Biology and Zoology

Students can generally finish an undergraduate degree in four years with a term or more abroad. Students must complete 180 credits and all degree requirements to graduate, and most science majors can be completed in less than 180 credits (see MyDegrees and talk to your academic advisor for details). This means each student has electives, though numbers will vary. International experiences can count in the following ways:

• All international credits can be used to satisfy the 180 credits required for graduation.
• IE3 Global Internships receive OINT 410 credits though OSU GO. Check in with OSU GO regarding questions you have related to registering for credits and your internship supervision. These credits can be used for the Experiential Learning or Integrative Biology Elective area of your major.
• Study abroad courses can be considered for major, Baccalaureate Core, minor, or Honors College requirements (or the 180 credits for graduation). Ask OSU GO about the standard course load for the program you plan to attend and if there are lists of any courses taken previously at that site. Research program websites for other courses of interest from departments you find that are relevant. Draft an email of proposed courses with course numbers, titles, and descriptions and how you hope to count them for your major or Baccalaureate Core and send it to [email protected]. Contact your minor, Honors College, or other advisors about how courses may be used for other programs you are pursuing.

Early planning will allow students to integrate international experiences with degrees. Students who go abroad in summer have to add a term of aid, while going during the year can be more cost effective as it means paying the difference between costs overseas versus total OSU costs for the same term. Because of major requirements, the optimal term to go abroad tends to be fall term of junior or senior year, though other terms, particularly summer, can work.

• Freshman Year: Students should begin planning for a future study abroad or IE3 Internship.
• Sophomore Year: Students generally do not study abroad this year because of series coursework that spans the entire year and differs from the coursework available at institutions abroad. Health professions students do not go abroad this year as prerequisites for professional programs should not be taken abroad.
• Sophomore/Junior Summer: Students can study abroad or do an internship, but many programs are not offered in summer.
• Junior Year: Students could do an international experience for single term (almost always fall) or a year. Students planning to do an IE3 Global Internship or study abroad for one term should plan to move series coursework to terms they will remain at OSU and instead take single-term courses abroad (not parts of series). Students going abroad for the year can consider series coursework in some cases. Health professions students should avoid professional school prerequisites while abroad.
• Junior/Senior Summer: Students can study abroad or do an internship, but many programs are not offered in summer.
• Senior Year: Students can study abroad or do an IE3 Global Internship. In general, students no longer have any series courses so they can easily go abroad for a single term or the year. It is generally not a good idea to go abroad the last term of senior year, and students most often go in fall term.
• Senior Summer: Some students choose to go abroad during their senior summer. Students can still walk in the Spring as long as they complete coursework by the end of the following summer term.

Consider your academic interests and goals and work with your academic advisors and the staff in the Office of (Global Opportunities) to determine the right program. The following steps should help:

1. PLANNING

Begin to plan at least six months in advance. You may need to complete major prerequisites or language placements or coursework. Give yourself time to research programs and talk to your advisor about site(s) of interest. The best program for you depends on academic and professional goals, as well as degree requirements. Some important considerations are:

• Talk to your advisor if you want to focus on programs related to your major or professional goals. Talk to OSU Global Opportunities if you want to focus on language, culture or other academic interests beyond your major.
• Studying abroad will provide an international campus experience with other students.
• IE3 Global Internship or field-based study abroad programs will focus on professional experience.
• Studying abroad on exchanges or OSU faculty-led programs will generally keep program costs lower.

2. GETTING STARTED

• If you are considering studying a language abroad, visit OSU GO's Getting Started page to create an OSU GO account. OSU GO can follow up about next steps. Discuss timing with your advisor to avoid complications related to other major coursework.
• If you plan to focus on your major or professional goals, talk to your advisor about program selection, fit, and timing. Visit OSU GO's Getting Started page to create an OSU GO account, and OSU GO will follow up about next steps
• Follow up on OSU GO items to apply. Note deadlines (typically 6 months ahead). Applications include recommendations, essays, and transcripts - start early!