Overseas Study

Sciences

Students frequently ask whether they can take courses in natural and mathematical sciences abroad. We do not recommend that students who only need to fulfill distributional requirements take science and math courses abroad. Courses in these disciplines abroad are usually designed for majors. However, students majoring in the sciences have a number of interesting options to choose from:

Australia

IU has exchange programs at the Australian National University, the University of Adelaide, the University of Western Australia and the University of Wollongong. Each institution has strong programs in the natural and physical sciences although some fields stand out at each. Students have taken courses in biology, chemistry, geology and mathematics at these institutions which have counted towards their major requirements. Others have taken such courses to satisfy distributional requirements but have found the courses more demanding than they expected. Check the notebooks and course catalogues in the Information Center for more details.

Britain

IU has one exchange position in chemistry and another in physics at the University of Kent in Canterbury, Britain. Students participating in this exchange take a full year of courses which count towards their degree in chemistry or physics, while their British counterparts come to Indiana University in their place. Students in the biological sciences have also studied at the University of Kent, dedicating a full year to science study, including lab work. Biochemistry, microbiology and computer science are especially strong fields at Kent.

Costa Rica

IU's Department of Biology has two tropical biology programs: one which explores the rainforest of Costa Rica during the winter break. Fifteen qualified students may participate in this program which grants 3 credits for BIOL L433 (Tropical Biology).

Costa Rica (CIEE)

Students on CIEE's Tropical Biology program take classes at the Monteverde Institute's biological field station near the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde, Costa Rica. IU students earn 16 cedits in coures on tropical diversity, community ecology, and humans in the tropics. Students also complete an independent study project and receive Spanish instruction. Spanish language background is recommended, but not required.

Germany

Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics majors, with a working knowledge of German, can study successfully at the University of Freiburg. Semester courses are available and students need not devote themselves fully to the sciences, unlike Britain where science students do not have the option to take humanities and social science courses.

Israel

Hebrew University has an academic year program for pre-med students with biology, chemistry and physics courses. Students also take Hebrew language and area studies courses as part of the year-long program.

Netherlands Antilles (CIEE)

Bonaire serves as the location for the program, offering courses for biology, environmental studies, resource management. Integration of lectures and field experience in the setting which makes for a natural classroom.

Other Options

Science students may certainly explore other options than those listed above. There are a number of science-related programs sponsored by other institutions which may be of interest to you. Consult the IIE books, Academic Year Abroad or Summer Study Abroad, which are available in the Office of Overseas Study in the Leo R. Dowling International Center, 111 South Jordan Avenue.