Director: Dr. Deanna Arble
 in the Undergraduate Bulletin  

The Disciplinary Honors Program in Biological Sciences focuses on experiential learning, in the form of either laboratory research or internship, and on science communication. The program is open to students in all of the majors offered by the Department of Biological Sciences.  Students majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology may choose to follow either the Biological Sciences or Chemistry Disciplinary Honors Program in consultation with their advisors.

Curriculum Requirements

The following prerequisite courses are recommended:

• Honors General Biology 1 (3 cr)
• Honors General Biology 2 (3 cr)
• Foundations in Biological Inquiry (2 cr)
• Entering Research 1 (1 cr)
• Entering Research 2 (1 cr)

Students must complete one of the following:

• Honors Laboratory Research Project in Biological Sciences (3 cr)
• Honors Internship in Biological Sciences - Part-time (0 cr) or
• Honors Internship in Biological Sciences - Full-time (0 cr)
• Honors Student Study/Research Placeholder in Biology (0 cr)

With the approval of the BSCI Disciplinary Honors Director, students may also take one or more of the following courses for additional research experience:

• Experimental Microbiology (3 cr)
• Experimental Molecular Biology (3 cr)
• Tropical Ecology in Panama  (3 cr)
• Independent Study in Biology (3 cr)

Students must also complete one of the following (similar seminar courses in MSCS, Physics, or other Arts and Sciences departments may be substituted with prior approval by the BSCI Disciplinary Honors Director):

• Topics in Biology (1 cr)
• Seminar in Undergraduate Research (1 cr)
• Advanced Concepts in Genetics and Cell Biology (3 cr)
• Advanced Concepts in Cell Biology and Biochemistry (3 cr)
• Honors Physiology In Depth: Contemporary Issues (1 cr)
• Honors Advanced Pathology (1 cr)
• Honors Advanced Biochemistry (1 cr)
• Honors Advanced Cellular Genetics and Cancer (1 cr)
• Honors Advanced Systems Neuroscience (1 cr)

Additional Requirements

All Biological Sciences Disciplinary Honors students must give a public presentation (talk or poster) describing the results of their research or internship. The Director will inform students of presentation opportunities and determine which presentations fulfill the requirements of the program. Students are also strongly encouraged to present their work at the annual University Honors Program Research Symposium. Students must have at least a 3.2 cumulative major GPA to graduate with Disciplinary Honors in Biological Sciences.

Eligibility and Application

All applicants must have a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.2, and should have identified a faculty mentor or faculty internship sponsor by the time of application.  Students are encouraged to apply in the spring of sophomore year, but applications will also be accepted by students in the fall of junior year.  Questions about the program or application can be directed to the program director.