Honors Programs Descriptions by Department
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
For full listings of Departmental Honors requirements, please consult the Bulletin.
A
African and African-American Studies
Majors who have maintained a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.3 or higher in the major may apply for the honors program. Students should apply in the Spring quarter of their junior year.
The honors thesis is intended to enable students to synthesize several skills they have acquired to produce a document or project demonstrating competency in their specialty. The honors thesis must be discussed with and approved by the major advisor and the program director. A student may receive 5 to 15 units for the honors thesis.
American Studies
To graduate with honors, American Studies majors must complete a senior thesis with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 in the major. In lieu of that, they must demonstrate academic competence. Students must apply to enter the honors program no later than the end of registration period in the Autumn quarter of their senior year.
Archaeology
The honors program in Archaeology gives qualified majors the chance to work closely with faculty on an individual research project culminating in an honors thesis.
Students may begin honors research from a number of starting points, which include the following:
- Topics introduced in the core or upper-division courses
- Independent interests
- Research on artifacts in the Stanford collections
- Fieldwork experiences
Sophomore and junior candidates with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better should submit an application to the program administrator by the fourth week of Spring quarter. It must include a brief project statement, a transcript, a short paper and a letter of recommendation from the faculty member supervising the honors thesis. Students are notified of their acceptance by the Undergraduate Committee.
Art and Art History
The purpose of the honors thesis is to extend and deepen work done in an art history class; the topic should have focus and clear parameters. Typically, an honors thesis is not an exploration of a new area that the student has never studied before.
The minimum requirement for admission to the honors program is an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 and at least 3.5 in Art History courses. Students wishing to write an honors thesis must announce their intention. They do this by submitting a form signed by the thesis advisor (who need not be the student’s academic advisor) before February 1 of their junior year.
Asian Languages
Majors with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 may apply for the honors program. To do this, students must submit a senior thesis proposal to the honors committee during Winter or Spring quarter of junior year.
The proposal must include the following:
- A thesis outline
- A list of all relevant courses the student has taken or plans to take
- A preliminary reading list including a work or works in Chinese or Japanese
- The name of a faculty member who has agreed to act as honors supervisor
B
Biological Sciences
To graduate with departmental honors, a student must ensure the following:
- Submit an honors petition proposal to the department undergraduate research coordinator by the fifth Friday of the quarter, two quarters prior to graduation
- Complete at least 10 units of an approved (BIOSCI 199 or BIOSCI 199X) research project
- Obtain at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average (GPA) in all Biological Sciences major requirements taken at Stanford (cognate, core and elective courses)
C
Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL).
See International Relations honors program.
Chemical Engineering
The Department of Chemical Engineering offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with honors. Qualified undergraduate majors conduct independent study and research at an advanced level with a faculty mentor, graduate students and fellow undergraduates.
This three-quarter, sequential program involves the following:
- Research study in an area proposed to and agreed to by a Department of Chemical Engineering faculty advisor
- Completion of a faculty-approved thesis
- Participation in the Chemical Engineering Honors Symposium held annually during Spring quarter
Admission to the honors program is by application. To qualify for eligibility, declared Chemical Engineering students must ensure the following:
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher in Chemical Engineering courses
- Submit an application no later than the second week of Autumn quarter of senior year
- Include an honors proposal
- Be sponsored by both a thesis advisor and a second reader
Chemistry
A limited number of undergraduates may be admitted to the Chemistry honors program beginning Spring of junior year. Those completing the program satisfactorily receive the BS degree in Chemistry with honors.
Admission to the program requires a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in all University course work. An overall GPA of 3.3 in all Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics course work including 9 (most recent) units in CHEM 190 is required for a degree with honors.
Students wishing admittance to the honors program should register in the department student services office in Mudd Chemistry, Room 121, beginning Spring quarter in junior year. Those who do not meet all of the above formal requirements may petition the department for admission.
Civil and Environmental Engineering
This program leads to a BS with Honors in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering. It encourages highly qualified, engineering-major students to undertake a more intensive study of civil and environmental engineering than is required for the normal major. This is accomplished through a substantial, independent research project that includes completion of a high quality thesis.
The program involves an in-depth research study in an area proposed to and agreed to by a Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) faculty advisor.
