Biological Sciences, BS

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Why YOU Should Study Abroad

Professional health education is competitive. Less than 50% of students that apply to medical schools are admitted; the numbers vary for other health-related fields. Medical and professional school admissions increasingly focus on students with dedication to community service, so engaging in community activities and research abroad will help any student attempting a health career to create a diverse, accomplished portfolio.

Study abroad programs provide an opportunity for you to develop a valuable skill set that can give you an advantage over the competition by:

  • Exposing you to unique health environments and differences in the human condition worldwide;
  • Expanding your knowledge of culturally specific health approaches;
  • Challenging you to adapt and persevere under sometimes difficult and harsh social and cultural circumstances;
  • Improving your language and cross cultural skills for effective communication across populations;
  • Enhancing your portfolio of experience through the kinds of hands-on research and community-based opportunities you will need to compete and succeed in today’s challenging health professions admissions process.

A Message from the School of Life Sciences

“I strongly believe that study abroad provides the opportunity and means to set yourself apart from the pack. I meet with hundreds and hundreds of students who are interested in the health professions. I think professional schools appreciate and are attracted to those students who are willing to get outside their everyday comfort zone. Study abroad provides exposure to different cultures, ways of thinking, and approaching scientific challenges…” 

- Scot Schoenborn, Associate Director of Academic Services

Planning Your Program

When to study abroad

When to study abroad

With advance planning, you should be able to fit study abroad within your four years at ASU. The Pre-Health Advising Office’s recommended timeline to consider medical-related, research and study abroad activities is as follows:

Year Term Recommended Student Action
Year 1 Spring
  • Identify a summer study abroad program offering pre-health clinical or research experience
Summer
  • Complete a summer study abroad program
Year 2

Optimal year to study abroad		 Fall
  • Identify a spring/summer study abroad program focused on pre-health clinical/research experience, or that allows you to complete required/elective courses.
Spring
  • Complete a spring semester or spring break study abroad program
Year 3

Optimal year to study abroad		 Fall - Spring
  • Investigate medical school options
  • Complete a semester, winter break, or spring break study abroad program
Summer
  • Complete a summer abroad program
  • Take MCATS or GRE
Year 4 Fall - Spring
  • Medical & professional school application and interview process
  • If you will not immediately enter medical or professional school, complete a semester, winter break, or spring break program

General Advice

General Advice

Advice from the School of Life Sciences

The ASU School of Life Sciences has generated a list of required and recommended courses for entry into medical school. There is no certainty of earning direct credit for these courses at a foreign institution so it is generally advised that students take these requirements at ASU. Typically, study abroad courses are best applied directly toward your upper division (300 or 400-level) major electives.

Advice from the Study Abroad Office

Meet With Your Academic Advisor

Meet With Your Academic Advisor

How to make an appointment

Key questions to ask

  • What are my remaining degree requirements?
  • How many upper-division credits do I still need to complete for my degree?
  • How many elective credits (lower vs. upper division) do I have left to complete my major?
  • What remaining prerequisites must I fulfill, and how will study abroad impact my progress?
  • Which of my remaining degree requirements could I complete abroad?  Are there any that I cannot take abroad?
  • Can I receive academic credit for an internship abroad?
  • Are there any in-residence requirements I need to be aware of before I go abroad?

Meet With the Study Abroad Office

Meet With the Study Abroad Office

Meeting with a Peer Advisor

Peer Advisors are ASU students who have studied abroad on various types of programs and who are here to help you get started on a journey of your own!  They are prepared to help you understand the different types of programs offered, narrow down your program options, guide you on the application process, discuss program costs, and speak about student life abroad.

No appointments are necessary to meet with a Peer Advisor.

  • Stop by the Study Abroad Office anytime Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Contact a Peer Advisor by email  or Live Chat with them on the Study Abroad Office website.
  • Call a Peer Advisor at (480) 965-5965.

Meeting with an International Coordinator

Your International Coordinator can answer your questions about specific programs, can talk you through the application process, and can help you find funding resources for your particular program on the Study Abroad Office website. Your International Coordinator is happy to meet with you multiple times to answer your questions, and he/she would be glad to schedule meetings in person, by phone, or via Skype.

