The Department of Biological Sciences either sponsors or participates in several state or federally-sponsored programs designed to broaden and enrich the educational experiences of majors thereby making biology graduates more competitive in their academic or professional pursuits beyond the baccalaureate degree. In addition, some of the programs provide financial aid including full tuition, stipends, and wages for participants. Biology majors are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. Special training programs available in the Department of Biological Sciences include:
1. Summer Enrichment at Medical Schools
Biology majors interested in medicine, dentistry or allied health professions are encouraged and assisted in applying for summer programs conducted by medical/ dental schools at major universities throughout the nation. Most schools provide housing and/or limited stipends for those accepted into the programs.
2. Summer Research Internships at Research Intensive Institutions
This program is for students planning to enroll in graduate schools. It
provides opportunities for summer research experiences at major research
universities. The Department of Biological Sciences has established partnerships
with several major universities and institutes for summer enrichment and
research internship programs.
Most schools provide housing and/or limited stipends.
3. NIMH-COR Honors Undergraduate Program
This program, funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health, is directed by Dr. Stacey Duhon. Biology, Chemistry, Sociology and Psychology majors interested in the area of Mental Health may participate in this program. The objective of the program is to increase the number of minority students entering graduate or medical schools. Benefits for participants include tuition, stipends, and the opportunity for summer research internships and participation at national research conferences.
4. Grambling Cooperative Wildlife Project
The program assists Wildlife Biology majors in obtaining summer co-op experiences with U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. Such experiences help to prepare participants for jobs with federal and state wildlife agencies.
5. MARC-“U” STAR Program
The objective of the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program is to prepare students for entry into graduate schools to earn Ph.D., or MD/Ph.D. degrees, and upon completion of the graduate programs, pursue research careers in biomedical sciences. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science majors are eligible to apply to the MARC program. Students accepted into the program receive full tuition, stipends, and opportunities for participation in regional and national research conferences. The Director of this program is Dr. M.A. Himaya.
6. RISE Program
The objective of the Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) Program is to enhance the competitiveness of program participants in gaining admission into graduate schools to earn Ph.D., or MD/PhD degrees and upon completion of the graduate programs, pursue careers in biomedical research. Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science majors are eligible to apply for the program. Successful applicants are assigned to program faculty mentors for research training during the academic year and receive compensation in the form of wages. RISE scholars are assisted in securing summer research internships in major research institutions and have the opportunity to present their research work in national or regional research conferences. The Director of the RISE program is Dr. Felix Ifeanyi.The RISE program is funded by the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health.
7. Bridges to the Baccalaureate Degree Program
The objective of this program is to facilitate the transition of underrepresented minority students from a junior college, Southern University, Shreveport, LA, (SUSLA) to a baccalaureate degree program at Grambling State University or any other senior college. This program, directed by Dr. M.A. Himaya, is a partnership with LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport and SUSLA. Students who transfer from SUSLA to GSU are mentored by Bridge faculty to facilitate their transition. Students engage in research internships at LSUHSC-S during the summer months. Benefits to students include wages and opportunity to participate in national conferences.
8. The Louisiana Alliances For Minority Participation (LAMP) Program
The LAMP program is a statewide comprehensive program aimed at increasing the number and quality of students earning baccalaureate and Doctorate degrees in science, engineering and mathematics areas. The program, directed by Dr. Danny Hubbard, provides textbooks for participants and also pays for students to travel to national and regional conferences. Dr. Waneene Dorsey is the biology faculty member involved in this program.
9. Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine Program
Grambling State University (GSU) and Meharry Medical College (MMC) School of Medicine have agreed to enter a partnership for increasing the number of African American physicians, one goal of Meharry’s three-year Center of Excellence Grant. Upon acceptance into the GSU-MMC Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine (BS/MD) program, students receive conditional acceptance into MMC’s School of Medicine. The length of the entire program is seven or eight years from entrance into the BS/MD Program at the undergraduate level through graduation from MMC. This includes three or four years of undergraduate study at Grambling State University and four years of medical education at Meharry Medical College.
Freshman students applying for the Grambling State University-Meharry Medical College BS/MD Program must have:
- A minimum ACT score of 20 or SAT score of 900.
- A minimum overall and science GPA of 3.25 on a 4.00 system.
Students selected to participate in the program must agree to attend a six-week summer academic and clinical enrichment program at MMC beginning the summer following the freshman year.
For applications and additional information, please contact Ms. LaQuetta
B.
Anderson, BS/MD Program Site Coordinator at 4016.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available in the form of merit scholarships, Pell grants and other types of aid. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Financial Aid Office. In addition, most of the special training programs listed above offer substantial financial aid including full tuition, stipends, and wages. These benefits will be available to participating students as long as the programs are supported by state or federal funding agencies and the student maintains his/her eligibility.