A written proposal for the research to be undertaken must be submitted and approved in the fourth quarter prior to graduation. At the time of application, the student must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.3 for Stanford course work. This GPA must be maintained to graduation.
Classics
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 in Classics courses is required for students to enroll in the honors program.
To be considered for honors in Classics, the student must select a professor who can supervise his or her honors thesis. Together with the supervisor, the student writes a two- to three-page proposal at the beginning of the senior year. The proposal should outline the project in detail, list relevant courses that have been taken, and name the supervisor. The department gives approval only if it is satisfied that the student has sufficient knowledge of department course work, not limited to the following areas:
- Art
- Greek and / or Latin language
- History
- Literature
- Philosophy
HUMANITIES
For majors in Classics with appropriate interests, the honors program in Humanities is available. A description of this is found under the “Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities” section.
Communication
The honors program provides undergraduates the opportunity to undertake a significant program of research in an individual professor / student mentoring relationship. The aim is to guide students through the process of research, analysis, drafting, rethinking and redrafting, which is essential to excellence in scholarship.
Interested, eligible majors for the honors program must fulfill the following by the end of their junior year:
- Successfully completed both a research methods and statistics course
- Selected an advisor
- Submitted an application to the department
Comparative Literature
Honors is reserved for exceptionally motivated students who wish to undertake an intensive, extensive program of study that leads to writing a senior honors paper. The program allows for either a Literary Studies or an Interdisciplinary emphasis.
During Spring quarter of junior year, students must submit a letter to the department Director of Undergraduate Studies requesting admission to the honors program.
Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
Majors in each study area who meet academic qualifications (a grade point average of 3.5 in CSRE-related courses) may apply for admission.
Majors are expected to participate in a Spring quarter junior workshop in preparation for their honors thesis research. Prizes for the best undergraduate honors theses are awarded annually by the Curriculum Committee of CSRE.
Computer Science
The Department of Computer Science (CS) offers an honors program for selected undergraduates with personal initiative. Their academic records indicate that they have the necessary skills to undertake high quality research in computer science.
Admission to the program is by application only. To be eligible for the honors program, students must satisfy the following conditions:
- Major in Computer Science
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.6 in courses that count toward the major
- Achieve senior standing (135 or more units) by the end of the academic year in which they apply
- Find a Computer Science faculty member who agrees to serve as their thesis advisor for the project
Coterminal master’s students are eligible to apply as long as they have not already received their undergraduate degree. Honors-eligible students must submit a written application to the CS undergraduate program office by May 1 of the year preceding the honors work.
D
Drama
For a limited number of students, the department confers the Bachelor of Arts Degree with Departmental Honors in Drama.
To be considered for departmental honors, students must apply with the following:
- A written submission (including transcript) establishing the student’s work-to-date in the department
- An outline of the area of research that the student wishes to pursue
No students are admitted to the honors program with a grade below ‘B-’ in any course (departmental or otherwise) that constitutes part of their Drama major.
Students must complete the Drama core requirements by the end of their junior year (earlier if possible). Only in exceptional circumstances can this requirement be waived. Transfer from another university, extended overseas study or temporary withdrawal from the major due to illness might constitute extenuating circumstances. Grade point average in courses counting toward the major must be 3.5 by the time of graduation.
HONORS PROGRAM IN HUMANITIES
An honors program in Humanities is available for Drama majors who wish to supplement their major with related and carefully guided studies.
E
East Asian Studies
Majors with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or better in all courses related to East Asia may apply for the honors program. This must be done no later than the final quarter of the junior year.
Applicants submit an honors prospectus to the student’s advisor for approval and admission is granted by the CEAS undergraduate committee, acting on the advisor’s recommendation.
Economic
The honors program offers an opportunity for independent research, creativity and achievement. It is designed to encourage a more intensive study of economics than is required for the normal major, with course and research work of exceptional quality. Honors students may participate in an Honors Research Symposium during Spring quarter, where those nominated for prizes make oral presentations.
Juniors interested in the honors program should attend an informational meeting scheduled by the honors program director during the first week of each quarter. At this meeting, students receive information on organizing an honors project and are given details on honors programs.
Prospective honors candidates must submit an application to the director no later than the end of the first month of the third quarter before graduation. This is typically Autumn quarter of senior year. A three-page thesis proposal is also required later in the same quarter, which must be approved by the thesis advisor.