  • Find the name of your International Coordinator listed on the Study Abroad Office webpage for your program of interest.
  • Schedule an appointment online. Click on the International Coordinator name for your program of interest and follow the prompts to schedule your appointment.
  • Visit an International Coordinator during walk-in hours in Student Services Building, Room 278.

Key questions to ask the Study Abroad Office

  • What are the eligibility requirements for my program(s) or interest?
  • What is involved in the application for my program(s) of interest? Is admission to the program competitive?
  • How will I get ASU credit and grades for the courses I take abroad?
  • What courses are available on my program? How can I get courses approved for my program(s) of interest?
  • What is the cost of participating in my program(s) of interest? What do I need to consider in preparing an estimated budget for my program(s) of interest, and what expenses do I need to plan for upfront?
  • Where can I find more information about scholarships for study abroad?

Research Your Funding Options

Research Your Funding Options

Pursuing a global experience is an investment in your future. Like any other type of investment, it requires careful planning and management. However, the personal, academic, and professional rewards that you will gain from this experience will last a lifetime. You should carefully consider costs, budgets, and financing when selecting and preparing for your global experience.

Review Cost Sheet

You can find a Cost Sheet for your program on the Cost Info tab of the Global Education Office webpage for your program. The Cost Sheet will highlight the costs that are billed to your student account as well as additional estimated costs that are not billed to your student account but that you might expect to spend while participating. Be sure to note what expenses are included in the fees charged by the Global Education Office, and remember to budget additional money for airfare, passport and visa fees and personal expenses as needed since these are not included in any Program Fee.

Research Funding

Once you have reviewed the Cost Sheet for your program and are aware of the costs you might expect to spend on your program, you can begin to make a plan for financing your global education program. You can receive funding for your program through financial aid, scholarships and grants, and community-based fundraising efforts. We encourage you to:

  1. Speak to Financial Aid and Scholarship Services (FASS) about financial aid;
  2. Use our Scholarships and Grants page to search for general global education scholarships and scholarships that are unique to your program;
  3. Read the Community-Based Funding Guide for creative ways that past ASU students have funded their programs.

Financial Aid

We encourage you to speak to a Financial Aid Counselor, who can help you figure out how your financial aid might be applied to your global education program. Be sure to seek answers to the following questions from a Financial Aid Counselor:

  • How do loans work for my global education program? What kinds of aid/loans do I currently receive, and are there any restrictions on this aid if I participate on a GEO program?
  • Have I reached the maximum of (insert name of) loan allowed per academic year?
  • When will funds be released for my semester of participation?
  • How will additional scholarships impact my ASU financial aid?

Major-Specific Scholarships

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) scholarships

Community-Based Funding

Check out the Global Education Office website to learn more about community-based funding, including tips and tricks for crowd-source funding. There is funding out there… you just have to ask!

Attend Financing Workshop

Would you like help learning about your financing options? We offer Financing Your Global Education Program Workshops through fall and spring semesters. Join us to learn how to finance your global education program through financial aid, scholarships and grants, and community-based funding.

Helpful Links

“Studying abroad was as much a cultural experience as an academic experience. I learned quite a lot about myself, about people, and about culture. An irreplaceable experience!”
 - Ariana Henkel, Biological Sciences Major


“Traveling abroad not only helps to broaden one’s perspective, it also opens many doors of opportunity and windows of knowledge that will surely benefit you no matter what you study.”
- Hoang “Ti” Dang, Biological Science Graduate

Recommended Programs

Although students in any major in the School of Life Sciences can participate in any ASU study abroad program, the School of Life Sciences recommends the following programs.



GIE: Global STEM Education: Science Teaching Experience in Costa Rica

Program Type: Global Intensive Experience
Available Terms: Spring Break
Country: Costa Rica

View Pre-Approved Courses

Unique Features: Gain a mentored teaching experience at the TIDE Academy in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Develop and refine your foundational skills in science instruction, and gain insight into how essential scientific principles and concepts are viewed in a different culture. This experience will enhance your experience as an undergraduate teaching assistant and serve you well in your desired careers in health care or education.

