Honors Research Project

Honors Research Project

The Honors Research Project is an integral part of the UA Honors experience, and every Honors College student must complete an acceptable Honors Research Project.

• See also the web page answering Frequently Asked Questions about the Honors Research Project. 
• A database of Honors Research Projects from previous UA Honors students is accessible through this link.

Interdisciplinary, creative projects are encouraged, and your project could be any one of the following types:

• Research Thesis - original scholarship investigating a significant question
• Research Report - a formal written presentation of technical, laboratory, or investigative research
• Artistic or Creative Performance or Production - in the fine arts, applied arts, or performing arts; a written report, introduction, or commentary is required.
• There are many important areas to keep in mind while planning and completing your Honors Research Project:
  • Guidelines
  • Due Dates
  • Funds
  • Abstract Format
  • Signature Page Format
  • Registration Course Numbers
  • FAQs

The project must meet high standards of scholarship. The student must also meet any additional department of college requirements for this project, such as prerequisite coursework or experience, qualifying examination, or oral presentation. Study abroad or field experience may be accepted, with the approval of the student's Honors Faculty Advisor, as part of the project.

The student must have attained senior standing or approval of the proposal from one of the Deans of the Honors College,, and the approval of your Honors Faculty Advisor before enrolling in "Honors Research Project" for credit. The credit hours allowed for the Honors Research Project will depend on the nature of the project and the policies of individual departments. Usually students enroll in two-three hours per semester up to a total of six hours. The minimum number of credits is two. _______________________________________________________

Honors Project Guidelines and Descriptions provided by particular departments:

(click on the following to obtain a downloadable document)

Engineering

• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering  
• Mechanical Engineering
  

College of Business Administration

• Leadership Experience Projects

Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences

Humanities Division

• Anthropology and Classical Studies
• English
• Modern Lanugages
• Philosophy

Natural Science Division

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Geology and Environmental Science
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Statistics

Social Sciences Division

• Economics
• History
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• School of Music

Art

• Honors Project in Art

  _______________________________________________________

Beginning your project:

1. Select a faculty sponsor, under whose direction you can plan, complete, and report on the project. Discuss your ideas about a research project with faculty you would like as a sponsor. You should make this selection before the end of your junior year.
   
   
2. With your sponsor's approval, plan the project and complete the Proposal Form. That form requires signatures from an evaluation committee that includes the sponsor and at least two other faculty readers. The evaluation committee may include extramural readers.
   
   
3. Complete the Proposal Form for an Honors Research Project [form available for download ] which must include the following:

• Tentative title of the project
• Anticipated total number of credits
• Anticipated date of completion
• Names and signatures of sponsor and evaluation committee
• Honors Faculty Advisor's signature. Click here for a list of Honors Faculty Advisors for the different majors.

The Proposal must be received by the Honors office according to the schedule given in the following section.
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  Submitting the Proposal for your Honors Research Project

Submitting the Proposal for your Honors Research Project

Students should be planning for the Honors Research Project during the junior year.  Serious work on the project should begin at least one year prior to your graduation date.  It is best if you submit the proposal during the semester in which you will be completing 96 or more credits.  The proposal due date for those graduating in a spring semester is October 1 of the previous calendar year.  Download a copy of the proposal form.

Due dates for proposals for representative graduation dates are given below.  For the graduation date given, the proposal should be in the Honors Office by 5 p.m. on the following dates:

• Spring 2013 graduates--Due: October 1, 2012
• Summer 2013 graduates--Due: December 1, 2012
• Fall 2013 graduates--Due: Mar. 1, 2013 

Your academic records will be put on hold if you do not submit the proposal by the indicated date.

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Due Dates:

Honors Research Projects due dates for Spring semester 2013 graduates  

i) Initial drafts to your research sponsor

• Due: March 29, 2013  
  

You should be updating your research sponsor every couple of weeks as you meet to discuss your project.  Expect revisions to be requested as you submit written work.  You should have a fairly final draft of the project submitted to your research sponsor by the 11th week of the semester.      

ii) Subsequent drafts to your two readers

• Due: April 5, 2013
  

Be sure to keep your readers informed of progress on your project throughout the semester. Send them copies of your work at regular intervals.  Expect revisions based on your readers' comments. Once you've incorporated changes from your readers, your sponsor needs to approve the final copy.  The due date for your project to be with your readers is the 12th week of the semester. It is your sponsor who gives you the grade for the formal coursework.  

iii) Submission of your abstract to the Honors College office electronically

• Due: April 12, 2013

The abstract of your project will be included in graduation materials. Please prepare the abstract according to the guidelines listed below.  Electronic submissions or abstracts are welcome- send them to this address.   You can use the abstract in your project as the abstract you submit to Honors.  The abstract is due on the same day as the completed project-- the 13th week of the semester. If you don't submit your abstract by this date, it will not appear in the graduation booklet.

iv) Final submission of your project to the Honors College office

• Due: April 19, 2013

Your research project must be submitted electronically.  Please scan the completed signature page and submit the signature page electronically as well.  

 

Final submission of your project to the Honors College office for Summer 2013 Graduates:

• Due August 2, 2013