Academically accomplished Biology majors may be eligible for Departmental Honors.

Admission requirements:

• To participate in Departmental Honors, students must be members in good standing of Commonwealth College with the ability to complete 45 graded (not pass/fail) credits in residence (registered at UMass Amherst, not transferred).
  
• Students should review the Commonwealth College Departmental Honors Application process. At the bottom is a link to the on-line application, which will be active at appropriate times (twice a year).

  Consult with Patricia Wadsworth, the Biology Departmental Honors Coordinator, if you have specific questions about requirements or departmental opportunities.
  

Course requirements:

Completion of Commonwealth College honors course requirements as specified on the student’s Commonwealth College contract. The following honors courses are required unless contracted accommodations are noted in the student’s Commonwealth College file:

• ENGLWP 112H or approved substitution with grade of B or better (or exemption)
• GenEd honors science course with grade of B or better
• GenEd honors course with grade of B or better
• Deans Book Series with grades of B or better
• 1 Biology honors course at any level with grade of B or better
• 1 Biology honors course at 300-level or higher with grade of B or better
• Either BIOL 499Y “Honors Research” and BIOL 499T “Honors Thesis” with grade of B or better in both, OR Biology 499E "Research Methodology I" and Biology 449F "Research Methodology II" with grade of B or better in both*

  Note: The requirements for graduating with Latin honors (Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude) are described at http://www.umass.edu/registrar/media/honors_faq.pdf

  * The minimum grade requirement applies to each 499 course used to satisfy the Capstone Experience requirement, as well as the archived manuscript produced for the Capstone Experience.