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Who may participate in Honors in Biology? What credit is given for Honors courses? How to prepare your Freshman year Publications by Honors students
"The whole village was convinced that José Arcadio Buendia had lost his reason, when Melquíades returned to set things straight. He gave public praise to the intelligence of a man who from pure astronomical speculation had evolved a theory that had already been proved in practice, although unknown in Macondo until then, and as a proof of his admiration he made a gift that was to have a profound influence on the future of the village: the laboratory of an alchemist." Gabriel García Márquez. One Hundred Years of Solitude Most scientists agree that the best way to understand science is to do science rather than just read about it. In this spirit, the Department of Biology offers its most outstanding students an opportunity to carry out hands-on laboratory or field research through its Honors in Biology program. Students who graduate with Honors in Biology complete the following program, which usually begins in the second semester of the junior year. BIOL4601. Honors Seminar (2 credits). The seminar sets the stage for research in biology by exploration of the nature of science, ethics in science, critical analysis and peer review, and commonly employed methodology in biology. Specific discussion designed to facilitate success in scientific research includes such topics as accessing relevant literature, selecting and designing a research project, applying for funding to support research, analysis of data, and presentation of research in a scientific format. During the semester, the student presents research papers in areas of interest, selects an Honors Research Advisor, and (under the direction of the advisor) writes a research proposal. BIOL4700. Honors Research I (3 credits) The student carries out the proposed research under the direction of the Honors Advisor and Honors Committee. BIOL4701. Honors Research II (3 credits). The research project is analyzed and presented as a written Honors Thesis and defended with an oral presentation at a professional meeting or special seminar. WHO MAY PARTICIPATE IN HONORS IN BIOLOGY? Juniors who have earned at least 60 hours of University credit (15 of these at UNC-Charlotte), at least 36 credits in science and math, including 15 credits in Biology, and an overall and biology grade point average of 3.4 are eligible to apply for Honors in Biology and enroll in BIOL4601. Students who maintain a GPA of 3.4 (overall and biology) and are accepted into the research laboratory of a faculty member in the Department of Biology are eligible to begin BIOL4700-4701. WHAT CREDIT IS GIVEN FOR HONORS COURSES? Completion of BIOL4601, substitutes for the required BIOL4600 (Seminar) and carries 2 credits toward the major in Biology. The sequence BIOL4700-4701 carries 6 hours of major credit, credit as writing intensive (w), and is considered as 2 laboratory courses in biology. HOW DOES ONE ENROLL IN HONORS? Begin by consulting your Advisor or the Honors Coordinator. Qualified students may obtain the form "Request to enter the Honors Program" by clicking here. BENEFITS TO THE STUDENT OF PARTICIPATING IN HONORS IN BIOLOGY Participation in Honors in Biology is a unique academic experience and its benefits are the product of interplay between the experience and the individual student. Some commonly expressed benefits by student over the years include (but are not limited to):
WHAT CAN YOU DO DURING THE FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEARS TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR HONORS IN BIOLOGY?
More information can be obtained here |
