:: Departmental Honors ::

Required Course Work

MICBIO 310H Honors General Microbiology (1 cr)
A small group tutorial discussion: the role science in society combined with discussions of contemporary societal issues involving microbiology such as emerging infectious diseases and microbial biotechnology.

MICBIO 396H Honors Independent Study in Microbiology (HIS, usually 3 cr) ( File an Honors Independent Study Contract with Commonwealth College ; form may be found on the ComCol website.)

Program participants will undertake an honors section of independent study (research) under the direction of their research sponsor. Beyond the normal expectations for independent study students in the department, the honors section may include preparation of a review of the scientific literature in the field of the research project.

MICBIO 499Y Honors Research (Capstone Experience) (3 cr, Fall, Senior Year) ( File an Independent Capstone Contract and Research Proposal with Commonwealth College ; form and proposal information may be found on the ComCol website.)

Original microbiological research carried out under the direction of the research sponsor. The honors student will take an active role in the experimental design of the research project. While it is not expected that undergraduate honors student will be fully capable of initiating original research on their own it is hoped that participation in the design and implementation of a research project will help the student acquire the necessary skills to carry out independent research.

MICBIO 499P Honors Project (Capstone Experience) (3 cr, Spring, Senior Year) ( File an Independent Capstone Contract with Commonwealth College )

The honors project consists of completing and presenting the original research undertaken. The presentation will include but not be limited to an abstract suitable for publication and a research summary in the form of a poster appropriate for presentation at a scientific meeting. A Departmental Poster Presentation Session will be held at the end of the semester. Honors students are also encouraged to present their results at local or national scientific meetings. Students must also complete the Capstone Manuscript requirement of Commonwealth College .

Honors Committee

The Honors Committee will consist of the research sponsor, an additional faculty member, and an optional third member. At least one member of the Honors Committee must be a member of the Department of Microbiology. The Committee will meet periodically to review progress, with a final committee meeting (may be held at Departmental Poster Session) to evaluate the content and presentation of the Honors Project.

Graduation

All students completing the Departmental Honors Program will graduate as Commonwealth Scholars with Departmental Honors . Students obtaining a grade point average of 3.2 or better will be awarded C um Laude . Those students obtaining a grade of B+ or better on their Honors Project and archives document (Capstone Manuscript), and a grade point average of 3.5 or better will be awarded Magna cum laude . Those students obtaining a grade of A- or better on their Honors Project and archives document (Capstone Manuscript), and a grade point average of 3.8 or better will be awarded Summa cum laude .

The Process

For Commonwealth College students with a 3.4 or higher GPA, and sophomore standing:

• Interview with Departmental Honors Coordinator:
  
  Professor Susan Leschine
  212 Morrill IVN
  Tel: 545-0673
  Email: suel@microbio.umass.edu
  
  
• To enroll in Departmental Honors, a Change of Major Form must be filed with Commonwealth College.
  
  
• Select a Research Sponsor and laboratory in which you will conduct research for your Honors Project (Capstone Experience).
  
  
• An Honors Independent Study (IS) Contract must be filed with Commonwealth College to enroll in MICBIO 396H, Honors IS in Microbiology. The Honors IS Contract and other forms are available on the ComCol website ( http://www.comcol.umass.edu/ ).
  
  
• With the assistance of the Research Sponsor, you should form an Honors Committee before the beginning of your senior year.
  
  
• Arrange an informal introductory meeting with committee members to outline the planned research.
  
  
• Register for 499Y (Fall Term) and 499P (Spring Term) senior year. Completion of this two-semester sequence will fulfill the Capstone Experience (CE) requirement of Commonwealth College as an Independent Capstone. In order to register, you must file an Independent Capstone Contract and Research Proposal with Commonwealth College. This form and information on preparing your research proposal may be found on the ComCol website.
  
  
• Prepare your poster and Honors Project Manuscript. See ComCol website for CE documentation requirements.
  
  
• Present your research before your committee. This may be linked to your poster presentation at the Departmental Poster Session held at the end of Spring Semester.
  
  
• Submit Honors Project ( CE ) documentation to Commonwealth College before the end of your final semester. This includes your Honors Project Manuscript, with two copies of your Abstract, and a completed Capstone Completion Form.

Department of Microbiology
203 Morrill Science Center IVN
University of Massachusetts
639 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003

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