Biology Honors Requirements:
Below is information that should answer most of your questions about requirements for Honors in Biology. Keep in mind that you need to attend the Fall meeting run by Harvey Klehr for all college Honors students; if you miss this meeting you may be dropped from the program.

1) You must be a senior, maintain a 3.50 GPA and complete at least two semesters of Biology 495 research. Graduation semester you must register for 495WR for your thesis to count towards the senior writing requirement.

2) You must pass a graduate level course (500 level or higher). If the class is three or four credits it can fulfill a Biology Dept. course requirement, assuming that your Biology academic advisor feels it is appropriate. A two credit course can fulfill the Honors requirement. The graduate course must be taken for a letter grade, so I suggest that you talk with the instructor about the syllabus, requirements, etc. The “Schedule of Courses” booklet lists the graduate courses. Check the IBS, EPI and Public Health lists for ideas. Enclosed in this packet is a permission form that will allow you to register for a graduate course; it already has my signature. You need to obtain the course instructor's signature. After getting the signature, you can obtain a permission number for the graduate class from Nicki Roberts in the Graduate Division office, Dental School 314.

3) Prepare a short research proposal (3-5 pages) describing your project. Introduce the research area, then address the hypotheses to be tested and methods utlilized. Submit it to Barry Yedvobnick in the Biology Dept. by Nov. 1. Students having previously prepared a Biology 499 proposal who have decided to enroll in Honors must modify their proposal according to the guidelines above. I have provided a model for such proposals for your to examine. Your proposal does not have to match this format exactly, but it needs to make the same points.

4) By January 30 select a committee. The committee of three must have two Biology Dept. faculty and one faculty member from a different department . If your research advisor is from outside the Biology Dept. then they are considered the non-Biology committee member. Please note: all committee members must be faculty members of Emory University . For instance, if your research advisor is at CDC and not an Emory faculty member then they cannot be a voting member of your committee (you need three voting members).

5) Prepare an oral progress report (15-20 minutes) and a short written progress report for the committee in February. The February date should allow time for additional experiments if suggested by the committee. Reserve a Rollins conference room for your presentation by contacting Geraldine Duffy in the Biology Dept. office. Your progress report should address the following: Hypothesis tested, Aims/Goals of Project, Experimental approaches, Results to date, Interpretation/Assessment of results, Planned experiments prior to end of project. Note that it is likely your committee will ask questions during your progress report. These questions may pertain to your data, or they may pertain to more general issues of your research field: be prepared.

At this meeting determine when your committee wants the publication quality written thesis; I have listed April 9 on the checklist as a warning that some faculty will want it by this date. You should also schedule your final oral exam date and then reserve a room for 90 minutes.

Under no circumstances should you submit the thesis to your committee without having it read, revised and approved by your research mentor. A cover sheet designating this approval is included in your packet.

NOTE: Some faculty are out of town in mid to late April: be certain to determine that your entire committee can be present during these times.

6) Complete the HONORS PROGRESS REPORT form and return it to Barry Yedvobnick by March 1 .

PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS WHO DO NOT COMPLETE THEIR ORAL PRESENTATION BY MARCH 1 WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE HONORS PROGRAM.

7) Your final oral presentation during the thesis defense should last about 30 minutes; this will be followed by questions from your committee. The guidelines for Degrees of Honors (Honors, High Honors, Highest Honors) are discussed on the COLLEGE HONORS PROGRAM sheet. In the Biology Department Highest Honors is restricted to a thesis that contains data that will be published. However, this is necessary but not sufficient to qualify for Highest Honors. In addition, your ability to discuss your research in the context of its field will contribute to your Honors level . If your research was a collaboration be certain to address explicitly what work was performed by you vs. others, including technicians. Copies of former student's Honors theses are available for you to peruse in Rollins 2033; please do not remove the theses.

8) Provide a xerox copy of your Honors examination report to Barry Yedvobnick, however the signed original exam report should be handed in to the College Office along with your final thesis.

9) If you decide at any time this academic year not to complete the Honors Program please contact me at 727-4203. Then, be certain to contact the director of Biology 499 who will be responsible for submitting your grade to the registrar.

10) Honors advisors are expected to attend a special Honors graduation ceremony. Please remind them. If they cannot attend have them contact me.

11) You can see any updated information in the Honors Folder of LearnLink, and on the Biology Department Homepage: