|
How to Contact Us
Please contact the UHP directly with any questions or concerns about
the Honors experience at the University of Delaware. To find out which
member of the University Honors Program administration you should contact
for a particular concern, see the Honors Staff Directory page. For telephone,
building address, and e-mail information for the entire UHP staff, also
consult the Staff Directory page.
Mailing address:
University Honors Program
Elliott Hall, 26 East Main Street
Newark, Delaware 19716-1256
Telephone: (302) 831-1195
Fax: (302) 831-4194
E-mail: honorsprogram@udel.edu
Freshman Picture Directory
Each year at Delaworld 101 the Honors Program takes digital photos
of every incoming freshman who shows up for the day's orientation. These
photos (in glorious color) are available for online viewing and can
be sorted by major, hometown, and last name. To protect the students'
privacy, the directory is restricted to the on-campus University community, so
all viewers will need to enter their UD username and password before
gaining access to the picture directory.
- Class of 2011
- Class of 2010
- Class of 2009
- Class of 2008
- Class of 2007
- Class of 2006
- Class of 2005
- Class of 2004
back to top
Current Freshman Class Profile
Admission statistics on the Class of 2011 are available in the latest
"Report to Schools." You
will need Adobe Acrobat to view
this file.
Semester Course Listings are viewable using Adobe Acrobat Reader; a download is available
at www.adobe.com.
To search for a particular class, select the binoculars icon on the
top toolbar and follow online instructions.
Fall 2008
Fall 2008 Capstone Courses
Fall 2008 Recently Added Courses & Courses with Revised Descriptions
Spring 2008
Spring 2008 Recently Added Courses & Courses with Revised Descriptions
Past Semesters:
General Education Group Approvals
for Colloquia
General Education Group Approvals for Colloquia are viewable using Adobe Acrobat Reader; a download is available at www.adobe.com.
Note: Dashes in the charts mean that you should see your college Dean's Office for clarification.
Fall 2008
Spring 2008
Past Semesters:
Approved Capstone/Seminar Courses
for Honors Degree and Honors Degree with Distinction
An Honors capstone course approved for the Honors Degree is meant to summarize
and synthesize the previous three to three and one-half years of a student’s undergraduate career. Capstone courses may be either discipline-specific or interdisciplinary courses. These courses may take the form of traditional senior seminars but may also involve research and group projects or any such activity that successfully integrates and synthesizes what the student has learned, and requires reflection on the experience. Though "reflection" can mean both oral and written presentations, we typically see an emphasis in these courses on written work. Independent study courses are not considered Honors capstone experiences because an important part of the reflection incorporates interaction with other students in the course. Capstone courses must be at least 3 credit courses. They may be at the 300 level, but preferably are at the 400 level, and to count as an Honors Degree capstone course, must be taken in one of the last two semesters before graduation.
For a chart of courses approved for the Honors Degree and Honors Degree with Distinction
requirement, consult the link below.
Approved Capstone/Seminar Courses
Spring 2006 Capstone Courses
Fall 2006 Capstone Courses
Spring 2007 Capstone Courses
Fall 2007 Capstone Courses
Spring 2008 Capstone Courses
Fall 2008 Capstone Courses
back to top
Honors First-Year Interdisciplinary Colloquia
Guidelines for Faculty
(From "Guidelines from the 1996 Task Force
on Colloquia")
All first-year students in the Honors Program, regardless of their
intended college or major, are required to take one Honors first-year
interdisciplinary colloquium. Although colloquia topics differ according
to the interests and expertise of the faculty teaching them, all colloquia
are designed to provide certain learning experiences held by faculty
to be important for the beginning of every Honors Program student's
undergraduate career.
Honors colloquia are broadly conceived, generally going beyond conventional
disciplinary boundaries and focusing on topics of major and enduring
significance. Topics thus deal with central concerns of liberal education.
Colloquia are intellectually rigorous without requiring more than a
high-school background in a field. They are elementary not in the sense
of preparing students for further study in a discipline, but rather
in the sense of preparing them for further skilled reflection on issues
and ideas of interest to all educated persons.
Intensive reading, thoughtful analysis, intelligent speech, and good
writing are expected of colloquium participants. Typically, readings
are texts rather than textbooks and may include film and other media
in addition to print; they convey to the student the experience of inquiry
and discovery rather than simply presenting results. Field trips and
special co-curricular programming may also be appropriate. Given the
intended interdisciplinary breadth of the colloquia, team-teaching and/or
participation by guest scholars may be employed.
Course Design of Colloquia
Faculty teaching colloquia have a unique opportunity
to introduce important subject matter to some of the University's
most talented students at the beginning of their college careers.
