Honors in Environmental Science

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Available through the Department of Environmental Science , College of Arts and Sciences , the Honors in Environmental Science program engages students in the process of scientific exploration. Under the guidance of a faculty member, students apply for grant funding, design and conduct a year and a half long research project, and prepare a manuscript for publication of their research all while taking advanced coursework designed to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the scientific theories and processes underlying their research. Students admitted to the program are also encouraged to participate in scientific conferences to share their research in a public forum and to meet leading researchers in the field.

Admission to the Program

Interested students must submit a research proposal in the first semester of their junior year. The research proposal will include: background that draws on primary and secondary sources from the scientific literature to place their proposed study into the context of the broader field of research and to identify the need for the proposed research; methodology that describes how the proposed research will be conducted and demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct this research; preliminary or expected results that describe results from any research the student has already done for the proposed project or results that the student expects to find upon completion of the project, specifically explaining the scientific, social, and/or economic significance of the proposed research.

Admission to the program is based on good academic standing, demonstrated intellectual merit, and relevance of the proposed research to the research interests of the faculty. Students must have a cumulative and major GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

Program Requirements

12 credit hours of Honors in Environmental Science coursework
- 6 credit hours in independent research, culminating in a report and presentation
- 3 credit hours in interdisciplinary science coursework
- 3 credit hours in ENVS coursework at 500-level related to independent research
Minimum 3.67 major GPA in Environmental Science (BS) or Environmental Studies (BA)

Course Requirements

Independent Research (6 credit hours)

ENVS-490 Independent Study Project in Environmental Studies (1-6) (6 credit hours required; taken over 2-3 semesters)

Interdisciplinary Science (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following, in honors coursework:

Elective (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from one of the following, related to independent research: