From Body-Snatching to Darwin: Travels Through European Anatomy

Yes. You can access the application by clicking on the apply now button at the top of this page.

This program is designed for Graham School students, UChicago alumni, friends of the University, and other lifelong learners interested in the history of science, medicine, and ideas.

Yes. Master of Liberal Arts students are welcome to participate for academic credit. Students will enroll in an independent study course and work with the lead faculty member to complete additional assignments related to the program. Email Tim Murphy at timmurphy@uchicago.edu for additional details.

Travel Across Paris, London, and Scotland satisfies the MLA’s Biological Sciences or Ethics and Leadership concentration requirements.

The per-person rate is $8,995. A $1,500 per person deposit is required once accepted into the program, with the balance due December 15, 2026. (International airfare is not included.)

Yes. MLA students are responsible for paying the standard MLA course tuition. MLA students also pay a reduced Travel Study program fee of $7,500.

• Hotel accommodations in central locations. 
• Train travel between countries
• Daily breakfast, select lunches, welcome and farewell dinners. 
• Public transportation passes in Paris and London.
• Expert-led site and museum tours, including entry fees. 
• The services of an experienced, professional tour director throughout.
• Discussion sessions led by a UChicago faculty member.  
• Exclusive access to special collections in London and Glasgow.

Participants are responsible for their own air travel and airport transfers to Paris and from Scotland.

Sites include the Paris Catacombs, Montmartre Cemetery, the Panthéon, the Comparative Anatomy and Paleontology collections, the Musée Fragonard d’Alfort, the Hunterian Museum in London, the Darwin collections at the Natural History Museum, the site of Jeremy Bentham’s body, and a grave robbers tour in Scotland.

Yes. Participants will encounter historical anatomical collections and human remains at several sites. The program approaches these materials with seriousness, historical context, and respect.

Yes. Participants should expect to receive assigned readings in advance of departure.

Participants should expect a physically active program with substantial walking in cities, museums, cemeteries, and historic sites. Some sites may involve uneven surfaces, stairs, and extended periods of standing. Participants should expect long touring days when train travel between countries is required.

All cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted in writing. $800 of the tour deposit per person is non refundable. Cancellations received between October 31, 2026 and December 19, 2026 will be subject to a $1,500 per person cancellation fee. Cancelations received between December 20th 2026 through February 2, 2027 will result in a $6,000 per person cancelation fee. No refunds will be giving for cancellations received after February 3, 2027.

We strongly suggest that participants purchase travel insurance to protect against nonrefundable costs incurred when travel must be postponed on short notice. We are unable to make exceptions to our refund policies.

Participants may elect instead to waive this requirement understanding fully that the University of Chicago Alumni Association and Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies are under no obligation to provide a refund after cancellation dates have passed.

Medical insurance plans vary. Participants should confirm that their medical insurance covers expenses while abroad or arrange for alternative medical insurance.

The University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies have no responsibility in whole or in part for any loss, death, damage, or injury to person or property or accident, mechanical defect, failure or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodation, transportation, or other services. Baggage is at the owner’s risk entirely. The right is retained to decline to accept or retain any person as a trip member should such person’s health, mental condition, physical infirmity, or attitude jeopardize the operation of the trip or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.