Department Requirements for Graduation with Honors
(as of September, 2009)

 

ACCOUNTING:


124 hour program [BS in Accountancy]

1. a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and a total of six honors courses (with at least 18 hours).
2.

at least two accounting courses, one non-accounting department course and normally three courses outside the department. At least one of the courses in the department should be taken before the senior year.

3. a GPA in the major of at least 3.3.


150 hour program [BSPA in Accountancy]

1.

a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and a total of six honors courses (with at least 18 hours).

2.

at least two accounting courses (one being 390H thesis – see 4. below), one non-accounting department course and normally three courses outside the department. At least one of the courses in the department should be taken before the senior year.

3. a GPA in the major of at least 3.3.
4.

completion of a thesis in Business 390 H with a grade of at least B (3.0). This course could be a two or three hour course and would be one of the accounting courses indicated in number 2.


ART:


Studio Art:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall;
2. at least three honors courses outside the Department of Art;
3. at least three honors art courses, including at least two 300-level studio courses;
4. a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major.

Art History:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall:
2. at least three honors courses outside the Department of Art;
3. at least three honors art courses, including at least two upper-level art history courses;
4. a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major.
  (The department's honors advisor is Prof. Henry Luttikhuisen.)


ASIAN STUDIES:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, and at least 6 designated honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major. A minimum 3.5 grade point average for honors courses.
2. at least two honors courses (of the 6) taken in the Asian Studies Program, at least one of the two at 300-level, earning at least a 3.5 average for them.
3. completion of a 'substantial' honors paper by enrolling in a departmental (i.e. a department other than Asian Studies) honors thesis course or by independent study in the last semester of enrollment (typically three hours of credit) and writing an honors thesis of 35-50 pp. The thesis must be read and approved by the honors supervisor and two other faculty members and defended in a meeting with them.

 

BIOLOGY:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least three honors courses in Biology, normally including:
  a. honors 141 or 242;
  b. an honors course numbered 300-349 (by contract);
 

c. completion with honors of an independent research project (399) or investigations course (354-357), normally culminating in a scientific research paper or honors thesis;
3.

enrollment in the department seminar (295) for at least three semesters;
4. at least a 3.5 GPA in the major.
  (Note: Students who take both honors Biology 141 and 242 may count 242 toward the total of six required for graduation with honors, but must still complete the other two honors biology courses.)
  (The department's honors advisor is Prof. David De Heer.)

 

BUSINESS:

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least three honors courses in the major, one of which is ordinarily taken before the senior year;
3. A GPA in the major of at least 3.3.
4. Completion of a thesis in Business 390H with a grade of at least B (3.0). It is expected that the honors thesis in Business 390 be a scholarly research project that is significant in the field of choice and displays evidence of independent and original scholarship. The honors thesis may be in conjunction with a research assistantship with a chosen professor. Students are expected to propose a viable research plan to the professor and agree to engage in an interactive staged process, which reflects the demands and time commitment appropriate for the course.

Group Majors:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a total of 6 honors courses (college requirement).
2. at least three honors courses in the major, one of which will ordinarily be taken before the senior year.
3. A GPA in the major of at least 3.3.
4. completion of two courses, one in Business and one in the other discipline, with an honors grade of at least B (3.0). (A seminar course is recommended.)
5. completion of a thesis in Business 390H with a grade of at least B (3.0).


Business/CAS group major:
1. at least six honors courses (18 hours) overall with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
2. at least two honors courses outside the major (i.e. neither CAS nor BUS)
3. at least two honors courses in BUS and two in CAS with an honors grade of at least B+
4. an honors thesis or project either in BUS 390H or a CAS 300-level course, with a presentation to that department.

