Memorial Building 205
345 Boyer Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Biology
“Off-Campus Studies gives students hands-on experience in the field, generates thesis data and expands a student’s knowledge base. Any exposure to global perspectives is good and enriching."- Delbert Hutchison, Associate Professor
Off-Campus Studies can help Biology students…
- Improve foreign language skills
- Gain awareness of the major discipline in a different academic and geographic setting
- Develop primary research skills from field or lab work in a different locale
- Expand cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills
- Prepare for an increasingly diverse and international workplace
How does a semester or year of OCS help students in Biology prepare for various career opportunities?
- Study abroad provides biology majors with research opportunities and exposure to the international scientific community that enhances international career opportunities.
As a general rule of thumb, the Biology Department recommends the following for students who wish to study off campus.
- First year students should enroll in Biol 101+Biol 101L Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity, and possibly Chem 125 and 126 General Chemistry with labs
- Second year students should enroll in Biol 102+102L Cells, Molecules, and Mechanisms; Chem 125 and 126 with labs or Chem 245 Organic Chemistry, one 200-level Biology course, and one math/stats/computation course
Which requirements can Biology majors fulfill while off campus?
- Elective major credit
- General Studies distribution credit
- Major credit, especially courses in the three biology categories (Molecular/Cell Biology; Organismal Biology; Ecology/Evolution
- The biology department recommends against taking major requirements in non-English speaking locations. Biology courses selected during off-campus studies should take advantage of the location (e.g. Marine ecology in Australia).
Major Credit Limitations
- The maximum number of credits that can be applied to the Biology major from off campus studies (including AP credit, IB credit and credits from other U.S. institutions) is 11 credits with the approval of your major adviser.
Minor Credit Limitations
- A minimum of three-fifths of the specific course and credit requirements for the minor must be completed in the on-campus program of the college.
What are the types of OCS programs recommended by the Biology department?
- Direct enrollment in a foreign university with host-country students
- Field study program with opportunities to engage in research with the local community and environment
- Program that offers an opportunity for independent study research
Which Partner Programs are recommended by the Biology department?
Field-based programs suitable for biology majors:
- SFS: Australia Rainforest to Reef (Cairns)
- CIEE: Monteverde Tropical Ecology and Conservation (Costa Rica)
- SFS: Cambodia Climate Change, Ethics, and Conservation (Siem Reap)
- SFS: Chile Wild Patagonia - Fire and Ice (Chile)
- SIT: Ecuador Comparative Ecology and Conservation (Quito)
- SFS: Tanzania Wildlife Management Studies (Rhotia)
- SFS: Panama Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies (Bocas del Toro)
- SFS: Turks and Caicos Marine Resource Studies (South Caicos)
- SEA Semester (Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA)
University-based programs offering biology and other natural science courses:
- IFSA: University of Melbourne Partnership (Australia)
- University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand)
- University of St Andrews, (St Andrews, Scotland)
Students interested in health professions/public health may wish to consider the following options:
- DIS Copenhagen (Denmark)
- IES: London Health Practice and Policy (England)
- SIT: South Africa Community Health and Social Policy (Durban)
Students interested in Off-Campus Studies should attend an OCS First Step meeting in the fall of their second year, discuss their interests with their major adviser, and schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser.
Off Campus Studies
Office Information
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Email or Call to Schedule a Virtual Advising Appt. -
509-527-4992 -
