Special Training Programs


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.

B.S/MD 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.

2. Summer Research Internships at Research Intensive Institutions

Many students planning to enroll in graduate schools elect to pursue summer internship opportunities. It Internships provides opportunities for summer research experiences at major research universities and key scientific facilities. 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. The MARC programs sponsor’s activities designed to assist students interested in summer research internships.  Information regarding internship opportunities are often sent to Biology majors via the departmental communications network.  Please see the Departmental Office for sign up information.

3. 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 MARC grant is funded by the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health.

4. Center for Mathematical Achievement in Science and Technology (CMAST)

The focus of this program is to provide enrichment activities designed to increase student academic success in the pursuit of a B. S. Degree in STEM areas.  The opportunities offered through this program are for GSU students that major in either of the following areas:   Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering Technology, and Mathematics and Physics

5. 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 provides textbooks for participants and also pays for students to travel to national and regional conferences.

For more information about the special training programs, please contact the Department.

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.