Biology In London Summer 2027

Natural History of Monsters: Biology, Folklore, and the Origin of Gothic Horror BSC 4933 with Dr. David McNutt
Biology of Fishes ZOO 4454C with Dr. Johanna McNutt

Scroll down for more details about the 2027 courses and program.

Program Description

The Biology in London Program offers classes that are designed to take advantage of the London environment, from historical locations relevant to the development of the fields covered in the classes to world-renown institutions and museums, several of which can provide behind the scenes access. Each student will take two upper-division classes that contribute to satisfying either required courses or the electives graduation requirement. This coming summer, two courses will be offered sequentially – Biogeography and Infectious Diseases. Studying abroad has many special benefits for students, from increasing cultural awareness, to unique learning opportunities, and personal and professional development.

The Biology in London Program takes advantage of the London environment, from historical locations relevant to the development of the fields covered in the classes to world-renowned institutions and museums, several of which can provide behind the scenes and hands-on access. Each summer students will take two upper-division classes that contribute to satisfying required courses or elective graduation requirement. By utilizing London and its resources directly in the class (via field trips to museums, centers, and historical sites), students engage in a much more immersive and enriching experience. Class sizes are small; we expect 22-30 students. In addition to the excursions for the class, students in the program will participate in the numerous social activities with the Broad Curriculum students. These include several trips to the theater, weekly day trips to locations in and around London, Friday night pizza dinners, and two weekend (3-day) trips to another region of the UK, such as Bath, York, or Liverpool (all covered in the general fees).

Biology in London is designed to satisfy degree-requirements for biology majors, but other life sciences majors and non-majors are welcome to enroll. The pre-requisites include successfully passing BSC 2010/L & BSC 2011 (lecture only, BSC 2011L not required) with a C- or better or being enrolled in them by the final application date in January 2027 (although it is advantageous to complete them by the preceding Fall). The London program classes will be taught as two concurrent courses over a six-week period, June 17 to July 25.

FSU International Programs has full details on the Program here.

Courses for Summer 2027

The Natural History of Monsters: Biology, Folklore, and the Origin of Gothic Horror: BSC 4933. This course will investigate the biological origins of some of the most well-known monsters in literature and film, many of which were created in 19th century England. We will visit London’s unique museums, gardens, and cultural landmarks to learn how Gothic horror characters such as Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, werewolves, witches, and mummies were inspired by real-life biological phenomena, organisms, and scientists. Topics will include the scientific study of resurrection, immortality, preservation, disease outbreaks, medicinal plants, and genetic disorders. These topics will be explored through behind-the-scenes access to biological specimens at the Natural History Museum and Kew Gardens, medical collections at the Hunterian museum, the Old Operating Theater, and the Wellcome Museum, and cultural artifacts at the British Museum. Students will also participate in expert-guided tours of Bram Stoker historic sites, London plague-related sites, and medicinal plant gardens.

Instructor: Dr. David McNutt is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biological Science at Florida State University. He earned his B.S. in Biology from Indiana University and performed his Ph.D. and post-doctoral research in Ecology and Evolution at Florida State University. Dr. McNutt’s research focuses on how plants sense and respond to changes in their environment, including plant defensive responses to insect damage and phenological responses to changes in climactic conditions. He teaches both introductory and upper-level biology courses at FSU, including field-based Ecology Lab and Experimental Biology courses in which he organizes field trips to the diverse habitats of North Florida and connects students with local experts. Dr. McNutt is excited to use this experience to lead excursions in London that allow students to view a unique combination of scientific specimens and artifacts, cultural and scientific historical landmarks, and locations related to the creation of one of his favorite genres, horror literature and film.

Biology of Fishes: ZOO 4454C. The fishes are the most diverse group of vertebrates on planet earth. This course invites students to investigate the systematics, morphology, ecology, behavior, physiology, and life history of fishes. Taking advantage of London’s prestigious science museums, students will discover the historical and current importance of these collections to our understanding of the diversity of fishes and will practice relating fish morphology to ecology, behavior, and physiology. Together we will explore Billingsgate Market, where Londoners have been buying their seafood for more than 1000 years, and will consider the life history, conservation and management of the fishes available for purchase there. We’ll also dive into some local fish research through primary literature discussion.