 

CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY:
1. completion of a major in Chemistry or Biochemistry with at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average;
2. six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall;
 
  • three courses must be outside the major,
  • only one course may be a cognate,
  • The other three honors courses must be within the major and one must be a research course (see the following requirement)
  • Only one may be a 100 level course
3. completion of at least 4 semester hours of research (Chem 395/397). The last must be an honors course, which requires a formal report (reviewed by a committee) and a presentation in the departmental seminar series

 

CLASSICS:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least three honors courses in Classics, Greek, or Latin; at least one of them must be at the 300-level (except in the Classical Studies major);
3. a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
4. completion of an honors research paper, normally during the senior year, with a public presentation of the results.
 

(The department's honors advisor is Prof. Ken Bratt.)

 

COMMUNICATION ARTS & SCIENCES:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (at least 18 semester hours), including CAS 399 and a course in the student's CAS specialization. At least two honors courses must be outside CAS
2. maintain an average GPA of 3.3 in the major,
3.. presentation to the department of an honors paper or project, usually in the spring of the senior year.
 

(Note: the CAS Department invites qualified students to join the national honor society for students in Communication. Contact Prof. Garth Pauley for details.)

Business/CAS group major:
1. at least six honors courses (18 hours) overall with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
2. at least two honors courses outside the major (i.e. neither CAS nor BUS)
3. at least two honors courses in BUS and two in CAS with an honors grade of at least B+
4. an honors thesis or project either in BUS 390H or a CAS 300-level course, with a presentation to that department.

 

COMPUTER SCIENCE:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. must include MATH 161 (Calculus I), MATH 162 (Calculus II), and MATH 243 (Statistics), and at least four electives. (n.b., BCS majors are already required to meet these requirements.);
3.

must propose an honors program (normally in their sophomore year). This program is designed by the student and the student’s mentor, and must be approved by the department;
4. must complete a senior honors project, which must be significantly more challenging than a typical senior project. This project must be presented in an appropriate public forum (e.g., a conference or department colloquium) and must be approved by the department (see CS 396/398 for more details on the senior project with honors).

 

ECONOMICS

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least three honors courses in the major, one of which is ordinarily taken before the senior year;
3. a GPA in the major of at least 3.3;
4. completion of a thesis in Economics 390H with a grade of at least B (3.0). It is expected that the honors thesis in Ecomomics 390 be a scholarly research project that is significant in the field of choice and displays evidence of independent and original scholarship. The honors thesis may be in conjunction with a research assistantship with a chosen professor. Students are expected to propose a viable research plan to the professor and agree to engage in an interactive staged process, which reflects the demands and time commitment appropriate for the course.

Group Majors
1.

minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a total of 6 honors courses (college requirement)
2. at least 3 honors courses in the major, one of which will ordinarily be taken before the senior year.
3. a GPA in the major of at least 3.3.
4. completion of 2 courses, one in Economics or Business and one in the other discipline, with an honors grade of at last B (3.0). (A seminar course is recommended.)
5. completion of a thesis in Economics 390H with a grade of at least B(3.0).

 

EDUCATION:
  Students who seek to graduate with honors from Calvin College in Secondary Education must meet the requirements of their departmental concentration. Students in Elementary Education should follow the guidelines for Interdisciplinary and Group Majors or Three Minors.

 

EDUCATION - Cognitive Impairment Program:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least two honors courses in Education, namely 202 and 306;
3. minimum GPA of 3.3 in the major;
4. a non-credit honors thesis or project based on the plan developed in Education 306, to be presented in an academic setting and completed prior to student teaching.

 

ENGINEERING:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least two honors courses in Engineering (except ENGR 101, 181, 337, 339, 340, and 382) with a minimum grade of A-; at least one of these must be a 300-level course;
3. completion of an Engineering internship;
4. credit for either Engineering 294 or 394;
5. successful completion of the Senior Design (capstone) course.
 

(The department's honors advisor is Prof. Randy Brouwer.)

 

ENGLISH:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least three honors courses in English (with a minimum grade of B+), not counting English 101, which may be counted as the sixth honors course required for graduation with honors;
3. the three English honors courses normally include:
  (a) a 200-level literature course;
  (b) a 300-level literature course, taken for honors credit by special arrangement with the professor;
  (c) English 399 (a 3-hour honors thesis course which is normally taken in the senior year and culminates in an oral presentation).
 

