Departmental Requirements

Department requirements for graduating with honors

These requirements are subject to change. Please check with your major department for the most up-to-date requirements for your program.

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 honors accounting courses, one honors non-accounting business department course and normally three honors courses outside the department. At least one of the honors courses in the business 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 honors accounting courses (one being 390H – see 4. below), one honors non-accounting business department course and normally three honors courses outside the department. At least one of the honors courses in the business department should be taken before the senior year.
3. a GPA in the major of at least 3.3.
4. completion of a thesis or other project 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;
5. the public presentation of a thesis project, with accompanying honors paper submitted to the department.

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 Luttikhuizen.

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, complete a total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major, and earn a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major;
2. at least three honors courses in Biology:
   1. one honors course will normally be the honors section of Biology 123. Alternatively this requirement could be met by contracting with an instructor for honors credit in Biology 141, 224 or 225;
   2. a second honors course must be taken from courses numbered 313-364 (excluding 154);
   3. the third course requirement is the completion with honors of an upper-level research course (Biology 154, 385, or 399). Normally the investigative research conducted in one of these courses will be reported as a scientific research paper, which will constitute the honors thesis and as a public presentation to a scientific audience.

The department's honors advisor is Prof. Arlene Hoogewerf.

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 or project in Business 390H with a grade of at least B (3.0). The thesis or project may be in conjunction with a research assistantship with a chosen professor. Students are expected to propose a viable plan to the professor and agree to engage in an interactive staged process, which reflects the demands and time commitment appropriate for the course.

Business Group Major

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).
5. completion of a thesis or project in Business 390H with a grade of at least B (3.0).

Organizational Communication (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. completion of a thesis or project in Business 390H with a grade of at least B (3.0) or a CAS 300-level course, with a presentation to the CAS department.

Chemistry and 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;
   1. three courses must be outside the major,
   2. only one course may be a cognate,
   3. The other three honors courses must be within the major and one must be a research course (see the following requirement)
   4. 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 and Sciences

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (at least 18 semester hours), including a 300-level course and at least 2 courses in the student's CAS specialization. At least two honors courses must be outside CAS,
2. maintain an average GPA of 3.5 or higher in the major,
3. presentation to the department of an honors paper or project, usually in the spring of the senior year.
   
   Check out the CAS department requirements in more detail

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

Organizational communication (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 171 (Calculus I), MATH 172 (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 Economics 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.

Economics Group Major

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 least 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

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 overall and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum);

a. at least two honors courses in the Education Department, one of which could be IDIS 205;
b. at least two honors courses in the student’s major;

i.for Elementary Education students those courses need to
be in the major or minor other than their Elementary
Education Major.
ii.for Secondary Education students those courses need to
be in the major in which they are seeking certification.
iii.for students in the Special Education: Cognitive
Impairment major those courses must come from
the following list of courses: EDUC 306, 310, 330.
iv.for students in the Early Childhood major those courses
must come from the following list of courses:
EDUC 236, 238, 312, 335, 337, 339.
v.the same course cannot be used to satisfy both the
Education Department honors requirement (item 1a)
and the honors requirement in the major or minor;

c. at least one honors course outside of the Education Department and the student’s major or minor;

2.  completion of a pre-approved Honors Research Project in education with an Education professor.

a. The Honors Research Project proposal must be submitted for approval to the chair of the Education Department two semesters prior to graduation (by Nov. 1 or April 1);
b. We generally discourage students from completing the project during student teaching;
c. The results of this project must be shared at a public gathering. 

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:
   1. a 200-level literature course;
   2. a 300-level literature course, taken for honors credit by special arrangement with the professor;
   3. English 399 (a 3-hour honors thesis course which is normally taken in the senior year and culminates in an oral presentation).

Students must submit an Honors Application form 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 (2011–12: S. Felch [chair],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:
   1. one introductory course from among BIOL 141 or 242, CHEM 103, or GEOL 151;
   2. one course from either ENST 201 or 302;
   3. one course from among BIOL 345, CHEM 271 or 281, or GEOL 312;
   4. 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.

Environmental Studies

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 ENST 395 with a minimum grade of B+;
4. completion of at least two other honors courses in ENST courses or specific ENST track courses (GEOG, ECON, or POLS) ;
5. completion of Geography 395 H, which involves the submission of an honors research paper.

French

1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least three honors courses in the major and 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 301 or 302, 351, 361, 362, 363, 372, 373, 374, 375, 381, 394, 395, 396. (Note: a student may complete an honors component in the core-level courses to fulfill the general college honors requirement);
4. satisfactory completion of a senior honors thesis, to be completed when taking a course from the French Literature cluster (394, 395 396) for capstone credit and presented orally to members of the department faculty.

For more information, see Prof. Jolene Vos-Camy (fall '12) or Prof. Vicki DeVries (spring '13). 

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 3.5 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, and 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 cumulative 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 the 2 independent study courses listed below (390 H and 391 H) and at least 2 honors courses outside your History major;
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 (independent study) with a minimum grade of B, normally in the fall semester of the senior year;
5. completion of History 391 H (independent study) with a minimum grade of B, normally completed in the spring of your 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:
   1. no more than three courses from the same discipline
   2. two courses from outside the major
   3. 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 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 international relations honors courses for it to qualify for honors designation.
5. to graduate with honors students should make a formal commitment to that goal by March of their junior year.

To graduate with honors in International Relations discuss these requirements with your advisor.

Mathematics and 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
2. Complete at least six honors courses overall (18 hours minimum), either 2 non-nursing and 4 nursing courses OR 3 non-nursing and 3 nursing courses.   One of the nursing major honors courses must be Nursing 380.
3. Meet with the nursing honors advisor to develop a plan for the honors courses that will support the final honors thesis.
4. Arrange for honors work in a specific course with the faculty teaching the course and the nursing honors advisor. Any course in the nursing major may be taken for honors.
5. Submit an honors thesis as part of Nursing 380, the capstone course in the nursing major.
6. Present a summary of this honors thesis at the Department of Nursing Seminar Series.
7. Consider submitting an abstract of the honors thesis in other scholarly venues such as Kappa Epsilon or MNRS.

The honors advisor is the chairperson of the nursing department curriculum committee.

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 Communication 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 and 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. 

The Political Science Department also inducts qualified students into the Pi Sigma Alpha national honor society in Political Science: contact Prof. Joel Westra 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.

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 courese must be chosen from 300-level offerings;
4. students will complete an honors thesis in Social Work 381, the capstone seminar, or through an independent study (390) or another approved means. This research will be publicly presented to the Calvin Community;
5. honors students are encouraged to participate in department seminars and colloquia, when appropriate.

The department's honors advisor is Prof. Joe Kuilema.

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 at or above the 301 level with a final grade of at least B+; (an honors component in Spanish 202 or 203 may count as a fourth course toward graduation with honors in Spanish, but not as one of the three previously mentioned.)
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. Alisa Tigchelaar.