The department encourages participation in the Honors College, the Zoological Society, and other opportunities for individualized educational enhancement. Several student clubs are sponsored by Biology faculty members and allow students with common interests to take field trips and hear talks about career planning and other important topics. The Biology Aid Program (ZAP) is composed of undergraduate students who volunteer to tutor other students in Introductory Biology. It is a rewarding experience for both the ZAP volunteers and those with whom they work.
The department strongly recommends that each student work closely with their adviser on a regular basis since not all courses are offered every semester. Majors or prospective majors should also work with the biology advisory office to plan a program that will meet their career goals. The advisory office can furnish information on courses, curricula and careers available to majors and will facilitate the assignment of a faculty adviser.
The Biology Department is actively involved in the Honors Program, and many undergraduate students carry out independent research projects under the guidance of faculty members with national and international reputations in their fields.
Biology majors may work also for the standard secondary teaching certificate in science. For information consult an academic adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences office.
In our department, undergraduate students have an array of opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research with professors who are internationally recognized experts in their fields. Research spans across multiple areas, including cellular/molecular biology, neurobiology, ecology, and evolution. Importantly, when students become members of our professors’ research teams, these students become involved in ongoing research at very high levels of participation, often designing and executing their own original research projects, or being put in charge of key projects within larger collaborative efforts. As a result, our undergraduate students routinely present their research findings at national and international scientific meetings. More impressive is the fact that many of these students ultimately become authors of peer-reviewed publications in top-tier scientific journals. Since 2010, undergraduates have authored numerous articles in highly-respected journals. In several of these publications, undergraduate students were the first author on the paper – a major accomplishment that indicating student was the main contributor to the work.
All School of Biological Sciences students are required to be advised by their assigned Major advisor prior to enrolling for each semester. The school also encourages students to expand their network of mentors and balance multiple sources of advice from faculty member and field experts, so that they can position themselves to make highly informed choices while at OU, and develop valuable relationships that can help build their future educational and career goals.
Students may schedule individual 30-minute appointments with their Major undergraduate advisor, using iAdvise. A student's advisor is assigned based on the first letter of their last name. Below is the breakdown of which students see which of our Advisors/Counselors.
Students pursuing medical, dental, optometry, podiatry, veterinary, or PA programs are encouraged to schedule additional advising with the Premedical Professions Advising Offices, to review graduate program requirements and pre-requisites.
The Premedical Professions Advising Office also has a canvas page for each pre-program. You can request access to the page for your desired program by e-mailing the PreMedical Professions Advisors: Amber Demastus amber@ou.edu or Sarah Olinghouse-Rockwell sarah.olinghouse-rockwell@ou.edu, your student ID and program you are planning to pursue.
If you are an undergraduate student who will be enrolled at OU next fall, you can apply for SBS scholarships.
Applications close on February 1 of each year. Scholarship selection is by the SBS scholarship committee. For further information contact the department at 405-325-4321.
SBS Scholarship Committee solicits applications by Feb. 1st each academic year by applying through the OU Cash System.
SBS Undergraduate Scholarship Committee reviews applications final decisions made by April 1st of each academic year.
Scholarship funds are dispersed as scholarship checks to undergraduate students.
BIO (only Biology Degree program), MBIO (only Microbiology Degree program), MPBIO (Microbiology & Plant Biology Degree program), SBS (all Graduate Degree programs).
Scholarships Available (Submit a proposal & Personal Statement - Financial Need Statement)
Undergraduate students majoring in Biology. Must have completed at least one semester of coursework in Biology. Minimum GPA 3.5. Summer research scholarships available to students partaking in undergraduate research under the guidance of a faculty member within the School of Biological Sciences.
Full-time undergraduate student majoring in Plant Biology or Microbiology. Must be at sophomore level or above and have completed the equivalent of 30 undergraduate hours of credit during the academic year. GPA of at least 3.0. Need for supplemental assistance.
Resident of Oklahoma: full time PBIO or MBIO; Preference is given to applicants who attended any Kay County High School; GPA of at least 3.0; Need for supplemental financial assistance.
Full-time, regularly enrolled student majoring in Microbiology.
Undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology; may be full-time or part-time in the upcoming fall semester. Undergraduate must apply as juniors, and the scholarship be used during the senior year. Demonstrate high scholastic ability and financial need.
Full-time, regularly enrolled undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology, Apply as Junior; Students must plan to pursue a career in medical technology; GPA of at least 3.0; Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need and/or have worked in a research laboratory at the University of Oklahoma.
Full time student majoring in Microbiology or Plant Biology; Good academic standing; Demonstrated financial need.
