AIBS Student Chapters

AIBS maintains student chapters to serve the intellectual and professional interests of students in the biological sciences. These chapters are dedicated to the broader AIBS mission to advance biological research and education for the good of science and the welfare of society. Applications are accepted from student groups at the high school, community college, and college/university level.

Student Chapter News

Student Chapter Facebook Group: Join the AIBS Student Chapter Facebook group to stay informed of student chapter news and events. It's also a great way to network with other chapters from across the country. Click here to visit the page! (You must be registered at Facebook to view the page, but signing up is free)"

Student Chapter Newsletter: Check out the Winter 2008 issue of Student Chapter News.

archived news

Should you start an AIBS Student Chapter?

• Do you have an interest in the biological sciences?
• Do you want to connect with students with similar interests, both at your institutions and at other institutions?
• Do you want to become part of the larger community of biologists?
• Do you want access to great benefits and resources, including a subscription to a scientific journal and program funds?
• Are you already a member of an established biology club that wants access to all these resources?

If so, apply to start an AIBS Student Chapter today!

• Why become an AIBS Student Chapter?
• How to start an AIBS Student Chapter
• Chapter Requirements and Guidelines
• Guidelines for Faculty Advisors
• Current AIBS Student Chapters
• Sample resources for AIBS Student Chapters

Why become an AIBS Student Chapter?

Becoming an AIBS student chapter offers many benefits to both faculty members and students, such as:

• Links to peers and other biologists: Connect with members of AIBS student chapters across the US through an e-mail discussion list.
• Networking opportunities: Attend AIBS annual meetings in Washington, DC, and other AIBS conferences and symposiums held across the United States.
• Keep up to date with the latest research and issues in the Biological sciences: with complementary subscriptions to BioScience, our monthly journal. Each chapter may receive up to five complimentary copies
• Receive funding for chapter events and activities: AIBS provides funding, on a competitive basis, to student chapters. The deadline for application is November 15th each year.

How to start an AIBS Student Chapter

We welcome applications both from established biology/science clubs at the high school and university levels who want to affiliate themselves with AIBS, as well as from individual students who want to get such an organization established at their school.

First of all, make sure that you can meet the following requirements:

• Willingness to advance the AIBS mission, vision, and goals, as well as observe the AIBS code of ethics.
• The chapter is formed at an accredited high school, college, or university with programs of study in the biological sciences, comply with the institutions' guidelines for student organizations, and be officially recognized as such.
• A faculty advisor who is a faculty or academic staff member in a biological discipline.
• The President must become a dues-paying AIBS member—this individual will be considered the Student Chapter Representative (SCR) to AIBS.
• Use "[Name of Institution] AIBS Student Chapter" in the chapter's name.
• Submit an annual report by June of each year documenting the chapter's membership and activities over the past year.

If you agree with the above requirements, we welcome your application. To apply, download and complete the Student Chapter Application form (32 KB Word), and send it either via fax, e-mail, or mail to:

Brian Stagg
Education Program Associate
American Institute of Biological Sciences
1444 I St. NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005

202-628-1500 x249

Be sure to include the following:

1. Signature form indicating acceptance of AIBS requirements and standards of conduct, signed by the faculty advisor and chapter president.
2. Address(es) where to send your chapters' five complementary copies of BioScience each month - these can be sent either to individual students, or directly to the faculty advisor or chapter president
3. E-mail addresses for chapter members who wish to be added to the AIBS Student Chapters e-mail discussion list.

Chapter Requirements and Guidelines

Chapters represent AIBS on their college or university campus and are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and integrity according to the following AIBS requirements and standards.

Advance the AIBS mission, vision, and goals

AIBS student chapters and their members must adhere to the AIBS mission, vision, and goals as a dedication to advancing research and education in biology for the welfare of society and seeking natural explanations for the evolution and diversity of life on earth.

Observe the AIBS code of ethics

AIBS believes that a code of ethics is basic to the conduct of science and essential to the maintenance of an honorable and respectable profession. As scientists in training, the members of AIBS student chapters shall conduct their professional lives in accordance with the AIBS code of ethics.

Submit an Annual Report

Each AIBS Student Chapter must submit an annual report by May 1st. You may download the report here.

Guidelines for Faculty Advisors

All AIBS Student chapters are required to have an advisor. At the high school level, the advisor must be a member of the science faculty and be responsible for teaching any life science courses (Biology, AP Biology, Botany, Ecology, etc). At the college/university level, the advisor must be a faculty or academic staff member in a biology-related discipline. The duties and responsibilities of the faculty advisor are:

• Advise the chapter members on matters of school or university policy.
• Ensure continuity of student chapter each academic year as turnover occurs in the student membership.
• Act as point person for receiving AIBS Funds.
• Oversee the governance of the chapter and the maintenance of records.
• Perform any other duties required of student advisors by your institution.

Note: AIBS reserves the right to rescind student chapter status if AIBS determines, in its sole authority, that a chapter or its representatives acting on its behalf show disregard for AIBS student chapter requirements and standards of conduct.

Current AIBS Student Chapters

• Astronaut High School, Titusville, FL
• Emporia State University, Emporia, KS
• Hiram College, Hiram, OH
• Howard University, Washington, DC
• John Carroll University, University Heights, OH
• Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
• Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
• Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA
• University of California, Davis, Davis CA
• University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
• University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
• Widener University, Chester, PA
• Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH

Sample resources for AIBS Student Chapters

AIBS Student Chapters enjoy access to a wide variety of on-line resources, including:

• "How-to" guides for planning activities, creating budgets, and conducting meetings
• Links to internships, mentoring, and research opportunities
• Potential activities
• And much more!

These resources are only available to current AIBS Student Chapters members. Existing members may log on to the resources site. Forgot your username and/or password? E-mail .

If your group would like to become an AIBS Student Chapter and have access to all these resources, download the application (18.5 KB PDF).