Honors Degrees in Chemistry

The honors curriculum is designed to challenge highly motivated students through advanced study courses; to recognize outstanding scholastic achievement; to develop interest in research and scholarly activity; and to provide students with an opportunity to work with renowned faculty.

There are two options for the honors degree:

1. Departmental Honors in Chemistry. A minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.3, both in chemistry courses and overall, as well as completion of the following:
   

   • At least 12 credit hours in courses designated as honors courses.
   • At least one 4200-level seminar offered through the honors program.
   • At least two semesters of research in the Chemistry Department.
   • A submitted Bachelor's Thesis covering the research project.
   • A final thesis oral examination with a designated thesis committee.

2. Departmental and University Honors. University Honors includes all of the foregoing requirements plus a total of 24 credit hours in courses designated as honors courses.
   
   

Honors credits may be earned in any course designated as an honors course. In chemistry, the only courses that automatically earn honors credits are CHM 1410 (6 credits), CHM 1420 (6 credits) and CHM 5998 (2 credits count toward an honors degree). For more information on chemistry honors classes, click here (link to courses, honors courses). Honors credits from any department within the university may be applied to an honors degree in chemistry.

The Honors seminars (4200 level) also count for honors credits. These are 3-hour courses and a student must have reached junior or senior status in order to enroll. There are usually three such honors seminars offered each semester. Each honors seminar course also satisfies some specific General Education Requirement (Historical Studies, Philosophy & Letters, Social Sciences, etc.). Therefore, it is well to plan ahead so that the honors seminar course selected will serve double duty in one's program.

It is possible to earn honors credit in non-honors designated courses if the faculty member in charge of the course is willing to allow the student to do so. The faculty member must sign a special form at the time of enrollment with a specification of the type of extra work that will be required of the student who is registering for honors credit.

A chemistry major that completes CHM 1410 (6 credits), CHM 1420 (6 credits), CHM 5998 (2 credits) and an Honors 4200-level seminar (3 credits) will automatically have earned 17 hours of honors credit. Only seven additional honors credits are required to qualify for University Honors. Individuals who did not enroll in CHM 1410 and 1420 may easily earn honors credits in other departments to qualify for either type of honors degree.

Fulfilling the Honors Research Requirement

For detailed information on completing the honors research in chemistry requirement, please consult Undergraduate Research in Chemistry.

Registering for Honors

To register for honors, you should contact the office of the Honors Program in 2311 Faculty/Administration Building (PH: 313-577-3030). While there is no specific point at which one must register as an honors student in order to qualify for an honors degree, it is recommended that one register prior to achieving senior status.