Biology Student Opportunities
From honors programs, scholarships, to engaging learning opportunities, WSU’s Biology Department provides our students with a number of resources.
We believe that students deserve learning experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting to prepare them for their future careers. And, we give them the support they need along the way.
The Honors in Biology program gives high-performing students an intimate and meaningful process of biological inquiry. This is a great opportunity for students who want to advance their involvement in the field of biology.
Any science can be described as having two major aspects:
- an organized body of knowledge obtained from coursework
- a formal way of adding new information to the existing body of knowledge
Thus, science is related to method and process, and it is not merely a collection of factual information.
Our department believes that to prepare for advanced careers in biology, students should be directly involved in the process of biological inquiry. This program is designed to provide this advanced opportunity to eligible biology majors.
Students who are admitted into the Honors in Biology Program and successfully complete the process will, upon graduation have their:
- Official transcripts stamped with the words “Graduated with Honors in Biology”
- Transcript show the title of their honors thesis
- Graduation status (Honors in Biology) indicated on the graduation program
To be eligible for the Honors in Biology Program, a student must:
- Be a Biology (any Option), CLS or Cytotechnology or a Life Science Major
- Have completed the biology core sequence (Basics of Life, Organismal Diversity, Ecology, Cell Biology and Genetics)
- Have a 3.75 GPA both overall and within their major
- Identify a WSU faculty member who is willing to serve as a research advisor to the student
- Apply for and be granted admission into the Honors in Biology Program by the Biology Department Honors Committee prior to the preliminary proposal deadline of the last Friday in September
Students will be recognized as having successfully completed the Honors in Biology Program after satisfying the following requirements:
- Complete two Seminars in Biology (BIOL 495) in non-concurrent semesters and presentation of their original research in one of the seminars
- Complete a preliminary proposal at a preliminary proposal session. The preliminary proposal sessions will be open to all interested students and faculty. The date of the preliminary proposal sessions is normally the last Friday in September. The preliminary proposal is less about the mentor’s science and more about developing a collegial exchange of scientific ideas among the students and the attending faculty.
- Give an oral presentation of their research at the WSU Research Celebration
- Submit and gain approval of an Honors Thesis in the appropriate format and style as determined by the research advisor. Evaluation and approval of the thesis will be by the major professor and one other biology faculty member of the student’s choice.
- Submit 2 final and fully approved copies of the Honor Thesis and an electronic copy to the committee
Students who perform research or other scholarly activity that significantly exceeds normal capstone research in quality and/or quantity may petition the Honors Committee in writing and provide a written copy of the research report.
If the honors committee is impressed with the student’s research or other scholarly activity, then the honors committee may award Honors in Biology to a student not otherwise eligible.
Research Programs
Capstone
All students are expected to complete a capstone project with a mentor of their choosing. These capstone projects expose our students to the fundamental skills required to carry out research projects.
The Biology Faculty page includes a listing of projects. Collaborations with other universities (Mayo Clinic), companies (Red Bull) and state departments such as the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) give students a glimpse into future possibilities and potential careers.
Clinical Research Projects
In collaboration with the local Winona Health Hospital, students are invited to participate in mentored clinical research projects. This new and exciting opportunity provides training and exposure to clinically-oriented research and is open to all pre-professional students. For more information please contact Osvaldo Martinez or visit Winona Health Careers.
Summer Research
A summer research project or internship can be an excellent way for students to explore new areas and get practical experience. It can also strengthen applications for jobs, graduate schools, and professional schools.
Many opportunities exist for WSU students to take part in summer research. Talk with your academic advisor for more information.
- National Science Foundation’s “Research Experience of Undergraduates”
- Student Appointments through the National Science Foundation
- American Association of Medical Colleges
- American Museum of Natural History
- Research Program offered by NASA
- The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) maintained by the University of California at Irvine
- Fellowship at the Mayo School of Medicine
Scholarships
In addition to the general scholarships at WSU, students in the Biology programs can apply for many scholarships from the WSU Foundation.
Apply for WSU Foundation ScholarshipsThe Biology Department offers several opportunities for faculty-led travel programs throughout the academic year.
The programs are designed to encourage you to engage in critical thinking, experience first-hand the value systems and diverse lifestyles of other cultures, all while participating in a meaningful service-learning project.
The interdisciplinary programs enhance student global and cultural awareness through constant engagement and reflection.
Explore Faculty-Led Travel ProgramsBiodiversity in Belize is a course designed to give students an introduction to the diversity and function of Neotropical ecosystems in Belize.
Rain forest and tropical marine/Barrier Reef ecosystem structure and ecology will be investigated through a series of morning and evening lectures and daily field trips led by local guides.
Morning and evening lectures will be used to introduce and review concepts highlighted during daily field trips. This course will also include elements of Belizean culture and conservation issues that are naturally embedded throughout the course.
The Culture and Ecology of East Africa – Tanzania is a faculty-led program that gives students an immersive experience in the cultures and biological diversity of Tanzania.
Cultural experiences include walking tours of several different villages, school visits, a traditional Maasai village, anthropological sites, and daily contact with the people of Tanzania and tourists from around the world. The wildlife diversity is unlike anywhere in the world, from antelopes to zebra.
This 4-credit course includes one week of class time and about 22 days of travel, and is offered alternate years during the summer.
Internships
Want to take your education to the next level? An internship is a great way to take classroom material and apply it to the real world. In addition to gaining real-world experience in the field, internship allow students a chance to further their education while furthering their career.
Explore these internship opportunities, and search for more internships with Handshake :
- Summer Internship Programs in Biomedical Research for Undergraduates at the National Institutes of Health
- Winona Health Hospital internships
Other Resources
- American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) – Largest professional organization for pathologists and laboratory professionals whose mission is to educate, certify, and advocate for the laboratory profession. ASCP provides national certification for the Medical Laboratory Science profession.
- American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) – The primary national organization that represents the laboratory profession by providing professional development and continuing education, advocating for the profession, and setting standards.
- American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science – Minnesota (ASCLS MN) – The state ASCLS organization that promotes all aspects of the clinical laboratory profession.
- National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) – NAACLS is the accrediting agency for laboratory educational programs. This agency standardizes the requirements for educational programs as well as providing support and continuing educational opportunities to educational programs, students, and industry.
- Medical Laboratory Science Club — This is a student organization at Winona State University that promotes interest in Medical Laboratory Science on and outside of campus. It also provides information to the current MLS students about WSU Clinical Affiliates and MLS classes.