James Burnell Molecular and Cell Biology Scholarship

If all the below statements describe you and your current situation, you can apply for this scholarship:

• I am an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, Permanent Resident or International student;
• I am in my final year of a Bachelor Degree within the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences or College of Science and Engineering at James Cook University;
• I have passed at least two third level subjects in Molecular and Cell Biology at JCU in the previous 12 months; and
• I am intending to commence Honours (year 4) within a laboratory of the Molecular and Cell Biology Academic Group.

If you are a successful applicant of this scholarship you will receive the amount equal to  the Commonwealth supported student contribution amount for 24 credit points of Molecular and Cell Biology subjects (band 2). In 2021 $7,950.

All students who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered.

• An honours proposal may be requested.

The scholarship will be awarded to the student who has the highest total mark of all third year students studying third level subjects in Molecular and Cell Biology, calculated as the sum of their best two final marks in Molecular and Cell Biology subjects.

The Academic Group reserves the right not to make an award. Only one award will be made per year. Final determination will rest with the Selection Committee.

Where two nominees are considered to have equal weighting, the Selection Committee shall give consideration to the merit of the nominees’ Honours proposal.

Please read the Scholarship Rules carefully to ensure you meet the requirements and have provided all the necessary information required.

Introduction

This scholarship is awarded annually for academic excellence to a student studying Molecular and Cell Biology at the third year level.

It is named for Professor James Burnell, a long-standing member of the Molecular and Cell Biology Academic Group who taught extensively at the undergraduate level and mentored many Honours students. Professor Burnell retired in 2014.  This scholarship is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Nature of the Scholarship

The value of the scholarship the amount equal to  the Commonwealth supported student contribution amount for 24 credit points of Molecular and Cell Biology subjects (Band 2).

Eligibility Criteria

The James Burnell Molecular and Cell Biology Scholarship shall be open to competition among nominees who:

• are in their final year of a Bachelor’s Degree at James Cook University;
• have undertaken at least two third level subjects in Molecular and Cell Biology subjects at JCU in the previous 12 months; and
• intend to commence an Honours program within a laboratory of the Molecular and Cell Biology Academic Group.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• the student with the highest total mark of all third year students studying Molecular and Cell Biology subjects at JCU  at the third year level, calculated as the sum of their best two final marks in Molecular and Cell Biology subjects.
• Where two nominees are considered to have equal weighting, the Selection Committee shall give consideration to:
  • the merit of the nominees’ Honours proposal
  • any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate.

Application Procedures

Students do not need to apply for this Scholarship. All students who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship shall be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Head of Molecular and Cell Biology  Academic Group (Chair), or nominee
• Associate Dean, Research Education, College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, or nominee
• A minimum of one member of the Molecular and Cell Biology Academic Group, as determined by the Chair
• A member from any Academic Group other than Molecular and Cell Biology, as determined by the College Dean.

Three members shall form a quorum.

The Selection Committee reserves the right not to award a Scholarship in any year

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Scholarship recipient.

Suspension or Termination of the Scholarship

• The recipient must maintain enrolment of at least 12 credit points in each Teaching Period (Semester) of the award.
• In the event the recipient defers their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award. Where an award is terminated pursuant to the provisions to this clause it may be awarded to another suitable applicant.
• In the event the recipient takes an approved leave of absence, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award.
• The requirements of the Scholarship shall not make the awarding of the Scholarship conditional upon the recipient providing unremunerated services or products to the donor.
• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy..

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship is owned by the Molecular and Cell Biology Academic Group and shall be administered by the Scholarships Office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the officer of the University charged with administering the scholarship.

The Selection Committee reserves the right to withdraw or suspend the scholarship at any time.

Please refer to Glossary of Terms