Honors Program Project
The Honors project should represent a substantial work, preferably in the
student's major area of study; work which is "a cut above" what would be
expected of any other student in that major. For all practical purposes,
it should be rather like a senior thesis.
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 HP 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 Lilly Honors' Grant
may be available to help cover expenses that are not covered by other funding sources,
such as UE Explore. Honors sources are not unlimited, so try other sources as well.
Juniors should have proposals submitted by April 15 and projects must be complete
(presentation, too) by April 1 of the senior 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.
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