Off-Campus Studies can help BBMB students…

  • Gain awareness of the major discipline from a different scholarly tradition
  • Develop a global perspective

How does a semester or year of OCS help students in BBMB prepare for graduate school or various career opportunities? 

  • Broadens the student’s knowledge of scientific problems worthy of study and the breadth of investigators addressing those problems
  • Exposes students to global health issues
  • Aids in foreign language acquisition and enhances intercultural competence
  • Fulfill distribution requirements

The following courses must be completed by the end of the second year:

  • CHEM 125/126 General Chemistry or CHEM 140 Adv. General Chemistry
  • MATH 125 Calculus 1
  • MATH 126 Calculus 2
  • MATH 225 Calculus 3
  • BIOL 111 Biological Principles
  • CHEM 245 Organic Chemistry I + Lab
  • CHEM 246 Organic Chemistry II + Lab
  • PHYS 155 General Physics I
  • PHYS 156 General Physics II
  • BIOL 205 Genetics (recommended for year 2 but can be taken Fall of year 3)

Off-campus study in spring semester is not recommended unless students have already completed BBMB 325 Biochemistry or can fulfill BBMB 325 on their off-campus study program.

Which requirements can BBMB majors fulfill while off campus?

  • Elective major credit
  • Specific courses in the major such as: BBMB 324 Biophysics, BBMB 325 Biochemistry, BBMB 326 Molecular Biology, and possibly BIOL 205 Genetics (Courses that are prerequisites for health professions should not be taken in OCS.)
  • Research that can be used for Senior thesis
  • General Studies distribution credit
  • General degree credit

Major Credit Limitations

  • The maximum number of credits that can be applied to the BBMB major from off campus studies (including AP credit, IB credit and credits from other U.S. institutions) is 8 credits with the approval of your major adviser.

What are the types of OCS programs recommended by the BBMB department?

  • Direct enrollment in a foreign university with local students for specialized science lab work that augments lab courses available at Whitman
  • Field study program with opportunities to engage in research with the local community
  • Program that offers an opportunity for independent study research

Which Partner Programs are recommended by the BBMB Department?

  • University of St Andrews (St Andrews, Scotland)
  • DIS Copenhagen (Denmark) for programs in biomedicine, medical practice/policy, neuroscience, and public health
  • IFSA-Butler: University of Melbourne (Australia)
  • University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand)
  • The Philadelphia Center (TPC) for internship options (Philadelphia, USA)

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.