Student honors

Graduating with departmental honors

Departmental honors is the highest distinction that the department can award to a major. Majors who receive departmental honors will be those who demonstrate a broad mastery of the discipline as well as an ability to complete and present high quality research. A broad mastery of the discipline is demonstrated by a GPA of 3.40 or higher in all courses related to the major. The ability to complete high quality research is demonstrated by the completion of a yearlong research project. This project will be characterized by an independent and in-depth study of an advanced topic including a literature search, reading of original sources and a novel formulation of results. Finally, the ability to present such research is demonstrated by the preparation of an honors thesis, a public presentation and a successful defense of the work to the department faculty.

• For more information about departmental honors speak with your academic adviser or consult the following publication: honors requirements (pdf)
• A student pursuing honors must write her or his thesis in accordance with the following style guide: honors thesis style guide (pdf). Here are two templates that adhere to the style guidelines: template.doc (Word) template.tex (LaTeX)
• Past recipients of departmental honors

Mathematics and Computer Science honor societies

We have chapters of both the national mathematics honor society (Pi Mu Epsilon) and the national computer science honor society (Upsilon Pi Epsilon). Each year we induct the strongest students into these honor societies.

• Past inductees of Pi Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics honor society
• Past inductees of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines

Annual prizes and awards

Each year the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science gives awards and scholarships to the strongst students.

• Past recipients of our prizes and awards