The following is a brief overview of the ways in which students can work closely with faculty to gain Honors experiences:
As upper-level courses are rarely offered as Honors sections, students may choose to complete an In-Course Honors project in order to earn Honors credit. In-Course Honors projects generally require 5-10 hours per semester, per credit hour, of work beyond usual course requirements. For example, a three-credit course completed for in-course honors generally requires 15-30 hours, while a four-credit course generally involves 20-40 hours. Projects may take many forms limited only by the imagination of the student and the approval of the professor and the honors program. Here is a list of unique projects (.pdf) that go beyond a general paper.
Students will contact you for an informal approval or suggestion for a project, and then will need your signature on a completed In-Course Honors contract. The purpose of this contract is to make sure that both parties understand the amount of time the student will be expected to contribute to the In-Course Honors work. The academic content of In-Course Honors work is entirely up to the faculty member. Final approval of project topics and length is made by the Honors staff. More information
URP is a credit-earning opportunity (IDS 285, 286) for Honors students who wish to participate in faculty research projects. In an era of increasing work and diminishing resources, the URP program is a great way for faculty researchers to attain the assistance of some of our best undergraduate students. Research projects are posted in the Honors Office, and students are encouraged to initiate the first meeting with the faculty member. The normal procedure is for the student to fill out a URP contract before obtaining the faculty member’s signature, and then to return the completed contract to the Honors Office for final approval. More information
If you are interested in participating in the URP Program, please complete the research interest form.
Mentorships also allow students to assist faculty in research. Mentorships, however, are awarded on a competitive basis and students who receive a Mentorship are awarded a stipend rather than academic credit. Like URP, the Mentorship Program can provide excellent assistance to a faculty member’s research project. Although students are encouraged to locate a faculty member who is interested in becoming a Mentor, we also invite faculty members to recommend students to the Mentorship Program. The contractual procedure for Mentorships is similar to that of the URP.
If you are interested in participating in the Mentorship Program, please complete the research interest form.
Credit-earning, Independent Honors Study projects (course number 299) are initiated by Honors students and should compliment and broaden regular coursework. The projects are supervised by faculty and must be approved by the department chair. Students will need your signature and the department chair’s signature on a completed Independent Honors Study contract, which will include a description of the project. More informationLearn more about this unique opportunity for students and how you can be involved.