Additional Programs Abroad
Where Can I Go?
Study abroad programs in Britain and Australia are the most popular for science majors as courses from these countries often transfer easily back to Duke, including the lab courses. There are fewer options for science majors in continental Europe, but students should research some of the locations to identify possible appropriate matches to their academic needs. The DIS program in Denmark, for instance, is one example of a program on which students can study science courses in English and transfer credit back to Duke. For a full list of program offerings and a searchable database please visit the website for the Duke Global Education Office for Undergraduates (GEO-U).
What can I study?
The GEO-U provides students with a course approval database (https://courseapproval.studyabroad.duke.edu/cgi-bin/study.pl)* for determining what types of courses they may be able to take on a particular study abroad program and how those courses can be used to fulfill academic requirements. The database allows students to search for study abroad programs according to their major and to see what courses other student have taken and how they transfer back to Duke. Please note that this list of courses is not exhaustive; courses not included in the database can be submitted to the Director of Undergraduates Studies (DUS) for approval. Also, just because a course is listed in a database does not mean that it will be offered when you are at the program site. You should check with the local institution for an updated course schedule.
*You may be asked to accept a security certificate to see the database. If so, it’s safe to accept it. You may also be asked to login using your Duke NetID.
Africa
The Duke in South Africa Program: African Ecology and Ecosystems is sponsored by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS). It is based in Kruger National Park with additional trips to numerous sites in South Africa. Students take four core courses: South African Ecosystems and Diversity [BIO 284A (BIO 137)], Field Research in Savanna Ecology [BIO 285LA (BIO 138L)], Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in South Africa [ENV 281A (ENV 128)], and History and Culture of South Africa [HIST 390A-13 (HIST 100W].
Australia
There is a summer Duke in Australia program which features a Duke taught bio-geography course [BIO 288A (BIO 131)]. Focusing on the bio-geography and environmental history of Australia, this one-course, four-week program is based at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. More information can be found at http://studyabroad.duke.edu/home/Programs/Summer/Duke_in_Australia. For a semester program, students can study at a number of other Australian Universities. The courses easily transfer, and students have consistently given good evaluations. There are two universities in Sydney, one in Melbourne the James Cook University and others. Each of these universities has its strengths in the science fields and offers students an opportunity to experience various ecosystems and regions of the country.
Costa Rica (OTS)
Costa Rica is the site of several undergraduate programs that explore the diverse habitats and resources of Costa Rica's tropical rainforests. The Duke Tropical Biology program in Costa Rica is sponsored by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), an international research and teaching consortium headquartered at Duke and is offered in the fall, spring and summer. The program features courses in environmental policy and Costa Rican language and culture, and two biology courses taught in English: Fundamentals of Tropical Biology [BIO 280 (L)A (BIO 134)] and Research Methods in Tropical Biology [BIO 281LA (BIO 135L)]. A second Duke/OTS program in Costa Rica focuses on Tropical Medicine. In addition to two global health courses, it offers a Costa Rican language and culture course and ethnobiology [BIO 282LA (BIO 136L)]. Students on this program should have at least two semesters of college level Spanish or the equivalent and there will be activities that involve interaction with local clinics and communities.
Europe
United Kingdom & Ireland
A number of universities in the United Kingdom and Ireland offer biology courses for Duke students. Students are advised to check the departmental websites at each of these universities, as well as GEO-U’s course approval database, to determine which courses will align most closely with their academic requirements. League tables such as those issued by the Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk) and Times (www.thetimes.co.uk) provide rankings for U.K. universities and disciplinary programs, including the biosciences. No such ranking system is available for Irish universities. Some universities such as Kings College London and University College Dublin offer medical studies courses designed specifically for U.S. students. While these courses do not typically count for pre-med requirements, they may be of interest to students earning a pre-health certificate along with their Biology major.
Other Organizations
Other organizations that offer programs focusing on field biology include the School for Field Studies (SFS) and the School for International Training (SIT), both of which have programs on the Duke-approved program list.
More Information on Study Abroad At Duke
Applications for study abroad programs are available through the GEO-U website. It is wise to plan ahead and meet with your academic advisor as well as with a study abroad advisor to determine which options best suit your needs and timetable. For more information on programs, eligibility requirements, application procedures and deadlines visit the GEO-U’s website.
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