Science Honors Program

Congratulations to the newly admitted cohort of Science Honors students! These ten students will be paid $3000 to work on their honors project at CWU during the summer of 2008. They will write up the results of their research in an honors thesis to be submitted in May, 2009. All accepted theses are kept in the CWU library.

The Science Honors Program is a two-year research program for undergraduate students majoring in the physical and biological sciences at CWU. The goal is to provide talented and motivated science students with an opportunity to conduct high level research in close collaboration with CWU faculty and to prepare them for graduate school and successful scientific careers. Admission to the program is based on competitively selected applications that include a detailed research proposal. The Science Honors experience culminates in a written honors thesis. Students are expected to present their work at SOURCE and at a professional conference, and are encouraged to submit their work for publication in a scientific journal.

In addition to providing an outstanding research opportunity, the Science Honors program provides significant funding for both the student and the faculty mentor. Students receive a stipend of $3,000 for nine weeks of full-time research during the summer; faculty mentors are paid $5000 for the summer. In addition, each project is eligible for up to $1000 in equipment or other research-related expenses. Faculty mentors also receive 3 contact hours release time during the academic year for the extra mentoring responsibilities.

After admission to the program, the students enroll in a Science Honors Junior Seminar and in Honors Research for spring quarter of their junior year. Research under the direction of the faculty mentor will commence in spring quarter, carry through a 9-week summer program, and continue during the senior year until the project is completed. The research experience concludes with a Capstone Science Honors Seminar, a written honors thesis, and an oral presentation to the CWU community at SOURCE.

Eligible faculty and students are encouraged to develop research proposals for admission to the Science Honors Program in 2008. Explore this site to learn about the opportunities available to participants. Please contact the program director, Dr. Andy Piacsek if you have questions regarding eligibility or the application process.

The Science Honors Program was initiated with a grant from the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust. It is currently supported by the CWU Spheres of Distinction initiative, the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, and the Office of the Provost.