Graduating with Honors in Biology
The Honors Program in Biology is designed to recognize the accomplishments of students in research and independent study – activities perhaps growing out of, but distinctly different from, most classroom work. A student graduating with Honors in Biology has committed themselves to pursuing ideas in-depth and over an extended period in the laboratory or field while working closely with a faculty advisor. Such an experience not only may lead to new knowledge in a chosen field but, perhaps more importantly, gives the student a real appreciation of the diverse ways in which science confronts and explores the natural world.
Any research completed that satisfies Independent Research (Bio 390-394 or Bio 500) can be used for an Honors Project. The research that the student chooses to submit for consideration for honors need not be completed in the senior year. The work could have been completed before the senior year.
To graduate with the distinction “Honors in Biology,” a student must:
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all courses and a 3.3 in biology courses;
- Submit an honors thesis describing the research, written in the form of a scientific paper, which must be successfully defended before the Advisory Committee.
If the minimum GPA requirements are met, the student has presented their thesis to the Advisory Committee, and the thesis is approved by the Advisory Committee, the student will graduate with Honors in Biology. Students graduating with Honors in Biology will be invited to participate in the Biology Honors and Awards Ceremony, where each Honors student will be recognized for their accomplishment.
The application must include the honors advisor’s signature, the major advisor’s signature, the title of the research project, and the names of two faculty who will serve with the research advisor on an advisory committee. Research assistant professors may serve on the advisory committee; however, if two faculty from the same lab are on the committee, one should serve as an additional (fourth) member, and be non-voting. The research assistant professor may not chair the committee.
Link to Application
Deadlines:
January 31 – Complete Honors in Biology application (see link above) and submit to the Undergraduate Research Committee chairperson.
March – Schedule thesis defense.
April – Defend thesis before the advisory committee.
Any questions about Honors in Biology can be directed to the chair of the Undergraduate Research Committee, Dr. Regina Joice Cordy (cordyrj@wfu.edu).