Natural Science Division

Honors Research Program In Biology

Biology majors are encouraged to participate in the Honors Research Program, which is aimed at providing students with insight into how scientists design experiments, collect and analyze data, and communicate their results to the scientific community. Students apply to the program in their sophomore or junior year and are admitted to the program based upon grade point average, recommendations, career goals, and potential for successful completion of the program. Students are selected by a committee at midyear and, upon acceptance, develop research proposals in close consultation with a faculty member. After proposals are reviewed and approved by the committee, students begin preliminary experimentation. All students are required to spend the summer following acceptance to the program in full-time data collection and analysis. In order to complete the program, students must present their data in thesis form to an examining committee. After each candidate successfully completes an oral thesis defense, the committee recommends that the student's transcript and diploma be marked "Honors in Biology." Thesis projects are often presented at local and national meetings and published in national and international scientific journals.

Application and Guidelines