It’s no secret, science is at the forefront of society right now. While the world wrestles with the novel coronavirus, scientists are tirelessly working to understand the virus, test therapies, and develop a vaccine. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is being pushed in school districts to introduce children to the many interesting areas and potential careers in science ...  Beta Beta Beta is an organization that recognizes those students who excel in the field.

Beta Beta Beta, TriBeta for short, is the honor society for biology students. According to their website, “TriBeta is an honor society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research.”

The organization was founded in 1922 at Oklahoma City University by a professor and a group of his students to provide biology students a place to promote professional development, review scientific articles of interest, and discuss breakthroughs in the field. TriBeta has five levels of membership, each with unique necessary qualifications:

Regular members shall be:

1. a)  undergraduate “majors” in biological science at an institution where a chapter of Beta Beta Beta is located,
2. b)  shall have completed at least one term of the second year of a four year curriculum or its equivalent,
3. c)  shall have completed at least three semester courses in biological science, of which at least one is not an introductory course, with an average grade of B or its equivalent in those biology courses,
4. d)  shall have a B average in all courses, and
5. e)  shall be in good academic standing.
6. f)  Only regular members may hold the constitutionally specified chapter offices, vote on chapter membership nominations and national questions, and represent the chapter or vote at national conventions.

Graduate members shall be:

1. a)  either graduate students currently enrolled in a life science at an institution where there is a chapter or faculty members actively serving in the biological sciences.
2. b)  They may participate in the local activities of any chapter or club except for the holding of constitutionally specified chapter or club offices and voting on chapter or club membership and national matters.
3. c)  They may attend district or national conventions, and, upon special designation, represent their original chapter or club at a national convention.
4. d)  They shall not be eligible for undergraduate awards.

Associate members shall be:

1. a)  undergraduates whose interests include the life sciences in some significant way but who are ineligible for regular membership.
2. b)  Associate members shall be eligible to participate in all local, district, and national activities except

those specifically reserved to regular members by this constitution.

Chapter or club honorary members:

1. a)  may be elected by any chapter or club in recognition of significant accomplishment as biologists or of outstanding service to the chapter or club.

Promoted members shall be:

1. a)  associate members who now qualify to be Regular members in the Honor Society.

The organization currently has over 626 active chapters in the US and Puerto Rico with over 200,000 lifetime members. You can spot a Beta Beta Beta member on graduation day by their forest green and red honor cords.

Are you a member of Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta)? Let us know in the comments!

Cover photo by Alex Kondratiev on Unsplash