Students who wish to graduate with "Honors in Biology" will complete the following three steps:
An Honors Committee must be established to supervise each research project or literature review. The Honors Committee will consist of 3 people. It will be chaired by a faculty honors advisor, who must be a member of the Biology department. The two additional members of the Honors Committee will be: one from the Biology department, and one from another source, on or off campus. The Honors Committee will read and comment on the student candidate's proposal. A recommendation regarding the proposal will be forwarded to the Biology department by the honors advisor on behalf of the student and the Honors Committee. After approval the proposal will be posted on the Department moodle site. The recommendation must reach the Biology department no later than on the Monday of the 9th week of the spring semester of the student's junior year. Final approval of the proposal must be granted by the department as a whole. Work on the proposed project cannot begin until after approval is given by the department.
A draft of the final project will be given to the student's Honor Committee no later than five weeks before the end of the senior year (last day of classes) and will be in the format of a scientific publication selected by the Honors Committee. A final revised copy will be submitted after the committee reviews the draft(s). This will be followed by the oral exam given by the Honors Committee. The exam will be scheduled for NO LATER than two weeks prior to the end of the senior year (last day of classes).
The Proposal
The proposal should be detailed enough that everyone knows the full extent of the work to be accomplished. It should contain a significant explanation of the work leading to the proposal and the work to be pursued (the proposal should include sufficient background citations, clearly articulated objective(s), potential methodology and may include preliminary data). It should also include details about the amount of time that will be devoted to the project as well as a timeline. The committee (not solely the advisor) will determine the extent of work to be performed, set standards and specify, (preferably in writing) the expectations. If the proposal is judged acceptable by the committee (preferably after a committee meeting) then a recommendation is forwarded to the Department.
Paper or Thesis
The honors paper or thesis will be in the format agreed upon by the committee. There should be a minimum length established, with criteria for font and margins. The introduction should constitute a review of the relevant literature and appropriate citations must be included. Methods and Results should be detailed and follow the format of a selected journal. Copies of all written materials shall have original figures included in the archival copy for the department files.
Oral Exam
The exam will be both on the content and methods associated with the honors project, and may include general knowledge in the candidate's area of specialty. A minimum and maximum time range shall be established for the exam so that students realize this is an important part of the honors process, and can budget their time accordingly.
Summary
A written summary with dates and signatures should be submitted to the biology department no later than two weeks before the end of the academic year for final awarding of the Honors Designation.
