1. An overall quality point average of 3.0 or better is required. An average of 3.5 in biology is required.

2. During the fall semester of their junior year, students should announce in writing their intention to pursue honors in biology to both the department chairman and academic adviser.

3. Students must take an oral examination in areas related to the proposed student project, which is administered by a departmental committee composed of a minimum of three members of this department, including the sponsor of the project and the department chairman (who serves as committee chairman). Note: It is the student's responsibility to obtain a sponsor for his or her project prior to this examination.

4. Successful completion of a senior research project (for example, BI 498 and/or BI 499) is required. The project must include [1] a written proposal; [2] the actual completion of an approved research project under the supervision and sponsorship of a full-time faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences or another faculty member approved by the department chair; [3] the presentation of the outcome of the research project in the written format approved by the department; [4] and a seminar presentation of the outcome of the research project.

5. Evidence of excellence in speaking and writing skills must be documented by term papers, English theme papers, oral presentation(s) and grades, as determined by the committee.

6. The actual granting of honors in biology is determined by all the full-time faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences. A list of the faculty of the department and their research interests is available to each student. The list consists of faculty members' office locations, major fields of interest, current research, and/or current listings of research publications. Copies of such publications are available on reserve in the library.