By Keera Lowe
The Biology Undergraduate Society, also known as BUS, at the University of Louisville often goes unnoticed by students not associated with the biology department. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t making a difference in the lives of the students involved. About five years ago, a group of students wanted to create an environment where all biology majors would feel welcome, where students wouldn’t get lost, and where resources could be provided to students with an interest in biology.
Amanda Lukas, the treasurer and a sophomore English and philosophy double major, said that the mission of BUS is “to provide a community for those interested in biology and to provide a support system for them.”
In the past year, BUS has worked along Beargrass Creek to clean up the parks, pulled invasive species out of Cherokee Park, and hosted guest speakers to inform students about various aspects of biology. Last semester, the organization brought in Ronald Fell, the chair of the biology department, to walk students through a major in biology. The group also had Ronald Atlas, another biology professor, speak on oil spills and microorganisms.
Jeff Marschall, a senior biology major, believes that bringing faculty members and students together is a central aspect of BUS.
“The program is especially beneficial to first years, to get to know fellow biology majors and faculty members for lab and field work and mentoring,” said Marschall.
BUS holds monthly science fiction movie nights and about four meetings per semester. The organization also hopes to have their second annual Humans vs. Zombies game on campus this semester. On April 8, they will be walking together in the Relay for Life.
Laila Felli, a junior biology major and a commuter student, said that BUS gives her the opportunity to get involved on campus.
“They allow you to have a voice in what you do, through the meetings,” said Felli.
To join BUS, members must pay semester dues of $5. However, the money goes directly back to the members via food and drink, field trips, intellectual stimulation and a T-shirt. A popular T-shirt design features the phrase, “Get on the Bus,” along with an image of a school bus.
Biology majors who are not interested in attending medical school after graduating often find themselves in the minority within U of L’s biology department.
“[BUS] is not driven by biomedical interest, such as A.E.D.,” said Martin Klotz, a professor of bacteriology. Alpha Epsilon Delta is the pre-health honors society.
Many biology majors find BUS attractive for this very reason – it is not related to medicine. This aspect also makes BUS interesting to those outside of the biology major or minor, such as students who are simply interested in biology as the study of life, whether it’s a lawyer interested in environmental law or a historian who wants to get a little fresh air.
The organization is open to all students. For those interested, the next meeting will be held on Jan. 27 in Room 137 of the Life Sciences Building. To find out more about BUS, visit its Facebook page, “U of L Biology Undergraduate Society.”
