Beta Beta Beta
Phi Epsilon Chapter
Allegheny College Biology Club
and Biology Honor Society
About the national organization
BETA BETA BETA (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. Beta Beta Beta was founded in 1922 at Oklahoma City University by Dr. Frank G. Brooks and a group of his students. The idea of an honor and professional society for biology students spread rapidly and by 1925, the society was a national organization. In 1946, Beta Beta Beta became an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Since 1930 the national organization has published a quarterly journal called BIOS containing student research, articles of interest to biologists and society news. It also sponsors a number of awards for research or other scholarly activities by undergraduate students. Since its founding in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 380 chapters have been established throughout the US and Puerto Rico.
For more information, visit the national organization's website: tribeta.org.
The Phi Epsilon chapter was established at Allegheny College in 1984. Currently, it functions as an honor society and as a social club for students who are interested in biology. Membership in the national organization is NOT required to participate in club activities. In addition to outside speakers, TriBeta has organized events such as cosmic bowling, sponsoring a float in the homecoming parade, throwing an end-of-the-year bash, and many other activities.
Full Membership Requirements
TriBeta is a sanctioned campus organization and associate membership is open to all students of Allegheny College. Full membership to the national organization may only be attained after certain conditions are met. The official requirements for full membership in the Beta Beta Beta honor society are as follows.
Regular members shall be:
Undergraduate majors in biological science at an institution where a chapter of Beta Beta Beta is located.
Shall have completed at least one term of the second year of a four-year curriculum or its equivalent.
Shall have completed at least three term 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.*
Shall be in good academic standing.
Shall have attended five Beta Beta Beta events before induction.
Current members must attend at least three events per semester.
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. Regular members are required to attend three events per semester or their membership will be inactivated.
Inductions of new members are held once a semester. Details for applying for membership will be given at TriBeta meetings, including appropriate deadlines. A one-time dues fee of $60, covering the national membership, club membership, and a two-year subscription to BIOS (if requested), will be collected before induction ceremonies.
* FS BIO 201 counts as a non-introductory course.