Because of the different goals of the colloquia, however, most faculty
find that structuring these courses requires a different type of planning
than that needed for a course within the major, even an Honors course
in the major. Even though enrollment in most Honors courses is typically
limited to no more than 25 to facilitate students' active learning,
faculty can expect that active learning in colloquia will be even
greater than is usual for an Honors course. The following requirements
and suggestions have been helpful to faculty over the years.
Substantial writing is required in all colloquia. Writing assignments
include but are not necessarily limited to three medium-length papers.
Faculty should expect to spend considerable time outside of class assisting
colloquium participants with the subject matter and effective organization
and presentation of their ideas in their papers.
Discussion-based learning
In addition to the time students devote to writing papers, considerable
class time must be given to thoughtful discussion. Lectures and lecture-discussions
are not appropriate as the main method of instruction for colloquia,
which require each class member to participate regularly in discussion.
Small-group work and other forms of collaborative learning are helpful
tools, and workshops are available for faculty interested in problem-based
learning.
Writing Fellows
Undergraduate peer writing tutors (Writing Fellows) are an integral part of the Honors Colloquium experience. Each Colloquium has a Writing Fellow assigned to it. Please see the Writing Fellows web site for more information about the Writing Fellows program.
Individual student conferences
To assist students in developing paper topics, understanding the material,
and finding their voices in class, individual conferences between faculty
and students are an important component of colloquia and should supplement
the one-on-one instruction in writing and revision provided by the Writing
Fellow(s) assigned to each colloquium. (Information about the Writing
Fellows Program can be found elsewhere in this site.)
Content coverage
Although colloquia are intended primarily for first-year students, they
are not considered introductory courses in any discipline. Rather than
presuming extensive background knowledge and preparing students for
further study in a particular field, colloquia help students develop
the ability to read carefully, question actively, analyze thoughtfully,
speak intelligently, and write clearly. In other words, colloquia do
not emphasize extensive content coverage at the expense of other educational
goals.
300-level courses
Colloquia have 300-level numbers because of the kind of reading, analysis,
writing, and discussion involved, not because of any advanced content
knowledge that the faculty either presuppose or convey.
Exams
Because content coverage is not a primary goal, many faculty do not
use exams. When they are used, methods of testing students should emphasize
writing. Faculty should not use multiple-choice and/or other machine-gradable
tests.
Frequency of class meetings
Colloquia are scheduled to meet at least twice a week since continuity
in class discussions must be sustained. There are no three-hour sessions.
Sample course descriptions, syllabi, and other
help from colleagues
Topics and approaches of faculty who design colloquia show considerable
variety. Colloquium faculty have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to
think creatively about their own disciplines, their teaching, and their
own writing. Many are eager to share experiences and to hear from faculty
interested in designing new colloquia. For referral to experienced colloquium
instructors to discuss your ideas for creating or carrying out a colloquium,
contact Ms. Katharine Kerrane in the Honors
Program Office, 831-2734.
Guidelines for Creating an Individual Honors Section
In fall 2004, the Honors Affiliated Faculty established a set of guidelines for individual Honors sections. When creating this kind of an Honors class, faculty should design enrichment components that fully integrate the Honors experience into the existing course. Please see the Guidelines for Creating an Individual Honors Section.
Creating an Honors Section
at Student Request
Every semester some instructors of non-Honors sections agree to make
Honors credit available in response to student requests. This process,
which should occur by the second week of a semester, is initiated by
both students and professors by filling out an application
(includes Guidelines) available here or in the Honors Program Office. The professor will also
need to attach a brief description of the course, emphasizing those
elements that distinguish the requirements for Honors credit from those
for the non-Honors registrants. See criteria regarding the Individual Honors Contract. For information, call 831-2734.
Independent Study
With the consent of a faculty sponsor and the Honors Program, a student
may enroll for Honors credit in an independent study course. This process,
which should occur by the second week of a semester, is initiated by
both students and professors by filling out an application available here or in the Honors Program Office.
Study Abroad
Qualified students may be able to receive Honors credit for courses
offered abroad in some of the programs sponsored by the University.
Brochures and applications for study-abroad programs can be obtained
from the Center for International Studies. The
Honors Program recommends inquiring about Honors Credit before registering
for a particular course and program.
Requirements for Honors Awards
and Certificates
General Honors
Award
This award recognizes a student's pursuit of Honors challenges and
enrichment opportunities during the first two years of university
study. It can be earned only by those admitted to the Honors Program
as first-year students who satisfy the requirements listed below.
Available to the Class of 2004 and beyond, its conferral is recorded
on the recipient's permanent transcript.
