Honors Programs

The College of Engineering invites undergraduate students to participate in research within their discipline through working with a faculty advisor on independent research projects. Upon successful completion of the requirements indicated below, an honors distinction notation is indicated on the undergraduate transcript. Students need not be members of the university-wide Honors Program to receive the Honors in the Discipline distinction.

The following are requirements to submit an Honors in the Discipline proposal for consideration:

• An overall minimum grade point average of 3.5
• Completion of all third-year course requirements as outlined in the catalog for the declared major curriculum
• Identification of a full-time faculty member to serve as an advisor to oversee the project proposal, implementation, and completion
• Completion of the College of Engineering Honors in the Discipline Application with all required signatures, is to be submitted no less than one month prior to the start of the semester in which entry into the program is being requested.

Proposal Guidelines

Abstract: Write a summary indicating the goals of the project.  Briefly describe the importance of the research and the scientific and/or technical significance of the project.  Outline activities to be undertaken.

Introduction: Provide a detailed background of the project, including the general significance of the field, current notable research, unanswered questions, and opportunities for study.  Conclude with one or two statements describing the goals of the current project.

Proposed Work: Provide a general description of the work to be done, with specific actions to be taken.  Provide references to work that led to the methods or actions in the current proposal.   To the extent they are known, provide expectations for success, and contingency plans to accommodate challenges if appropriate.

Timeline and Milestones:  Provide a schedule of the proposed work.

Dissemination and Presentation Strategy: Provide a brief description of plans to communicate research efforts and successes to the academic and/or general community, beyond the research group of the faculty advisor.

Role of faculty advisor: Indicate guidance that will be provided by the faculty advisor throughout the project.

Evaluation: Describe how the final project will be evaluated by the faculty advisor/department.

Upon review of the Project Proposal, students will be informed of the Project acceptance.  Registration in required coursework will be coordinated with the student’s faculty advisor or academic advisor utilizing this link: Individual Instruction Registration Request (Student Submission Instructions).

Students must achieve a final overall GPA of 3.50 or higher and complete 8 semester hours of College of Engineering Honors coursework as identified by the Faculty advisor and approved by the relevant department. This leaves the option open for a pre-approved advanced engineering technical elective course if the department deems appropriate. Students will submit documentation describing their completed requirements to their Faculty Advisor and Associate/Vice Department Chair prior to graduation, to allow sufficient time for the department to provide a proper evaluation. All COE honors requirements must be completed prior to graduation. Students must provide their approved final report to the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs to ensure the posting of the Honors in the Discipline designation.