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Undergraduate Bulletin College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Physics

Departmental Honors

Students on Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022 requirements PHYS-HON

The honors program provides well-qualified students with an exceptionally strong foundation in physics, both by encouraging excellence in coursework and recognizing the importance of early participation in research. It is strongly recommended that students intending to enroll in graduate school pursue this option.

The key component of the honors program is involvement in an independent research project, carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. This work culminates in the presentation of the research as a talk or poster at a nationally recognized research conference or the writing of an honors thesis. The presentation or thesis must be completed before the end of the senior year.

Students are strongly encouraged to declare their intent to request the honors designation by the beginning of their final semester.  Students must notify the department that all requirements have been met before the end of this semester. 

Requirements

Along with fulfilling all the requirements for the B.S. in Physics, Honors candidates must complete the following:
  1. Honors Courses. At least two (2) courses:
    • PHYS-P 332 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism II
    • PHYS-P 442 Analytical Mechanics II
    • PHYS-P 454 Modern Physics
  2. Independent Research Project. Complete an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member
  3. Declaration of Intent. Notify the Physics Academic Advisor of intention to seek honors designation no less than one semester before planned graduation.
  4. Honors Research Capstone. Write and present an honors thesis based on the independent research project, or deliver a talk or poster at a nationally recognized research conference before graduation.
  5. Major GPA. Honors candidates must maintain a GPA of at least 3.500 in the Physics major.
  6. GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. 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.
    2. Units establish additional criteria, including admissions procedures, academic performance standards, and whether there are required courses, papers, or projects.
    3. Students who wish to earn honors in two different units must complete a distinct body of work for each honors notation.

Exceptions to and substitutions for honors requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.