Note: Students must submit an Honors Application form (available from the department secretary), normally in the spring term of their junior year. For more information, see the department's website. For specific questions about Honors requirements in the English department, contact the Honors Sub-Committee (2009: C. Engbers, S. Felch [chair], B. Ingraffia, D. Urban). 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least one honors course outside the major;
2. minimum GPA of 3.3 in the major;
3. honors credit in four courses in the major, including:
  (a) one introductory course from among BIOL 141 or 242, CHEM 103, or GEOL 151;
  (b) one course from either ENST 201 or 302;
  (c) one course from among BIOL 345, CHEM 271 or 281, or GEOL 312;
  (d) ENST 395 (or ENST 350 at Au Sable Institute) taken for honors credit;
4. completion of an internship experience through ENST 385, an independent research study (390 course) in Biology, Chemistry, or Geology, or another approved practicum.

 

FRENCH:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. minimum GPA in French of at least 3.5;
3. completion of an honors component in at least three courses in the French Department from the following: French 217, 219, 220, 221, 280, 311, 312, 314, 315, and 371;
  (Note: a student may complete an honors component in French 123, 202, 215, and 216 to fulfill the general college honors requirement, but not the departmental honors requirement.)
4. satisfactory completion of a senior honors thesis, to be written during the first semester of the senior year and presented orally to members of the department faculty.
  (For more information, see the department's website. The department's honors advisor is Prof. Glenn Fetzer.)

 

GEOGRAPHY:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. minimum GPA of 3.3 in the major;
3. completion of Geography 380 with a minimum grade of B+;
4. completion of at least two other honors courses in Geography;
5. completion of Geography 395 H, which involves the submission of an honors research paper.

 

GEOLOGY:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
3. completion of six honors courses with a grade of B+ or better in each course, at least two of which must be outside the major;
4. minimum of four courses in Geology including eight semester hours of Geology 395-396, culminating in an honors thesis and presentation of the results in a departmental seminar.

 

GERMAN:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least three honors courses within the major and three outside it;
2. the three German honors courses must be selected from among the following: 215, 216, 217, 218, 301, 304, 307, 315, 390, or 395; at least two courses taken for honors credit must be from among the literature courses (217, 218, 301, 304, 307, 390, or 395);
3. satisfactory completion of an honors research paper, normally during the senior year in conjunction with a 300-level course;
4. minimum cumulative GPA in German of at least 3.5.
  (The department's honors advisor is Prof. David Smith.)

 

HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, RECREATION, DANCE & SPORT:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least three honors courses outside the major;
2. make a formal Honors declaration no later than March of the junior year by submitting an Applicaton to Participate in the Honors Program form, and meet regularly (typically during Academic Advising at minimum) with the HPERDS Honors Advisor
3. actively participate in HPERDS seminars and Celebrate Your Major Days
4. have a minimum cumulate GPA of 3.5 both within the major and overall.
5. complete a minimum of three HPERDS honors courses (not including PE 391) from among the following: PE 213, PE 215, PE 220, PE 305 or 306 (not both), PE 325, PE 328, PE 332, PE 320, REC 304, REC 305, REC 310, REC 312, REC 314, HE 254 or any HPERDS course by pre-arrangement with instructor;
6. complete PE/REC 391 (Honors Project and Presentation). This involves submitting an Honors Thesis or Project in the senior year for review by at least two HPERDS faculty, as well as a required public presentation of the thesis/project.
  (The department's honors advisor is Prof. Julie Walton.)

 

HISTORY:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major. (Note: the courses specified in items 3-5 below are all included in these six courses.)
2. minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
3. completion of two History honors courses with a minimum grade of B in each (Note: these courses are in addition to the 390H-391H sequence specified below);
4. completion of History 390 H (intensive independent reading in a prescribed area), with a minimum grade of B, normally in the fall semester of the senior year;
5. completion of History 391 H (senior honors thesis), with a minimum grade of B, normally in the spring of the senior year;
6. presentation of the senior honors thesis at the History Department Colloquium.
7. oral defense of senior honors thesis before a committee of three readers.
  (The department's honors coordinator is Prof. Kate van Liere. For further information, see the department's website.)

