Honors

Application for Admission into the Honors Program (pdf)

The Honors Program of the UMD Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is designed to provide outstanding Chemistry and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology majors an opportunity to develop the ability to function as independent and competent research workers, to encourage them in their study of and interest in Chemistry or Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, and to aid in their transition from student to scientist. Students approach these goals through participation in independent research under the supervision of a faculty member, formal and informal discussions with seminar speakers and maintenance of a high grade point average. These activities and requirements are more fully discussed below.

A. Admission to the Honors Program

Qualified Chemistry or Biochemistry/Molecular Biology majors may apply to participate in the Honors Program after the fall semester of their sophomore year. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Honors Committee selects those students who have demonstrated high scholastic ability, mature scientific judgement, and the ability to probe chemical problems effectively. The Committee requires a 3.00 cumulative grade point average and a 3.25 grade point average in chemistry. Transfer students are admitted on the basis of work completed at UMD. In addition, two letters of recommendation from faculty members are required for all applicants.

B. Research Advisor

After admission to the Honors Program, each student chooses a faculty research advisor under whose direction he/she will carry out a research project. The Honors Committee gives each Candidate a list of research advisors and suggested topics. Following interviews with faculty members, the Candidate chooses one to serve as his/her advisor. This advisor, in consultation with the Honors Committee, aids the Candidate in planning a program to meet the requirements described in Section C.

C. Requirements

1. Independent Research in Chemistry or Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

A candidate must successfully complete two semesters of research while a member of the Honors Program. Registration in Chem 3194 for a minimum of one credit constitutes one semester of research. Research carried out during the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is counted as one semester in research.

2. Written Report and Oral Presentation of Research

Three weeks before the end of the last semester of the candidate’s residency he/she must submit two copies of a double-spaced typewritten research report to the major advisor to be transmitted to the Director of the Honors Program. This report must include a cover page (listing your project title, your name, and your research advisor’s name), an abstract, an introduction, an experimental section, a section on results and discussion of the implications of the results and references. This report is published in book form with the other honors student’s reports and kept on file. In addition, the candidate must present a research report at a regional Undergraduate Symposium or (with his/her major advisor’s permission), or give an Ilenda competition seminar at the spring symposium.

3. Maintenance of High Scholastic Standing

A candidate must maintain satisfactory grade-point averages, both overall and in chemistry.

D. Activities

1. Meetings with Departmental Seminar Speakers

Honors candidates may be invited or may request to meet (lunch or dinner) with selected faculty members and a speaker whose research area is of special interest to the candidate. This is an opportunity for a longer and more informal discussion.

2. Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Honors candidates are given first consideration in the selection of Summer Undergraduate Research participants.

3. Participation in the College of Science and Engineering Honors Program