CALS Honors in Research Checklist
For Students who Enter UW-Madison in Fall 2017 or after.
All forms cited in this document & additional details are available via the CALS Honors Program web page.
ENTERING THE HONORS PROGRAM:
DURING THE FIRST YEAR:
DURING THE SECOND YEAR:
DURING THE THIRD YEAR:
DURING THE FOURTH/FINAL YEAR:
1Students who began at UW-Madison prior to fall 2017 are not required to complete Inter-Ag 288 (though they may choose to do so during their sophomore year). Instead, activities and accomplishments during the first year should be documented by filing a First-Year Requirements Form and Letter. For students intending to complete the honors program in 3 years rather than 4, it is permissible to combine the first and second-year letters.
2Students who began at UW-Madison prior to fall 2017 are not required to complete Inter-Ag 388 (though they may choose to do so during their junior year). Instead, activities and accomplishments during the second year should be documented by filing a Second-Year Requirements Form and Letter. For students intending to complete the honors program in 3 years rather than 4, it is permissible to combine the first and second-year letters.
CALS Honors in Research: Sample Student Situations
Sally Student - freshman in fall 2017
*indicates a portfolio piece
John Doe - sophomore in fall 2017; already applied to Honors Program
*indicates a portfolio piece
Buckingham Badger -junior in fall 2017; has not applied to Honors Program
*Note: student must have completed mini (one semester) independent research project (BJOCORE, BIO 152, Ind. Study) and presentation*
*indicates a portfolio piece
All forms cited in this document & additional details are available via the CALS Honors Program web page.
ENTERING THE HONORS PROGRAM:
DURING THE FIRST YEAR:
- Identify a mentor
- Identify a general area of research
- Begin to become familiar with common research tools, language, and processes through engagement in a research activity (such as reading, lab work, field work, etc).
- There should be frequent interactions with the mentor or the research group associated with the mentor.
- Consider involvement with the CALS Health and Research Society (CHARS).
- Maintain a 3.25 GPA
- Enroll in Inter-Ag 288 (1 er) during the spring.1
DURING THE SECOND YEAR:
- Conduct an introductory research project (through Biocore, Biology 152, or 299/699 independent study credit).
- Continue development of research skills. (For experimental sciences, this might involve reading the scientific literature but primary emphasis is on developing laboratory skills through interaction with the faculty & other scientists. In the social sciences, it might involve reading the literature as well as beginning the types of data acquisition & analysis or other personal involvement appropriate to the discipline.).
- Near the end of the year, present the research results in an appropriate research forum to an informed audience such as a poster session at a local meeting or symposium, or an oral presentation to the mentor's research group.
- There should be frequent interactions with the mentor or his/her research group.
- Maintain a 3.25 GPA
- Enroll in Inter-Ag 388 (1 er) during the spring.2
DURING THE THIRD YEAR:
- Prepare a thesis proposal suitable in content, length, and format to the field in which the research is being conducted.
- Apply for funding to support the senior honors thesis research. CALS and campus deadlines are typically in mid-February of each year and are posted on the CALS Honors website along with application materials. Off-campus funding may be available in certain cases. Applications for funding are not strictly required but are strongly recommended.
- Maintain a 3.25 GPA.
- Enroll in Inter-Ag 488 (1 er) during the spring.
DURING THE FOURTH/FINAL YEAR:
- Complete 2-4 credits of Senior Honors Thesis 681 (or 699 if 681 is unavailable in the mentor's department).
- Complete 2-4 credits of Senior Honors Thesis 682 (or 699).
- Present the Thesis results in a public forum (CALS Undergraduate Symposium and/or UW Undergraduate Symposium are recommended venues) and document this presentation by filing a Senior Honors Thesis Presentation Form.
- Submit an electronic copy of the Abstract Page, Cover Sheet, Presentation Form and Senior Thesis to the 116 Ag Hall.
- Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
1Students who began at UW-Madison prior to fall 2017 are not required to complete Inter-Ag 288 (though they may choose to do so during their sophomore year). Instead, activities and accomplishments during the first year should be documented by filing a First-Year Requirements Form and Letter. For students intending to complete the honors program in 3 years rather than 4, it is permissible to combine the first and second-year letters.
2Students who began at UW-Madison prior to fall 2017 are not required to complete Inter-Ag 388 (though they may choose to do so during their junior year). Instead, activities and accomplishments during the second year should be documented by filing a Second-Year Requirements Form and Letter. For students intending to complete the honors program in 3 years rather than 4, it is permissible to combine the first and second-year letters.
CALS Honors in Research: Sample Student Situations
Sally Student - freshman in fall 2017
Freshman Fall
|
Freshman Spring
|
Sophomore Fall
|
Sophomore Spring
|
Junior Fall
|
Junior Spring
|
Senior Fall
|
Senior Spring
|
*indicates a portfolio piece
John Doe - sophomore in fall 2017; already applied to Honors Program
Sophomore Fall
|
Sophomore Spring
|
Junior Fall
|
Junior Spring
|
Senior Fall
|
Senior Spring
|
*indicates a portfolio piece
Buckingham Badger -junior in fall 2017; has not applied to Honors Program
*Note: student must have completed mini (one semester) independent research project (BJOCORE, BIO 152, Ind. Study) and presentation*
Junior Fall
|
Junior Spring
|
Senior Fall
|
Senior Spring
|
*indicates a portfolio piece