CIEE: Arts and Sciences at Dublin City University

Program Type: Partnership
Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Country: Ireland

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Unique Features: Take Communication classes at Dublin City University (DCU), an institution of 10,000 students. Within easy reach of Dublin, DCU is a high-tech campus where study abroad students are fully integrated with local and international students. Students get an in-depth look at Irish culture through the core course, History and Culture of Modern Ireland, and they can make the most of their program through CIEE-guided excursions, field study programs, volunteering, conversation exchanges and special events.

IFSA: University of Glasgow

Program Type: Partnership
Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Country: United Kingdom

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Unique Features: Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is home to one of the oldest and most extensive libraries in Europe, is among the top 20 universities in the UK, and offers you a choice of courses from more than 120 departments across four colleges. Students can study topics such as Immunology, Genetics, and Evolution, while enjoying Glasgow’s famous architectural structures like Clyde Auditorium, the Glasgow School of Art, and works by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

ISA - EuroScholars: Research in Europe

Program Type: Partnership
Available Terms: Fall, Spring
Countries: Multi-Country

Research credits for this program are approved by academic units. Contact your Internship/Research Coordinator for approval

Unique Features: EuroScholars is a prestigious study abroad program designed for talented and highly-motivated undergraduate students looking to participate in international research. EuroScholars participants identify an on-going project and join a research team at one of the renowned research universities which make up the EuroScholars Consortium. This is an excellent opportunity to add quality undergraduate research to your resume!

ISA: Environmental Studies, Health Care, Liberal Arts & Spanish Language at Veritas University

Program Type: Partnership
Available Terms: Fall, Spring
Country: Costa Rica

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Unique Features: Spend a semester in the vibrant and historic city of San Jose while completing up to three courses of college-level Spanish as well as additional electives in areas such as environmental studies and sustainability! Participate in the Bridging Cultures Program to help ease the transition into your study abroad experience, and consider adding an optional Service Learning placement to work in the local community. Enjoy excursions to locations such as Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Playa Tamarindo!

ISA: Summer Environmental Studies, Health Care, Liberal Arts & Spanish Language at Veritas University

Program Type: Partnership
Available Terms: Summer
Country: Costa Rica

View Pre-Approved Courses

Unique Features: Take a course in health care as well as Spanish for Health Professions courses at all levels. Spend one or two summer sessions in the vibrant and historic city of San Jose. Enjoy excursions to locations such as Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park, Playa Tamarindo, etc.

TEAN: The University of Auckland

Program Type: Partnership
Available Terms: Fall, Spring
Country: New Zealand

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Unique Features: Study at New Zealand’s most prestigious university where student support, clubs and activities are at the heart of the University of Auckland experience. Students can explore the largest city in New Zealand with its restaurants, entertainment venues and sporting events--all bordered by Auckland’s three harbors, two mountain ranges, more than fifty islands and forty-eight volcanic cones. The university offers courses in Cell Biology, Conservation Ecology and Marine Ecology, among others.

TEAN: University of Otago

Program Type: Partnership
Available Terms: Fall, Spring
Country: New Zealand

View Pre-Approved Courses

Unique Features: Study at the University of Otago--New Zealand’s oldest university. This beautiful campus, located a short walk from Dunedin’s Octagon, features a strong research emphasis, and many of its programs focus on nature-related sciences. Popular areas of study at Otago include Microbiology, Biochemistry, Ecology, Botany, and Zoology.

University College Dublin, College of Science (Direct Enrollment/Fee paying)

Program Type: Partnership
Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Country: Ireland

View Pre-Approved Courses

Unique Features: Study in Dublin--the capital of Ireland, center of a lively music scene, and home to great writers such as Swift, Joyce and Keats. At University College Dublin (UCD), College of Science, students have the opportunity to delve into science subject areas such as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Environmental Biology, Genetics and more! Students can also choose to complete a study abroad research module during their time at UCD, College of Science.

