Qualified students majoring in biology may choose to carry out independent research, under the direction of a faculty member, through the Honors Program. Success in the program will result in an Honors designation on the student’s diploma.
Prospective candidates should apply in writing to the chair of the department for admission to the Honors Program by April 15 of their junior year.
The application should include:
- A list of courses taken and those the student plans to take in the major and related fields
- The name of the student’s prospective faculty adviser
- A brief description of the proposed Honors project
- The candidate must maintain a “B” (3.0) average and grades of “B” or better in all biology courses during the junior and senior years.
- The candidate must complete Clark University and biology major requirements.
- The candidate must work with a faculty adviser. Together they will select two other faculty members to serve on the student’s advisory committee.
- The candidate must complete at least one semester each of Directed Research (BIOL 299) and Honors Research in Biology (BIOL 297), and the investigation must be summarized in an acceptable thesis.
- The candidate must present their work in a public presentation and pass a comprehensive oral defense-of-thesis exam given by the advisory committee. This exam will test the student on the specific area of investigation and can also include general knowledge of biology. The candidate must provide each advisory committee member a near-final draft of the thesis one week before the scheduled comprehensive defense.
- The candidate must complete a final draft of the thesis to the satisfaction of the committee and may be awarded Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors, based on the quality of the research and presentation.
- The original and two copies of the completed thesis must be submitted to the department five weeks before Commencement.