Departmental Honors

Departmental Honors are available for students interested in the research, development, and proposal of a thesis to the University Honors Thesis Committee. Departmental Honors focuses on original research and is fostered by all departments. Students work independently in the library carrel, the science laboratory, or the experimental classroom pursuing the solutions to their research problems. The rigors of direct, unbiased observations, critical analysis, integration, and logical reasoning develop the disciplined thinker needed today.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for application for departmental honors research are a 3.0 GPA at the end of three years of collegiate study, and a 3.20 GPA in a major concentration. Decision to apply for departmental honors research should be made during the junior year when a thesis advisor should also be identified.

Application and Prospectus

At that point, the student will submit a HON 494 application to the chair of the University Honors Thesis Committee. The student must submit a prospectus (HON 494) to the chair of the University Honors Thesis Committee; instructions and deadlines for the prospectus are sent each semester to all departments. Once the prospectus has been approved, the student becomes a candidate for departmental honors and is awarded three semester hours of credit.

Proposal, Research, and Thesis

Generally, the first semester of the senior year is spent completing the proposal and initial research. During the second semester the student writes a thesis (HON 495) for which, if accepted after an oral defense, the student is awarded three semester hours of credit and departmental honors. Upon request, detailed instructions are available from the chair of the University Honors Thesis Committee, or from chairpersons of academic departments.