Skip to main content

Trailblazers in Science: Scientists Who Broke Cultural Barriers

Dates: 14 May–14 June 2025 (approx.)
Priority Deadline: 1 November 2024
Application Deadline: 1 December 2024

ENGLAND, FRANCE, SWITZERLAND, AMSTERDAM

Join us on European adventure as we explore the lives of groundbreaking scientists who defied societal norms and shattered scientific barriers. Discover Europe's rich scientific heritage and the inspiring stories of women and men who overcame adversity, made groundbreaking discoveries, and paved the way for future generations. In addition to learning from historical figures, we will hear from diverse modern-day scientists and their advice for success. Women, men, and couples are encouraged to apply! This study abroad will take you through several European countries: United Kingdom (London, Oxford, Cambridge, Lyme Regis), France (Paris, Bayeaux, Mont Saint-Michel, Annecy, Chamonix), Switzerland (Geneva), and the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Delft). Highlights of the experience include visiting King’s College in London to learn about Rosalind Franklin and her X-ray diffraction images leading to deciphering of the DNA structure; hunting for fossils on England’s Jurassic Coast; visiting Marie Curie’s laboratory in Paris; touring CERN, the organization for particle research near Geneva; and visiting the Micropia Museum in Amsterdam, all while exploring the culture and history of these four countries. We will also visit memorials, museums, and enjoy local sites, food, and cultural events.

Click here to apply today!

data-content-type=""

Contact Us

Mary Davis, PhD
3129 LSB
(801) 422-6702
mary_davis@byu.edu

Meg Frost, MLS
2323 HBLL
(801) 422-5466
megan@byu.edu

PDF

Program Flyer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=

More Information

Pencil and paper BIG-01.svg

Courses

Students will receive a minimum of 6 credits, which can fulfill major/minor elective requirements or count as general hours toward graduation:

GWS 360R — Women who have made a difference (3 credits) Fulfills an elective requirement for the Global Women’s Studies minor.

GWS 370 — Women in science (3 credits) Fulfills an elective requirement for the Global Women’s Studies minor.

MMBio 294R — Mentored Research (3 credits)

MMBio 390R — Readings in Microbiology or Molecular Biology (3 credits)

Students may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
moneystack NAVY BIGsvg-01.svg

Cost

$7,400–7,900

Includes full-time Latter-day Saint undergraduate tuition (higher for graduate and non–Latter-day Saint students); housing, admission to program-related activities and historical sites; transportation to program locations, group field trips, and international health insurance coverage.

Does not include international airfare (program begins in London and ends in Amsterdam—major international travel hubs), preparation course tuition, most meals, passport fees, or personal expenses.
Scroll NAVY BIG-01.svg

Funding Sources

Regular BYU tuition scholarships, Pell Grants, and Federal Insured Student Loans may be applied to study abroad programs.

Students who submit the financial aid section of the ISP application and who have a current FAFSA form on file at the Financial Aid Office (A-41 ASB) will be considered for a Study Abroad scholarship.

Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships and grants.

Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
Backpack NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Preparation

All accepted students must register for IAS 201R (1 credit), a required pre-departure preparation course to be taught by Professors Frost and Davis during the second term of winter 2025 semester.

International study programs are physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing and you must be in good health to participate. These programs often take place in international locations that do not have the same level of safety and services in terms of transportation, living conditions, residential accommodations, food, public behavior, and policing that you may be used to on campus. If you have further questions or concerns on this, please see our travel policy.

Students must meet all country- and program-specific COVID and health requirements for travel.
House NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Housing

On the European continent, students will stay in hotels or hostels with their faculty directors.
Plane NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Travel

Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare to and from the program sites. Airline reservations must be made through BYU Travel. Students should contact a BYU Travel agent.

BYU Travel
280 HRCB
(801) 422-6293
travel@byu.edu
Check mark NAVY BIG-01.svg

Application Process

Students must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Complete the online application here. A nonrefundable $35 application fee is required; applicants will be interviewed once the application is complete.

Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance into the program. The first payment is due upon acceptance; please refer to the Payment Information Page.

Priority Deadline: 1 November 2024
Application Deadline: 1 December 2024
Gears NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Program Adjustments

International Study Programs (ISP) reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost.

If it becomes necessary for ISP to cancel a program, all program payments made to BYU ISP will be refunded to the student’s BYU Financial account.

ISP is the only office authorized to cancel any of its programs.
Faculty NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Faculty

Mary Davis, PhD is an associate professor of Microbiology and Molecular Biology in the College of Life Sciences. Her lab uses human genetics and biomedical informatics tools to understand genetic components of disease, especially multiple sclerosis.

3129 LSB
(801) 422-6702
mary_davis@byu.edu

Meg Frost, MLS is an associate librarian in the BYU library. She teaches the Women in Science class each Fall semester. Her current research in the library focuses on the physiological impact of environmental stressors on students while studying.

2323 HBLL
(801) 422-5466
megan@byu.edu
Phone NAVY-BIG-23.svg

Contact Us

International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
Book NAVY-BIG-21.svg

ISP Student Handbook

To see the student handbook, click here.
Calendar NAVY-BIG-01.svg

Payment Schedule

To see the payment schedule, click here.