Qualified students may be invited to work for the citation "Honors in Biology". This program is open to all biology majors studying toward the B.S. degree and to other students with the permission of the Departmental Honors Advisor (Dr. John Plenefisch). The program may be undertaken concurrently with University Honors. Admission to the Departmental Honors program is based academic standing, recommendations by instructors, and an interview with the Departmental Honors Advisor. A minimum overall GPA of 3.2 and a GPA of 3.2 in biology course work are required for admission and for retention in the program. Any student may petition the Departmental Honors Advisor for admission to the program. A student should normally begin the program no later than the end of the sophomore year.
Requirements
Each Honors student must satisfactorily complete the requirements for undergraduate research (BIOL 4910) for 6 credit hours in addition to required elective hours above 3000 and must submit a written thesis and an oral research report upon completion of the research project. The oral presentation is typically done at the Annual Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium held each spring. In addition, a minimum of 6 hours of biology course work above the 2000 level must be taken for Honors. The instructor in each of these courses will plan for the Honors student activities above the normal requirements of the course which are in keeping with the aims of the Honors program, principally involving the encouragement of independent scholarship. Outside reading and writing may be important components of each Honors course assignment. Students enrolled in the departmental Honors program are also encouraged to participate in the department's colloquium program. A minimum overall GPA of 3.2 and a GPA of 3.2 in biology course work are required to receive an undergraduate degree with Honors in Biology. Each year an Honors Banquet is sponsored by the Student Honors Council and the University Honors Program to recognize graduating seniors.