Education
The School of Education offers an honors program to interested undergraduates that permits them to build on training received in their major field of study. They do this by pursuing additional courses and a research or practicum project in a related area of education.
Near the end of Spring quarter, successful honors candidates present brief oral reports on their work and findings at a mini-conference. All honors students in Education are expected to attend this conference. Students apply for entry into the honors program during their junior year. The director of the program is Professor John Krumboltz.
Electrical Engineering
The Department of Electrical Engineering offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with honors. This program offers an opportunity for qualified undergraduate majors to conduct advanced, independent study and research with a faculty mentor, graduate students and fellow undergraduates.
Admission to the honors program is by application. Declared EE students with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 in Electrical Engineering are eligible to submit an application. Applications satisfy the following conditions:
- Must be submitted by Autumn quarter of senior year
- Be signed by the thesis advisor and second reader (one must be a member of the EE faculty)
- Include an honors proposal
English
Students wishing to undertake a more extensive program in English literature are invited to apply for the honors program, which includes the Honors Seminar. All outstanding students are encouraged to engage in independent research toward completing an honors thesis project through the program.
Interested students should apply no later than Autumn quarter of junior year. Admission is selective; provisional admission is announced in December. Permission to continue in the program is contingent upon submitting a senior honors essay proposal with a bibliography by May 15 of junior year.
HONORS PROGRAM IN HUMANITIES
An honors program in Humanities is available for English Literature majors who wish to supplement the major with a related, carefully guided program of studies.
Ethics in Society
The honors program of Ethics in Society is open to majors in every field and may be taken in addition to a department major.
Students should apply at the end of Spring quarter of sophomore year or no later than the beginning of Autumn quarter of junior year. Applicants should have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 (B+) or higher.
F
Feminist Studies
Admission to the honors program offers an opportunity to do independent research for a thesis of superior academic quality. It is open to students with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 or better in Feminist Studies course work.
Normally, students must apply for honors certification by the end of junior year. To apply, students should design a project in consultation with their major or minor advisor and the Feminist Studies honors tutor. A proposal describing the project and the number of units to be awarded must be submitted to the program director for final approval.
MAJORS IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS
Honors certification in Feminist Studies complements study in any major for those students with a GPA of 3.3 or better. Yet, majors in other programs are distinguished from honors for students pursuing a major in Feminist Studies.
French
Majors are eligible to apply to the honors program if they maintained an average grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 in five upper-division French courses. The honors program candidate must fulfill all regular requirements for the major, except that he or she is exempt from the senior project. Instead, the student undertakes writing a research paper in French or English on a specialized topic, no shorter than 50 pages in length.
The student must submit an application for honors in French to the director of undergraduate studies no later than end of Spring quarter of junior year. The central portion of this application must contain an outline of the proposed honors essay.
G
Geological and Environmental Sciences
The honors program provides an opportunity for yearlong independent study and research on a topic of special interest that culminates in a written thesis. Students select research topics by consulting with the faculty advisor of their choice. Research undertaken for the honors program may be field, theoretical, or experimental in nature, or a combination of these approaches.
The honors program is open to students with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 in GES courses and 3.0 in all Stanford course work. Modest financial support is available from several sources to help defray laboratory and field expenses incurred in conjunction with honors research. Interested students must submit an application (including a research proposal) to the department by the end of junior year.
Geophysics
The department offers a program leading to the BS degree in Geophysics with honors. Students select a research project, either field, theoretical or experimental that has the approval of an advisor and submit a proposal to the department. The department will decide on its suitability as an honors project. Necessary forms are in the department office.
The decision whether an independent study project merits an award of honors is made jointly by the department and the student’s advisor. This is based on the quality of the honors work and the student’s other work in earth sciences.
German Studies
Majors with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 in German courses are eligible for departmental honors.
Students interested in the honors program should consult the undergraduate advisor early in their junior year. The essay topic is chosen in consultation with a faculty member of the department. Opportunities to start research projects are offered at the Stanford in Berlin Center. The student also must submit a proposal for the honors essay to the German faculty by end of Spring quarter of junior year.
H
History
For a limited number of majors, the department offers a special program leading to honors in History. Students accepted for this program begin work on an essay in Spring quarter of junior year and complete the essay by mid-May of senior year.
