Biological, Environmental & Earth Sciences

Student Handbook

Please keep this handbook for reference throughout your time at the University of South Carolina Aiken. Graduation requirements may change in the future, but you will only need to meet those in effect at the time you first enroll. This handbook does not replace the official requirements listed in the Academic Bulletin.

Student Handbook

Research Labs

At USCA, Biology and Environmental Earth Systems majors can immerse themselves in undergraduate research from their first year. Align your interests with a faculty member’s research area and participate in impactful projects through courses like BIOL 498, which integrates research design and senior seminar, or BIOL/GEOL 490 and 499, focusing on applied research.

You can delve into diverse research fields including Developmental Biology, Earth Surface Processes, Conservation Biology, Nutrition and Neurobiology, Paleoceanography and Marine Geology, Invasive Plant Ecology, Aquatic Biology and Parasitology, Environmental Toxicology, Fisheries Ecology, Molecular Biology and Immunology, and Plant Genetics.

Scholarships

Departmental scholarships are awarded annually in the areas of Biology and Geology. Scholarship recipients are selected based on several criteria that may include scholarship requirements, financial need, academic performance, and areas of interest/work. Some awards depend on donor funds and may not be available yearly.

Application for Student Scholarship

Faculty Recommendation Form

STUDENTS: Scholarship requests must be accompanied by a Faculty recommendation. Before completing the Scholarship application, arrange for a faculty member to provide support. Once you have finished and submitted the Student Scholarship application, inform the Faculty member, who will then provide your recommendation. 

FACULTY: Complete the recommendation form to accompany student Scholarship applications. Forward the completed Faculty recommendation form directly to Holly Bradham via email to holly.bradham@usca.edu. 

Seminar Series

The Department of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences offers an ongoing seminar series throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. Our speakers join Department of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences undergraduate research students in offering an in-depth series of seminars that provide the latest information on a wide array of topics.

All seminars take place in SCI 327 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. on the dates listed.