In order to graduate with Honors in Biology, students are required to:

1. be a member of the University of Iowa Honors Program.



2. fulfill the regular requirements for a Biology B.S. or B.A. degree.



3. maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.33, both overall and in the biology major (includes all biology courses as well as cognates in chemistry, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, and statistics) taken at UI.



4. complete 2 semester hours in either 2:198 Honors Seminar in Biology or an advanced-level biology seminar course.



5. complete a minimum of 6 semester hours of 2:196 Honors Investigations, which involves both laboratory research and readings. This requirement is intended to be fulfilled over 2 or more semesters. Biology honors students must undertake their honors research within a laboratory belonging to a member of the Department of Biology faculty including Professor Jeffrey Murray (Neonatology). Research performed elsewhere is ineligible for 2:196 credit.



6. write a brief research proposal (not exceeding 4 double-spaced pages) summarizing the background, goals and significance of the honors research that is to be undertaken. This proposal should be approved by the research supervisor and then placed on file with the Biology Honors Advisor no later than 2 months after beginning laboratory research.



7. write an honors thesis upon completion of research. This thesis should have the general format of a scientific paper and should be printed double spaced. The text of the thesis, which does not include the tables, figures or bibliography, will ordinarily range from 15-30 pages. After its approval by the research supervisor, the thesis should be submitted to the Biology Honors Advisor. The Advisor will review the thesis to ensure compliance with the prescribed format and forward it to the University of Iowa Honors Program.



8. give a brief oral presentation of their research findings to other biology honors students as part of a colloquium.

At first glance, getting a Biology Honors degree appears to add at least 8 s.h. to the traditional Biology degree (e.g. 2 s.h. for 2:198 and a minimum of 6 s.h. for 2:196). However, as shown in the table below, there are several options for "double-counting", e.g. where Honors requirements count towards Biology major requirements.

For further information or answers to any questions you may have, consult either:
Dr. Jonathan Poulton, Biology Honors Advisor (Phone: 335-1322; Email: jonathan-poulton@uiowa.edu)
Amy Korthank Gabaldon, Biology Undergraduate Advisor (Phone: 353-2484; Email: amy-korthank@uiowa.edu).