To enter this program, the student must be accepted by a department member who agrees to advise the research and writing of the essay. The student also must complete the Junior Honors Colloquium (299H).
An exception to the latter requirement may be made for those studying overseas Winter quarter of junior year. However, those students should consult with the director of the honors program before going overseas, if possible.
Under exceptional circumstances, students are admitted to the program in the Autumn quarter of senior year. In considering an applicant for such a project, the advisor and director of the honors program take into account general preparation in the project field. They also expect a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 (B+) in the student’s previous work in history and at the University. Students completing the thesis with a grade of ‘B+’ or higher are eligible for honors in History. To enter the honors program, apply at the Department of History office.
Human Biology
The honors program in Human Biology affords qualified majors the opportunity to work closely with faculty on an individual research project, culminating in an honors thesis. Students may begin honors research from a number of starting points, which include the following:
- Topics introduced in the core or upper-division courses
- Independent interests stemming from an internship experience
- Collaborating with faculty from the natural, social or behavioral sciences
Students may apply to the honors program once they have accomplished the following:
- Completed the Human Biology core
- Have an overall Stanford grade point average (GPA) of 3.2
- Meet other requirements detailed in the honors handbook
Interested students should consult resources in the Human Biology office and the Human Biology Honors Handbook. They can also consult the honors program application available from the student services office and schedule appointments with the Human Biology honors chair during office hours. Admission to the honors program is by application in April of junior year.
Humanities
The Honors Program in Humanities aims to heighten a sense of the relations among various humanistic disciplines. The program also studies issues in intellectual and cultural history through aesthetic, literary, historical, religious, social and ethical perspectives.
As an extra-departmental honors program, the Humanities Honors Program is open to any qualified undergraduate at Stanford, regardless of major. Interested students may obtain information from the program office. Students are encouraged to register for the program at the earliest opportunity and to take the Core Colloquium in the sophomore year.
However, students may join the program as late as the junior year under certain circumstances (e.g., transfer students). To be admitted to the program, students must have completed at least two quarters of the Area One requirement. The exception is transfer students, who must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.3 (B+) in all course work in the humanities.
I
International Relations
The International Relations honors program offers qualified students the opportunity to conduct a major independent research project under faculty guidance. Such a project requires a high degree of initiative and dedication, significant amounts of time and energy, and demonstrated skills in research and writing.
In their junior year, students should ensure the following:
- Consult with prospective honors advisors
- Choose courses that provide academic background in their areas of inquiry
- Demonstrate an ability to conduct independent research
Students should submit their honors thesis proposal in the Spring quarter of their junior year; check with International Relations Office for the exact deadline. Prerequisites for participation include the following:
- A 3.5 grade point average (GPA)
- A strong overall academic record
- Good academic standing
- Successful experience in writing a research paper
- Submission of an acceptable thesis proposal
CDDRL Undergraduate Honors Program
Initiated in 2006, the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) now offers a track within the International Relations (IR) Honors Program. The Stanford CDDRL Honors Program provides International Relations majors opportunities to conduct independent research projects about issues of democracy, development and the rule of law.
Interschool Honors Program in International Security Studies (CISAC)
The CISAC Honors Program provides opportunities for eligible students focused on international security subjects in any university department to earn honors in International Security Studies.
CISAC seeks a diverse group of undergraduate majors for the program. It has a goal of admitting no more than two undergraduates each year from any one department or interdisciplinary program.
Students selected for the honors program will fulfill the following:
- Intern with a security-related organization
- Attend the program honors college in Washington, DC, in September
- Attend a yearlong core seminar on international security research
- Produce an honors thesis with policy implications
Upon fulfilling individual department course requirements and completing the honors program, students will graduate in their major with a certificate in Honors in International Security Studies. Students are admitted to the program on a competitive basis.
L
Latin American Studies
The Honors Program in Latin American Studies is open to majors in any field. The honors program prepares students to pursue individualized research on Latin America, culminating in preparing an honors thesis written under a faculty advisor’s supervision. The honors program is particularly suited to students who go on to graduate school or pursue employment in an institution emphasizing research and independent work.
Although not required, students are encouraged to undertake independent field research in Latin America for their thesis.
