Departmental Honors

The honors project looks different in every major. It might be any of the following:

• A survey of consumers to evaluate attitudes regarding a certain marketing strategy
• Data analysis of the stomach content in hundreds of flounder in water with different salinity levels
• Critically evaluating the message and narrative in a TV show and how it impacts viewers
• Literary analysis of modern or classical texts
• The production of a film
• Writing of a manuscript
• Showcase of an art exhibition

Departmental Honors is a key part of the University Honors curriculum. It's the capstone experience to your story in Honors. But anyone with a 3.2 GPA can complete an honors project.

What are the benefits, and why should you consider it?

• Opportunity to pursue an independent research or creative scholarly project on any topic of your choice
• Complete those last 3 hours at the 400 level in order to graduate on your own terms
• A 499 class fulfills your Explorations Beyond the Classroom (EBC) requirement for University Studies and also counts as Writing Intensive (WI) course
• Completing a thesis will prepare you for grad school by making your application more competitive and preparing you for graduate-level research
• The unique Interdisciplinary Honors Project (HON 499) allows you to combine approaches and research from multiple disciplines or work with a faculty mentor outside your major
• Special honors designation on your transcript and diploma
• Build a close relationship with your faculty mentor
• Opportunities and financial support to present your research at academic conferences around the country
• Fellowships and scholarships dedicated exclusively to undergraduate research
• Some exceptional theses get published in academic journals
• Prove to employers, mentors or grad schools that you are a self-start that's well-equipped to take on advanced, independent projects
• Learn more about yourself, the research process and a topic that interests you

View past Departmental Honors papers