Any qualified sophomore, junior or senior may apply to be an Undergraduate Fellow in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Scholars Program. Students who have declared a major in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, and a 3.5 or greater GPA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology may apply to become an Undergraduate Fellow. Applications should be submitted by April 1st for consideration for fellowships the following academic year. A limited number of students will be admitted to the program, therefore, admission is competitive.
As an Undergraduate Fellow in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, students will join a cadre of leaders among Ecology and Evolutionary Biology majors by participating in undergraduate teaching as peer teachers. The peer-teaching program involves serving as a laboratory aid in freshman courses under the supervision of the department’s Laboratory Supervisor and a Laboratory Instructor during the junior and senior years. Peer teaching is an extremely valuable educational experience, providing the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology scholars with an in-depth understanding of ecology and evolutionary biology and experience in working effectively in groups.
Fellowships are honorary awards which are renewable each semester and provide each Undergraduate Fellow with a small supplemental income (honorarium) of $400 each semester in their first (usually junior) year and $500 each semester in the second (usually senior) year as long as the scholar meets all of the peer teaching responsibilities and maintains a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a 3.5 GPA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology as a major in good standing at Tulane. The teaching responsibilities include attendance of the laboratory training and preparation meeting on Monday morning and assisting in one laboratory each week. The time of the laboratory section will be arranged with the Laboratory Supervisor. The total time commitment is about four to five hours per week.
Students interested in applying to become an Undergraduate Fellow in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology should complete the application form and submit it to the department office, 400 Boggs, by April 1st. The statement of interest in the program, background in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and description of the impact the fellowship would have on the undergraduate educational experience are very important. Fellowship awards will be made based on academic qualifications as well as interest and anticipated educational benefits. Please keep in mind that Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Undergraduate Fellowships may be awarded in addition to other scholarship awards, and that they do require a time commitment (training/preparation and one lab each week) to participate in the peer-teaching program.
