FURMAN BIOLOGY

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Marla Geddis and Crystal Dobson research poster    Student Programs, Special Funds, and Awards  

      Click on one of these:

Tri-Beta    Funds and Awards     Furman Advantage     Summer Research

 Study Abroad      Internships      Duke Marine Laboratory    3-2 Environmental Program

Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta)

Join Furman's Biology Honorary
Tri-Beta is composed of students with interest and aptitude in biological sciences. Members are enriched by participating in academic endeavors (seminars, field trips, etc.), service activities, and social events. Membership is open to those with sufficient grades in biology courses. Send questions to Dr. Hestermann or Dr. Liao. The national Tri-Beta web site can be accessed: click HERE.

Funds and Awards

Townes Biology Fund
Provided by the family of Charles and Henry Townes, this is intended to help finance special studies in biology by undergraduates at Furman, especially in the fauna and flora of South Carolina and neighboring regions. It is not a scholarship, or a prize for work done, nor is it to be used in connection with regular courses. It may be used to cover the expenses of field work, special books, supplies, etc. Deadline for application is in early April of each year. Apply to Dr. Worthen.

 
Paul Lewis Fisher Book Award
This annual monetary gift, named in memory of retired professor of biology Dr. Paul Fisher, goes to one or more deserving biology students to be used for the purchase of books. It is awarded on the basis of academic promise, personal character, and need. Deadline for application is in early April of each year. Apply to Dr. Haney.
 
Elizabeth Thackston Taylor Botany Medal
This award goes to the student showing greatest interest and aptitude in field study of plants of the Piedmont.
 
Carolina Foothills Garden Club Award
A scholarship awarded to one or more biology students showing interest and aptitude in botany or ecology.
 
Beta Beta Beta General Excellence Award
This annual monetary award is given to a junior or senior biology major who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and has performed unselfish service to Beta Beta Beta and the Department.
 
Nora Mullens Biology Award
A medal is presented annually to a member of the freshman class who demonstrated outstanding work in the introductory course Foundations of Biology or whichever biology course is the first one taken at Furman.
 
C. Leland Rodgers Biology Award
A medal is presented annually to the Biology senior student with the highest grade average in Furman biology courses, through the winter term of the senior year.

Distinguished Research Award in Biology
A medal and a journal subscription are presented annually to the Furman Biology student (normally a senior) who has been most outstanding in carrying out an original research project, either at Furman or in another setting.

Programs

 
 
Furman Advantage and Other Summer Research Experiences
The Furman Advantage program  provides financial support for summer research opportunities. A stipend is provided for 10 weeks while a student works in close association with a Furman faculty member or off-campus research director in conducting scientific experiments. Students should apply by the beginning of winter term. For more information, talk to the professor whose research is of greatest interest to you. Also speak with Dr. Hestermann, who coordinates research opportunities for the department. Check a web page on this subject by clicking HERE. Photos of some recent students at their research sites can be seen by clicking here.

Study Abroad: courses in biology

El Angel, Ecuador, February 2006


Furman's Biology Department operates "Study Abroad" opportunities in Africa, Belize, Costa Rica, and Ecuador/Galapagos. This is a marvelous opportunity to see unique biological communities and to experience living in a foreign culture. If you have a biology academic advisor, discuss foreign study with him or her.
 
As we move to a new calendar under the semester system, exact dates for these courses are still being worked out. Consult with a Biology Dept. professor to obtain more up-to-date information.

Internships

There are many opportunities for students to work with professionals in various areas of biology and medicine. In the recent past, students have gone to the workplaces of physicians, dentists, physical therapists, museum curators, genetics counselors, forensic scientists, veterinarians, and many others. Talk with biology faculty members if you have interest in spending several weeks with a professional and learning first-hand what that person does with his or her biological training.

Duke Marine Laboratory

Students interested in marine biology can take advantage of the Duke University Marine Laboratory, where they can take up to four courses for a maximum of 16 semester hours of credit. Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment offers undergraduates a unique opportunity for study at a world-class marine laboratory. The marine laboratory offers Fall and Summer semester programs with courses in areas such as Oceanography, Marine Physiology, Marine Ecology, Marine Invertebrate Zoology, Marine Policy, and many others. For further information, contact Dr. Dennis Haney.

Duke University/Furman 3-2 Program in Environmental Studies

Furman University participates in a cooperative program with the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke University. Through the program, students can earn a bachelor's degree at Furman and a master's degree at Duke in five years.

Students in the program complete three years of course work at Furman, which includes the curriculum required of all students, the prerequisites for admission to Duke, and electives. During the fall semester of the junior year at Furman, the student applies for admission to the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke University. Upon successful admission and completion of one year of residency at Duke, in which 30 units of credit are earned, the student is awarded a bachelor's degree from Furman. After an additional year of successful study at Duke and completion of a total of 48 units of credit, the student is awarded a Master of Forestry (M.F.) or a Master of Environmental Management (M.E.M.) degree.

For further information, contact Dr. Haney.