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Biology
Contact Information
Brent Hill
Professor and Biology Chair
bhill@uca.edu
(501) 450-3146
LSC 180
Department Requirements
- Completion of 72 hours of coursework, including 12 hours in the major
- Overall GPA of 3.25 or better (must be 3.00 or better to begin honors work)
- Biology GPA of 3.25 or better (must be 3.00 or better to begin honors work)
Department Resources
Department Process
- Students considering an Honors Project in Biology should discuss their interests and career goals with their academic advisor (or biology professors). The advisor will suggest one or more faculty in the Biology department who would be suitable mentors in the area of interest. Students can also identify possible mentors by consulting the web pages of the COSE student research program. The student should then make an appointment with prospective mentors to discuss possible projects.
- The student and faculty mentor will together develop a plan for initiating a project. Often the faculty mentor will suggest possible projects or promising areas of investigation. The student will often read relevant articles together with the faculty mentor.
- A brief research proposal will be submitted to a Biology faculty advisory committee selected by the student and the faculty mentor (suggested submission during the first semester of the student’s junior year). The advisory committee will consist of two or three faculty in Biology or other suitable fields that have expertise useful for the project and agree to serve (upon invitation by the student).
- The advisory committee with the faculty mentor as Chair will review the proposal and provide suggestions. If the advisory committee approves the proposal, the student will earn Biology elective credit through the capstone research experience BIOL 4285 (the student may elect to receive more credit–up to four hours–if desired). The student may then submit grant proposals to obtain funding for the project and/or salary for the student.
- The research project may be completed during the academic year and/or summer. Honors students are required to earn a minimum of two hours of undergraduate research credit.
- Upon completing the research project, the student will prepare a final report to submit to the faculty advisor for suggestions and then to the entire advisory committee for review, at least two weeks prior to the oral presentation. The reports are typically modeled after research articles with introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections. The student will also give an oral presentation open to the public and defend the project to the advisory committee after the presentation, at least three days prior to the end of the last week of instruction.
- The advisory committee will review the final oral and written reports and then provide a recommendation to graduate with Honors. A positive recommendation results in signatures of advisory committee on thesis cover page. The student must have at least a 3.25 grade point average in Biology courses to graduate with Honors in Biology. The student must submit all necessary forms along with their thesis, collecting signatures from the advisory committee and other required individuals.
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Contact Information
Kristin Dooley
Chair and Professor
kdooley@uca.edu
(501) 450-5940
Manion 205
Department Requirements
- Overall GPA of 3.25 or better
- Chemistry GPA of 3.50 or better
- Consent of Department Chair
- Two or more semesters of research with a chemistry faculty member
Department Resources
Computer Science and Engineering
Contact Information
M. Emre Celebi
Professor and Chair
ecelebi@uca.edu
(501) 450-3401
MCS 305
Department Requirements
- Consent of Department Chair
Environmental Science
Contact Information
Ginny Adams
Professor and Director of Environmental Science
gadams@uca.edu
LSC 016
Department Requirements
- Completion of 12 hours in the major at time of project initiation
- Must complete at least two hours of undergraduate research
- Overall GPA of 3.25 or better (must be 3.00 or better to begin honors work)
- GPA of 3.25 or better in the major (must be 3.00 or better to begin honors work)
Department Resources
Department Process
- Explore and Connect
Are you excited to dive into an Honors Project in Environmental Science? This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with passionate faculty who love collaborating with students. Start by exploring faculty members whose research aligns with your interests (check out the list here: Faculty Affiliates). Reach out to them and schedule a meeting. Be sure to review their research beforehand so you can discuss how your interests align with theirs. Starting this process by your Junior year will set you up for a successful and rewarding project. - Crafting Your Project Plan
Once you’ve found a faculty mentor, you will work together to shape your research plan. Your mentor might propose project ideas that align with current research in their laboratory or highlight promising research areas they are comfortable in mentoring. Together, you’ll explore relevant literature to refine your project’s focus and set a solid foundation. If you are completing a research internship discuss options for a thesis centered around the internship with a faculty advisor. - Proposal Preparation and Submission
Develop a concise research proposal to present to a faculty advisory committee, which you and your mentor will select and invite to serve. Aim to submit this proposal during the first semester of your junior year. This committee, comprising two or three faculty members with expertise in relevant areas, will offer invaluable feedback and guidance. The proposal should be completed at least one semester prior to the final report and presentation. - Review and Approval
The advisory committee, led by your faculty mentor, will review your proposal and provide constructive feedback. You should have the proposal to your committee two weeks prior to meeting. As an honors student, you’re required to complete at least two hours of undergraduate research credit. You can also seek funding opportunities through grant proposals to support your project. - Research Execution
Your research can span the academic year and/or summer. Approach your research project with enthusiasm and dedication and be sure not to procrastinate. - Final Report and Presentation
Upon completing your research, prepare a final report similar in structure to a research article with sections including Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Submit this report to your faculty advisor for initial feedback and then to the advisory committee at least two weeks before your oral presentation. You’ll present your findings publicly and defend your project to the advisory committee at least three days before the end of the semester. - Review and Graduation
Following your presentation and submission of your final report, the advisory committee will review everything and make a recommendation for graduating with Honors. If their recommendation is positive, they’ll sign your thesis cover page. Ensure you maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA in Environmental Science courses to qualify for Honors. Don’t forget to submit all necessary forms with your thesis and collect the required signatures! Before the end of the third full week of the semester in which the student intends to graduate, the student must submit a completed Honors in the Majors form to the Registrar and the Environmental Science Director (Ginny Adams, gadams@uca.edu). Download the form here. The thesis and thesis release form (link) must be submitted to the Registrar and the Environmental Science Director by the end of the last week of classes for the semester of graduation. The cover page for thesis can be found here.
Geography
Contact Information
Stephen O’Connell
Associate Professor and Chair
soconnell@uca.edu
(501) 450-3146
LCS 105
Department Requirements
- 15 hours credit earned in major
- Overall GPA of 3.25 or better
- Major GPA of 3.50 or better
- Consent of Department Chair
- Completion of GEOG 4360
Department Process
- A faculty member will nominate a prospective Undergraduate Scholar during a regular departmental meeting.
- Those students deemed potential participants will be advised of the criteria for the Department Undergraduate Scholars Program. If a student is interested and feels he/she qualifies, the student will present an up-to-date UCA Checksheet to the Chair of the Department.
- The departmental faculty will examine the UCA Checksheet. If all criteria are met, the Department Chair will send the student a letter of invitation to participate in the Undergraduate Scholars Program.
- As soon as practically possible following the receipt of the invitation, the student will select a director for the Program. The director will be chosen from current geography faculty members.
- The student, in concert with his/her director, will select the remaining members of the committee. A minimum of three faculty members is required. One committee member may be from another department.
Mathematics
Contact Information
Fred Hickling
Associate Professor and Chair
fredh@uca.edu
(501) 450-3614
MCS 233
Department Requirements
- Consent of Department Chair
- Completion of special problems/research course
Physics and Astronomy
Contact Information
Carl Frederickson, PhD
Professor and Chair
carlf@uca.edu
(501) 450-5900
LSC 171
Department Requirements
- Consent of Department Chair
- Completion of two semesters of research in physics or astronomy
