Scholarships & Awards

Biology Department Scholarships

Students must apply to the Department to be considered for a scholarship; the deadline is November 1 of each year. Application forms are available on the Biology website and in the Biology departmental office (Science Buliding, D346). Applications should be turned in to the Biology departmental office. No student will be granted more than one scholarship. The Departmental Honors and Awards Committee will review all applications, and students will be notified of the outcomes before the end of the Fall semester.

1. Adele Gottschalk Scholarship. Up to two awards annually, of $1,000 per semester. This tuition scholarship is offered to a female student planning to attend a medical school. The candidate must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and have demonstrated exemplary character through volunteerism or the assistance in the care and nurturing of others. The award is renewable each semester the student maintains her GPA above 3.0.

2. Max K. Hecht Scholarship. One award of $250 annually. Offered to an outstanding Biology major demonstrated through both academic achievement and experience in research. The candidate must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and preference is given for those with a demonstrated interest in organismal biology. Organismal biology concerns itself with the behavior, ecological relationships, and evolutionary history of organisms and includes studies of adaptation and natural selection, phylogeny (evolutionary relationships), and ecology (interactions between organisms and with their environment).

3. Victor Jules Scholarship. One award of $250 annually. Offered to a sophomore or junior Biology major with demonstrated financial need. The candidate must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and have completed ≥ 6 credits of 200 or above level QC Biology courses creditable to the major.

Seymour Fogel Endowment Fund for Genetic and Genomic Research

Seymour Fogel bequeathed a portion of his estate—$185,000—to the QC Biology Department, for use in “faculty and PhD level research in fungal genetics”. In an effort to broaden the impact of this generous bequest, the Biology Department established an endowment fund in Sy’s name. The Department uses the funds generated by the Seymour Fogel Endowment Fund to support departmental research activities while staying within the limits set by the bequest. In September 2009, the Biology Department expanded the types of projects funded by the Fogel Endowment Fund to “faculty and PhD level research in genetics and genomics, particularly research with model genetic organisms”. The Fogel Awards committee considers applications annually for its annual research and travel awards. Faculty and PhD candidates doing genetics and genomics research are eligible. Applications are due on or around March 1 each year. See the Fogel Awards Documentation for more details and contact Prof John Dennehy for upcoming due dates.

Travel and Special Needs Awards

Students may apply to the Biology Department Alumni Affairs Committee chairperson, Dr Esther Muehlbauer, for the following awards. Requests for funds must include: Purpose, justification (with conference abstract if appropriate), itemized list of costs, time table. A letter of support is required from an appropriate faculty or other research mentor. Applications may be submitted any time, and will be reviewed by the Alumni Affairs Committee on a rolling basis.

Conference Travel Award:
Partial travel support for undergraduate and master’s students to present research at a scientific conference.

Special Course Scholarships:
Scholarships for travel expenses associated with research, or short courses/field courses on special topics related to undergraduate and master’s research.

Biology Honor Society Project Award:
Funding to support projects undertaken by the Biology Honor Society, such as tutoring, or reorganization of the Biology Natural History Museum.