Department of Biological Science

Biology In London Summer 2026

Walking In van Leeuwenhoek’s Shoes: Rediscovering Cell Biology in London BSC 4933 with Dr. Scott Stagg
Investigating Questions in Animal Behavior BSC 4933 with Dr. Brittany Kraft

Scroll down for more details about the 2026 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/L and CHM 1045/L & CHM 1046/L by the conclusion of the immediately-preceding Spring semester (although it is advantageous to complete them by the preceding Fall). The London program classes will be taught in two sequential four-week sessions, which this year will be June-July.

FSU International Programs has full details on the Program here.

Courses for Summer 2026

Walking In van Leeuwenhoek’s Shoes: Rediscovering Cell Biology in London: BSC 4933. How do we know about cells and how they function? In this class students will recreate classical experiments that shaped our understanding of the cell. Before the advent of modern tools, scientists such as Antonie van Leeuwenhoek built their own instruments and made discoveries that transformed biology. Here, we will build our own microscopes and rediscover the cell using samples taken from the London environment such as water from the River Thames. We will build other instruments like centrifuges using rubber bands and spectrophotometers using cell phones to replicate some of the key experiments that revealed the components of cells. These hands-on experiences from the origination of science will connected to today’s leading edge of cell biology through visits to universities around London. There we will meet with contemporary cell biologists and learn how they are using modern versions of these instruments to advance our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of life.

Instructor: Dr. Scott Stagg is a Professor of Biological Sciences whose research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of membrane remodeling and vesicle trafficking. He uses cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine the structures of protein complexes and develops tools for facilitating high-throughput high-resolution cryo-EM. Following graduate training in structural biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr Stagg completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego. Dr. Stagg began his career at FSU in 2007 in the Chemistry department and changed departments to Biology in 2021 to become director of the Biological Sciences Imaging Resource. Dr. Stagg is looking forward to instructing in London because it is the home of many of the major scientific discoveries that form the foundations of Cell Biology.

Investigating Questions in Animal Behavior: BSC 4933. Have you ever watched your pet, observed squirrels in the park, or visited a zoo and wondered why animals behave the way they do? This course invites students to explore the fascinating world of animal behavior through a scientific lens, using Tinbergen’s Four Levels of Analysis as a framework. Students will examine how development, genetics, and physiology shape behaviors such as communication, aggression, and sociality. Taking full advantage of London’s rich academic resources, including the Natural History Museum, Kew Botanical Gardens, and the London Zoo, students will conduct assignments that deepen their understanding of animal behavior. Students will explore their own research questions using analysis of primary scientific literature, hypothesis development, and data collection in London. Students will also explore how research on animal behavior reveals connections between humans and other animals, informing conservation efforts.

Instructor: Dr. Brittany Kraft is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Biological Science at Florida State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology and M.S. in College Science Teaching from FSU. Her doctoral research focused on the role of genetics in modification of behavior and maintenance of color polymorphism. Through her master’s training, Dr. Kraft developed expertise in learner-centered pedagogy, which informs her dynamic and student-focused teaching style. Dr. Kraft is a passionate educator and looks forward to guiding students through the study of animal behavior during their time in London.

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 2026 have not been finalized yet. But 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
• Full-time academic support
• On-site administrative & pastoral 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/fund/f09466

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:

• 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)