For those interested in pursuing research in a science or technology field, studying abroad in Geneva arguably provides the richest and most challenging atmosphere in the world. The city is home to some premier research and development laboratories including Du-Pont-Nemours, Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute (SPRI), STMicroelectronics Design Center, IBM Center for Telecom Applications, and many more. Geneva can also boast many of the best-known names in technological institutes and centers including the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), MIRALab (virtual reality, computer animation, telecooperative work), and the Swiss Institutes of Bioinformatics and Proteomics. 

However, out of all the research facilities in Geneva, CERN is probably the best known. Founded in 1954, CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) was one of Europe's first joint ventures and has developed as the world's largest particle physics laboratory. Physicists from around the world travel to CERN to research matter and explore the fundamental forces and materials that form the world.