Curriculum updates

DIS continues to expand our academic offerings based on student demand, input from partner institutions, great ideas from our faculty, and trends in U.S. higher education – always prioritizing topics where Scandinavia has something special to offer. 

All new DIS courses for the 2026/27 academic year are listed below. Click the course titles to view further details and syllabi. Please review these courses with relevant departments to be sure your students can take advantage of our new offerings. 

Learn more about DIS curriculum development and accreditation.

New Academic Program and Core Course

Astropolitics: Technology, Sustainability, and the New Space Race – DIS Copenhagen

Explore the implications of humanity’s rapid expansion into space, including planetary ecology, geopolitics, and culture. This will be the signature Core Course for our new Astropolitics & Space program.

  • Major Disciplines: International Relations, Sustainability, Ethics 
  • Study Tour to Arctic Sweden
  • Begins running fall 2026

Additional new Core Courses

Decoding the Brain: The Molecular Basis of Neuroscience – DIS Stockholm

Learn about the cellular and molecular organization of the brain, and how it drives physiological and cognitive function. Offered as an additional Core Course option within our Neuroscience program. 

  • Major Disciplines: Biomedicine/Biotechnology, Neuroscience, Psychology
  • Study Tour to Budapest-Vienna or Netherlands
  • Begins running fall 2026

Regenerative Medicine: Cell Therapies, Cell-Free Innovations, and Emerging Technologies – DIS Copenhagen

Innovative topics in regenerative medicine, including cell therapy, cell-free therapies, and emerging technologies in engineering and bioprinting. Offered as an additional Core Course option within our Biomedicine program.

  • Major Disciplines: Biology, Biomedicine/Biotechnology, Pre-Medicine/Health Science 
  • Study Tour to Heidelberg-Munich or Milan-Modena
  • Begins running spring 2027

Resilient Food Systems: Sustainability, Taste, and Tradition – DIS Stockholm

Learn how culture, ecology, and food intersect in shaping sustainable futures through engaging directly with landscapes, producers, and microbial life. Offered as an additional core course option within our Sustainability program.

Learn more about our new $10,000/semester green scholarships.

  • Major Disciplines: Environmental Studies, Sustainability, Food Studies 
  • Study Tour to Copenhagen
  • Begins running fall 2026

Additional new offerings by discipline area 

Biology, Pre-Med, Public Health 

Business, Finance, Economics 

Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering 

Political Science, International Relations 

Psychology, Neuroscience, Human Development, Education 

This extensive list of new courses reflects continued growth in DIS summer programs.

Unlike in the semester, however, we’ve also cancelled or replaced several courses. For a list of courses that will no longer be offered, please email DIS@DISabroad.org 

Arctic Experiential Studies: Greenland

This new 6-week program, taking place primarily in Greenland, brings a transdisciplinary approach to explore Greenland’s history and culture alongside deep study of climate change, ecopsychology, or geopolitics. The program is fully funded through the DIS Green Education Fund.  

Anatomy, Physiology, and Scientific Reasoning for Future Physicians

This course is tailored to students preparing for the MCAT and includes dynamic lectures, virtual reality tools, and case-based learning critical to medical studies.

  • Major Disciplines: Biology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science 

A Taste of Place: Food, Locality, and Culture

DIS has offered a similar course in partnership with CYA for several years. That collaboration has been amicably phased out, and this new course is run by DIS. 

  • Major Disciplines: Anthropology, History, Sociology 
  • Study tour to Athens

Thermodynamics

We are thrilled to offer this summer version of our popular semester elective, which works as a technical elective for many engineering majors.

  • Major Disciplines: Engineering, Physics / Biophysics

Additional new offerings by discipline area 

Art History, Photography

Biology, Pre-Med, Public Health 

Business, Entrepreneurship, Marketing 

Computer Science, Data Science

Environmental Studies, Sustainability

Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations

Psychology, Neuroscience, Human Development