Integrative Biology

The Department of Integrative Biology has provided information for students who plan to study abroad. Review your department’s responses to the Major Advising Questionnaires below, then contact the department directly with any additional questions.

Advising Resources

Integrative Biology Advising Contact Information

Study Abroad Information on the Integrative Biology Websites

Major-Specific Info

The Integrative Biology (IB) department believes that its students can benefit greatly from the life-changing experience of studying abroad. Fitting a semester or summer abroad into an education in the sciences can be daunting, but with careful planning, it can be done! The study abroad experience, whether focused on studies in the sciences or in another discipline, allows students the amazing opportunity to become adaptable, independent and well-rounded global citizens in a world of rapidly increasing globalization.

Why study abroad?

Integrative Biology is a broad and highly interdisciplinary science major, drawing on aspects of ecology, anthropology, molecular biology, psychology and more. This integrated approach to the sciences is highly conducive to the study abroad experience, as studying abroad allows students to explore new ways of looking
at the natural world while expanding their cultural horizons and learning to think and act on a global level.

Further benefits include:

  • Developing self-confidence and independence
  • Participating in a different educational system and gaining new cultural perspectives
  • Studying fascinating topics not covered by UC Berkeley courses
  • Exploring new & varied areas of study
  • Increasing proficiency in another language
  • Preparing for a career in an internationally competitive world
  • Enhancing resumes and/or applications for graduate school
When can I study abroad?

While it is possible for Integrative Biology majors to go abroad at almost any point in their academic careers, the particular semester or year that you study abroad depends on what courses you plan to take. Students interested in fulfilling major preparation and general education requirements can participate as early as their sophomore year. Students wishing to fulfill upper-division major requirements should go abroad after having taken at least a couple of courses in the major here at Berkeley.

Please note that BSA programs for undeclared students are extremely limited; we highly recommend waiting until you are declared in the IB major in order to get the most out of your study abroad experience.

Transfer students are eligible to participate their second semester at UCB, usually the spring of their junior year. Studying abroad as a transfer student in the sciences requires a lot of planning, so it is never too early to ask the IB advisors about possible strategies that can allow you to participate in BSA.

Where can I study abroad?

The Integrative Biology department strongly encourages students who are interested in study abroad to look at a broad range of options rather than just focusing on studying the sciences. That being said, IB students who would like to complete a portion of their major abroad have a wide variety of options. Many of BSA’s partner universities have specific IB and Biology departments/programs or offer relevant courses through other departments.

Examples:

  • The quarter-long Tropical Biology and Conservation Program at the Monteverde Institute in Costa Rica provides UC students hands-on field experience in biology, conservation, zoology, and botany
  • Study marine biology or environmental and ecological studies at University of Queensland while exploring Australia’s varied landscape and its Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world.
What classes can I take?

Whatever you want! No course is guaranteed to count towards the major (you must get approval after you return), so it is important to take courses that you will enjoy, whether they contribute to your major or not. If you choose to take biology courses and they are approved, you may count up to two courses from outside the IB department toward the major.

Some examples of courses IB students may enjoy:

  • Tropical Biology & Conservation at the Monteverde Institute, Monteverde, Costa Rica
  • Genetics at University of Chile
  • Marine Biology at Australian National University
  • Plant Diversity at University of Cape Town
  • Animal Physiology at Chinese University of Hong Kong

Students wanting to fulfill major requirements abroad should consult closely with the Integrative Biology advisors. You should check in early for planning, keep in touch once the study abroad schedule has been finalized, and, if requesting course credit in the major, plan a visit to the advising office promptly upon return to begin the course approval process. (Please also note that the procedure for obtaining an advisor code is different for students studying abroad. Please see the IB major advisors for details!)

Berkeley Programs Questionnaire

Does your department currently sponsor a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program?

No.

Do any courses offered on a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program currently satisfy requirements within your major?

No.

UCEAP Programs Questionnaire

What is the maximum amount of major credit given for courses taken during UCEAP? Is this maximum calculated by number of courses or by units of credit?

There is no maximum amount of credit; it is based on courses. Students can use up to two (2) courses from UCEAP or outside of the IB department to count towards upper division units, no matter how many units those courses are. However, you are strongly advised to speak to a staff adviser for advanced academic planning.

Does your department maintain a list of courses previously awarded credit on UCEAP and/or a list of pre-approved courses for UCEAP programs? How do students access this information?

Yes, the IB department has a list of pre-approved courses: http://ib.berkeley.edu/undergrad/course/EAP

Does your department have a 4-year or 2-year plan available to students that incorporates semester or year-length study abroad? How do students access this information?

We recommend that all students thinking of studying abroad meet with an academic adviser to create a potential academic plan.

What is the process in your department to have courses evaluated? What materials must be submitted? What is the timeframe for response?

If your study abroad course does not appear on the pre-approved course list, bring a course syllabus to the IB Undergraduate Student Services Office. After returning from the program, students petition approval from a faculty adviser. Please keep in mind that academic advisers are happy to look over potential courses and evaluate whether they would be appropriate for the IB major, but final decisions are made by faculty only after students complete their study abroad program. We try our best to work with students who want to study abroad and take courses that are not on pre-approved list, so come in and chat!

Are students in your department able to undertake a senior honors thesis the semester following UCEAP participation?

Yes. If a student will be at Cal for at least two (2) terms after they return from UCEAP, they meet the GPA requirement, and they have research experience, they can pursue an honors thesis.

Does your department calculate UCEAP grades into departmental GPA?

Yes, but only for courses that are approved to satisfy a major requirement.

Are UCEAP grades counted towards departmental honors?

Yes, but only for courses that are approved to satisfy a major requirement.

If you represent a department which teaches foreign language, does your department award major credit for the courses taken during the Intensive Language Program (ILP) portion of the UCEAP program?

N/A

Does the undergraduate adviser sign the UCEAP academic planning form, or must a faculty adviser sign?

The undergraduate staff adviser. Appointment and drop-in information is at bit.ly/IBadvising.

Does your department place Academic holds on declared majors prior to each registration period? If yes, what is your departmental policy on releasing advising holds for students currently abroad on UCEAP (e.g. is advising possible via email, skype, etc.)?

Declared IB students will receive a link to complete a survey approximately one month prior to the start of registration. To ensure students do not receive holds, they should complete the survey prior to the due date listed therein. Once the survey has been reviewed, the student will be cleared from receiving a registration hold. Remote advising appointments are available if students abroad want to discuss future course plans. 

Do you have any department specific advice for students participating on a UCEAP program in their last term at Berkeley?

Meet with advisors early to review the remaining degree requirements and plan multiple course options.

Independent Programs Questionnaire

Have any Independent programs been approved by your department and the Study Abroad Advisory board for credit in the major?

No.

Are there any pre-approved courses for your major from other UC summer abroad programs (UCLA, UCD, etc.)?

No.

What is the process to have a course from an Independent study abroad program evaluated for your major?

Bring the course syllabi to the IB Undergraduate Student Services Office. After returning from the program, students petition approval from a faculty adviser. Please keep in mind that academic advisers are happy to look over potential courses and evaluate whether they would be appropriate for the IB major, but final decisions are made by faculty only after students complete their study abroad program. We try our best to work with students who want to study abroad, so come in and chat!