Requirements
- Eighteen credits of Honors coursework over the first
two years, with a minimum of 12 credits required in
the first year
- Three credits of the 12 credits taken in the first year
must include an interdisciplinary Honors colloquium
- A minimum of a 3.20 cumulative GPA must be earned
by the end of the student's first two years at
the University
- A minimum of 60 credits (including AP and/or transfer
credits) must be completed by the end of the student's
second year, with at least 48 earned at UD
- Students are required to live in freshman Honors
housing their first year at UD
For more information, please contact the Honors Program
Office (831-1195).
Honors Foreign Language Certificate
To earn a bachelor's degree with an Honors Foreign Language Certificate
in French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish, a qualified student
must complete a designated sequence of four 200- and 300-level Honors
credit courses in the above-listed languages with no grade below a B-minus.
The first two courses are to be taken during Winter or Summer Sessions
in one or two of seven countries, and the last two courses are to be taken
on the Delaware campus. A cumulative GPA of 3.00 must be achieved by graduation.
Students successfully completing these requirements have this accomplishment
recorded on their official transcript.
Note: The Honors Foreign Language Certificate can be earned
in addition to other kinds of Honors certificates and awards. Honors
courses taken in the sequence leading to the Foreign Language Certificate
can also be applied toward those required for other forms of Honors
recognition.
For more information: See Study Abroad Coordinator, Department of Foreign Languages
and Literatures, 325 Smith Hall, 831-6458.
Procedures for Creation of an Honors Degree and Honors Degree with Distinction
- Departmental Approval
- If a department wishes to create an Honors Degree or wishes to change the specific departmental requirements for the Honors Degree, the department faculty should meet and discuss a
proposal, including how they will offer a minimum of 9-12 Honors credits in the major on a regular basis.
- A senior year capstone course is required for the Honors Degree. The Honors Program provides capstone courses every semester, so departments do not necessarily have to offer an
Honors Degree capstone course in the major.
- If a department wishes to have a capstone course designated as an Honors Degree approved capstone course, the department must submit a course syllabus and course description to the
Honors Program for approval. The course must meet the requirements for an Honors Degree capstone. Those requirements are found on the UHP website:
http://honors.udel.edu/charts/capstone.html.
- The UHP staff will consult with the department and answer any questions they have about Honors Degree requirements and how to offer Honors courses.
- After approval by the department, the Honors Degree proposal next goes to the College Committee.
- College Approval
- A letter of support from the Honors Program Director should accompany the Honors Degree proposal. In addition to the proposal, the department should include a list of courses the
department will regularly offer as Honors courses, to demonstrate how students will earn Honors credits in the major. The Honors Program letter of support, as well as the information
documenting how students will earn Honors credits, should accompany the Honors Degree proposal as it goes through the approval process, beginning with the college committee or
appropriate faculty body.
- After review by the appropriate faculty body, the College Dean signs off on the Honors Degree proposal.
- After approval at the College level, the proposal goes to the University Faculty Senate Office for review by the Undergraduate Studies Committee.
- Note: Approval in the College of Arts and Sciences rests with the A&S Faculty Senate after review by the Educational Affairs Committee.
- Faculty Senate Approval
- The Undergraduate Studies Committee reviews the proposal for approval.
- The Faculty Senate Executive Committee reviews for proposal for approval.
- Next, the proposal goes to the full University Faculty Senate for approval.
- Catalog
Requirements for Enriched Degree
Options
These degrees allow exceptionally talented and dedicated undergraduate
students to pursue their academic interests in greater depth and breadth
than is required for the regular bachelor's degree. Achievement in these
degrees is recorded on the official transcript and diploma. These degree
options, where available, are open to all UD students enrolled in the Honors Program who meet the requirements.
A candidate for any of these enriched degrees must satisfy the general
University requirements and the degree requirements specified for the
major by his or her college and departments. The degrees are currently
available in the majority of departments or degree programs. For information
about availability and specific department or college requirements,
inquire in the Honors Program Office, refer to p. viii in the UD Undergraduate
Catalog, or consult the catalog's web
site.
Neither completion of the freshman year in the Honors Program nor receipt
of the General Honors Award
is required for an Honors Degree or Honors Degree with Distinction.
Students who complete an Honors Baccalaureate Degree receive a degree
called "Honors Bachelor of Arts," "Honors
Bachelor of Music," "Honors Bachelor of Science," and
so forth.
Honors Degree
The Honors Degree is currently available in most colleges and departments
and recognizes a student's excellent performance in 30 credits of Honors
coursework in and outside the primary major. An Honors Degree application
form must be sent to the Honors Program by May 15 of the year before
a student is planning to graduate.
General requirements
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.400 at the time of
graduation
- At least 30 credits earned in Honors courses:
--At least 12 credits in the major department or in
courses in collateral disciplines
specifically required
for the major;
--At least 12 credits in 300-level courses or higher,
not
including the first-year interdisciplinary
Honors
colloquium;
--Three credits in an Honors Degree seminar or Honors
capstone course or comparable
senior experience
approved by the major and the
Honors Program, to
be completed in one of the last
two semesters
of the student's degree program
For more information, stop by the Honors Program Office or call 831-1195.
