Resources & Scholarships
We are committed to student success by providing a variety of support and resources to achieve your goals.
Biological Sciences Scholarships
Eligibility:
- Full-time student
- Major in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, forensic chemistry, mathematics, physics
- Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Financial need
Application Process:
- No application required
- Department faculty nominations
- Contact College of Liberal Arts Dean’s office for more information. Ventress@olemiss.edu
About James Parmer Farrell
James Parmer Farrell (1923-1995), a native of Tunica, MS, graduated in 1943 from the University of Mississippi with a BS in chemical engineering. While a student at UM, he assisted in building much of the equipment used in a new chemical engineering laboratory that was completed in 1943. Mr. Farrell worked in Memphis as a chemist with American Finishing Company, a textile factory that supplied cloth for military uniforms and then with Witco Corp., a Fortune 500 manufacturer of specialty chemical and petroleum products.
Eligibility:
- Full-time
- Biology major
- Enrollment in directed studies course with a biology faculty member
- Participation in Undergraduate Biology Research Day
About Dr. Frank Hull
Dr. Frank Hull (1901–1982), a native of Coahoma County, MS, received his B.S. from Miss. A&M (now MS State University) in 1932, and his Ph.D. in entomology from Harvard in 1937. He joined the biology faculty at UM in 1930, serving as Chair from 1930–1951, retiring in 1971 as Professor Emeritus of Biology. He wrote extensively on the syrphid flies, bee flies, and robber flies, publishing more than 150 research papers and three world monographs.
Eligibility:
- Full-time
- Biology major
- Entering freshmen
- Financial need
- Contribute to the diversity of the Department of Biology
Application Process
- Application through the UM Special Program and Scholarship Application by January 10.
- This scholarship is administered by the Ole Miss Women’s Council. omwc@olemiss.edu
About Dr. Jayna Michelle Kelly
Edith Kelly-Green endowed this scholarship in honor of her daughter Dr. Jayna Michelle Kelly, a 2005 University of Mississippi biological science graduate and 2013 graduate of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine. Dr. Kelly, a Fellow in the Ochsner Cardiology Program at New Orleans’ Ochsner Medical Center, was the first African-American woman admitted to that specialty program there. She planned to complete her fellowship in general cardiology at Ochsner Medical Center in June 2022 and then move to Vermont for a one-year interventional cardiology fellowship before returning to Memphis to join her partner in their new practice.
Ms. Kelly-Green, a native of Oxford, earned her accounting degree from UM in 1973, her master’s degree in business administration from Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management, and was the 1st female African-American CPA in the state of Tennessee. She established this scholarship to help young people—particularly those who may have overcome adversity—seek college degrees.
Eligibility:
- Full-time
- Biology major
- Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
- At least 3.25 overall GPA
- Mississippi residency
- Financial need
Application Process:
- No application process
About Tot and Griff Norquist
Ginger (Norquist) Taylor of Memphis, TN, established a scholarship in honor of her parents, Lotta “Tot” Swayze Norquist (1921–1995) and Samuel Griffin “Griff” Norquist (1921–2018). They were both from Yazoo City, Mississippi and graduates of the University of Mississippi. Mrs. Norquist received her BAE in 1943 from UM and Griff Norquist, a WWII veteran, was a 1942 liberal arts graduate and received a law degree from the university in 1947.
Eligibility:
- Full-time student
- Biology major
- Sophomore, Junior, or Senior
- At least 3.25 overall GPA
- Financial Need
Strong Candidates will have
- Leadership potential
- Demonstrated academic ability
Application Process
- No application process
About William Shoemaker
This scholarship was established in 1984 by the family of the late William M. Shoemaker (1909-1984), a native of Lake Cormorant, MS, who received his BS degree in commerce in 1935 from UM. He was a general manager of the Meridian & Bigbee Railroad, and was a member of the Board of Trustees of Institutes of Higher Learning in Mississippi for 12 years. Shoemaker Hall, which houses the UM Department of Biology, was named in his honor in 1984.
Eligibility:
- Full-time
- Biology major
- Junior or senior
- Molecular or cellular research
Application Process:
- No application process
- Faculty nomination
Dr. Jennifer Wong, a native of Jackson, MS, received her bachelors in biology in 1995 from UM and her MD, PhD in physiology in 2000 from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Dr. Benjamin Bridges of Boise, Idaho, graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 2001 is currently a Medical Oncology Specialist. Dr. Wong is currently a Health Science Administrator at the National Institutes of Health.
Eligibility:
- Full-time
- Major in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, forensic chemistry, mathematics, physics, dietetics & nutrition
- Junior or senior classification
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Mississippi resident, with first preference for Smith County
- Registered with the Office of Student Disability Services
Application Process
- No application process
- For more information, contact the Office of Student Disability Services
About Dr. Jerrel Yates and Mrs. Laura Yates
Dr. Jerrel K. Yates and Laura A. Yates endowed this scholarship. Dr. Jerrel K. Yates earned a B.S. in mathematics in 1964 and a Ph.D. in mathematics in 1972 from UM. He served on the faculty at Columbus State University.
Student Success Resources
Department of Biological Sciences
College of Liberal Arts
The Department of Political Science is one of many outstanding departments in the College of Liberal Arts at UM. Therefore, students receive support from the CLA Office of Student Services, located nearby in George Hall.
University-Wide Resources
Our university supports students and encourages them to be involved on campus and beyond.
- Arts and culture experiences
- Get involved on campus and grow your leadership
- Opportunities to learn beyond the classroom
- Health and wellness resources
- Registration and Financial Aid assistance
- Student advocacy and support
- Technology and learning resources
Biology Mentor Program
The Biology Mentor Program offers a biology community among undergraduate students. The mentor program helps students feel welcomed into their biology classes and keeps them on track for introductory biology courses and beyond. Mentors offer support and tutoring to undergraduates enrolled in Biology courses, and both mentor and mentee positions are open to all majors.