Study Abroad in Chemistry & Biochemistry

UC San Diego offers several options for students to take advantage of opportunities abroad. Options range from summer to yearlong programs for UC credit, as well as work, internship, and volunteer abroad opportunities. Visit the UC San Diego Study Abroad office to start your search for the right study abroad program for you!

Can I receive major credit for chemistry coursework taken abroad?

It is definitely possible! Students may earn academic credit to satisfy major requirements, if approved by the Chemistry and Biochemistry department. 

Minimum Criteria 

To receive UCSD chemistry credit for any Study Abroad course, each course must meet all of the following minimum criteria (once posted to your UCSD academic history) to receive the specified UCSD equivalency/credit:

1. UC transferable (Contact UCSD Admissions for verification)
2. Upper Division (if trying to satisfy an upper division requirement)
3. Taken no later than the expiration term (if one exists) listed on our pre-approved and taken outside of UCSD list.
4. Completed with a passing grade*
5. For Chemistry and Biochemistry majors: the number of classes taken abroad does not interfere with the 48 upper-division major requirement, nor the department residency requirement. Contact a Chemistry/Biochemistry academic advisor for details.
6. You may take up to 4 UD courses while abroad that can be applied towards your major requirements.

*Remember that you may only receive a maximum of ONE "D" in your upper-division major coursework for a major in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.

Receiving UCSD Credit for Chemistry Courses Taken Abroad

OPTION A

• 1. Check our list of courses that have been pre-approved and taken outside of UCSD. If the course you wish to take has been previously approved, you do not need to submit a petition.
  2. Send your UCSD Study Abroad Academic Planning Form to chemadvising@ucsd.edu. Allow 1-4 business days for processing.
  3. After you have returned from study abroad/completed and passed your proposed course(s) you need to contact our department via the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) so we can update your academic record.

OPTION B

• 1. If the course you wish to take is NOT listed on our pre-approved list, you must submit a pre-approval petition requesting the specific course you are planning to take abroad as well as the course you would like to earn UCSD credit for. This must be done before you go abroad and before we sign your UCSD Study Abroad Academic Planning Form. 
     1. Department pre-approval petitions can take 2-4 weeks to process, so it is important that you submit these petitions well in advance of your study abroad program deadline.
  2. AFTER your pre-approval petition is approved, please email your UCSD Study Abroad Academic Planning Form to chemadvising@ucsd.edu. Allow 1-4 business days for processing. 
  3. AFTER you have returned from study abroad/completed and passed your proposed course(s) you need to contact our department via the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) so we can update your academic record.

 If the classes you have been approved to take abroad will serve as prerequisite coursework for your subsequent quarter at UCSD, submit an EASY request once the schedule of classes goes live and include your approved UCSD Study Abroad Academic Planning Form. 

Conducting Chemistry Research and/or Lab Research Abroad

1. Email your UCSD Study Abroad Academic Planning Form to chemadvising@ucsd.edu. Allow 1-4 business days for processing.
2. AFTER returning from your research abroad, you must submit a course substitution petition with the required Course Substitution Auxiliary Form – Research through Study Abroad form and all specified documentation.
   • Through the course substitution petition students will be requesting to earn CHEM 197 credit for off campus chemistry/biochemistry research. They will also have the option to request for CHEM 197 to waive an upper division chemistry elective course requirement.
   • Note: We will NOT allow students to waive a lab elective or biochemistry elective.