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Newtons Tomb in Westminster Abbey cropped
England & France

London, Oxford, Cambridge, & Paris

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Parliament Square London 2023

JAN 401 (3-CU)

History of Science: London & Paris


Travel dates: Saturday, Jan. 3 - Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026

Instructor: Valerie Burke, vab1@stmarys-ca.edu 

Course fee: TBD

Prerequisites: Complete ANY college science course, attend at least 1 information session, & receive instructor permission

We will explore the history of Western science from Copernicus through the 20th century, and visit sites in London and Paris that were central to scientific discoveries and developments in astronomy, chemistry, physics, geology, biology, and more. We will examine some cultural and religious factors that facilitated or hindered scientific development. And we will consider the impact of various scientific discoveries within the framework of knowledge at the time of discovery. Our early travel days will include “classroom” time, to discuss assigned readings. Readings give an account of the history of science for a lay audience, while the discussion will emphasize the relevant scientific concepts. As we gain some understanding about important contributions to science, we will increase our site visits to engage with artifacts of these discoveries. We will visit the home of Charles Darwin; explore the labs of Marie Curie and Louis Pasteur; see equipment used by Lavoisier, Faraday, and Boyle; visit the final resting places of Newton, Rutherford, Herschel, and Hawking; and stand on the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

  • Saturday, Jan. 3: Depart from SFO
  • Sunday, Jan. 4: Arrive in London
Week 1
  • Monday, Jan. 5: London
    Visit the British Library
    Class topics: Astronomy & navigation
  • Tuesday, Jan. 6: London
    Visit the Tower of London
    Class topics: Math & physical sciences
  • Wednesday, Jan. 7: London 
    Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral
    Class topics: Biology, medicine, & microbiology
  • Thursday, Jan. 8: London  
    Visit Westminster Abbey
    Class topics: Chemistry, light, & energy
  • Friday, Jan. 9: Oxford
    Visit Oxford University
    Class topics: Bio, natural history, & evolution
  • Saturday, Jan. 10: Downe
    Visit Down House
    Class topics: Power & thermodynamics
Week 2
  • Monday, Jan. 12: Cambridge 
    Visit Cambridge University
    Class topics: Light & electro-magnetism
  • Tuesday, Jan. 13: London
    Visit the Royal Institution Science Museum
    Class topics: Atom structure & radioactivity
  • Wednesday, Jan. 14: London
    Visit the Natural History Museum
    Class topics: Genetics & DNA
  • Friday, Jan. 16: London
    Visit the Royal Society British Museum
    Exam
  • Saturday, Jan. 17: Greenwich
    Visit the Royal Observatory 
  • Sunday, Jan. 18: Depart from London, Arrive in Paris
Week 3
  • Monday, Jan. 19: Paris
    Visit the Eiffel Tower
  • Tuesday, Jan. 20: Paris
    Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral
  • Wednesday, Jan. 21: Paris
    Visit the Musée Curie, Panthéon
  • Friday, Jan. 23: Paris
    Visit the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle
  • Saturday, Jan. 24: Paris
    Visit the Musée des Arts et Métiers
  • Sunday, Jan. 25: Depart from Paris, Arrive at SFO

Course Fee: TBD
Learn about the Jan Term Travel Scholarship for additional funding.

This fee includes:
Airfare, Local Transportation, Lodging, Meals, Excursions (e.g., museums, tours, etc.), Gratuity, Travel Insurance ($35/student - international classes only), Miscellaneous

Estimated cost outside of course fee:
$200-900 for passport; transportation to/from SFO; meals in airports; fancy meals in excess of per diem; activities on free days; souvenirs; water-resistant clothing if needed.

Lavoisiers Laboratory Recreation Paris

General Travel Requirements

  • Attend at least 1 Health & Safety Orientation (October)
  • Submit a valid passport (November)
    • Apply or renew no later than September for on-time delivery
  • Submit completed & signed health forms + proof of vaccination(s) (November)

Note: Failure to complete one or more of the above requirements will result in an immediate drop from the course. Once registered, all course fees are non-refundable. 

 

Questions? Contact us

Jan Term Email: janterm@stmarys-ca.edu

Jan Term Director: Claire Williams

Email: cmw9@stmarys-ca.edu

Jan Term Office: South Arcade/Korth Tower Breezeway