Hutton Honors College

1. How is your honors degree program administered? Is there a specific person who acts as coordinator? Is there a faculty committee?

The Director of Undergraduate Studies in Chemistry, Dr. Cathrine E. Reck, and the Chemistry Academic Advisor, Shawn Adrian, work with the faculty who are teaching chemistry honors courses in administering the program.

2. What are the requirements for admission into your honors program? How are students recruited for your program? May students recommend themselves?

Incoming freshmen who score exceptionally well on the Chemistry Placement Exam are invited to enroll in CHEM-S117, the initial chemistry honors course. Entrance into the other chemistry honors courses (CHEM-S341, CHEM-S342) is open not only to students who have done well in previous honors courses but also to students who have done very well in the regular (i.e., non-honors) sections. Students may also request approval from the course instructor to be admitted into an honors course. Students may request approval from the course instructor to be admitted into an honors course.

3. How does a student graduate with honors from your department?

To graduate with honors in chemistry, a student must have completed a CHEM-G410 Undergraduate Research thesis, completed the requirements for either the B.S. in Chemistry or Biochemistry, and earned a minimum IU cumulative GPA of 3.3. Although enrollment in chemistry honors courses is strongly recommended, it is not required.

4. What courses do students take as juniors in order to prepare for working on the senior project? How are these honors seminars and courses typically conducted? What are the usual requirements in such courses?

No courses are required as prerequisites, but research directors may require certain courses for specific projects. Undergraduate research (CHEM-C409) and completing an undergraduate research thesis (CHEM-G410) is the heart of the Chemistry Honors Degree Program. Undergraduate research (CHEM-C409) normally begins during a student's sophomore year, although it can start earlier. This program is open to superior students making good progress toward the completion of a major in chemistry. The undergraduate research thesis (CHEM-G410) is normally completed during the student's final semester, although it can also be completed earlier. Enrollment in CHEM-C409 or CHEM-G410 must be approved by both the student's prospective research director and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Cathrine Reck.

5. Are there departmental resources available to support internships or research projects related to the senior project?

Summer research scholarships are available from the department on a competitive basis. Research advisors receive an allocation from the department budget for consumable supplies.

6. What is the nature of the senior project and what are the requirements for completing it?

At the termination of the research program and before the research director assigns a final grade, the student, under the direction of his/her research advisor, must prepare a final written thesis. This thesis must be comprehensive and thoroughly prepared, following the general format of papers in the best chemical journals. The thesis must be comprehensive and thoroughly prepared, following the general format of papers in the best chemical journals. Final theses are uploaded into the IU Libraries' IUScholarWorks database for use by the scholarly community at IU and elsewhere. The student must also formally present the findings of his/her research to a group of faculty members and colleagues before a final grade is assigned.

7. How might the work required for earning an honors degree be particularly beneficial in future endeavors?

Most students completing the program enter graduate or professional school. A number of students go directly into industrial positions.

8. What are the advantages for students who pursue the honors degree compared to a regular degree in your area?

Honors courses differ significantly in the depth and breadth of subject manner. Enrollments are limited to ensure strong faculty-student interaction. This interaction provides "role models" for students who are innately talented. Many students are challenged by superior peers to perform at their best. Undergraduate research is a plus for any student seeking entrance into graduate school and to those seeking industrial positions.

9. Please list suggestions for other departments based on activities that have worked well for your students.

Each semester the Chemistry Undergraduate Office sends each research director and C409 student an update form to complete and return. This information is used to track the student's progress in our honors program.