Honors Degree with Distinction:
The Honors Degree with Distinction recognizes a student's completion
of the research requirements for the Degree with Distinction in addition
to the successful completion of 30 credits in Honors courses through
the degree program. An Honors Degree application form must be sent to the Honors Program by May 15 of the year before a student is planning to graduate. In addition, a thesis application, available in the Undergraduate Research Office (URO), must be sent to the URO at the same time. For more information about the thesis, contact the URO at 831-8995.
General requirements
- Six credits of Honors thesis or project (UNIV 401/402)
and the successful oral presentation of an acceptable
thesis or project to a committee of faculty approved
by the major department and the University
Honors Program
- Completion of any additional specifications for the
thesis or project set by the major department
Note: Six credits of Honors thesis may be counted as part of
the 30 Honors credits required for the Honors Degree. UNIV 402 satisfies
the senior capstone requirement.
For more information, call 831-1195 or stop by the Honors Program Office.
Degree with Distinction:
Available in all majors, the Degree with Distinction supplements
regular departmental degree requirements by giving an exceptionally
motivated student significant research experience while still an undergraduate.
The major component of the degree is the successful completion of
a senior thesis (see below). There are no specific Honors course requirements
for the Degree with Distinction. Students who complete it receive a
bachelor's degree in the appropriate college and major with the notation
that it was earned "with Distinction."
General Requirements
- Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00, with at
least 3.5 in the major
- Register for UNIV 401 and UNIV 402 (the Senior
Thesis course) in successive semesters and attend
required class meetings in the senior year
- Complete 6 credits of thesis or project work during
the last two semesters at UD and give a formal oral
presentation and defense of the thesis to all
committee members
For more information, see "Handbook for Candidates for the Honors
Degree and Degree with Distinction," available in the Undergraduate
Research Office (831-8995). Applications, also available in the URO,
should be turned in with the senior thesis preliminary proposal by May
15 of the junior (or third) year.
Enriched Degree FAQs
Honors Degree
What Honors coursework counts toward the
Honors Degree?
Honors coursework freshman through senior year may be applied toward
the minimum 30 Honors credits needed for the Honors Degree.
Can pass/fail Honors courses count towards
the Honors Degree:
Only if the course was offered on a pass/fail basis only.
Do I have to take an Honors tutorial course
for the Honors Degree?
The tutorial course, UNIV 490, is not a requirement of the Honors
Degree, but it can be taken to satisfy the senior capstone requirement.
When do I take the Honors capstone course?
An Honors Degree Seminar or Honors capstone course must be taken in
one of the last two semesters before you graduate. Courses that count
as Honors Degree seminars include:
- Specially designated Honors Degree seminars noted in the UHP Honors
Course booklet
- UNIV 490-the Honors tutorial course
- UNIV 402-080-the second-semester Honors thesis course
- Courses approved by the department and the UHP as specially designated
HD seminars within the major. View the list of approved capstone courses.
What is the GPA requirement for the Honors
Degree?
The Honors Degree requires a minimum 3.40 cumulative grade point index
at the time of graduation. (Please note that the more credits you have
earned, the more difficult mathematically it becomes to improve your
cumulative grade point average.)
Is the General Honors Award a requirement
of the Honors Degree?
No. However, the 18 or more Honors credits earned for the GHA may
apply towards the total Honors credits needed for the Honors Degree.
Is the first-year Honors colloquium course
a requirement of the Honors Degree?
No. It may be counted toward the 30 Honors credits needed for the degree,
but may not be counted toward the 12 credits needed at the 300-level
or above because it is a freshman-level course.
Can the 12 Honors credits required at or
above the 300-level be Honors courses in my major?
Yes. In fact, we strongly encourage you to take upper-division Honors
courses in your major, although 300-level Honors coursework outside
the major also will satisfy that requirement.
Do individual departments have specific
Honors Degree requirements?
Many departments do have specific requirements for the Honors Degree
in addition to the generic requirements listed above. These specific
requirements are listed in the University catalog under the Honors Degree
in the major.
Honors Degree with Distinction
What is the difference between the Honors
Degree and the Honors Degree with Distinction?
The Honors Degree with Distinction has the same requirements as the
Honors Degree, but it also requires the completion of a thesis and the
two semester thesis courses, UNIV 401 and UNIV 402.
Do UNIV 401 and 402 count towards the Honors
credits for the Honors Degree with Distinction?
Yes. They also count as 6 credits at or above the 300-level, and UNIV
402 counts as the Honors Degree seminar course.
Writing
Fellows Faculty Handbook
Events
On-Campus Events
Off-Campus Events
|