University of Wisconsin–Madison

Major Advising Page – Biology

Introduction

Can Biology students study abroad? Yes, a variety of study abroad programs can fit in with the Biology major without delaying graduation. In fact, the Biology major consistently ranks in the top ten majors sending students abroad! Many students use this international opportunity to take unique bioscience courses at other institutions that count for their major, while others use this opportunity to focus on non-science coursework and explore other topics that interest them. Similar to each individual student’s 4-year plan, there are many ways to study abroad in the Biology major. Schedule an appointment with a Study Abroad advisor and your Biology Major advisor to get the process started by exploring programs that best fit with your academic plans and personal goals.

Prospective Biology students

To study abroad, ensure you are familiar with the Biology major requirements and work with your advisor on developing your 4-year plan. Your 4-year plan will provide a sense of how and when studying abroad will best complement your major and degree. A common initial question is whether you want or need to take courses abroad that will count for the major. Answering this question by assessing and establishing your goals and priorities can give you a sense of what programs to explore in depth.

You can study abroad at any point during your time at UW-Madison, but most students choose to study abroad during their junior or senior year. We recommend completing core coursework such as introductory mathematics, chemistry, and Biology requirements for the major at UW-Madison. This said, you could always study abroad earlier and complete core coursework after returning. If you are applying to professional health programs (such as medical school or dental school), you are advised to complete the majority of their pre-requisite coursework at UW-Madison.

To gain background information about study abroad and the various programs available, attend the Study Abroad Fair on campus, visit the Program Search, read Returned Student Profiles for Biology students, and/or meet with Study Abroad Advisors.

Biology course considerations abroad

Many study abroad programs offer a plethora of excellent upper-level bioscience courses. Students often complete courses abroad that count for the intermediate/advanced Biology breadth requirement (categories A-E). Some programs have classes already equated to UW-Madison courses that fulfill this requirement. These equivalencies can be found on each program’s academic page. Programs may not have all courses pre-equated simply because no student has taken them in the past. How do you know if a course will likely count as a course for the major? A good guideline is to look for upper-level bioscience courses that have science pre-requisites. Once you have identified courses of interest, work with your Study Abroad Advisor to gather syllabi, if possible. Then, meet with your Biology Advisor to determine if and how the course will count towards your major or degree requirements. You will work with the study abroad office to complete the approval process.

Mapping your study abroad experience in the Biology Major

  • Freshman year
    At UW-Madison, focus on a balanced schedule of courses that begin the curricular building blocks for your major. Investigate winter intersession and summer term programs that interest you. Explore potential semester and summer programs for the future.
  • Sophomore year
    At UW-Madison, continue a balanced schedule of classes that build the foundation for your Biology major. You may consider going abroad this year on either a semester or a summer program. Meet with your Biology advisor to ensure you are on track with core chemistry and Biology courses. This can also be a year to narrow down programs for future terms.
  • Junior year
    This is the most popular year to study abroad, as you will have likely completed the majority of your introductory coursework. This will allow you to take advantage of a range of programs that offer unique and interesting upper-level coursework in the biosciences that will count for the Biology major.
  • Senior year
    It is not too late! You can study abroad in your senior year without delay in graduation with careful planning with your advisor. All returned students should meet with career services to explore how to best convey the international experience to future employers, to graduate schools, and on personal statements.

Questions to Ask

Your Biology Advisor

  • What Biology major courses do I have left to complete? Are there specific courses I should plan on taking at UW? When are these typically taught?
  • What general education requirements do I need to complete?
  • What factors should I consider if I am on a pre-health track and need to plan for exams like the MCAT?

Your Study Abroad Advisor

  • What programs offer courses I would like to take?
  • What programs offer the study abroad experience that best fits my needs?
  • When and how do I select courses for my program, and when will I hear about course equivalencies?
  • What are the classes like abroad, and how do they differ from UW-Madison courses?
  • What is the application and notification timeline for programs and scholarships?

Yourself

  • Why do I want to study abroad?
  • How will studying abroad enhance my academic and global perspectives?
  • What are my academic and personal goals?
  • How long do I want to study abroad?
  • How much can I afford to spend?

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.

Identifying programs that are right for you

There are many different study abroad programs available to you. Programs vary in their course offerings, language of instruction, duration, and cost. It is important to consider your goals and priorities in selecting a program. The list below is not exhaustive, but is demonstrative of programs that offer bioscience courses. There may be other programs that better align with your goals and interests. To explore all study abroad programs, visit the Program Search page.

Africa

Asia

Europe

Latin America

North America

Oceania

Other opportunities to consider

  • Studying something completely different and focusing on your major coursework while at UW-Madison (use the Program Search to identify programs by region, country, language of instruction, duration, or subjects taught) – there are many programs that may not be directly related to your major but may complement your studies by practicing a language, learning about another culture or region, or earning credit towards an additional major or certificate.

International Internships

International internships are another way to gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning course credit. While you can often participate in a part-time internship as part of your study abroad program, it is also possible to participate in an Internship-focused program or a UW Signature Internship.

Search all programs

Research all programs using the Program Search page. The above is not an exhaustive list of all programs that might be appropriate. There may be other programs that are a better fit for your individual needs or interests.

Colleges and Schools