Honors Program In Biological Sciences

Honors Program Requirements

The Honors Program in Biological Sciences is designed to introduce outstanding Biological Sciences (SBL) and Clinical Lab Science (SCL) students to scientific research and to recognize exemplary performance in Biological Sciences. Students are encouraged to make application for admission to the Honors Program to the Departmental Honors Committee during the spring semester of their junior year. Admission to the program will begin in their senior year. Students may begin their research any time after their acceptance into the Honors Program.

Requirements for Admission to the Honors Program

(1) Students must have a 3.30 minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all academic work, and a 3.30 GPA in all Biological Sciences and cognate (Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics) courses.

(2) Students must identify a full-time faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences willing to serve as their honors research advisor and one additional faculty member in Biological Sciences or another science discipline to serve as a reader for their honors project

(3) Students will design a research project in conjunction with their honors research advisor.

(4) Students will apply to the Departmental Honors Committee for admission to the Honors Program in Biological Sciences. The committee will accept students for admission to the program if they meet the GPA requirements and their research project, research advisor, and the reader are deemed appropriate.

Honors Program Requirements

Students will complete two semesters of BL 4001, Honors Problems in Biological Sciences, for a total of 6 credits. BL 4001 credits used for Honors Program will not count as elective credits toward Biological Science or Clinical Lab Science B.S. degree requirements and will not be calculated in the departmental GPA required for successful completion of the Honors Program. However, BL 4001 credits may be used as free electives.

Students will complete two semesters of BL 4001, Senior Honors Research Seminar, during summer, fall, and/or spring semesters of their senior year.

Students will present the results of their research in two formats. Two copies of a well-written scientific paper based on their research, signed by the research advisor and reader, must be presented for approval to the Departmental Honors Committee no later than one week before the first day of the month of Commencement or the last week of their final semester at MTU if there is no Commencement that semester. The results of their research must be presented during a departmental seminar.

Students in the program must maintain a 3.30 minimum cumulative GPA in all academic work and a 3.30 GPA in all Biological Sciences and cognate courses.

Any changes in the above requirements for admission to the Honors Program or requirements to complete the program must receive prior approval by the Departmental Honors Committee.

Honors Program Recognition

A student who successfully completes the Honors Program in Biological Sciences will be recognized in several ways. "Honors in Biological Sciences" will be noted on the Commencement Program and announced as part of the commencement proceedings. "Honors in Biological Sciences" will appear on the student's final transcript. The students will also receive a Certificate of Accomplishment.

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Honors Program Procedure For Admission

National Biological Sciences Honor Society - Phi Sigma