For Incoming Students
The Biology 315H/Biology 325H sequence is available for certain incoming students as an accelerated alternative to Biology 311C, Biology 311D, and Biology 325.
Biology 315H is the first course in a two-semester honors sequence followed by 325H that integrates a sophisticated survey of introductory biology with a rigorous analysis of upper-division genetics. The purpose of this course sequence is to provide incoming UT freshmen with an accelerated pathway for getting into upper-division biology coursework.
Successful completion of Biology 315H/325H is equivalent to completing Biology 311C/311D/325, and meets the prerequisite for most upper-division biology coursework. Students who do not successfully complete Biology 315H will need to take or claim credit for Biology 311C and 311D to meet the prerequisite for Biology 325.
Course Descriptions
BIO 315H: Advanced Introduction to Genetics, Honors
Basic principles of genetics and cell biology. Emphasis on gene structure and regulation; transmission of heritable traits; structure and function of cells; bacterial and viral genetics; and recombinant DNA technology.
BIO 325H: Genetics, Honors
Basic principles of genetics and evolution. Emphasis on population genetics and natural selection; structure and function of organ systems; behavioral ecology; and mutational analysis of organismal development.
Eligibility for UT Biology Honors Sequence
Registration is restricted to students who have scored a 5 on the Advancement Placement Biology exam, a minimum of 6 on the International Baccalaureate exam, or have been accepted into the Dean’s Scholars honors program. You may not register for this sequence if you have already completed a major-level biology class at UT or any other college (dual-credit).
It is assumed that students who successfully complete Biology 315H (grade of C- or better) in the fall will enroll in Biology 325H the following spring. Successful completion of Biology 325H meets the prerequisite for most of UT’s other upper-division biology classes.
For Upper-Division Students
Departmental Honors
Students involved in independent research may be interested in writing a thesis for the department to earn Departmental Honors. Minimum requirements for the completion of all such programs include (1) a University grade point average of at least 3.00; (2) a three-semester-hour thesis or research project, or a reasonable equivalent, with a grade of at least B-; some programs may require a higher grade; (3) completion, with a grade point average of at least 3.50, of the coursework required for a major in the field in which the student seeks honors; and (4) completion at the University of at least 60 semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.
The statement “Special Honors in (name of field)” appears on the transcript of each graduate certified as having completed the honors program.
Biology
Majors who plan to seek departmental honors in Biology should contact the appropriate faculty advisor for their degree option:
| Degree Type | Contact Info |
|---|---|
| BSA Biology | Dr. Marty Maas |
|
Integrative Biology Degrees BS Biology: Evolution, Ecology & Biodiversity BS Biology: Human Biology BS Biology: Computational Biology BS Biology: Environmental Science |
Dr. Molly Cummings |
|
Molecular Biology Degrees BS Biology: Microbiology & Infectious Diseases BS Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology BS Biology: Plant Biology BS Biology: Genetics & Genomics |
Dr. Jeff Gross |
Students should seek Departmental honors in Biology no later than the beginning of their senior year.
A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in biology of at least 3.50 are required for admission.
The requirements for graduation with special honors, which are in addition to the requirements of the major, are:
- Biology 679H or two semesters of Biology 379H, Honors Tutorial Course;
- A thesis or presentation based on original research and approved by the supervising faculty member and the honors advisor;
- A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in biology of at least 3.50;
- And completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework to be counted toward the degree.
Biology majors who have completed BIO 325 (Genetics) and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Biology courses taken at UT are eligible to become members of Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta), the Biological Sciences Honor Society. Eligible students receive an invitation at the beginning of each semester, sent to their local address, so students interested in joining Tri-Beta are advised to keep their local address up-to-date.
Biochemistry
Majors who plan to seek departmental honors in Biochemistry should contact the appropriate faculty advisor:
Students should seek Departmental honors in Biochemistry no later than the beginning of their senior year.
A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in biochemistry and chemistry of at least 3.50 are required for admission.
The requirements for graduation with special departmental honors are:
- All requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry;
- Two semesters of Biochemistry 379H, Biochemistry Honors Tutorial Course;
- A thesis and a presentation based on research; the research topic and the thesis must be approved by the supervising faculty member and the departmental honors advisor;
- A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in biochemistry and chemistry of at least 3.50;
- Completion at the University of at least 60 semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree; and (6) approval of the honors advisor.
Neuroscience
Majors who plan to seek departmental honors in Neuroscience should contact the appropriate faculty advisor:
Students should seek Departmental honors in Neuroscience no later than the beginning of their senior year.
A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in neuroscience of at least 3.50 are required for admission.
The requirements for graduation with special departmental honors are:
- Two semesters of neuroscience research coursework, including Neuroscience 379H, Honors Tutorial Course;
- A thesis based on original research and approved by the supervising faculty member and the honors advisor;
- A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in neuroscience of at least 3.50;
- Completion at the University of at least 60 semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.
Honors Designations
UT offers several GPA-based honors designations during a student's time at the university:
University Honors
Each fall and spring semester, undergraduates who complete a full course load and earn outstanding grades are recognized by inclusion on the University Honors list. Each time a student is included on the list, their official record also shows the award of University Honors for that semester. The list is compiled at the end of each fall and spring semester; it is based on the student’s work in that semester only. To be included, a student must earn at least 45 grade points and a grade point average of at least 3.50 on courses completed in residence and must have no incomplete grades (symbol X). Students are notified on the semester grade report of their inclusion on the list.
University Honors Catalog Info
Honors Day
On Honors Day each spring, the University designates outstanding students as College Scholars and Distinguished College Scholars, on the basis of registration and grade point average requirements for courses taken in residence at the University. Eligible students in CNS are invited to participate in Honors Day celebrations.
Since Distinguished College Scholars rank in the top 4% of their junior or senior class, and College Scholars rank in the top 20% of their junior or senior class, the specific GPA cut-offs vary each calendar year and also between the junior and senior classes. Designation as a College Scholar or a Distinguished College Scholar will be based on eligibility calculations by the Office of the Registrar as of 5 p.m. on the 20th class day of the semester in which the Honors Day Ceremony is held.
Graduation with University Honors
The College of Natural Sciences awards Highest Honors to the top 4% of the graduating class. The following 6% of the graduating class receives High Honors. The following 10% of the graduating class receives Honors. Due to the strong academic performance of graduates from the College of Natural Sciences, the honors cutoffs are typically much higher than the minimum in residence GPA listed for each designation by the university.
Honors designations are recalculated for the spring graduating class each May. The GPA cutoffs calculated for the May graduating class is used for the subsequent summer and fall graduating classes.
CNS Graduating with Honors Info
Graduating with Honors Catalog info
Related Programs
CNS College Honors Programs
Separate from GPA-based honors, CNS students may pursue honors degree programs through Dean's Scholars, Health Science Scholars, or Polymathic Scholars. Application to the these programs is separate from, and in addition to, application to the University.