The BioScholars Program

The BioScholarship Program provides renewable four-year scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students in the Biological Sciences at the University of Kansas. Currently these scholarship funds include:

Robert and Lillian Bell BioScholar Fund

Haller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship

Smiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund

Elio Schaechter BioScholar Scholarship

Howieson BioScholar Scholarship

Jim A. Orr BioScholar Scholarship

Requirements

• Pursue and declare a major in Biological Sciences beginning freshman year.

• Maintain a 3.25 grade point average.

• Maintain involvement in a research program with a faculty member within the Biological Sciences.

• Provide brief, annual statement explaining the benefits of the scholarship and the nature of your academic pursuits and goals.

Building Leaders for Biology in the 21st Century

Students selected into this program would be provided the following educational opportunities:

• Wide variety of  degree programs,  from interdisciplinary—Human Biology—to discipline based—Biochemistry; Biology;  Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; Microbiology.

• Participation in the Biology Honors Program (including undergraduate research experiences and Honors seminars)

• A mentoring program  from faculty that may begin in the first semester.

• An extensive undergraduate research experience including: Mentoring from graduate students and other advanced undergraduates. Travel      to scientific meetings and  presentation of  the undergraduate research project.

Additional educational experiences:

Undergraduate teaching experiences: upper-level students could be appointed as undergraduate teaching assistants and  assist with the instruction of undergraduate laboratories.

Expand Your Opportunities in the Biological Sciences

Leadership training:

Students would be given the opportunity to participate in:

Biology Majors Advisory Committee, which provides advice and counsel to the Director of  the Undergraduate Biology Program.

Student  organizations such as Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, the Biology Club, Pre-Med Club, and Environs.

Opportunities for pre-professional development:

• Summer internships with biotechnology, environmental or other corporate sponsors.

• Volunteer opportunities within the medical field (e.g. emergency room, physician offices).

• Summer internships with research laboratories on the KU Campus, the KU Medical Center, and other universities that offer summer research experiences for undergraduates.