The Department of Biological Sciences works closely with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of Global Education to provide study abroad opportunities for our majors to Italy, Costa Rica, South Africa, Australia, and Galápagos.  Courses are Kent State Biological Sciences (BSCI) classes and are life changing experiences.

Florence, Italy

We are pleased to be able to offer classes during the Florence Summer Institute and during the academic year.  The Florence Summer Institute provides an opportunity to take two classes over a four-week time period whereas during the Spring semester BSCI majors take classes for 15 weeks in Florence.  Each year during the Florence Summer Institute, BSCI offers exciting classes developed specifically to take advantage of being in Florence that feature field trips and other activities.

Selecting from among these courses with the assistance of your faculty or professional advisor can help you meet Kent Core requirements, language requirements, get upper level credits, expose yourself to new and exciting topics, work on a minor, etc.

In addition, you might consider staying in Europe after the semester ends to attend the Florence Summer Institute where there will be other Biology courses from which you can select.

• Want to know more about Florence?
• Want to apply to the Florence Summer Institute?
• Want to apply for the spring Semester?

FACULTY-LED STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

Costa Rica

Dr. Oscar Rocha leads a faculty led study abroad course to Costa Rica every other year over winter break: BSCI 40376 Tropical Field Biology and Conservation. Students in this class visit several locations in Costa Rica where they do research projects that they write up when they return to campus. Videos created by students taking our faculty lead course in Costa Rica can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/album/2939677.  Want to learn more?  Contact Dr. Oscar Rocha or go to the course Facebook page.

South Africa

Another exciting field experience course, BSCI 40378- South African Field Biology, takes students to South Africa every other year during winter break. This course is an adventure into savanna ecology, and the phenomenal diversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom, designed to introduce students to many major issues in the field. Students will learn how to apply modern field observation techniques to generate and test problem-solving hypotheses. Students will also learn about the threats to the biological diversity of Savanna, Fynbos and Succulent Karoo ecosystems resulting from human activities. Want to learn more?  Contact Dr. David Ward for more details.

Australia

Australia provides the perfect venue for study of diversity and evolution. BSCI 40195: The Ecology, Evolution, and History of Australia is offered every other summer intersession and features field trips and cultural experiences. Want to learn more? Contact Dr. Brian Grafton for more details.

Galápagos

The Galápagos Islands provide a natural laboratory to study the diversity of life, its origins, and its functions. BSCI:40195 Study Trip to Galápagos is offered every other summer intersession  and allows students to walk in the footsteps of Charles Darwin. Contact Dr. Sangeet Lamichhaney for more details.