2010-11 BIOLOGY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
The goal of the Biology Scholars Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is to advance the education, research training, and personal development of undergraduate students who have the potential to achieve distinction in the field of Biology, as well as become outstanding leaders in their careers and professions. Support is provided for nine incoming students working toward a bachelor’s degree in Biology in the form of student stipends, laboratory supplies, and funds for travel to attend and participate in appropriate scientific meetings. Depending on the laboratory chosen for the research experience, students will receive rigorous training by faculty members in the use and applications of a variety of different techniques involved in aquatic and marine ecology, cell biology, and molecular biology. The program will also provide counseling to students to improve their knowledge of career opportunities and to enhance their entrance into higher degree programs in the sciences.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PROGRAM:
Biology Scholars will have the opportunity to undertake research in the laboratories of outstanding faculty members in the Biology Department and the Medical School. Each Scholar can register for three units of credit for research that will count toward his or her degree.
- Students will be provided opportunities to assume leadership positions in their respective labs and to interact closely with their mentors.
- Career counseling, mentoring, and academic advising are day-to-day activities in labs where students become participants in an academic family. Scholars will also have access to support from the staff of the Biology Department where they can find regular advising and help in the application process to graduate programs.
- For those students planning to pursue health professions, individual guidance and assistance in the application process from the Health Professions Advisors will be provided.
ELIGIBILITY AND CONDITIONS OF SUPPORT:
Freshmen who will be enrolled in full-time study as a Biology Major at UAB are eligible for consideration for the Biology Scholars award. Awards are highly competitive and will be given to students who have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.5, a minimum ACT score of 26, and demonstrate leadership skills and academic potential for research. Student finalists will be personally interviewed by representative members of the Biology faculty.
Biology Scholars will be expected in their freshman year to begin identifying areas of research interest, possible faculty research mentor, attend monthly Scholars meetings and when possible attend the Department of Biology fall and spring seminar series. In subsequent years, the Scholar will undertake up to 10 hours per week of research with a faculty mentor during fall and spring academic semesters. All Scholars will be expected to present their research findings, either orally or in the form of a poster, at appropriate forums including local, regional and national scientific meetings, symposia, and colloquia. Scholars will also be expected to attend Scholars group meetings, attend (when possible) the Department of Biology fall and spring seminar series and enroll in one seminar course during their studies at UAB. Students are also encouraged to participate in a teaching experience and submit research of merit for consideration of publication in peer reviewed scientific journals.
Each Scholar will hold a mid-semester meeting with his/her mentor to assess progress on his/her research project, and to review whether the student is benefiting from and contributing to the overall program. The Scholars will submit written reports at the end of each academic year.
Once selected to be a Biology Scholar, a student will retain the scholarship for up to four years as long as he/she remains biology major, continues to excel academically, and his/her research work shows satisfactory progress.
SUPPORT:
Scholarship Award
- Freshman Academic Year: $1,100/ year for 9 students annually
- 3 Additional Years: $ 1,400/year for all returning students, maximum 27 students