Major Advising Page: Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB)
The MCB major recognizes that study abroad programs offer students countless opportunities for expanding their educational experience. Many students who major in MCB take advantage of this opportunity. Whether through taking courses abroad that may fulfill MCB requirements, requirements necessary for the BA/BS degree, or enjoying the immersive experience of living abroad for a semester, students find the academic experience abroad highly valuable.
This opportunity can range from experiencing a new place and culture to taking potential MCB Breadth classes. In a globalized world, international experience gained from studying abroad is highly attractive to potential graduate/medical/professional schools and employers. The information below is intended to help MCB majors potentially combine major requirements and study abroad options. Please meet with a study abroad advisor and your MCB major advisor to make your study abroad dreams a reality.
Course considerations
Talk to your MCB advisor before you depart about how or if your planned coursework will fulfill MCB requirements. It is recommended that you complete introductory coursework such as math, chemistry and physics at UW–Madison. Also, Breadth requirements for MCB should also be completed at UW–Madison.
You may fulfill your required Depth courses for MCB through a study abroad program; see our Guide page for the full list of requirements. In many cases, if a study abroad course is not equivalent to a Depth course in the MCB major, these courses may count toward the overall credit total in your degree. As you prepare for your program, talk to your MCB advisor about how program courses might count in the major.
Official approval for any course equivalents is done through your MyStudyAbroad portal, if the course is not listed on the program page course equivalents already. In addition, it may be possible to fulfill your lab course requirement abroad.
Map your experience as a
molecular and cell biology (MCB) student
Most students in the MCB major have studied abroad in the spring semester of their junior year, although there are other equally good times to study abroad during your undergraduate career. You should always talk to your MCB major advisor to find out how a program can fit into your 4-year plan.
Freshman year
MCB majors should tackle math, chemistry and introductory biology requirements for the major at UW–Madison during the first year to create an all-important peer base that studies have shown are an integral part of undergraduate success. Students thinking about studying abroad in the first year may wish to go on winter intersession or summer term. This could also be a good time to explore options for studying abroad in future years.
Sophomore year
Studying abroad this year is probably a more realistic option for some MCB majors. However, there are still several foundational courses you may need to take for the major. Many of your foundational math, chemistry and physics courses should be completed by the end of this year. However, as these courses can trickle into junior year, it is possible for students to find abroad programs in the sophomore year that provide a good fit.
Junior year
Studying abroad in the spring of the junior year is probably the most popular time. In MCB, core Breadth coursework is usually taken during this year as well. The core Breadth course, Cell Biology -Zoo 570, is offered only in the fall semester, so this will require some advanced planning to accommodate studying abroad, but it still makes the spring semester of the junior year a great option for studying abroad.
Senior year
Senior MCB majors will likely be taking upper-level MCB Depth courses as well as getting lab research experience and completing additional majors or certificates. You can study abroad in your senior year without delaying graduation. Seniors should be aware of the Senior Residency Requirement; students must earn a minimum of 30-degree credits in residence at UW–Madison after they have earned 86 credits toward their undergraduate degree. All UW–approved study abroad programs qualify as in residence; however, you should consult with your MCB advisor on this issue if you wish to study abroad in your senior year.
Ask questions
- What classes must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
- Do I need to be on UW–Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
- What requirements are the best to fill in a study abroad program?
- How many electives do I have outside of my major?
- 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?
- Is it possible to take the MCAT exam 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?
- Am I studying abroad to complete major requirements or to learn about a new country, culture, and perhaps way of life?
- How long do I want to study abroad for — a few weeks, a semester, a year?
- How does studying abroad fit into my academic, personal, and/or professional goals?
- What career skills or proficiencies will I strive to acquire or enhance on my program?
- How will studying abroad enhance my academic and global perspectives?
Discover programs that are right for you
There are many different study abroad programs available. 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 programs listed here may offer courses that may be accepted in the MCB major. If you plan to take study abroad courses to fulfill Depth requirements in MCB, talk to your academic advisor in MCB to make sure these courses will be accepted in the major. Additionally, there may be other programs that are a better fit for your individual needs or interests.
In this section
The following are programs that may be of interest to you! Durations and courses vary and may count toward electives or degree requirements. If you do not have specific requirements, there’s more flexibility in program type and location.
These opportunities are not an exhaustive list of all programs.
Semester and academic year programs
Denmark
- DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)
- UW Cancer Care Across Cultures (winter intersession)
England
New Zealand
South Korea
Spain
Saint Louis University-Madrid (semester and summer)
Sweden
DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)
Türkiye
Wales
Short-term programs
Denmark
- DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)
- UW Cancer Care Across Cultures (winter intersession)
Spain
Saint Louis University-Madrid (semester and summer)
Sweden
DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)
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: Maxwell Speichinger (Denmark)
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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