Study Abroad Programs for ATOC Majors

Studying abroad is often one of the most beneficial student experiences in college. The opportunity to freely study and learn about a new culture may be a unique opportunity in a student's life before they embark on a career after graduation. When immersed in a new culture and education system for an extended period, students gain insights into different ways of living and into their own ways of thinking. Employers and graduate school admissions boards look highly on students with these experiences since they have demonstrated independence, diversity, and intellectual curiosity. Education is the focal point of any study abroad trip, thus choosing the right school or program for you should be the most important factor in your decision process. 

michelle_m_iceland

Photo credit: Michelle Maclennan, ATOC/MATH major 2019. Program: SIT Iceland


Study Abroad Links 


Recommended Programs for ATOC Majors

Please note that program costs listed here have been taken from the specific program websites and may differ from CU’s program costs. Students studying abroad pay their program costs through CU, and may receive financial aid and scholarships. Organized programs such as the School for International Training (SIT) and the School for Field Studies (SFS) often have higher costs than those associated with enrollment in a foreign university.


SIT Iceland & Greenland: Climate Change & the Arctic

Terms                   Credits              Cost                    
Spring or Fall 16 $25,000

 

 

 

Areas of Study

  • Arctic climate, ecosystems, and trends
  • Polar climate modeling
  • Renewable energy systems and carbon management
  • Indigenous knowledge of changes in climate
  • Communicating climate change and science

Regional and Educational Highlights

  • Explore glaciers, volcanoes, fjords, geothermal fields, and waterfalls
  • See the aurora borealis or ride Icelandic horses
  • Homestay with an Icelandic family in Isafjordur
  • The chance to develop your own climate model

Arcadia Scotland: University of Edinburgh

Terms                                   Credits                               Cost                      
Spring, Fall, or both 15/term See program cost calculator 

 

 

 

Areas of Study

Regional and Education Highlights

  • Edinburgh is an energetic and diverse city, with lots of events and historical buildings to explore
  • Edinburgh is well-connected to the rest of the UK through bus, train, and plane transportation
  • The university is highly-ranked and offers excellent classes
  • The campus is large and has many facilities to support student learning and involvement

EAE Free University of Berlin

Terms Credits Cost
Spring or Full Year* Scales with classes** See program cost calculator

 

 

 

*A 6-week intensive German language course may be required for some students prior to the start of the program and is offered September to mid-October or March to mid-April 

**1 credit at FUB = 0.5 upper division credits at CU

Areas of Study

  • The Free University of Berlin offers a large and diverse set of course options for students 

Regional and Educational Highlights

  • Berlin has a great arts and music scene, nightlife, history
  • Many international students
  • Numerous course and CU transfer credit options

SIT Panama: Panama City Marine Ecology & Blue Carbon Conservation in Pacific & Caribbean

Term Credits                 Cost                       
Summer (late May-early July) 6 $8,800

 

 

 

Areas of Study

  • Marine organism diversity across marine and coastal ecosystems
  • Wetland, mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef interdependence and diversity
  • The emerging field of blue carbon and its role in the context of climate change
  • Role of wetland, mangrove, coral reef, and seagrass ecosystems in the carbon process

SFS Turks & Caicos: South Caicos Applied Marine Research Techniques

Term Credits              Cost                   
Summer (early Jun.-early Jul.) 4 $6,350

 

 

 

Areas of study

  • Marine ecology and conservation
  • Natural resource management strategies
  • Sustainable tourism and fisheries practices

Highlights

  • Classes and field lectures on coastal ecosystem biology and ecology, visits to local sites
  • Stock-assessment field exercise
  • Optional diving certification

SFS Australia: Yungaburra Watersheds of the Wet Tropics

Term Credits Cost
Summer (early Jul. to early Aug.) 4 $5,975

 

 

 

Areas of study

  • Watershed ecology
  • Rainforest, coastal, and marine management
  • Ecosystem connections between the rainforest and reef

Highlights

  • Excursions to Great Barrier Reef and Daintree National Park
  • Field exercises to assess impacts of rainforest water runoff

Financial Aid Links