 

INTEGRATED SCIENCE:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
2. minimum gpa of 3.3 in the major
3. a total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall including
a. no more than three courses from the same discipline
b. two courses from outside the major
c. four courses from among the courses in integrated science major or minor
4.

completion of a pre-approved research thesis in science, science education, or another approved practicum. The chair of the Science Education Group must approve the thesis proposal, and the student must sign a contract outlining the thesis expectations.

 

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (IDS):

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least three honors courses that fulfill requirements or electives for the IDS major (honors work in IDS courses normally requires a minimum grade of B+ on all course components, exemplary attendance and participation, research and written work beyond normal class requirements, and a class presentation);

3.

either a thesis in IDS 390 (independent study) or honors work in IDS 395; it is also acceptable for students to do both of these courses for honors.

 

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:
1. attain an overall minimum GPA of 3.5
2. attain a minimum GPA of 3.5 in international relations courses
3. complete 6 (18 hours) courses with honors, with a minimum of four honors courses within the major.
4. complete an honors thesis that meets the guidelines of the Political Science department. This is normally done through POLS 399.
5. earn at least a B+ in each international relations honors courses for it to qualify for honors designation.
6. to graduate with honors students should make a formal commitment to that goal by March of their junior year.
  The honors advisor for International Relations is Prof. Patterson.
  To graduate with honors in International Relations discuss these requirements with your adviser.

 

MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS:

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. completion of an approved honors program in Mathematics, for which students should normally apply in the sophomore year; for honors in Mathematics the approved honors program must include 256; one of 231 or 271; 351; 361; one of 305, 312, 355, or 362; and two additional 300-level courses not among 329, 390, 391, and 395.
3. completion of a senior thesis, for which students receive four hours of credit in Mathematics 395 usually distributed over two terms of the senior year;
4. presentation of senior thesis research to the Mathematics Colloquium.

 

MATHEMATICS EDUCATION:

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. completion of an approved honors program in Mathematics Education, for which students should normally apply in the sophomore year; for honors in Mathematics Education the program must include all of the math courses normally required for a Mathematics major in the Secondary Education Program (and usually the honors section of calculus), plus 271;
3. completion of a senior thesis, for which students receive four hours of credit in Mathematics 395 usually distributed over two terms of the senior year;
4. presentation of senior thesis research to the Mathematics Colloquium.

 

MUSIC:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. minimum GPA in Music of at least 3.3;
3. completion of three honors courses in other departments;
4. completion of three Music courses with honors credit with a minimum grade of B+; at least one of these must be at the 300-level.

 

NURSING:
1. Obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 within the nursing major; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 overall and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum);
  (a) at least 3 honors courses outside the major;
  (b) at least 3 nursing courses taken for honors credit, one of which is Nursing 380, the capstone course.
2. Meet with the nursing honors advisor no later than April of the year they are admitted to the upper division nursing major to discuss courses in the nursing major. Meet with the honors advisor no later than March of their Junior year to plan their Senior honors thesis, project or portfolio.
3. Submit an honors thesis, project or portfolio as part of Nursing 380, the capstone course. Other requirements include:
  (a) Submit their honors project proposal to at least 2 professors in the nursing department for review.
  (b) Present the results of their honors project in a public forum or group as appropriate.
  (c) Participate regularly in departmental presentations or seminars as indicated.
 

(The honors advisor is the chairperson of the nursing department curriculum committee.)
(Note: the Nursing Department also inducts qualified students into the Sigma Theta Tau national honor society in Nursing. Contact the department chair for details.)

 

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least three honors courses in the OT program, selected from the following list: Biology 141, 205, 206; Mathematics 143 or Psychology 255; Physics 223; Psychology 201, 212; Physical Education 215 or Communications Arts and Sciences 215; Philosophy 212 (as the capstone course);
Sociology 153
3.

completion with honors of an independent research project, either in the capstone course or as an independent study to be designed in consultation with the program advisor.

