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Department of Chemistry

Departmental Honors

Honors Requirements for Biochemistry and Chemistry Education

Students majoring in Chemistry may be admitted to the Departmental Honors Program if they have:

  • prior admission to the University Honors Program
  • completed at least 30 hours of college-level courses, including at least two courses in Chemistry
  • a cumulative GPA of 3.30
  • applied for admission to departmental honors to the Chemistry chairperson (Dr. Craig McLauchlan) or honors advisor (Dr. Jeremy Driskell) and received approval for admission into the program

In order to graduate with honors in Chemistry, a student must complete:

  • all regular requirements for the Major in Chemistry including PHY 110 and 111
  • 5 hours of CHE 290 and/or 299 (3 hours must be CHE 299)*
  • a research presentation at a university, regional, or national/international conference or symposium
  • 4 of the following courses: CHE 301, 315, 318, 344, 350, 362, 380
  • MAT 147, MAT 175, IT 165, IT 168 or 3 h in non-CHE SMT courses numbered 200-or higher
  • a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or greater at graduation, as well as a Chemistry GPA of 3.50
  • the general requirements for participation in the University Honors Program, three semesters in the University Honors Program and the good standing criteria for the University Honors Program at the time of graduation

* Students in the Chemistry Teacher Certification Sequence may substitute a capstone experience in chemical education for two of the credit hours of CHE 290/299 with approval of the department.

Honors Requirements for Chemistry

Students earn this designation at graduation; requirements, including being in good standing with the Honors Program, are reviewed at the end of the final semester:

  • 3.3 cumulative GPA
  • 3.5 major GPA
  • Fulfill Honors Program participation requirements: 1 Honors Learning Experience per semester in the program, including the final semester (students are not required to complete an Honors Learning Experience when they are off-campus)
  • Complete 2 Honors Learning Experiences in CHE courses, specifically:
    • Honors Sections of CHE 140 and 141 or an Honors Contract in a CHE course at the 200 level or higher
    • Completion of 4 of the following courses with an Honors Contract in one course: CHE 301, 302, 315, 344, 350, 362, 372, 380, CHE/PHY 318
  • Complete an Honors Capstone Experience, specifically:
    • 5 hours of CHE 290/299 (of which at least 3 hours are CHE 299) that culminates in a research presentation at a university, regional, or national/international conference or symposium

University Honors Program

Further details about the University Honors program are available on the Honors Program website.

Forms for Honors Students