Biology & Marine Biology

Andreana Buckenberger during a hike up to the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye in the highlands of Scotland.

Andreana Buckenberger during a hike up to the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye in the highlands of Scotland.

Andreana Buckenberger
Stirling University – Scotland

“Studying abroad was one of the best experiences of my life. I was able to get out of my comfort zone, meet a lot of new people, and travel the world. There aren’t many times where opportunities are available later in life to travel abroad, so take advantage of it now while you can! Whether you travel alone or with friends, studying abroad will make you a more well-rounded person who is capable of handling anything that comes your way! I wouldn’t change my experience for the world and I can’t wait to return to my second home in Scotland!”

Global Experience

Below is a link to the Study Abroad Transient Study form: https://www.uncw.edu/international/abroad/documents/TransientStudyForm.pdf

Steps for submitting a Study Abroad Transient Study form to the Biology Department:

  • Steps for submitting a Study Abroad Transient Study form to the Biology Department:

    • Check to see if the class(es) you want to take have already been evaluated and are listed in the Office of the Registrar's database of transfer credit: https://transfer-articulation.uncw.edu/.
    • If you have a course(s) that are not in the database, then you MUST obtain a course syllabus from the host institution and attach it to your Study Abroad Transient Study Form. Please note: a course description WILL NOT be accepted—it must be a syllabus!
    • Whether the courses are in the database or not, you still need to email the form (and syllabi if needed) to Shea Huse (huses@uncw.edu).
    • If you have courses not in the database that you want to count toward University Studies or another major or minor, you must get the approval signature(s) from the department chair(s) of the other department in which the class(es) belong prior to submitting to the Biology Department.

Study Abroad/International Exchange/Domestic Travel

The first stop for interested students is the Office of International Programs which gives a step-by-step (www.uncw.edu/international/abroad/steps.html) how-to on registering for study abroad opportunities. Students can choose from more than 1,000+ education programs in over 50+ countries. Start the process here: (https://educationabroad.uncw.edu/) by searching all the possible options.

While there are many, many different options, here are just a few popular ones for the Biology & Marine Biology Department:

James Cook in Townsville, Australia

  • Many of our Marine Biology students enjoy attending James Cook for its spectacular ecosystems of the rainforests of the wet tropics, the dry savannahs, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Universidad San Francisco de Quito/Galapagos Islands (part of the Republic of Ecuador)

  • Stunning ecosystems and biodiversity galore. Known for its vast number of species and being one of the most biologically unique places on earth.

Exchange Semester at the University of Southampton

  • UNCW has a long-standing relationship with the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom where students can live and learn in one of the largest and most prestigious oceanographic centers in the world.

Coastal Studies in Belize

  • Students can register in the fall for UNCW’s week-long, 3-credit spring semester course, BIO 480: Field Studies in Biology. This course allows for exploration of the biological and physical aspects of the coastal ecosystems of Belize including mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef and lagoon habitats. Students will meet regularly during the spring semester to analyze data and spend time studying an aspect of particular interest.

Domestic Travel

Semester By the Bay program through the University of Alaska-Anchorage

  • This program is for those students looking for a unique experience in Marine Biology where there are opportunities to work with walruses, sea otters, whales, and seabirds. Small classes ensure individualized attention with an abundance of field work experiences. (http://semesterbythebay.org)

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Brooke Faulkner on a whale watching cruise to Seward, Alaska for a Marine Mammals class field trip.

Brooke Faulkner 

University of Alaska-Anchorage

“I had an amazing time with this program. I had once-in-a-lifetime experiences that could only be accomplished with small size classes. I truly felt like a marine biologist and not just a student studying marine biology. Also, I made connections with agencies, researchers, and students that will forever stay with me.” 

 

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Ayla Busch saw this white tip reef shark on a Great Barrier Reef dive!

Ayla Busch
James Cook University - Australia

Studying abroad at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia was the highlight of my university experience. As a marine biology student, studying on the Great Barrier Reef and learning from professors who are experts in their field was incredibly valuable. Most of the classes I took had a field trip component where I conducted wildlife surveys in the outback and coral research on the Great Barrier Reef. I learned so many useful and applicable skills in the environmental science field in one of the most unique places on earth – Australia! I came back not only as a better biologist but also as a better global citizen.