What is the Biology Honors Program?
The Program in Biology administers an Honors Program to train students to conduct independent research in the biological sciences. Participating in the honors program allows students to develop their research skills, deepen their understanding of the field, and form productive relationships with faculty and other students. The achievement is noted on the diploma and official transcript.
In addition to completing all the requirements for the major, an honors degree requires:
(1) a major GPA of at least 3.4, and
(2) the completion of a significant piece of independent research that is
(3) reported in an honors thesis and
(4) presented in a public forum.
The absolute deadline to apply to declare is the term PRIOR to when you plan to graduate:
Graduation Term | Deadline to Declare Honors |
Fall 2023 | Monday, June 26, 2023 |
Winter 2024 | Monday, October 23, 2023 |
Summer 2024 | Monday, March 4, 2024 |
Fall 2024 | Monday, June 24, 2024 |
Winter 2025 | Monday, October 21, 2024 |
Summer 2025 | Monday, March 3, 2025 |
Fall 2025 | Monday, June 23, 2025 |
Winter 2026 | Monday, October 20, 2025 |
Summer 2026 | Monday, March 2, 2026 |
Fall 2026 | Monday, June 22, 2026 |
Winter 2027 | Monday, October 26, 2026 |
Summer 2027 | Monday, March 8, 2027 |
Fall 2027 | Monday, June 21, 2027 |
Timeline Overview:
Soph. Year: Apply to honors (or non-honors) program, identify research project and mentor, plan project timeline. Please note that the Honors Thesis ULWR Intent Form is specifically intended for those students who are doing an Honors Thesis and who have declared a major.
Junior Year: Conduct research with mentor (usually for credit under MCDB or EEB 300/400)
Senior Year: Continue research, complete thesis, present in public forum
1st of the Month you Plan to Graduate (April 1, December 1, August 1): Thesis Due Date