Research 
Honors
Program
Biology Honors Program
Due Dates
2009 Forms
- General Info (.pdf)
- Application - Part 1 (.doc)
- Application - Part 2 - Petition (.doc)
- Advisor's Info (.pdf)
- Advisor's Agreement (.doc)
- Presentation (.ppt)
(To view, must have
MS PowerPoint for Macintosh or Winows installed on your computer.)
Honors Reception May 2006 Photos
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 in the Office of Undergraduate Biology, 216 Stimson Hall, and must be submitted to the Honors Program Committee in the first semester of the student's senior 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.
BIOG 4080 - Presentation Skills for Honors Students
This 1-credit course covers writing, speaking and presentation skills important for students finishing their undergraduate research. The course consists of several lecture/discussion sections and several practice sessions for oral presentations. Information on the class is available from Laurel Southard (216 Stimson, 4-4533, les3). Students in the Biochemistry Honors group are required to enroll in BIOG 4080. All other honors students are encouraged to enroll.
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 the Honors Program should consult their research advisors early during their junior year and attend the Honors Orientation Meeting in early September. Students are strongly encouraged to begin their research projects in their junior year, although they are not formally admitted to the Honors Program until the beginning of their senior year. 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 also available in the office.
Questions
For further information about Honors in Biology, students should contact:
| Laurel Southard | Pamela Davis |
|---|---|
| Director of Undergraduate Research | Administrative Assistant |
| Office of Undergraduate Biology | Office of Undergraduate Biology |
| 216 Stimson Hall | 216 Stimson Hall |
| 254-4533 | 255-8246 |
| les3@cornell.edu | pd43@cornell.edu |
Timeline for Honors Graduates, 2007/2008
| January & May 2008 Graduates Fall 2007 |
|
|---|---|
| Application Part 2 due: (includes 1-2 page research project description & transcript) |
September 14, 2007 |
| Petition for Missed Spring Deadline due | September 14, 2007 |
| January 2008 Graduates | |
|---|---|
| Extended Outline of Proposed Thesis Due | October 18, 2007 |
| Meet with Honors Seminar Group Leader | TBA by Group Leader |
| Thesis due to: Research Supervisor | November 9, 2007 |
| Thesis due to: Seminar Group Leader (3 copies) | November 15, 2007 |
| Honors Talk Practice | TBA |
| Anonymous reviewer comments due to: Seminar Group Leader |
December 3, 2007 |
| Comments available to students | Check with group leader |
| Seminar Presentations | December 3, 2007 |
| May 2008 Graduates | |
|---|---|
| Honors Seminar Group meeting(s) | TBA by Seminar Group Leader during Fall semester |
| Outline of Thesis | February 12, 2008 |
| Thesis Due to: Research Supervisor | March 25, 2008 |
| Thesis Due to: Seminar Group Leader (3 copies) | April 10, 2008 |
| Completing the Honors Process Info session MANDATORY |
April 15, 2008 |
| *Honors Seminar (Posters): Animal Physiology | April 24, 2008, 4-6 PM Atrium, Schurman Hall |
| Anonymous Reviewer Comments due to: Seminar Group leader (3 copies) |
April 25, 2008 |
| Comments available to Students | April 25, 2008 (be sure to check with group leader) |
| *Honors Seminar (Posters): Neurobiology & Behavior | May 1, 2008, 12:30-1:30 PM Atrium, Corson-Mudd Hall |
| *Honors Seminar (Talks): Ecology | May 5, 2008, 12:30-2:30 PM Morrison Rm., Corson-Mudd Hall |
| *Honors Seminar (Talks): Biochemistry | May 5, 2008, 1-3 PM Racker Room, Biotech Bldg. |
| *Honors Seminar (Posters): Genetics, Microbiology, Molecular & Cell Biology, Plant Biology |
May 6, 2008, 4-6 PM Atrium, Corson-Mudd Hall |
| Final Revised copy (unbound) and comments from Research Supervisor due |
May 9, 2008 |
| Honors Reception | May 24, 2008 |
* Click here to download printable schedule of the spring 2008 Honors Seminars
Timeline for Honors Graduates 2009
| Fall 2008 | |
|---|---|
| Application Part 2 due: (Both Jan09 and May09) (includes 1-2 page research project description & transcript) |
September 12, 2008 |
| Petition for Missed Spring Deadline due: (Both Jan09 and May09) |
September 12, 2008 |
| January 2009 Graduates | |
|---|---|
| Extended Outline of Proposed Thesis Due | October 16, 2008 |
| Meet with Honors Seminar Group Leader | TBA by Group Leader |
| Thesis due to: Research Supervisor | November 7, 2008 |
| Thesis due to: Seminar Group Leader (3 copies) | November 13, 2008 |
| Honors Talk Practice | TBA |
| Anonymous reviewer comments due to: Seminar Group Leader |
December 1, 2008 |
| Comments available to students | Check with group leader |
| Seminar Presentations | December 1, 2008 |
| May 2009 Graduates | |
|---|---|
| Honors Seminar Group meeting(s) | TBA by Seminar Group Leader during Fall semester |
| Outline of Thesis | February 10, 2009 |
| Thesis Due to: Research Supervisor | March 24, 2009 |
| Thesis Due to: Seminar Group Leader (3 copies) | April 9, 2009 |
| Completing the Honors Process Info session MANDATORY |
April 14, 2009 |
| Anonymous Reviewer Comments due to: Seminar Group leader (3 copies) |
April 24, 2009 |
| Comments available to Students | April 24, 2009 (be sure to check with group leader) |
| Final Revised copy (unbound) and comments from Research Supervisor due |
May 8, 2009 |
| Honors Reception | May 23, 2009 |