(The honors advisor for the OT program is Prof. Rich Nyhof.)

 

PHILOSOPHY:

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least two honors courses in Philosophy with a grade of B or higher; at least one of these must be at the 300-level;
3. a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major;
4. the successful submission and presentation of an honors paper.

 

PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. at least three honors courses (of 3 or more semester hours each) in Physics; at least one of the three must be an advanced theory course from 335-379, excluding 347 and 359;
3. cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 in Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics collectively;
4. completion of an approved Physics major with at least 40 semester hours of Physics or the Secondary Education Physics major;
5. regular participation in the departmental seminar program;
6.

successful completion of a departmentally approved research project in Physics or Astronomy (typically through summer research) and Physics or Astronomy 395.

 

POLITICAL SCIENCE:

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. complete a minimum of four honors courses within the major.
3. complete an honors thesis that meets the guidelines of the Political Science department. This is normally done through POLS 399.
4. Earn at least a B+ in each political science honors course you take.
5. Make a formal commitment to graduate with honors by March of your junior year. Contact honors advisor Corwin Smidt
  (Note: the Political Science Department also inducts qualified students into the Pi Sigma Alpha national honor society in Political Science: contact the department chair for details.)

 

PSYCHOLOGY:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. completion of at least three honors courses in Psychology;
3. one of the three must involve an honors research paper in Psychology 356 or a comparable honors project in Psychology 390;
4. minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major.
  (Note: the Psychology Department also inducts qualified students into the Psi Chi national honor society in Psychology: contact the department chair for details.)
   

 

RELIGION:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
2. completion of at least three Religion courses for honors, with a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.5;
3. a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
4. one of the three honors courses taken in the Religion Department must be a 300-level course (excluding 359, 396, and any Interim course).

 

SOCIAL WORK:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 within the major as well as overall and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least three honors courses outside the major;
2. at least three honors courses within the major;
3. at least two of the three courses must be chosen from SoWk 320, 350, or 360;
4. the third course may be chosen from SoWk 255, 371, 372, or 373;
5. completion of an honors research thesis or project developed in an independent research study (390 course), the 381 capstone seminar, or another approved means, and a public presentation of the results;
6.

honors students are encouraged to participate in department seminars and colloquia, when appropriate.      
 

(The department's honors advisor is Prof. Beryl Hugen.) 

 

SOCIOLOGY:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 within the major as well as overall and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least three honors courses outside the major;
2. at least three honors courses within Sociology;
3. completion of an honors thesis in Sociology 395, including a public presentationof results whenever appropriate;
4. honors students are encouraged to participate in department seminars and colloquia, when appropriate. 
 

(The department's honors advisor is Prof. Todd Vanden Berg.)

 

SPANISH:
1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall;
2. at least three honors courses outside the major and at least three within it (normally including Spanish 395);
3. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in Spanish courses;
4. the completion of an honors component in at least three Spanish courses above the 302 level with a final grade of at least B+; (an honors component in a Spanish 202/203 course may fulfill the general college honors requirement but not the departmental honors requirement.)
5.

an Honors Application form must be submitted by the end of reading recess in the spring semester of the junior year:
- list of honors courses completed and grade
- student's cumulative GPA and GPA in Spanish classes
- title or short description of Honors Thesis
- name of primary and secondary supervisor of the thesis
- signatures of student's advisor and the primary supervisor
6. a written senior thesis (in Spanish). Usually this will be the term paper written for the Spanish 395 (capstone) class. The department recommends that students work during the previous semester or summer to complete a large portion of the research:
- week 4 of the semester: statement of thesis and bibliography
- week 8: first draft
- week 12: second draft
- last day of classes for the semester: if needed, third and final draft.
7. an oral presentation of the thesis at the Michigan Academy (or another approved forum)
  (The department's honors advisor is Prof. Cynthia Slagter.)