In addition to the awards and scholarships listed below, the department participates in the campus Work Study program administered through the Office of Financial Aid.  Work Study students may be approved to work up to 15 hours per week at an hourly rate.  For further information check the Financial Aid website.

Undergraduate Research Grants

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research sponsors Undergraduate Research Experience and Creative Activity (URECA) grants.  This program provides financial support to encourage MTSU students to get involved in research and creative projects throughout their undergraduate careers.

Biology Department Scholarships and Awards for Undergraduates 

Incoming Freshman Scholarships

The Department of Biology has scholarships available in the amount of $1,500 for first-semester freshman.  The applicants for the awards must be graduating high school seniors, must declare Biology as their major, and be entering MTSU for the fall semester.  See the application form for additional requirements. 

Patrick J. Doyle Freshman Scholarship - Awarded to a first-semester freshman biology major with an interest in the life sciences and career aspirations in a biological field.  Past recipients

Ellis Rucker Freshman Scholarship - Awarded to a first-semester freshman biology major with an interest in the life sciences and career aspirations in a biological field.  Past recipients

How to apply:  To apply for the Incoming Freshman Scholarships, you must complete this application and submit an electronic copy as instructed by the indicated deadline.

Undergraduate Scholarships

The Department of Biology administers a number of scholarships exclusively for undergraduate students of our program. 

How to apply:  Complete this application .

Awards with an asterisk (*) indicates those awards available to both undergraduate and graduate students.

*Kurt E. Blum Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Preference will be given to a biology major of sophomore or above standing with an interest in botany.  Past recipients

*George Davis Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Preference will be given to a non-traditional biology major of sophomore standing or above who has been out of college for at least four years.  Past recipients

Kevin Driver Memorial Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Preference will be given to a student of junior standing (min of 85 hours earned) with an interest in organismal biology, physical therapy or sports medicine.  Past recipients

*John D. Dubois Scholarship - Awarded to undergraduate or graduate students to provide travel for paper presentations at scientific meetings.  Past recipients

Charles Holland Biology Club Scholarship - Awarded to a senior continuing in the Graduate School at MTSU.  Past recipients

Freeman P. Jordan, Jr. Scholarship - Awarded to a biology major.  Past recipients

*J. Padgett Kelly Research Scholarship -  Awarded to undergraduate or graduate students to support summer studies or field research in ecology or conservation biology.  Award is for purchase of equipment, supplies, or support travel to and from research sites.  Past recipients

James R. Kemp Biology Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Preference will be given to a biology major or minor who is also minoring in secondary education and with a junior or senior standing.  Past recipients

Mitchell Magid Memorial Work Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Past recipients

*Charles R. McGhee Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Preference will be given to a biology major of junior standing seeking licensure in secondary education.  Past recipients

George G. Murphy Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Past recipients

*J. Gerald Parchment Biological Field Station Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Preference will be given to a biology major of sophomore of above standing for summer study or academic year research.  Past recipients

*John A. Patten Biological Field Station Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Preference will be given to a biology major of sophomore or above standing for summer study or academic year research. Past recipients

Horace B. and Helen Weaks Reed Endowed Scholarship - Awarded to a Biology Major with a minumum 3.0 GPA for research or tuition.  Preference given to Tennessee residents. Past recipients

Maria de los Reyes Microbiology Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Preference will be given to a biology major of sophomore or above standing who has completed Biology 1110, 1120, 2230 and 3250 by spring semester and who has declared an emphasis in microbiology.  Past recipients

Wayne Rosing Biology Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Preference will be given to a biology major of junior standing with a minor in secondary education or who has botany as their emphasis area.  Past recipients

*Eugene F. Strobel Scholarship - Awarded to support educational expenses, research activities, supplies, or travel for meritorious students.  Preference will be given to a biology major of junior standing (60 to 100 hours earned) who plans a teaching career at the secondary or college level.  Past recipients

Sarah H. Swain Scholarship Fund - Awarded for undergraduate research to be used to purchase supplies or support travel associated with research projects.  Past recipients

*Stephen M. Wright Research Scholarship - Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student to support research in microbiology or biotechnology.  Past recipients

 

Clay M. Chandler Outstanding Freshman Biology Award and Scholarship - Awarded to an outstanding freshman biology major.  Past recipients

Elliott P. Dawson - BioVentures, Inc. Biology Scholarship - Awarded to a biology major who has taken or is currently enrolled in biotechnology.  Past recipients

Peter I. Karl Outstanding Senior Award - Awarded to the outstanding senior(s).  Past recipients

Philip Mathis Outstanding Junior Scholarship - Awarded to a biology major of junior standing.  Past recipients

David Sanborn Ecology Scholarship - Awarded to an outstanding junior who has shown interest in the area of field biology.  Past recipients

Ralph E. Sharp Outstanding Sophomore Award and Scholarship - Awarded to a biology major of sophomore standing based on academic performance.  Past recipients

C.W. Wiser Medical/Allied Health Award and Scholarship - Awarded to a graduating student who will continue studies in the medical sciences at a school of medical technology or other allied health field.  Past recipients