BIOL-X490 is designed to provide students with experiences and knowledge not normally available through formal courses. The course might be taken only one semester, for a limited number of credit hours (e.g., one or two), in order to accomplish a specific goal.

Alternatively, BIOL-X490 might be considered an integral part of a student’s curriculum and be taken each semester for two or three years in order to broaden the normal scope of an undergraduate degree in Biology. Students are permitted to count a total of 12 hours of BIOL-X490 credits toward an undergraduate degree.

An Honors program provides a more intense, comprehensive, and demanding experience than a BIOL-X490 course alone normally provides. It is required that an Honors candidate take BIOL-X490. As a major part of the BIOL-X490 course, a prospective Honors student works on a goal-oriented research program for at least two semesters and a minimum of 6 credit hours total. Writing a research report based upon the results of field observations or laboratory research is the ultimate goal of the BIOL-X490 efforts.

In contrast to regular BIOL-X490 work, the Honors degree BIOL-L490 project must include either laboratory or field research. While BIOL-X490 projects can be based entirely on library research, the Honors degree project must include laboratory or field research.

In summary, although BIOL-X490 is an integral part of the Honors program in Biology, the Honors program encompasses more than the completion of two semesters of BIOL-X490.

Learn more about BIOL X490