificates, being able to attend medical school right away, graduating in four years, etc.? Which of these are most important if it becomes difficult to fit everything in?
Discover programs that are right for you
There are many different program options available to you, depending on the experience you’d like to have:
- Type:
- Do you want to participate in classroom-based coursework? Do a global health field experience? Participate in research? Some combination of those activities?
- Duration:
- Do you want to go during the summer? A semester? Spring break? Winter break?
Once you’ve considered program type and duration, take a look at the program options below.
These opportunities are not an exhaustive list of all programs.
In this section
Featured programs
The programs listed below have various durations and have offered courses that may count for the biochemistry major requirements. If you do not have specific major requirements that you need to fulfill while studying abroad, then you will have much more flexibility as to program type and location.
Australia
- James Cook University (semester and year)
- SFS Rainforest Studies (semester and summer)
- University of Queensland (semester and year)
Costa Rica
SFS Ecological Resilience Studies (semester and summer)
Czech Republic
Czech University of Life Sciences (semester)
Denmark
DIS- Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)
Ecuador
England
- University of Bristol (semester and year)
– Academic Year students can take Biochem 507 and 508
– Academic Year students can take Chem 561 and 562 (fulfills the physical chemistry requirement) - University of Leeds (semester and year)
Germany
University of Hohenheim (spring and year)
Greece
Perrotis College (semester and summer)
Hong Kong
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (semester and year)
Academic Year students can take BIOCHEM 507 and 508
Ireland
- University College Dublin Agricultural and Life Sciences (semester and year)
- University College Dublin Physics (summer)
Netherlands
Wageningen University (semester and year)
New Zealand
Massey University (semester and year)
Norway
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (semester and year)
Panama
SFS Tropical Island Biodiversity & Conservation Studies (semester and summer)
Singapore
National University of Singapore (semester)
South Africa
University of Cape Town (semester and year)
South Korea
- Korea University (semester and year)
- Yonsei University (semester and year)
Sweden
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (semester and year)
Tanzania
SFS Wildlife Management & Wildlife Research (semester and summer)
Trinidad & Tobago
University of the West Indies (semester)
Türkiye
Bogazici University (semester and year)
Turks and Caicos
SFS Marine Resource Studies (semester and summer)
Wales
Cardiff University (semester and year)
Related programs
These opportunities may not necessarily fulfill major or degree requirements, but they may be of interest to those interested in public health, medicine, or other health fields, and often occur during summer, winter, or spring breaks. These programs often involve out-of-classroom experiences such as service learning, site visits, connecting with community members and groups, and research.
To find public/global health-related programs, select Academic Credit: “Certificate in Global Health” on the program search. View public/global-health related programs.
The following research and global health programs are offered by Department of Biochemistry faculty, many of which offer scholarships specifically for students in the biochemistry major.
Uganda
International Internships
International internships allow you to apply your academic skills to the real world and gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning UW–Madison course credit.
As you consider your academic and professional goals for studying abroad, explore the different internship options, including UW Signature internships, internship-focused programs, part-time internships, or applying for credit for an external internship.
Check with your academic advisor to see if earning credit for your internship abroad can fulfill a major or certificate requirement.
Hear from students in your major
Explore student blogs and reflections to see how your peers have connected international experiences to their studies. Discover real stories about the skills, challenges, and professional insights gained through our programs.
Photo credit: Raquel Bello (Ecuador)
Want more information?
Dive deeper into how courses and credits work on our programs, or connect with an advisor to find the best fit for your goals.
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