Honors Program

Honors Program Project

The Honors Program project is an opportunity for students to dive into an area of study where they are passionate. Projects can take many forms depending on the topic - ranging from the more typical laboratory research to performances or artwork. Students utilize their projects to launch interests they have for graduate study or to help them expand their resumes for employment. Projects require additional work, but the benefits for having completed one are far-reaching for honors students.

The project also must include the presentation of the work in some public forum. This could take many forms, including but not limited to:

  • A public display or performance (for a creative work)
  • A publication in a professional journal
  • A presentation at a professional meeting or national or regional undergraduate research conference
  • A presentation to a research group working in the area of research

For instance, many students have presented their research findings at the National Undergraduate Research Conference, presented work in which they were engaged while at research centers during the summer, and some have been published in professional journals. Any such public presentation would be sufficient; assuming the quality of the work, in the judgment of the mentoring faculty, is appropriate for Honors and a written copy of the work is submitted to the Director.

Students from a variety of majors are in the program and the Honors project reflects that variety. In the past, projects have included:

  • Musical performances
  • Theatrical productions
  • Plays written and (in parts) performed
  • Portfolios of creative writing
  • Laboratory scientific research
  • Field work
  • Engineering design projects
  • Research with human subjects
  • Library research culminating in a scholarly paper

They may also involve scholarly or creative works that grow out of a class or seminar.What is important is that the work be in some way publicly presented and of such quality as to warrant the designation "Honors."

Proposals should include a detailed description of the project, including any expenses that might be part of the project (equipment, travel, etc.). Funds from the Honors Program may be available to help cover expenses that are not covered by other funding sources, such as UE Explore.

It is recommended that proposals be submitted by the spring semester of junior year. The proposals should be a fairly detailed description of what research, creative project, or thesis you intend to complete, signed by both the student and a faculty mentor who will act as your advisor on the project. Proposals submitted to UE Explore (the University’s undergraduate research program) can serve as a model for Honors proposals.

While many may think of these as projects to be done during the senior year, there is no reason not to get started earlier. Indeed, many students actually complete their work before their senior year. This is especially true if you wish to take advantage of summer research or creative opportunities either off campus or through the UE Explore program. Your work should represent the culmination of your undergraduate work and provide the groundwork for further work in your profession or in graduate or professional school.