Departmental Honors

Departmental Honors may be attained for both the Chemistry and Biochemistry majors.

Departmental Honors in Chemistry

    The objective of the Honors Program in Chemistry is to introduce gifted undergraduate majors to the methods of basic research in Chemistry. Students who seek departmental honors should indicate their intention in writing to the department chair before the end of their first semester in their senior year.
    For consideration of departmental honors, the student must have a 3.25 overall cumulative GPA and a 3.25 GPA in courses taken within the chemistry discipline. The student must also complete an acceptable Honors Thesis based upon independent research work done for credit. Before the end of classes in the student's final semester, the Thesis must be turned in to the department chair in final form for examination by the entire department. Before the end of final exams, the student must orally defend the Thesis before the members of the chemistry faculty. Departmental Honors are conferred by the chairperson of the department upon recommendation of the entire department.

Departmental Honors in Biochemistry

    The objective of the Honors Program in Biochemistry is to introduce gifted undergraduate majors to the methods of basic research in Biochemistry. Students who seek departmental honors should indicate their intention in writing to the chairperson of the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics before the end of their first semester in their senior year.
    For consideration of departmental honors, the student must have a 3.25 overall cumulative GPA and a 3.25 GPA in courses taken within the science division, including mathematics. The student must also complete an acceptable Honors Thesis based upon independent research work done for credit within either the Chemistry or Biology department. Before the end of classes in the student's final semester, the Thesis must be turned in to the chairperson of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in final form for examination by the Biochemistry Committee. Before the end of final exams, the student must orally defend the Thesis before the members of the Biochemistry Committee. Departmental Honors are conferred by the chairperson of the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics upon recommendation of the Biochemistry Committee.