GUIDELINES and REQUIREMENTS for HONORS in the BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
The Application for HONORS Candidacy:
•To be filed preferably during the 7th semester of the senior year.
The project must be proposed and the plan outlined on this application form. The Honors Advisor and student should collaborate in composing the proposal, and should agree upon the plans. The proposal forms are the basis for the BIOL1950/1960 project, as well as for Honors proposal.
The Advisor is the primary investigator in whose lab or area in which the research occurs, and who will be available to the student in guiding, discussing results and interpreting outcomes. The Advisor is expected to be a Brown faculty member, usually from the Division of Biology and Medicine.
The Second Reader will be a faculty member or associated scientist who is identified by the student and mentor as knowledgeable in the area of research. The Reader must agree to evaluate the thesis and participate in the review process that yields an evaluation of the work. The Reader should be identified at the time of the application or soon thereafter, since applications will remain incomplete until this is determined.
REQUIREMENTS: Honors thesis; oral presentation; quality grades; evaluation
1. Honors Thesis:
A thesis is a written document that chronicles the research project from historical background through methods, results and conclusions. It should represent the culmination of substantial work that generally requires two semesters or more of research activity. More information at “Honor Thesis How-To”: http://bms.brown.edu/bug/ugres.html
There is a library of sample past Honors theses in Room 124, Arnold. Students may peruse, and get an idea of the scope and size of various types of projects.)
2. Oral Presentation: To be fulfilled by either one of these three options at the conclusion of the project:
● Seminar presentation or ● Poster presentation
If the Seminar format is chosen, the student will make arrangements for scheduling, room and invitations. If the Poster is selected, Biology Undergraduate Research Poster Day is the opportunity. This event is organized by the Office of Biology Undergraduate Affairs and is scheduled for mid-late April each year.
3. Quality Grades in the concentration: As, Bs and S-with-distinction; Cs should be balanced by As; exceptions for special progress and circumstances may be made by Dean M. Thompson.
4. Evaluation:
The Faculty Mentor and Second Reader will submit a written recommendation evaluation. Honors may be recommended if the work is assessed as Satisfactory or better, with agreed-upon expectations met. An Honors evaluation form for this purpose will be provided to the mentor and reader, and must be returned to the Office of Biology Undergraduate Affairs.
•Deadline:
In early May of each year, Dean Thompson will report to the University the names of students who have completed and met all requirements for Honors. Students and Mentors are charged with arranging the schedule so that deadlines can be met. Extensions of deadline may be made under extenuating circumstances only, and by Dean Thompson.
