Honors College Requirements

Complete Patrick Leahy Honors College courses in fall (HCOL 1000) and spring (HCOL 1500)

Complete two, three-credit seminars (HCOL 2000) – one in fall and one in spring

Complete CEMS 2010 PLHC Research Experience (1 cr., fall) to explore possible thesis projects and identify a thesis advisor

Complete CEMS 2020 Research Thesis Proposal (1 cr., spring) to develop your thesis research proposal

Complete 6 credits of honors thesis. There are three options for CEMS students to fulfill this requirement:

• 3 credits of College Honors in fall followed by 3 credits of College Honors in spring
• 3-credit industry internship for credit followed by 3 College Honors credits in the same topic
• 3-credit undergraduate research experience (REU) in the spring of junior year, followed by paid summer research and 3 credits of thesis in the fall of senior year; Or, 3 credits REU in the summer followed by 3 credits of College Honors in the fall of senior year

May 15: Finalize thesis advisor and committee. Have the thesis proposal approved via CEMS 2020 and by the thesis advisor.

For students completing their thesis in the fall of senior year (may apply to students completing a thesis via REU or industry internship):

• Thesis due to thesis advisor by November 1
• Thesis defense announced publicly one week prior to defense
• Thesis defense completed by November 15
• Thesis revisions due to advisor by November 30
• Thesis advisor confirms the successful completion of the thesis by submitting a grade for the honors thesis credits by the last day of the final exam period 

For students completing their thesis in spring:

• Thesis due to thesis advisor by April 1
• Thesis defense announced publicly one week prior to defense
• Thesis defense complete by April 15
• Thesis revisions due to thesis advisor by April 30
• Thesis advisor confirms the successful completion of the thesis by submitting a grade for the honors thesis credits by the last day of the final exam period