Instructor: Dr. Johanna McNutt is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biological Science at Florida State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from FSU and her M.S. in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Her doctoral research focused on the dynamics of mercury contamination in sharks in the Gulf of America and Hawaii, and trophic ecology of deep-sea sharks in the Gulf of America. She has also studied movements of habitat use of sharks and rays in Florida and the Bahamas. Dr. McNutt is excited to teach her favorite course, Biology of Fishes, in London, where students can observe fish behavior at the aquarium, view historically important type specimens of fishes, and even contribute to efforts to catalog fishes at the prestigious Natural History Museum.

Financial Support:
There are many sources of financial support for students studying in London. These include:

• Bright Futures, Florida Prepaid, and 529 Plans can all be applied.
• International Programs information and links in their Money Matters link: Money Matters Link
• The Office of National Fellowships, FSU Division of Undergraduate Studies https://onf.fsu.edu/, and see important dates at https://onf.fsu.edu/important-dates
• Students who are Pell eligible can stack the IP scholarships with the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship here
• The College of Arts & Sciences administers its own Study Abroad Scholarship up to $4000 (https://artsandsciences.fsu.edu/students/scholarships). Apply by going to https://fsu.academicworks.com/, search for “College of Arts and Sciences Study Abroad Awards – Summer Semester Abroad.”
• And sources outside FSU:
  Fund for Education Abroad (https://fundforeducationabroad.org/)
  Council on International Educational Exchange (https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/college-study-abroad/scholarships-grants)

Fees:
The fees for 2027 are $11,435. They will include:

• Instructional costs for 6 undergraduate credits
• Housing
• Meal vouchers: £70 worth of meal vouchers per 4-week session
• Transport card for class and program-organized excursions
• Program-planned excursions/group activities
• The full Broad Curriculum social program, (one or two three-day weekend trips, six mid-week day-trips, two to three theatrical performances)
• Welcome dinner and farewell tea
• London transport pass or class and program-organized excursions
• Full-time academic support
• International health insurance

Donate to the scholarship fund to help support furture students. If If you are fortunate enough to be on the other side of the financial equation, we have established a scholarship fund to help students cover the costs of studying abroad, the Biology in London Scholarship Fund. This is a needs-based fund to make it possible for motivated students to participate who might otherwise not be able to. For more information go to https://give.fsu.edu/Donate/WizardCheckout/b90183c2-471a-4e8e-362b-08d95cff3b29

Biological Science advising office: advisor@bio.fsu.edu and https://www.bio.fsu.edu/undergrad/advising.php

Program Coordinator: Dr. Scott Steppan (steppan@bio.fsu.edu)
Contact Dr. Steppan for any general questions about the Program.

Or you can contact Nadya Rosario at nrosario@fsu.edu who is our Program Manager at IP.

Past Biology in London Offerings:

• 2026: Walking In van Leeuwenhoek’s Shoes: Rediscovering Cell Biology in London BSC 4933 (Dr. Scott Stagg) and Investigating Questions in Animal Behavior BSC 4933 (Dr. Brittany Kraft)
• 2025: Biogeography BSC 4933 (Dr. Scott Steppan) and Infectious Diseases in Society Throughout the Ages BSC 4933 (Dr. Marie Dennis)
• 2024: Cell Structure and Function BSC 3016 (Dr. Scott Stagg) and Eukaryotic Diversity PCB 3134 (Dr. Kevin Dixon)
• 2023: Genetics (Dr. Jim Fadool) and Human Physiology (Dr. Deborah Fadool)
• 2022: Biogeography (Dr. Scott Steppan) and Infectious Diseases Throughout Space and Time (Dr. Marie Dennis)