Scholarships and Grants for Biology Undergraduates

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 Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) 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.  Applications can be found hereand should be filled out with the help of your faculty mentor.

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. 

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.

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

Biology Department Scholarships for Undergraduates

How to apply:  Complete this application for the following merit based scholarships.  Applicants will be required to download a curriculum vita on their application as well as request a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

Elliot P. Dawson – BioVentures, Inc. Biology Scholarship – Awarded to a biology major in good standing with an overall minimum 2.5 grade point average and a minimum 3.2 average in biology related courses and at least 60 hours of academic time at the time scholarship funds are paid to the recipient.  Past recipients

Mary C. Dunn Quasi-Endowment – Awarded to a biology major.  Past recipients

Freeman P. Jordan Jr. Memorial Scholarship – Awarded to a biology major.  Past recipients

Padgett Kelly Research Scholarship– Awarded to student to support summer studies or field research in ecology or conservation biology.  Past recipients

John A. Patten Biological Field Station Scholarship – Awarded to a biology major of sophomore or above standing to support summer study.  Past recipients

Horace B. and Helen Weaks Reed Endowed Scholarship – Awarded to a biology major with a minimum 3.0 GPA.  Scholarship is for one academic year but may be renewed for up to four years provided student stays in good standing.  Prior recipients, subject to the terms above, shall receive preference in the selection process.  Preference given to Tennessee residents.  Past recipients

Ellis Rucker Freshman Scholarship – Awarded to a freshman biology major.  Past recipients

C.W. Wiser Medical/Allied Health Scholarship – Awarded to a student that shows interest in medical technology or other allied health field.  Past recipients

Stephen M. Wright Research – Awarded to student associated with research in microbiology or biotechnology.  Past recipients

The Patrick Doyle Memorial Undergraduate Student Research Fund

The Patrick Doyle Student Research Fund is made up of the individual sub funds listed below.  It is meant to support undergraduate and graduate biology students who are conducting mentored research with a biology faculty member.  Funds can be used to make purchases that directly advance the student’s research, i.e., research equipment or supplies and travel expenses related to both field work and research presentation at conferences.

Dr. Patrick Doyle joined the Biology Department in 1966 and retired in 2002.  During his teaching career, Patrick received many honors, including MTSU Outstanding Teacher Award, MTSU Outstanding Public Service Award, and the Tennessee Lifetime Achievement Award.  He initiated the recycling program at MTSU in 1972 with the proceeds establishing numerous scholarships.  Countless students have benefited from the scholarships, which fund student travel, research, participation in summer field station programs, and meritorious achievement in the classroom.  In 1999, he was awarded the Points of Light and was honored at the White House in 2000 where he received the highest public service award our nation bestows on an individual which was presented by President Clinton.  He had served as a Trustee of the MTSU Foundation and had been honored as an MTSU Distinguished Alumni.

How to apply:  Undergraduate or graduate students who are participating in mentored research with a faculty member in the biology department may apply.  The application and instructions for applying can be found here.  The applicant must identify the sub fund from the list below that best represents their needs.

Dr. Kurt Blum – Awarded to a biology major of sophomore or above standing with an interest in botany.  Past recipients

George Davis – Awarded to a non-traditional biology major of sophomore standing or above.  Must have been out of college for at least four years.  Past recipients

Kevin Driver Memorial – Awarded to a student of junior standing for summer study who has an interest in organismal biology, physical therapy, or sports medicine.  Past recipients

John D. DuBois – Awarded to student to provide travel support for paper presentations at scientific meetings.  Past recipients

James Kemp – Awarded to a biology major or minor of junior or senior standing who is minoring in secondary education.  Past recipients

Mitchell Magid Sr. Biology Scholarship – Awarded to student that is a member of the Biology Club.  Past recipients

Charles McGhee – Awarded to a biology major of junior, senior or graduate standing seeking licensure to teach science in secondary education.  Past recipients

George Murphy – Awarded to students to purchase supplies or support travel associated with research projects.  Past recipients

J. Gerald Parchment Biological Field Station – Awarded to biology major of sophomore or above standing for summer study at any field station.  Past recipients.

Maria de los Reyes – Awarded to a biology major of sophomore standing who has completed BIOL 1110, 1120, 2230 and 3250 and has declared an emphasis in microbiology.  Past recipients

Dr. Wayne Rosing – Awarded 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 – Awarded to a biology major of junior standing (60 to 100 hours earned) who plans a career in teaching at the secondary or college level.  Past recipients

Sarah Swain – Awarded to students conducting research in biology.  Past recipients

Outstanding Awards

Qualified candidates will be invited to apply for the following.

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

Elliot P. Dawson – BioVentures, Inc. Outstanding Biotechnology Award – 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 Award – Awarded to a biology major of junior standing.  Past recipients

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

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

C. W. Wiser Medical/Allied Health Award – Awarded to a graduating student who will continue studies.  Past recipients