Admission to the honors program is through application by the end of junior year. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 (B+) or higher and maintain this average in courses taken to satisfy the requirements. A minimum requirement for completion of either the minor or honors certificate is advanced proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese.
Linguistics
Students who wish to undertake a more intensive program of study in Linguistics, including independent research, should seek departmental honors.
An application to pursue honors work should be presented to a Linguistics undergraduate advisor before the end of the junior year. Approval is given only to students who maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 (B+) or better in courses required for the major.
M
Mathematical and Computational Science
The honors program is designed to encourage a more intensive study of mathematical sciences than the BS program. In addition to meeting all requirements for the BS, students must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.4 in mathematical sciences courses. Students interested in honors should consult with their advisors by last quarter of junior year to prepare and submit a study program to the approval committee. Honors work may be concentrated in fields outside the Mathematical and Computational Science programs such as, biological sciences, medicine or physics.
Mathematics
The honors program is intended for students who have strong theoretical interests and abilities in mathematics. The goal of the program is to give students a thorough introduction to the main branches of mathematics, especially analysis, algebra and geometry. Through the honors thesis, students may be introduced to a current or recent research topic, although occasionally more classical projects are encouraged.
Students in the honors program must write a senior thesis. To facilitate this, the student must choose an undergraduate thesis advisor from the Department of Mathematics faculty by the end of the junior year. Under the direction and guidance of the advisor, the student maps out a concentrated reading program.
The program provides an excellent background with which to enter a master’s or PhD program in Mathematics. Students successfully completing the program are awarded a BS in Mathematics with Honors.
Mechanical Engineering
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a program leading to a BS in Mechanical Engineering with honors. This program presents a unique opportunity for qualified undergraduate engineering majors to conduct independent study and research at an advanced level with a faculty mentor.
Mechanical Engineering majors who have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher in the major may apply for the honors program. Students who meet the eligibility requirements for honors must submit a written application to the Mechanical Engineering student services office. This must be done no later than the second week of Autumn quarter in senior year.
The application to enter the program can be obtained from
the ME student services office. It must contain a one-page
statement describing the research topic and include a transcript
of courses taken at Stanford. In addition, the application
is approved by a Mechanical Engineering faculty member who
agrees to serve as thesis advisor for the project.
Music
Honors in Music is awarded by the faculty to concentrators who have produced an independent project of exceptional quality. They also must meet certain department standards in musicianship, scholarship and academic standing. The conferral of honors is done solely through faculty consultation. Students do not petition for honors.
P
Philosophy
Students who wish to undertake an intensive, extensive study program (including seminars and independent work), can apply for honors during Winter quarter of junior year.
Admission is selective on the basis of demonstrated ability in philosophy. This includes an average grade of at least ‘A-’ in a substantial number of philosophy courses and progress towards satisfying the requirements of the major. With their application, candidates should submit an intended plan of study for the remainder of the junior and senior years.
The Department of Philosophy cooperates with the honors component of the Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities.
Physics
The department offers a program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physics with Honors. Students must submit an honors proposal to the Undergraduate Program Coordinator after consulting with individual faculty members to find a theoretical or experimental physics project.
Proposal forms are available from the Physics undergraduate office. Completed forms must be submitted by February 1 of the academic year in which the student plans to graduate. The decision whether an independent study project merits honors is made by the student’s honors advisor and the second reader of the thesis. This decision is based on the quality of the student’s honors work and other work in physics.
Political Science
The honors program offers qualified students an opportunity to conduct independent research, write a thesis summarizing their findings and make a presentation of their work. During the process of research, analysis, thinking, drafting, rethinking and redrafting, students work closely with a faculty advisor and their fellow students.
Applicants must have a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) in Political Science courses and an advisor who is a member of the academic council. Application forms can be obtained from the department office and should be completed by the Spring quarter of junior year.
Psychology
The senior honors program is designed for exceptionally able Psychology majors who wish to pursue a year of intensive supervised independent research.
Admission to the program is made at the end of the student’s junior year. It is based on excellent academic performance, previous research experience and two letters of recommendation by faculty and / or graduate students. An information meeting about the program is held in Winter quarter. Applications are available late Spring quarter. The completed forms, a current transcript and recommendations are turned in to the student services office by June 17 prior to the student’s senior year.
