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 paper describing the research, written in the form of a scientific paper, which must be successfully defended before the Advisory Committee.
- Prepare a 5-10 minute video presentation derived from their honors thesis. This will
be due before the final week of classes and should be submitted to the chair of the
Undergraduate Research Committee. The video will be shown at the Department’s
Honors and Awards Ceremony where the student will be recognized for their
accomplishment.
If the paper is approved by the Advisory Committee, the minimum GPA requirements are met, and the student has presented work to the department, the student will graduate with Honors in Biology.
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.
Deadlines:
January 31
Complete Honors in Biology application (see link above) and submit to
Undergraduate Research Committee chairperson.
March
Schedule thesis defense.
April
Defend thesis before the advisory committee.
Submit a video derived from their research.
Any questions about Honors in Biology can be directed to the chair of the Undergraduate Studies Committee, Dr. Brian Tague (taguebw@wfu.edu).