Departmental Honors

Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements CHEM-HON

The program is designed for especially well-qualified students who wish to acquire an unusually strong foundation in chemistry. Most students completing the honors program enter graduate or professional school. Special courses for outstanding students are offered in general chemistry (CHEM-S 117), organic chemistry (CHEM-S 341, CHEM-S 342, and CHEM-S 343), and inorganic chemistry (CHEM-S 330). Participants are expected to complete the requirements for a B.S. in chemistry or a B.S. in biochemistry or the following courses: CHEM-C 315, CHEM-C 317, CHEM-C 318, CHEM-C 361, CHEM-C 362, CHEM-P 364, and two 3-credit-hour courses at the 400–499 level.

Requirements

The heart of the honors program is participation in an undergraduate research project within a faculty research group. This research generally begins in the freshman or sophomore year and must culminate with an honors research thesis and enrollment in CHEM-X 499 in the senior year.* Students in the program must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.300.

*Students are strongly encouraged to take CHEM-G 207 to prepare for CHEM-X 499, and to take CHEM-G 307 for successful career preparation.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Students must have a College GPA of 3.300 or higher to qualify for admission to a Departmental Honors program and to receive Departmental Honors. Units may set a higher College GPA.

Units establish additional criteria, including admissions procedures, academic performance standards, and whether there are required courses, papers, or projects.

Students who wish to earn honors in two different units must complete a distinct body of work for each honors notation.