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Department of Chemistry

Departmental Honors

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

The program is designed for especially well-qualified students who wish to acquire an unusually strong foundation in chemistry and to conduct original research. 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).

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.

Requirements

  1. Chemical Research Capstone. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-X 499 Chemical Research Capstone
  2. Thesis. Successful completion of an honors research thesis.
  3. 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.