Vassar College Biology : Study Abroad

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Study Abroad

Below are a selected number of study abroad programs for which we guarantee specific credit that counts toward the biology major. Other units will satisfy general college credit and may count for one of the additional courses in the natural sciences that are required for the biology major.

In addition to the list below, visit the Study Abroad Office for a list of programs approved by the college. You will need to present the course descriptions to your adviser and the chair of the department to have your courses approved for biology credit. This needs to be done in advance of the semester you will be away. Ordinarily the biology department will make every effort to assign biology credit for qualifying courses.

School for Field Studies (SFS): The School for Field Studies sponsors semester programs in Costa Rica, Turks & Caicos, Kenya, Mexico, and Australia. Courses such as Wildlife Ecology, Tropical marine Ecology, Rainforest Ecology, and Coastal Ecology usually qualify for one 200-level and 300-level Biology credit.
School for International Studies (SIT): The SIT study abroad programs have environmental study programs in Australia, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Ecuador and many more. A few Biology students have taken the semester program in Ecuador and have received one 200-level and one 300-level Biology credit.
Semester in Environmental Science (SES): The Semester in Environmental Science program taught at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, MA, is one of the best educational opportunities for students interested in environmental science and ecology. It is a program with lecture and field lab courses, which Jordan Kramer '05 says was one of the best educational experiences he had. Jordan received five Biology units for his SES program and that is apportioned as three 200-level and two 300-level courses some of which may receive credit as Environmental Science (you must consult with Environmental Studies to request Environmental Science credit for these courses).
Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS): This is the premier program for education in tropical biology. It serves undergraduates with semester programs in Costa Rica and South Africa. It also has a summer program for students in Costa Rica. Two courses offered (Fundamentals of Tropical Biology and Field Research in Tropical Biology) will satisfy two 200-level courses in the biology major. There is a course in Environmental Science and Policy of the Tropics, which may satisfy a course requirement in Environmental Studies (you must consult with Environmental Studies to request credit for this course). For credits for the summer program in Costa Rica, see the department chair.
The Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology: The semester program provides students with a broad knowledge of marine ecology. The program includes four courses that all count towards the biology major (two 200-level and two 300-level). They also have a summer program where you can receive one credit of 200-level work.