Students who are highly motivated and who wish to pursue a particular area of interest through intensive research are encouraged to consider Departmental Honors. Prior to embarking on a honors research project, students should have explored the problem with a faculty member through an independent study venture. Guidelines for completing Departmental Honors are available in the Biology Department Office.

Upon successful completion of their thesis, students are recognized for their achievement at graduation with the designation of Departmental Honors on their diploma and University record. The desire to receive this recognition is not sufficient reason to pursue departmental honors, you should possess a genuine desire to solve a problem in life science.

To be eligible for this program, students must have a cumulative QPA of at least 3.0 and the endorsement of a faculty member.

Our department rewards excellent students in a number of ways. Biology students should especially note the following:

Henry Franklin Bitner Science Prizes

Two Bitner Prizes are given annually, one in physical science and one in biological science. Teachers of these sciences, together with the dean of the School of Science and Mathematics, shall recommend to the faculty the senior students best qualified for these awards.

Class of 1911 Award

Also known as the H. Justin Roddy Prize for Proficiency in the Teaching of Science, this cash prize is given to a graduating senior, who, in student teaching, shows greatest promise of becoming a successful teacher of the sciences.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists (CPUB) Award

Given on the bases of academic standing and excellence in biology and research potential.

The Antone K. Fontes Health Professions Award

Reference books presented to students who are completing their studies at MU and who have demonstrated outstanding ability in the premedical/ predental, nursing, and allied health programs. One student is selected from each of the three areas on the basis of quality point average and recommendations.

Arthur and Claribel Walker Gerhart Memorial Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage students of biology to work on projects early in their careers at Millersville. This award is made to a biology major in good academic standing, usually in their sophomore or junior year, based on applications due early in the Spring semester.

Alex Henderson Scholarship

This award is made to outstanding students in biology. It is based on a proposal for a project that is interdisciplinary in nature which is submitted by the student prior to their junior or senior year.

The James C. Parks Scholarship in Botannical Research

This scholarship will be awarded to an entering freshman (Fall 2010) with an avid interest in botany. The scholarship includes money to help pay for University tuition and fees, as well as funds for botanical research, and may be renewed for up to three additional years. Applications are currently being accepted .

Keever Biology Research Training Grant

Awarded to undergraduate biology majors who have completed 60 or more credits of course work with a QPA of at least 3.0. It is intended to support student research investigations, and is funded by an endowment established by Dr. Catherine Keever.

Syd Radinovsky Scholarship in Biological Research (DOC)

This scholarship will be awarded to an entering freshman with a keen interest in research. The scholarship includes money to help pay for University tuition and fees, as well as funds for biological research, and may be renewed for up to three additional years. Applications (click on the link above) are currently being accepted.

Henry J. Rutherford Memorial Award

A cash award made to an upper division student who, in the opinion of the PRIORITY organization, has been constructively involved in environmental action and environmental enrichment activities

N.E. Shoemaker Biology Teaching Scholarship

A scholarship granted annually to the sophomore secondary education biology major who has earned the highest quality point average.

Charles D. Spotts Naturalist-Humanist Award

A memorial cash award made to the upper division student who, in the opinion of the Entomology Club, has contributed most to the naturalist-humanist ethic.