Honors Program

Honors in Biology

Outstanding students may earn Honors in Biology by writing and defending an Honors thesis on their own original research. A student works with a faculty mentor to develop a research project, assemble a thesis committee, and write a thesis.

To be eligible for departmental honors, you conduct your own research and earn at least 6 credits of BIOL-X490 over at least two semesters devoted to your original project. If you successfully complete and defend your Honors thesis before your thesis committee and meet all requirements, you receive Honors in Biology upon graduation.

General information about Honors in Biology and assistance in identifying possible Biology faculty sponsors are available from the Biology academic advisors, Biology Bldg. A115. Questions about exceptions or unusual situations can be directed to the Undergraduate Advising Office at bioadv@iu.edu.

High-achieving students may be recognized for academic excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences or be eligible for admission to the Hutton Honors College.

Interested in individual study?

Check out BIOL X490

Which degree may be earned with Honors?

Any Biology and Microbiology undergraduate degrees in the Department of Biology may be earned with honors.

Scope of the Honors degree

The nature of the Honors research project usually reflects both your specific interest area and the focus of your faculty advisor’s research program. Given the broad scope of interests represented in the department, a wide variety of Honors projects are possible. Undergraduate biology majors can also conduct Honors research with faculty in other departments, including Medical Sciences, Chemistry, and Psychology.

Benefits of the Honors degree

A number of benefits are associated with obtaining your Biology or Microbiology B.A. or B.S. degree with honors.

Practical research experience

You obtain practical experience with research methods. Honors students typically work under ideal conditions to learn firsthand about the way in which research projects are conceived, executed, and completed. That experience is valuable for virtually all career tracks that build upon a biology undergraduate degree.

Aspiring research technicians, for example, frequently learn marketable skills during the course of performing Honors research. Students who continue their education at a graduate school usually have a head start in developing a thesis project, and pre-professional students can use their Honors research knowledge to better understand recent advances in medicine, dentistry, education, and other fields.

Scientific writing skills

The Honors program culminates in the preparation of a thesis, giving you the opportunity to learn and hone scientific writing skills. The thesis represents a detailed scientific report on the research project, usually following the format of a paper prepared for publication in a scientific journal. In fact, IU Biology Honors theses have in several instances been published in international research journals.

Insight into science careers

During the course of the daily routines associated with their research, Honors students are able to meet and interact with faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. This gives them insight into the attitudes, lifestyle, motivational factors, and career challenges of concern to professional biologists.

Formal recognition on your transcript

When you complete a degree with honors, you obtain formal recognition for participating in a research project. This accomplishment becomes part of your permanent undergraduate record.

Financial support may be available

Financial remuneration is occasionally available. It is sometimes possible for Honors students associated with federally funded research projects to earn hourly wages for part of their Honors research work.