Research 
Honors
Program
Biology Honors Program
The Honors Program in biological sciences is designed to offer advanced training in laboratory and field research through the performance of an original research project under the direct guidance of a member of the Cornell faculty. Applications for the Honors Program are available on line (* Honors Application Part 1), and must be submitted to the Honors Program Committee at the end of the student’s junior year. Application forms for the Honors Program are separate from the enrollment forms for BIOG 4990 (Undergraduate Research in Biology).
Program Requirements
To qualify for the Honors Program, students must have:- Been accepted into the Biological Sciences major
- Completed at least 30 credits at Cornell
- An overall Cornell cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0
- At least a 3.0 Cornell cumulative grade-point average in all biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses. (Grades earned in courses in other departments that are used to fulfill major requirements are included in this computation.)
- A Cornell faculty member who agrees to supervise the student's research program in a field of biological science
Accepted students will be notified and assigned to an Honors Seminar group. Once notified, students are responsible for contacting their seminar group leader for further instruction. The requirements of the Honors Program include:
- Participation in honors research seminars during two semesters
- Submission of an acceptable honors thesis
- Completion of all major requirements
- Maintenance of the 3.0 Cornell cumulative grade point average overall and in all biology, chemistry, physics and math courses through graduation.
BIOG 4990
Honors candidates usually enroll for credit in BIOG 4990 under the direction of the faculty member acting as an honors supervisor, although it is not a requirement of the Honors program. Students choosing to earn credit for honors research must register in BIOG 4990 using the enrollment process for that course (separate from the Honors Program application process). Students with questions about BIOG 4990 should go to 216 Stimson Hall.
Level of Honors
Recommendation to the faculty that a candidate graduate with honors is the responsibility of the Honors Program Committee. The student's final grade-point average is a factor in determining the level of honors awarded.In most cases, students will be awarded high honors (magna cum laude) only if their GPA is at least a 3.5 and highest honors (summa cum laude) only if their GPA is 3.75 or higher. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences will be awarded Latin honors for their work. Students in CALS will receive distinction, with no level recorded on their diploma.
More Information
Students interested in applying to the Honors Program are strongly encouraged to begin their research project in their junior year. Applications for the program will be due at the end of the spring semester. Students should meet with their research advisor in the spring semester of their junior year, and attend the Honors Orientation mtg. Details pertaining to thesis due dates, seminars, and other requirements may be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Biology, 216 Stimson Hall. Information on faculty research activities is available in 216 Stimson, and online at http://www.biology.cornell.edu/research/.
Questions
For further information about Honors in Biology, students should contact:| Colleen Kearns |
|---|
| Director of Undergraduate Research |
| Office of Undergraduate Biology |
| 216 Stimson Hall |
| 254-5233 |
| cmk4@cornell.edu |
See the new Timeline for Honors Graduates 2012
