Are you an honors student and an EEB major? To complete honors in the EEB major, you will need to:

1. Complete 12 credits in EEB at the 2000-level or above (+ 3 additional Honors credits in EEB or related, earned at any level)
2. Complete engagement in the field (click here to download guidelines document, or see below)
3. Complete honors thesis in EEB (looking for a lab? explore our faculty webpages and see research opportunities document)

For more detailed information about the UConn Honors Program refer to the honors pages below for requirements in your major.

Relavent links:

1. https://honors.uconn.edu/honors-scholar/
2. https://honors.uconn.edu/

 

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Defining “Engagement in the Major Field”

As part of the UConn Honors Program you are required to demonstrate that you have engaged with your chosen major field. You should regard this as an opportunity for professional development and gaining experience in your area of study.

There are many ways to fulfill this requirement for the EEB major. Whatever path you choose it must discussed and approved by your honors advisor before you fill out your preliminary plan of study. You must also provide documentation to them of this engagement. You must contact your honors advisor before starting any activity so that you can be sure it satisfies the engagement criteria.

Some examples of engagement in the major field and the required documentation are provided here.

1. You may present your original EEB-related research in an academic setting. This may overlap with your Honors Thesis work. This could be in the form of a poster presentation or oral presentation to an audience.
   • Possible documentation:
     • Meeting program (listing your name and the title of your poster/talk).
     • An email verification of completion from the faculty research advisor.
   • Examples:
     • Frontiers Research Exhibition
     • Biology Undergraduate Research Colloquium
     • Presentation at a regional, national, or international scientific meeting
2. Educational outreach to the non-university community. You could teach the public about an EEB-related topic at a local school, nature center, community center, or event.
   • Possible documentation:
     • Meeting program listing your service.
     • Email verification from the school host, program, or event coordinator.
   • Examples:
     • Participation as an instructor in a nature outreach program for children or adults at a nature center or park or serving as a guest speaker on an EEB-related topic
     • Teaching as part of an outreach program at an elementary, middle, or high school in collaboration with the class teachers.
     • Instructional participation in Early College Experience (ECE) courses at
       E.O. Smith High School
3. Applying for grants or other support funds for your own EEB-related research. This could include preparation and submission of a grant application to support your Honors Thesis work or other research activities related to EEB. Your research advisor (not honors advisor) may be able to provide guidance regarding likely sources of funding. The program you apply for funding from must be approved by your Honors advisor.
   • Possible documentation:
     • Copy of the written application with submission confirmation.
   • Examples:
     • Applications to UConn Undergraduate Grants and Scholarships (e.g., SURF Awards, IDEA Grants, Holster Scholarships, University Scholars Program)
     • Holster Scholars Program
     • University Scholars Program
     • Federal funding agencies (e.g., National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health)
       • NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates
       • NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
       • NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program
     • National Undergraduate Grants and Scholarships (e.g., Goldwater Scholarship)
       • UConn Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships
4. Substantive involvement in an organization related to the EEB Major
   • Description: Involvement entails an Honors advisor-approved leadership role and/or consistent active participation entailing responsibilities (presentations, community engagement, etc.), not just attendance.
   • Documentation required:
     • Letter from supervisor/program coordinator describing student’s substantive role and/or duties.
   • Examples of engagement:
     • UConn organizations and Learning Communities (e.g., UgO:MCB, WiMSE)
     • STEM Scholars
     • WiMSE Learning Community
     • National organizations (e.g., Ecological Society of America)
     • Taking on a leadership/organizational role in an organization such as SEEDS.

The following do not qualify as Engagement in the Field:

• Conducting an independent study for credit or lab/field work required as part of your Honors Thesis project
• Shadowing or volunteering at a veterinary clinic, zoo, or wildlife rehabilitation center
• Paid shift work
• Oral or Poster presentations as part of a UConn course
• Working as a tutor or peer mentor for pay or course credit
• Participation in a non-leadership role (such as via attendance) in nature or EEB-related clubs
  (unless participation includes at least one of the areas above)