Public Policy
The Public Policy Program offers students the opportunity to pursue honors work during the senior year. To graduate with Public Policy Honors, students must apply for the program by the end of the second week of Autumn quarter of senior year.
Students pursuing honors work should plan their academic schedules so that most of the core courses are completed before the beginning of the senior year. In addition, all core and concentration courses must be completed by the end of Winter quarter of senior year.
To apply, a student must submit a completed application to the Public Policy Program office with a brief description of the thesis. The student must obtain the sponsorship of a faculty member who approves of the thesis description and who agrees to serve as a thesis advisor.
R
Religious Studies
The honors thesis in Religious Studies is a 40 to 80 page research paper on the student-chosen topic. This topic is approved by the advisor upon receipt of a proposal in the fourth quarter prior to expected graduation. The paper should advance a well-reasoned thesis supported by mastery of primary and secondary scholarship.
Writers of honors theses must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 in Religious Studies courses and at least 3.2 overall. They are expected to have already demonstrated success in writing research papers.
S
Science, Technology, and Society
STS offers a limited number of students an opportunity to achieve honors through in-depth study of how science and technology interact with society. The honors program is open to students majoring in any field (including STS).
Students accepted for this program carry out an honors project. The work for the honors project normally begins Spring quarter of junior year and is completed by mid-May of senior year. STS thesis projects usually entail writing an honors essay. Occasionally though, students choose to produce a technical artifact or carry out some other work that represents original thinking.
Application for admission to the STS honors program is typically made during the last quarter of the student’s junior year.
Slavic Languages and Literatures
Students in any track with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 (B+) or better in major courses can participate in the department honors program.
Prospective honors students may enroll for 2 units of credit in SLAVLIT 199 to conduct preliminary research and draft an honors proposal in Spring quarter of junior year.
Sociology
Students undertaking an independent scholarly project under the direction of a faculty member are encouraged to apply for admission to the department honors program.
To enter the program, students must be accepted by a department faculty member who agrees to advise on the research and writing of the essay. In some cases, students work with faculty advisors in other departments, but such arrangements must be approved by the chair of the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Program admission requires a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher in courses taken within the major. It also requires an overall GPA of 3.3 (B+) or higher in all undergraduate course work.
To formally enter the program, a student must complete an application form available from the department office. The form requires faculty sponsor endorsement, a brief description of the project undertaken and a copy of the student’s undergraduate transcript. Prospective candidates must submit a completed application to the Undergraduate Studies Committee chair no later than the end of the third quarter before graduation. This is typically Autumn quarter of senior year.
Spanish and Portuguese
Spanish and Portuguese majors, with a GPA of 3.3 (B+) or better in major courses, may apply to the honors program Spring quarter of junior year.
Students should submit an application for the honors program and a proposal outline. They may enroll for 2 units of credit in DLCL 189, Honors Thesis Seminar, for drafting or revising their thesis proposal and preliminary research. Honors students are encouraged to participate in the Honors College offered at the end of the summer before senior year.
Symbolic Systems
Seniors in SSP may apply for admission to the Symbolic Systems honors program prior to the beginning of their final year of study. Students who are accepted into the honors program can graduate with honors by completing an honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty member.
Course credit for the honors project may be obtained by registering for SYMBSYS 190, Honors Tutorial, for any quarter a student is working on an honors project. Juniors who are interested in doing an honors project during their senior year are strongly advised to take SYMBSYS 91, Junior Honors Seminar. SYMBSYS 191 (Senior Honors Seminar) is recommended for honors students during the senior year.
Contact SSP or visit the program website for more information on the honors program, including deadlines and policies.
U
Urban Studies
The honors program offers qualified students an opportunity to conduct independent research and to write a thesis summarizing the results. Before being accepted to the honors program in Urban Studies, a student must have an overall GPA of 3.3 and a GPA of at least 3.5 in Urban Studies.
They must submit an application, include a one-page abstract and enclose the signatures of an advisor and, if applicable, a second reader. The application must be submitted to the program office no later than the last day of classes in Springquarter of the junior year. It must then be approved by the Director of the Urban Studies honors program.
To graduate with honors, students must receive a grade of at least ‘A-’ in the honors work. They must have a GPA of at least 3.5 in courses for the Urban Studies major at the time of