Honors in Chemistry

Students who have already completed a significant research experience by the end of their junior year may be interested in pursuing Honors in Chemistry. The Honors program requires a Rhodes faculty mentor approval and substantial effort from the student, described below: 

  1. Courses listed for the B.S. degree. 
  2. Chemistry 495 and 496 (eight credits minimum).
  3. An original investigation of some problem in chemistry or biochemistry, usually related to research being carried on by a member of the department, is required. A thesis must be presented at the end of the project. The honors project and its outcome must be approved by the student’s Honors Committee.
  4. A public presentation on the honors work is required by the department.

Students will choose a committee of three faculty members, usually including the faculty mentor, another chemistry faculty member, and one outside faculty member over the summer. The student will present a proposal of work to be completed to the committee in the first week of classes of the fall semester. If approved, the student will be enrolled in CHEM 495: Honors for at least 4 credits. 

If a student advances to the spring semester, enrollment in CHEM 496: Honors will replace CHEM 486: Senior Seminar. Only one honors project can be supervised by any one faculty member.