Director: Dr. Doug Lobner
Honors Committee: Dr. Bob Peoples, Dr. Maria Crowe, Dr. Kevin Siebenlist
in the Undergraduate Bulletin

The Disciplinary Honors Program in Biomedical Sciences asks students to perform exceptional work in research and community engagement and to maintain high academic standards. Students in the program must go beyond normal expectations in these areas by developing and carrying out an Honors plan that integrates coursework, research, community engagement, writing, and oral presentations into a coherent whole. There are two specific focuses within the program, one on scientific research and the other on community engagement, although all students must include some experience in each area. 

Curriculum Requirements

All Biomedical Sciences Disciplinary Honors students choose either the Research or Community Engagement focus, each of which includes two courses. Students in both focuses also take three additional courses for a total of five, credit for all five of which may be applied simultaneously to the Biomedical Sciences major as elective credit. Students should consult the to confirm which Honors courses may be used toward Biomedical Sciences elective credit.

Research Focus Requirements – 2 courses (3 or 6 credits)

Questions about the research focus should be directed to doug.lobner@marquette.edu.

• Six credits of honors laboratory research ( Honors Independent Study in Biomedical Sciences) (enrolling twice, for three credits each term), or three credits plus participation in the summer research program (, 0 credits, work equivalent to a 3-credit class during the semester)
• Thematic research plan-related curriculum
• Community engagement component (e.g., assist with anatomy lab tours for high school students)
• During one of the independent study courses or the capstone course, a written account of how the student has fulfilled the Honors plan.
• Students should consider extra-curricular activities in the field – e.g., BISC seminar series

Community Engagement Focus Requirements – 2 courses (6 credits)

Questions about the community engagement focus should be directed to autumn.swanson@marquette.edu.

• Six credits of honors community engagement course ( Honors Community Engagement in Biomedical Sciences) (enrolling twice, for three credits each term)
• Thematic community engagement plan-related curriculum
• Relevant research component (e.g., attend research-based seminar series)
• During one of the community engagement courses or the capstone course, a written account of how the student has fulfilled the Honors plan.
• Students should consider extra-curricular activities in the field – e.g., BISC seminar series

Curricular Requirements for both the Research and Community Engagement Focuses – 3 courses (3 credits)

In addition to the individual focus requirements, all students within the program must take two one-credit Honors courses as well as the Honors Program capstone course.
Choose two of the following:

• Honors Advanced Pathology (1 cr)
• Honors Physiology In Depth: Contemporary Issues (1 cr)
• Honors Advanced Biochemistry (1 cr)
• Honors Advanced Cellular Genetics and Cancer (1 cr)
• Honors Advanced Systems Neuroscience (1 cr)
  Plus:
  Disciplinary Honors Capstone (1 cr)

Eligibility and Application

The program is intended to be completed over the last two years of students' academic career. Students apply near the end of the spring semester of sophomore year; all applicants must have a 3.2 cumulative overall GPA.  The application consists of a comprehensive Honors Plan addressing three core main Disciplinary Honors themes: Academic Excellence, Research, and Community Engagement. Students must also identify a faculty mentor who will sponsor their plan. The Disciplinary Honors Program in Biomedical Sciences Committee reviews the applications and selects a limited number of honors applicants to participate in the program.

See sample proposals, application deadline and application forms.