Honors In BIOLOGY

Department of Biology
Coral Gables, Florida 33124-0421
Athula H. Wikramanayake, Ph.D., Director, Biology Honors
Phone: (305) 284-4134
Email: athula at miami.edu
Important Dates:

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at 5pm: Last day to submit an application for Spring 2010 graduates (Cox 208)

TBA: Deadline for Research and Creativity Forum Applications

TBA: Powerpoint Files for RCF Posters due in Rob Burgess’ office. Sample poster is here.

TBA: Research and Creativity Forum (undergraduate presentations)

TBA: Magna/Summa Thesis Due in UM Honors Program Office

TBA: Honors in Biology Theses (2 copies) due in Biology Honors Director’s Office (Cox 208)

For at least two semesters, you must have enough time in your schedule to devote to the research. Two credits are given for each semester of research. This is the equivalent of a 2-credit laboratory (6 hours per week), but if you are enthusiastic about your project, you will want to spend more time on it than that.

In addition to the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (or Bachelor of Arts) degree in Biology, a student must complete specific courses/seminars, as listed under Requirements. To have the statement “Graduated with Departmental Honors in Biology” on your final transcript, you must have completed the required courses and public presentation, have a final G.P.A of 3.5 in Biology and 3.3 overall, and have your senior thesis reviewed and accepted by a faculty committee.

You must download and submit this application (click to download) to my office (COX 208), with all appropriate signatures. Electronic copies will not be accepted. Due date listed above.

Requirements*
Getting Started (sophomore or junior year)
*                 Biology Seminar Courses (2 required)
                  BIL 253/257/299/374/375.

Begin Research (junior year)
*                 Choose a mentor and register with the Office of Undergraduate Research.
*                 Complete application to the Honors Program in Biology.
*                 Research courses; BIL 495 (or 353 or 555), and 496 (2 required).

Almost There (first semester, senior year)
*                 Continue research (BIL 497, if needed).
*                 One BIL course at the 500 level (if not already taken).

Final Steps (second semester, senior year)
*                 BIL 498 (Senior Thesis).
*                 BIL 499 (Research Colloquium).
*                 Public poster presentation of results.
*                 Submission of two copies of your thesis to the Director of the Honors Program in Biology.

* Please consult with the Director of the Honors Program in Biology prior to registration for each semester to review your progress.
Courses for Biology Honors Students
Biology 299 (2 cr.) Research Problems
A course designed to acquaint you with the research of individual faculty members. It is especially useful if you have not yet decided on a research project, and if you take it in the spring semester of your sophomore year. It may also be used as one of the required Honors seminars.

Biology 253, 257, 374, 375 (1 cr. each) Honors Seminars in Biology
Small discussion classes dealing with current questions in biology. Specific course offerings and contents may vary from semester to semester. Two of these courses (200-level or above) are required.

Biology 495, 496, 497 (2 cr. each) Projects in Biology (research credits)
A minimum of two semesters on a single topic is required (495 & 496); many students extend their research into a third semester (497). BIL 353 or 555 may be substituted for BIL 495.

Biology 498 (2 cr.) Senior Thesis
Credit for preparation of your senior thesis (in consultation with your faculty research supervisor and sponsor); usually taken in your final semester. This involves further background reading in the area of your research, data analysis, organization and writing of preliminary and final drafts of your thesis, and public presentation of your research [in a poster session or a Platform (oral) Session]. The thesis will be reviewed for acceptance by a faculty committee. A guide for preparation of the thesis may be found at: http://www.bio.miami.edu/honors/seniorthesis.html

Biology 499 (1 cr) Research Colloquium
You will discuss the background and progress of your research with other students and prepare a poster on your research which you will present in a public forum. This course is usually taken in the spring of your senior year, concurrent with BIL 498.