The Department of Earth and Chemical Sciences is open to all majors and offers opportunities for outstanding students to earn departmental honors by exploring their academic interests in-depth through research and other outlined program requirements.
The objective of the Honors Program in Chemistry is to introduce gifted undergraduate majors to the methods of basic research in chemistry. Students who seek departmental honors should indicate their intention in writing to the department chair before the end of their first semester in their senior year.
For consideration of departmental honors, the student must have a 3.25 overall cumulative GPA and a 3.25 GPA in courses taken within the chemistry discipline. The student must also complete an acceptable Honors Thesis based on independent research work done for credit. Before the end of classes in the student's final semester, the Thesis must be turned in to the department chair in final form for examination by the entire department. Before the end of final exams, the student must orally defend the Thesis before the members of the chemistry faculty. Departmental honors are conferred by the chairperson of the department upon recommendation of the entire department.
The objective of the Honors Program in Biochemistry is to introduce gifted undergraduate majors to the methods of basic research in biochemistry. Students who seek departmental honors should indicate their intention in writing to the chairperson of the Department of Earth and Chemical Sciences before the end of their first semester in their senior year.
For consideration of departmental honors, the student must have a 3.25 overall cumulative GPA and a 3.25 GPA in courses taken within the science division, including mathematics. The student must also complete an acceptable honors thesis based upon independent research work done for credit within the department. Before the end of classes in the student's final semester, the thesis must be turned in to the chairperson of the Department of Earth and Chemical Sciences in final form for examination by the Biochemistry Committee. Before the end of final exams, the student must orally defend the thesis before the members of the Biochemistry Committee. Departmental honors are conferred by the chairperson of the Department of Earth and Chemical Sciences upon recommendation of the Biochemistry Committee.
Graduation with honors in any of the GEMS majors is awarded in recognition of students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in the program is by invitation of the GEMS faculty only. Eligibility requirements for graduation with honors vary slightly, depending on the chosen major program. For environmental sciences, geosciences, and marine sciences requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.5 in courses required for the major and the satisfactory completion of a senior thesis.
Eligibility requirements for graduation with honors in environmental studies and liberal studies: marine ecological emphasis include a minimum GPA of 3.5 in courses required for the major and the satisfactory completion of a three or four-credit “Independent Research and Study” course. In addition, all honors candidates must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0.