USAC: Cork, Ireland (University College Cork)

Program Type: Partnership
Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Country: Ireland

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Unique Features: Study at Ireland’s leading university, and live in Cork City, whose identity is balanced between its charming historical heritage and modern cosmopolitan energy. Students can take an array of courses, including classes in the Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Sciences module. When not in class, enjoy a state-of-the-art sports complex on campus and a growing artisanal culinary culture of cafes, restaurants, markets, and boutiques in the city center of Cork.

National University of Singapore

Program Type: Exchange
Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Country: Singapore

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Unique Features: A leading global university center in Asia, the National University of Singapore (NUS) offers a global approach to education and research, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. Its transformative education includes a broad-based curriculum underscored by multi-disciplinary courses and cross-faculty enrichment, as well as special programs which allow students to realize their potential. Singapore, which houses populations around the world that coexist together, serves as an excellent learning environment for a student studying Biology.

University of Manchester

Program Type: Exchange
Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Country: United Kingdom

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Unique Features: The University of Manchester's degree programs are career-oriented and designed with input from industry and commerce to ensure students develop skills relevant to today's workplace. Manchester is the largest single-site university in the United Kingdom. The Greater Manchester area is home to 2.6 million residents and offers a rich and bustling atmosphere with social, sporting, and artistic venues. It is a lively, friendly city of more than 75,000 students from four different universities.

University of New South Wales

Program Type: Exchange
Available Terms: Academic Year, Calendar Year, Fall, Spring
Country: Australia

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Unique Features: Known as Australia’s most international campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW) is located in Sydney, Australia. Students living in Sydney can experience the famous Sydney Harbour, distinct neighborhoods, fantastic beaches, and amazing museums; in fact, Sydney has repeatedly been voted as one of the most liveable cities in the world! At UNSW, students can take a variety of classes, including topics such as Animal Behaviour, Cell Biology, and Biology of Invertebrates.

University of Queensland

Program Type: Exchange
Available Terms: Academic Year, Calendar Year, Fall, Spring
Country: Australia

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Unique Features: The University of Queensland is located in Brisbane, a city renowned for fabulous year-round weather and healthy outdoor living. Brisbane is home to people from many cultures, and offers a diverse range of dining alternatives and a thriving arts and cultural scene. It is a perfect stepping stone to the wonders of Queensland--only an hour away from southeast Queensland's beaches, bays and beautiful hinterland. Study topics such as Immunology, Zoology, Conservation and Genetics.

University of Roehampton

Program Type: Exchange
Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Country: United Kingdom

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Unique Features: Roehampton has a rich educational history, a traditional campus experience, high-quality teaching and research, and a strong focus on students. With excellent facilities and strong teaching by experts who are leaders in their fields, academics at Roehampton are designed to help students reach their potential. Evolution and Invertebrate Biology are just some of the topics that ASU students can explore at the University of Roehampton. Located outside the city center near Wimbledon, London is just a train ride away.

University of Sussex

Program Type: Exchange
Available Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Country: United Kingdom

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Unique Features: Located about an hour from London, Brighton - and the University of Sussex - offer everything an ASU student could need. With the top-rated American Studies program in the United Kingdom, and with students making up 10% of the city's population, you can be confident that you will have plenty of time to interact with local and international students.

Yonsei University

Program Type: Exchange
Available Terms: Fall, Spring
Country: South Korea

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Unique Features: Yonsei is the oldest private university in Korea. Living in Seoul, South Korea, students will experience the undeniable heritage and tourism scene: fortresses, temples, shrines, palaces and ceremonies compete for attention while modern skyscrapers, glitzy shopping malls and multi-media and entertainment complexes, including the world-famous K-Pop scene around the Itaewon, Jamsil and Namsan districts capture the imagination. Yonsei offers courses on topics such as Biological Transport Phenomena, Cell Biotechnology, Food Biochemistry and Animal Physiology, in addition to many more.

Key Contacts and Resources

School of Life Sciences

Map Location: Life Sciences A-wing (LSA) Room 189
Phone:  (480) 727-6277

Helpful Links

 

Study Abroad Office

Map Location: Student Services Building, Room 278
Phone:  (480) 965-5065

Helpful Links