Honors in Biology

A student who intends to apply for Honors in Biology must notify the Biology Chair of this intention in writing. Please note that for Honors projects supervised by a Biology faculty member, the deadline is the close of registration for the semester in which the Honors may be awarded. Honors projects supervised by a mentor who is not a Biology faculty member have a deadline of the close of registration for the semester prior to the one in which the Honors may be awarded.

1. The Department Chair will appoint a Committee. In the case of Honors projects supervised by a Biology faculty member, the committee will normally consist of three Biology faculty members, with the student’s research advisor as chair. A Dickinson faculty member outside the Biology department may be appointed to serve as one of the two non-chair members if such appointment is justified by expertise related to the project. In the case of Honors projects supervised by a mentor who is not a Biology faculty member, the committee will consist of that outside mentor, the student’s major advisor as chair, and another Biology faculty member.
2. The student is responsible for securing a letter of agreement from the outside mentor, indicating a willingness to serve in this capacity. (Deadline: 1 week after registration)
3. The student will present the Committee with a written proposal for work intended. (Deadline: 2 weeks after registration) 
4. The Honors advisor will convene a meeting of the Committee. Off-campus committee members may participate remotely by electronic means. At this meeting, the Committee members will review the student’s previous work in Biology and related courses to determine whether the student is qualified to proceed. They will review the proposed project to discuss its merit and feasibility, to identify problems or questions that need to be addressed, and to define their respective roles with respect to the project. Finally, they will set dates for receipt of first and final drafts of the project paper and for oral presentation. These deadlines should take into consideration the time for the staff to meet and act prior to the submission of senior awards and prizes. The Committee will decide whether or not the student is to be accepted as a candidate for Honors and will then notify the Chair. (Deadline: 3 weeks after registration to meet with and report to Chair) 
5. The Department Chair will notify the student in writing of the Committee’s decision and will advise the student that the final decision on the granting of honors will depend on both the Honors research project and the remainder of the student’s coursework. (Deadline: 4 weeks after registration) 
6. The student should remain in contact with the Committee and keep them informed of progress. At the end of the project, both an oral and a written report are expected. The final paper, considered by the Committee shortly before making its recommendation to the Biology Faculty, will be judged on the quality of research reported therein, and the quality of the paper itself. After the final paper has been received, the Committee will decide whether to recommend the granting of Honors by the Biology Department Faculty, who will vote prior to the deadline for the submission of senior awards and prizes.